Machu Picchu is located in the Andes Mountains of Cusco, Peru. The visit takes place every day of the year from 6 am to 5 pm. Due to low availability, it is recommended to purchase the ticket online two or three months in advance. At the time of purchase you must choose between the 10 new routes through Machu Picchu. Each one offers a different experience expressed in three circuits that were enabled since June 1, 2024. Which one to choose? Know their similarities and differences!

• Visit Machu Picchu without a tour
• Entrance fees and the different experiences in Machu Picchu
• The four circuits in Machu Picchu
• Similarities and differences of the Machu Picchu circuits
• Tips for choosing the right entrance and circuit
• Questions and answers

Machu Picchu Inca Citadel

What type of entrance fee or route does the Machu Picchu tour include?
Tourists who visit Machu Picchu want to have a trip without many problems. Therefore, many choose to do the tour with the Machu Picchu Full Day tours. However, many times the type of ticket or the route through Machu Picchu that will be granted. There are many travel agencies that will work with the tickets of Circuit 2 or Classic Routes of Machu Picchu. These routes will allow the tour of the main constructions and temples of Machu Picchu. There are now two tickets that allow this type of tour. However, you can also choose if you want the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain routes.

Visit Machu Picchu without a tour

If you visit Machu Picchu without a tour you will have to buy your entrance, train ticket, and bus, as well as book the tour guide service in the Inca city (this service is optional). The most important thing, the first thing to do, is to buy the entrance ticket and choose a train ticket with a schedule that fits your itinerary.

On the other hand, if you choose to visit Machu Picchu for a tour, the tourist agency is in charge of acquiring your entrance tickets, train and bus tickets, and the tour guide.

For many, the option to visit Machu Picchu with a tour is much simpler. However, other visitors prefer to customize their trip at their own pace, choosing a specific type of entrance and circuit. This option is recommended, above all, for young visitors who do not like a strict itinerary.

So to visit Machu Picchu without a tour the first thing to do is to buy the entrance ticket online. You have two options: do it through the official website or an authorized tourist agency. In both cases, you must buy your ticket two or three months in advance because availability is limited. The type of ticket and the circuit to choose depends on the experience you want to live in the Wonder of the World.

Entrance fees and the different experiences in Machu Picchu

There are 10 new routes to visit Machu Picchu

• Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket (Route 1A) – Circuit 1

  This ticket allows you to enjoy a fascinating hiking trail, offering incredible views. You can also take the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu. You can also tour the main viewpoints near the Guardian’s House. This trail ticket is currently only valid for those over 18. The experience is truly beautiful, thanks to the extraordinary views. It also offers two time slots. The first group will enter at 6:00 a.m. and the second at 8:00 a.m.

• Machu Picchu Classic Photo Ticket or Upper Terrace (Route 1B) – Circuit 1

  This route and entrance to Machu Picchu allows access to the upper platforms, from which you can take a postcard photo. You can also enjoy views from the viewpoints closest to the Guardian’s House. However, you cannot hike or tour the main temples of Machu Picchu. This route is a truly contemplative activity and experience. The tour takes 2 hours and 30 minutes and is open to all ages. There are 10 time slots available, allowing entry from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Machu Picchu + Inti Punku Ticket (Route 1C) – Circuit 1

  New route opened for high season. This season will run until November 2nd, and therefore, this route will only be accessible during this period. The experience will allow you to hike to Inti Punku, the ancient and original checkpoint at Machu Picchu. You will follow part of the Inca Trail and also enjoy panoramic views of Machu Picchu. You will also be able to take a postcard photo and visit the nearest viewpoints at the Guardian’s House. This ticket includes four time slots, starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 11:00 a.m.

• Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge Ticket (Route 1D) – Circuit 1

  This ticket will also be valid for the high season (June 19th – November 2nd). During this time, you can tour this area. However, reservations can be made year-round or months before the high season. This route allows you to reach the Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu. Before arriving, you will be able to take a postcard photo and a glimpse of some of Machu Picchu’s viewpoints along the route. No other tour will be available, as will all tickets or routes for Circuit 1 or Panoramic. It has four time slots: the first starting at 8:00 a.m. and the last at 11:00 a.m. Like the hiking tickets, this tour is only valid for those over 18 years of age.

• Machu Picchu Classic Circuit Ticket or Classic Designed (Route 2A) – Circuit 2

  This route allows for the classic tour of Machu Picchu’s main structures. You can even reach the Sacred Rock, which means you can pass through most of the temples and precincts of the Inca llaqta. However, you won’t have access to the upper platforms and therefore won’t get the classic postcard photo. Likewise, your tour will be limited to visiting only the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This is one of the most widely available routes or tickets and has 10 time slots.

• Machu Picchu Classic Circuit Ticket or Lower Terrace (Route 2B) – Circuit 2

  In this case, you’re allowed a brief tour of the lower platforms. This means you’ll be able to get close to the Guardian’s House, from where you can take a picture-postcard-worthy photo. You’ll also be able to tour the main temples and complexes of Machu Picchu. This ticket is one of the best options for touring Machu Picchu. It’s open to the general public and includes 10 admission groups.

• Ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu or Waynapicchu Mountain (Route 3A) – Circuit 3

  This ticket allows you to visit the archaeological site, as well as hike to the summit of Huayna Picchu, the most popular mountain in the Inca city. It is one of the fastest-selling tickets, as it only sells out to 400 people per day. The hike is only open to those over 18 years of age. During the tour, you can see part of the Inca citadel, specifically the lower temples. This ticket does not include additional access to the Huayna Picchu route. It offers two entry times: the first at 7:00 a.m. and the second at 9:00 a.m.

• Machu Picchu Ticket Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) – Circuit 3

  This route is easy to follow because it allows easy access to Machu Picchu, without having to ascend to the upper platforms. It is ideal for adults. It is one of the new circuits that were opened after the change in the Ministry of Culture. 50 (regular season) and 75 (high season) tickets were available for this route. During the tour, you can see some of the temples in the lower zone and reach the Sacred Rock. Additionally, all routes of the Machu Picchu Royal Circuit will allow you to take this route. This route has 10 entry times. The first group will leave at 6:00 a.m. and the last at 3:00 p.m.

• Machu Picchu Ticket + Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern (Route 3C) – Circuit 3

  The Great Cave Route, or Temple of the Moon, is one of the new alternatives designed to increase visitor numbers to Machu Picchu. Furthermore, this route is only available during peak season. This route offers a preliminary tour of Machu Picchu, specifically the lower temples, and also a hike along the Qhapac Ñam or Inca Trail. The hike will culminate at the Temple of Inca Fertility, also known as the Temple of the Moon or the Great Cave. It offers two schedules and a total of 200 tickets available. Tickets are available online only.

• Ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route) – Circuit 3

  This ticket allows for a brief tour of Machu Picchu, after which you can ascend to the summit of this small mountain, also known as Huchuy Picchu. This ticket has undergone several changes, such as only 50 tickets available daily and only valid during peak season. Therefore, it can be used as a backup ticket for those who were unable to purchase their ticket in time. It also includes a one-hour hike, allowing you to see some plants and insects along the way. It also offers a unique view of Machu Picchu. This ticket includes 50 admission tickets at two times: the first at 7:00 a.m. for Machu Picchu, and the second at 1:00 p.m.

The 3 new Circuits to know Machu Picchu

These are the new circuits and sectors that can be found in Machu Picchu. See all the information below:

• Circuit 1 – Panoramic Route

  The same name details more of the routes that can be done in this circuit. Circuit 1 or Panoramic allows a tour of the upper areas of Machu Picchu. Most of the tours will be done through the viewpoints that are located following the upper platforms or those near the Guardian’s House. As mentioned, all the tickets that follow this circuit have the main attraction of taking the postcard photo. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to take the tour to other places in Machu Picchu such as the descent to the Inca citadel or the ascent to the other mountains found in the Royal Route.

• Circuit 2 – Classic Route

  This second circuit is based precisely on the tours inside the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. That is to say, it will not contemplate the ascent by the upper platforms and neither the hike to other tours such as the mountains of Huchuy Picchu or Huayna Picchu. It is divided into 2 tickets or routes in which it will highlight that the Lower Terrace circuit, which will allow you to reach the terraces near the Guardian’s House. It does not guarantee a postcard photo as such, but a very similar one. In the other ticket, it will not be possible to get to the respective place. In both tickets you will be able to make a tour of the main temples of Machu Picchu, until you reach the Sacred Rock. The return will be through the temples of the lower sector where the Temple of the Condor is located.

• Circuit 3 – Machu Picchu Royalty Route

  The third circuit of Machu Picchu allows a tour of the area, knowing most of the constructions of the Inca citadel. It also allows the ascent to several mountains. Of course, for this you will need the corresponding tickets. These tickets only cover one tour or route. There are four tickets or routes in total. Three of them allow the tour to different destinations and Inca constructions. While the last one, only the circuit inside the Inca citadel is made. Circuit 4 in general, will reach the Sacred Rock and from that control point. It is from this point that the routes to Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu and the Temple of the Moon will be divided.

Map of all available Machu Picchu tours

Main differences in the new Machu Picchu Circuits

Tips for choosing the right entrance and circuit

• If you are looking for the classic photo of Machu Picchu, the only way to get it is by purchasing any of the Panoramic Circuit tickets.
• The least complicated circuit that allows a tour of Machu Picchu is Circuit 1 or Panoramic Circuit.
• If you wish to have a tour of the entire Inca citadel, the best option is to take either of the two options of Circuit 2 or the Classic Route of Machu Picchu.
• If you want to have extra walks to have beautiful views of Machu Picchu, you can take the ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (Route 3D) or the ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A), both of the 3 circuit of the royal route.

Tourists taking a picture with Machu Picchu in the background

Questions and answers

• 1) What is the best circuit in Machu Picchu?

  For many, circuit 2 is the best of Machu Picchu because it allows you to visit most of the Inca constructions. This tour can be done for 2 hours and 30 minutes; in any of its variations.

• 2) Which is the circuit that allows me to know more in Machu Picchu?

  After the new changes, it is now important to know what kind of experience you want to have. Now there are 3 circuits which can offer you different activities. Circuit 2 could be a good alternative because of all the information that the guides will provide during the tour.

• 3) Which circuit allows me to take the best picture of Machu Picchu?

  Circuit 1, in any of its tickets or routes, will allow you to take the tour through the upper platforms and have the postcard photo you want.

• 4) Which circuit in Machu Picchu to choose if I am traveling with children?

  The trekking routes near Machu Picchu are now only valid for people over 18 years old. So you will only have to do Circuit 2 in any of its routes or tickets.

• 5) Which circuit in Machu Picchu to choose if I travel with a person in a wheelchair?

  Circuit 3 with the Ticket Machu Picchu Temples of the lower part.

• 6) Which circuit lasts longer in Machu Picchu?

  In this case the longest circuits will be comprised by the routes to the mountains. The minimum time for these tours will be 6 hours. The alternatives are:

  • Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket
  • Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Ticket
  • Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon Ticket

• 7) Which circuit should I choose in Machu Picchu to visit the Inca House?

  Any of the routes or tickets of Circuit 2 or Machu Picchu Classic.

• 8) Which ticket allows me to visit Huayna Picchu?

  You can only access Huayna Picchu with the “Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain or Wayna Picchu (Route 3A)” ticket. Therefore, you will not be able to access other trails or routes with this ticket.

• 9) Which circuit in Machu Picchu should I choose if I am traveling with seniors?

  Circuit 1 is the easiest to complete. However, the other routes can be completed easily if you are in good physical condition.

• 10) Which is the worst circuit in Machu Picchu?

  The 3 circuits offer an incredible experience, each one very different from the others. In this sense, there is not a better or worse one, but it will depend more on the experience that the tourist or tourists wish to have.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Raphael C.

“The best!“

“Simply Machu Picchu is one of the best places I have ever visited in my life. To see Machu Picchu from there, huge with its history and constructions is indescribable. Without a doubt the best trip of my life.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, March 28, 2025