I had my doubts when I saw the early morning returnees red-face and panting at the entrance control. But beyond the tiredness they glowed with accomplishment and joy. Many of them encouraged us saying "It's worth it!" And it is. Just for the panorama from the top which takes in Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. At the bottom of the canyons the racing rivers seem silent so far away and most of all you hear birds, and the gasps of awe when each new hiker emerges from the wooden ladder that leads to the top. It's worth it. But don't underestimate it or rush in without being sure you're physically capable of a rigorous and difficult hike.
It's difficult
This is a difficult level hike for several reasons. The steps are sometimes as high as a large adult's knee. Sometimes the steps are lightly carved into stone. Sometimes the path is one person wide and there is two direction traffic. It's not long, but it is steep. There are steel rope supports some of the way and sometimes there is nothing to hold on to. It's high up in the sky and making the air a little thinner to breath.
You need both hands free
Although you can buy hiking (ski) walking sticks at the entrance to Machu Picchu, the official brochure lists them as not permitted. I can understand why. Around Machu Picchu and certainly up Waynapicchu there are nooks between rocks to snag your stick and mess with your progress. Besides, there are a great many places on the path up Waynapicchu where you are going to need both of your hands free. So cameras ought to be on straps, phones in pockets, water in backpacks, and so on. Fortunately there is a place to unload unnecessary bags and coats at the entrance to Machu Picchu, for 3 Soles (2015) and that's a good thing, so you can go up as lightly as possible.
There's a tunnel
Toward to top there is a tunnel to walk through. An adult will have to stoop over to get into the tunnel which is formed by a large rock laying over another one. It is quite easy to turn around in the tunnel and go back if for some reason you don't feel like going all the way through. The end of the tunnel is narrower than the beginning and consists of about five steps curving steeply up from the tunnel. An adult will have to use hands and knees to climb/crawl up and through. There are typically plenty of friendly and helpful hands to complete this part of the adventure. I imagine most people will have to remove their backpacks to get through.
It's slippery
Even when the sky is clear and the sun is out, it's slippery. Mossy, slimy stones make up part of the path. Water is moving all the time from the top down the crevices and sometimes over the stone steps. It's not a good idea to rush up. Take a look at where your feet are to fall and make sure you feel solid. It is not uncommon for hikers to slip and fall, and it is not easy being removed from the trail with a dislocated shoulder. Yup, we saw one of those on the way up in April 2015 in the first ten minutes of the hike. The weather changes quickly, and when it's cloudy it's cold and when it's sunny it's hot. I recommend a plastic rain poncho folded up and tucked away. I didn't worry about the cold as much because hikers are using up quite a bit of energy and you''ll arrive puffing and warm at the top. If it does rain before you begin the hike, I would seriously consider canceling.
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