Huayna Picchu mountaineering

Early morning bus queue

 The highlight of this trip was climbing Huayna Picchu.I personally booked the tickets for Huayna Picchu admission online separately from the JAL pack tour. We asked for a wake-up call at 4 o'clock in preparation for early morning departure. We had breakfast at 5 o'clock and left for the bus stop for Machu Picchu ruins at 5:30, but we were surprised at the long line waiting for the bus.We lined up for about 100m and waited about 30 minutes before getting on the bus.Even so, we were able to enter the Machu Picchu ruins around 6:40 and arrived at the entrance of Huayna Picchu just at 7 o'clock.The surrounding mountains were covered with white clouds, and Huayna Picchu was also covered in a white mist, creating a mysterious atmosphere.Even when we came to the factory area, Huayna Picchu, which should be right in front of me, was still hidden in the mist.

In front of Sanctuary Lodge Clouds on the mountains over the terraced fields
Huayna Picchu was hiding in the gas Huayna Picchu couldn't be seen from the factory area

Huayna Picchu Trailhead
Enter from the gate on the right

 We checked the ticket at the Huayna Picchu trailhead.Out of a total of 200 people, we got a good position of 25th and started climbing. It was still foggy at the beginning of the climb, but it was getting clearer.The heat was better because we climbed the shaded side, but the slope was extremely steep.There was also a steep slope that we caught on the rope and climbed.It was sunny so I didn't feel any danger, but when it rains it will be slippery and quite tense.

Uphill right from the entrance Huayna Picchu in the fog A steep slope with a rope
Clouds above Hiram Bingham Road Machu Picchu ruins could be seen below

The fog of Machu Picchu has cleared
The clouds cleared and the whole view appeared

 There were several viewing platforms before the top of Huayna Picchu, and each time we took a commemorative photo with the Machu Picchu ruins in the background. The clouds cleared and the whole view of Machu Picchu appeared clearly.
 The top of the mountain was very close when the uphill and downhill roads were separated and became a one-way street.However, the climbing road had a tunnel just below the summit, which was an unexpected barrier that large people might not be able to pass through.

Panorama from the top of Huayna Picchu

 Since we were shooting slowly on the viewing platform, we reached the summit at a leisurely pace of one and a half hours from the trailhead.The spectacular view from the top was exactly as expected. No, it was more than I expected because of the fine weather! Overlooking the Machu Picchu ruins and the zigzag Hiram Bingham Road.It is said that the ruins of Machu Picchu look like a condor from the summit of Huayna Picchu, but it takes some imagination to make it appear like a condor. We sat on the rocky shore at the top of the mountain and enjoyed a 360-degree view.

The person who was posing at the top of the mountain Overlooking Machu Picchu ruins
Rocky area on the mountaintop Huayna Picchu sign just below the summit

 After enjoying the view of the mountaintop for about 30 minutes, we started descending.The one-way path was through the ruins of the summit of Huayna Picchu, but it was a steep staircase, and if I stepped off, I was about to fall to the Urubamba River, which I could see below.We got off carefully step by step and all survived safely.

The steep stairs just below the summit Came down a lot
Almost the same height as Machu Picchu ruins Mt. Fuchupichu before the trailhead

Huayna Picchu summit
Huayna Picchu trailhead

 Returned to the trailhead of Huayna Picchu, signed the exit and took a break.We were immersed in the satisfaction of a three-hour exciting adventure. From the trailhead, I could see people standing on the summit of Huayna Picchu and the viewing platform.
 After that, we returned through the temple of Condor on the east side as yesterday. Before heading to the exit, we finally saw the sights of Machu Picchu, the lookout hut, the terraced fields, the grain warehouse, and Huayna Picchu.And we left the Machu Picchu ruins.

Full view of the ruins seen from the central square Lookout hut with the blue sky in the background
Grain orbital Last view of Machu Picchu ruins

 Machu Picchu - Cusco

TOTO'S HOUSE
Lunch with Cusqueña Beer

 Went down to Machu Picchu village and had lunch at the restaurant TOTO'S HOUSE.The Cuscena beer after climbing Huayna Picchu was the best. After that, we returned to Ollantaytambo by the PeruRail observation train.On the observatory train, the crew performed a tiger dance dressed as a showman wearing a mask, and it was lively at the alpaca fashion show.We could see a beautiful snowy mountain from the train window.

PeruRail Vista Dome Car Snowy mountains along the line
Peru rail head mark Crew dance and fashion show

 Cusco

Oxygen supply room Cusco in the evening

 We returned to Cusco by bus from Ollantaytambo and checked in at the Alanwa Cusco Hotel near Plaza de Armas after 5 pm.The hotel was equipped with an oxygen supply device in the guest rooms as a measure against the high altitude of 3400m.

 We went out to the Plaza de Armas in the evening.The illumination of the square was very beautiful, coupled with the lights of the surrounding city. With our guide, we took a walk through the alpaca product shop and the 12-cornered stones.The 12-cornered stone street was also lit up, and a gladiator stood there.

Kushipata Square in front of the hotel Alpaca product shop
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas
Cusco Cathedral The 12-cornered stone

Paddy's Irish Pub

 After dinner, we went out again and took a walk to the 12-corner stone to enjoy the night view. At Plaza de Armas, there was Paddy's Irish Pub, which is registered as Guinness as the world's highest Irish bar at an altitude of 3,400 m (11,156 Ft.).However, I regretted having passed because I was full and worried about altitude sickness.

Paddy's Irish Pub Art gallery
Last view of Plaza de Armas

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