If heading to Machu Picchu and in decent shape, I’d highly recommend this hike. It’s strenuous to get up to the top but totally worth the views of Machu Picchu from a different vantage point. I had a panic attack on the “Stairs of Death”…lol. The irony is that it isn’t steep but its a bit jarring. Overall, great hike and worth the effort.

I was far more terrified reading the reviews of this climb than I was actually doing it. The path to the top is definitely steep however it is very doable. I am a moderately fit 65 year old with a fear of heights and I was able to make it to the top without too much difficulty. We entered Machu Picchu at 6:30am so we could start the optional (and ticketed) climb at 7:00am. The added benefit of this was to be inside Machu Picchu without the normal crowds.

Well worth the climb. I was anxious having read some of the reviews but it's quite manageable. Take your time. Have some breaks and water stops. It took us around 2 hours total. 57 years old. Pretty inactive. Overweight but good health. Note that there is also a fairly narrow 'cave' that you need to go through on the way down.

Huayna Picchu, on Circuit 3 of the new Machupicchu trail routes, is spectacular. A spot at the top overlooking Machupicchu is arguably the best breakfast view I have ever had. At a very leisurely pace, the climb up will take an hour. If you are fit you can do it in 25 minutes, but you will likely be held up by much slower climbers. Huaynu Picchu is a perfect compliment as a second circuit after completing Circuit 2. It was a highlight of my day, and I definitely recommend it. BUT... for the love of everyone's sanity, DO NOT GO IF YOU HAVE A FEAR OF HEIGHTS. At least 20% of the route up (and down) is steep enough to be classified as a ladder instead of stairs. On the very top I watched in awe as men and women slithered their way across perfectly stable boulders and inched their way down the trails on their buttocks because they were too afraid to stand up. In all this they placed themselves in far more dangerous situations than a walk would have done. Yes, itbis beautiful. Yes, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But it is also a bloody high peak of a very steep-sloped mountain. Make wise choices.

Unless one visits at off-peak hours, it's a fairly huge (two-hour tour) and impressive old Inca site that's usually packed with visitors. The amazing view and the engrossing guide stories combine to make this a very memorable experience. Access to Machu Picchu is restricted to guided tours only, which are often purchased via train from Cusco and bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (and return to Cusco). Only drawback: be ready to get duped.