All you need to know before travel with us
Plan Your Visit: Everything you need to know about Machu Picchu's circuits
Operating hours
Monday to Sunday, 08:00 to 16:15 hours
The Ministry of Culture of Peru has implemented, since June 1, 2024, three new circuits and 10 routes to visit the Inka City of Machu Picchu, as a conservation and management measure. This allows for a controlled flow of visitors in authorized areas, preventing risks of damage, and ensuring the quality of the visitor experience and satisfaction.
Circuit 1: PANORAMIC
It is characterized by offering wide or panoramic views of the Inca City of Machu Picchu and its sacred mountains, as a space for connection with Andean deities. It has four (4) routes, which take you to the highest part of Machu Picchu and lead you along narrow paths, enjoying an extraordinary landscape, where you can enjoy the most impressive views of the Inca City and its surroundings, which goes beyond the classic photo. Each route demands a different physical effort, compensated by the captivating beauty of its architecture, the spatial organization of its buildings constructed on the mountain, and the harmony they maintain with nature.
This route allows you to climb Machu Picchu mountain. From its summit, you can see the snow-capped Salkantay and Pumasillo mountains, from where you can take panoramic photos of the entire cultural landscape surrounding the Inca city. The round trip is approximately 3.8 km. It requires high physical effort.
The main attraction on this route is the viewpoint and a panoramic view of Machu Picchu. You can also observe the geological formation called "Vilcabamba Batholith" and the meandering course of the Vilcanota River. Ideal if you want to take panoramic photos and get the classic shot of the city. The round trip is approximately 1.6 km. It requires medium physical effort.
Path to the famous Intipunku Sun Gate, the entrance to the city via the Inca Trail. From here you can appreciate this important route. In addition, you can have a panoramic view of the Inca city from another angle. The round trip is approximately 3.4 km. It requires medium physical effort. This route is available in high season.
This route leads to the Inca Bridge, built with stone and wood. From here you can observe the beautiful Vilcanota Valley. The round trip is approximately 2.6 km. It requires medium physical effort. This route is available in high season.
Circuit 2 - Classic Circuit
This circuit is characterized by combining a visit to the terraces of the middle part and the entire urban area of the Inca City of Machu Picchu. You will explore buildings used as dwellings and ritual spaces for observing the stars. It has two routes that require a moderate physical effort.
This route allows you to appreciate and explore the main sectors of the urban area of the city. It starts in the agricultural sector, from where you can see Machu Picchu completely. It continues towards the Llaqta Punku sector or main entrance, the Mirador del Templo del Sol (Sun Temple Viewpoint), the Main Plaza, the Sacred Rock, and the water mirrors. The round trip is approximately 2.5 km. It requires medium to high physical effort. Ideal for taking the classic Machu Picchu photo. POPULAR!
The tour begins in the agricultural sector, which you must ascend until you reach the lower terrace. At this point, you will be able to appreciate Machu Picchu and take the much-desired photo of the city. Continue towards the Llaqta Punku or Main Entrance sector, the stone quarries sector used to build the buildings, the Main Plaza, the Sacred Rock, and the Water Mirrors. The round trip is approximately 2.7 km. It requires medium to high physical effort.
Circuit 3 - Machu Picchu Royalty
It is made up of four routes and is characterized by exploring the most sacred and important spaces occupied by the Inca royalty, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Inca's House, and the Temple of the Condor, among others. This circuit requires little physical effort. If you choose to walk through the Huaynapicchu or Huchuypicchu mountains or head to the Great Cavern, greater physical effort and more time are required.
The tour starts in the agricultural sector. Here you can take the classic photo very close to the urban area. It allows you to visit the Temple of the Sun, the Inca's House, the Ceremonial Fountains, and the Three Portals sector. From this point, the path leads to Waynapicchu Mountain, where you will have impressive views of the city. On the way back, you can visit the Temple of the Condor. The round trip is approximately 2.4 km and requires high physical effort.
The tour begins in the agricultural sector where you can admire the terraces. It allows for the classic photo to be taken quite close to the urban area. It continues through the Temple of the Sun, the Inca's House, the Ceremonial Fountains, the Three Portals sector, and the Temple of the Condor. The round trip is approximately 1.3 km and requires moderate effort. A section of the circuit allows visits for people in wheelchairs or those who require assistance with their movement through the site.
The tour starts in the agricultural sector, where you can admire the Terraces. It allows you to take the classic photo quite close to the urban area. Continue through the Temple of the Sun, the Inca's House, the Ceremonial Fountains, and the Three Portals sector. From here, the route leads to the Great Cavern. On the way back, you can visit the Temple of the Condor. The round trip is approximately 3 km and requires high physical effort. This route is available during high season.
The tour begins in the agricultural sector, from where you can admire the terraces and take the classic photo very close to the urban area. It continues through the Temple of the Sun, the Inca's House, the Ceremonial Fountains, and the Three Portals sector. From here, the path leads to the entrance to Huchuypicchu mountain and up to its summit, from where you get panoramic views of the Inca city and the landscape. On the way back, you visit the Temple of the Condor. The round trip is approximately 1.7 km and requires medium physical effort.
Don't miss out on your dream photo in Machu Picchu!
Many travelers miss out on buying the most popular circuits, as they sell out quickly, and end up choosing options that might not allow them that iconic photograph with Machu Picchu in the background combined with a walk through the citadel. But don't worry, we have the solution!
Our recommendation: Combine two tickets for the complete experience!
We suggest acquiring two types of tickets:
- Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route. This is the key to getting classic and unforgettable photos with the Machu Picchu citadel as a backdrop.
- A second route of your choice (for example, Route 3-B: Royalty Route) or the one that best suits your interests. This will allow you to thoroughly explore the most important parts of the citadel through walks.
Ideally, Route 1-B should be at an early time, before starting your second exploration circuit in Machu Picchu.
Don't leave your visit to improvisation!
Are you thinking of buying your Machu Picchu tickets upon arriving in Cusco? Please, don't do it! Demand is very high. We strongly recommend securing your Machu Picchu tickets well in advance and only then organizing the rest of your trip (flights, accommodation, etc.).
If you visit the official website https://tuboleto.cultura.pe/llaqta_machupicchu and don't find availability for your desired date, it means tickets are sold out.
Tickets sold out and desperation? A last resort option (at your own risk)
We understand the frustration of not finding tickets, but if you find yourself in this extreme situation, the only option is to go to Aguas Calientes Town (Machu Picchu Pueblo). There, 1,000 additional daily tickets are put on sale.
To have any chance of getting them, you must:
- Travel one day before to Aguas Calientes.
- Be prepared to queue for a long time, often under adverse weather conditions (sun or cold).
- Many people even spend the night in queues.
Important: This option is not recommended and is entirely at your own risk. There are many people in the same situation, and success is not guaranteed.
The key to an unforgettable visit to Machu Picchu is early planning!
