The trip to Machu Picchu is a day long awaited and even dreamed of by many visitors. At the time of the visit, either with a tour or on your own, the tourist must choose between one of the ten new types of tickets. These allow you to do one of the circuits and, optionally, different types of trekking routes such as Huayna Picchu, Intipunku, Huchuy Picchu, etc. The type of ticket to choose depends on the type of trip you want: first time travel, travel with friends, travel with seniors and more. Learn a simple guide on the perfect type of ticket for you.

• Travel to Machu Picchu for the first time
• Travel to Machu Picchu with children
• Travel to Machu Picchu with seniors
• Travel to Machu Picchu with friends
• Travel to Machu Picchu for the second time

Panoramic view of Machu Picchu

The ten types of Machu Picchu entrance fees
There are ten types of tickets to Machu Picchu: (a) ticket Machu Picchu Classic Photo, (b) ticket Machu Picchu Classic, (c) ticket Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace, (d) ticket Machu Picchu Lower temples, (e) ticket Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu, f) ticket Machu Picchu with Mountain, g) ticket Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu, h) ticket Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge, i) ticket Machu Picchu with Intipunku and j) ticket Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern). All types of tickets allow visitors to make one of the three circuits to the Inca citadel: circuit 1 is a simple route to the viewpoint of the Guardian House, circuit 2 allows a route through the upper and lower part of Machu Picchu and circuit 3 includes a visit to the temples of royalty in the lower part of the Inca citadel. Each type of ticket has different schedules. Some tickets are only available during the high tourist season, from June 1 to October 15. The tickets that are available all year round are: a) Machu Picchu Classic Photo ticket, b) Machu Picchu Classic ticket, c) Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace ticket, d) Machu Picchu Lower Temples ticket, e) Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket and f) Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket.

Travel to Machu Picchu for the first time

If you are visiting Machu Picchu for the first time, the best option is to choose the Classic Machu Picchu ticket.

This ticket is the one that most visitors choose to visit Machu Picchu because it allows to make the circuit 2, also called the classic circuit. This is the most complete tour of the archaeological site because most of the temples and Inca stone constructions are visited.

It includes: the Guardian’s House (where the classic photo is taken), the Temple of the Sun (seen from the top), the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural sector (terraces where there are llamas).

If you are traveling to Machu Picchu for the first time, it is also recommended to be accompanied by a professional tour guide. In each of the stone constructions there are no descriptive legends of its importance and function. A guide, in addition, allows a clear explanation to better understand the importance of the Inca citadel.

The tour to Machu Picchu with a professional tour guide through circuit 2 lasts two hours and thirty minutes on average.

The Classic Machu Picchu ticket has the following costs and discounts:

Map of circuit 2 Route designed (Classic Route)

Travel to Machu Picchu with children

If you are visiting Machu Picchu with children, two excellent options are to choose the tickets a) Machu Picchu Temples of the lower part or b) Machu Picchu Classic.

If the child likes to walk, is active and interested in history, the classic route offered by circuit 2 is the best alternative. This ticket is the one that most visitors choose to visit Machu Picchu because it allows to do circuit 2. It includes: the Guardian’s House (where you get the classic photo), the Temple of the Sun (seen from the top), the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural sector (terraces where there are llamas).

If the child gets bored easily you can choose the Machu Picchu Temples of the lower part ticket, which includes circuit 3 in Machu Picchu. This circuit 3 allows you to visit the temples of the lower part, such as: the Royal Tomb, the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the site of Tres Portadas, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural area (postcard photo of Machu Picchu). The tour of this circuit takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

It is recommended to do this tour in the company of a professional tour guide. The guide can be very entertaining for the group, especially for the children. The guides know how to gain the interest of the little ones by explaining each of the stone constructions and the history behind them.

Both the Classic Machu Picchu ticket and the Lower Machu Picchu Temples ticket include a visit to the agricultural sector in the lower part of the archaeological site. There, in addition to getting a postcard photo of Machu Picchu, children can be photographed with llamas which is very entertaining for them.

The Machu Picchu Temples lower Machu Picchu ticket has the following costs and discounts:

Map of Machu Picchu Lower part temples

Travel to Machu Picchu with seniors

For the visit to Machu Picchu for older adults, depending on their physical condition, you can choose between two types of tickets a) Machu Picchu Temples of the lower part or b) Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace.

If the senior is not in good physical health, has difficulty climbing stone stairs in several sections, or is overweight, it is best to choose the Machu Picchu Temples of the lower Machu Picchu ticket that offers circuit 3 in Machu Picchu. This circuit 3 allows you to visit the temples of the lower part, such as: the Royal Tomb, the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the site of Tres Portadas, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural area (postcard photo of Machu Picchu). The tour of this circuit takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

However, if the older adult cannot complete this 1 hour 30 minutes walking route on average, he/she can take a seat at the first viewpoint of the route. From there you can contemplate Machu Picchu and its main Inca constructions. You can stay as long as you wish, alone or with the company of your tour guide. Then you can leave by the same way you arrived, which is accessible to everyone.

On the other hand, if the senior is in acceptable physical condition, and feels able to climb the stone steps in some sections of the route, you can choose the ticket Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace. This ticket offers circuit 2, which includes: the Guardian’s House (where you get the classic photo), the Temple of the Sun (seen from the top), the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural sector (terraces where there are llamas).

Unlike the Classic Machu Picchu ticket, the ticket Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace does not require a final ascending section because the visit to the sector of the Guardian’s House is made only by a lower terrace. That is, the walk is easier for the elderly. The result is almost the same because in this viewpoint you have an incredible postcard photo of Machu Picchu.

Whether it is circuit 3 or circuit 2, it is recommended to do this circuit in the company of a professional tour guide. The guide will help the senior to complete the route in the most appropriate way possible. In addition, the guides have knowledge of first aid and know the best way to evacuate the archaeological site in case of any emergency.

The Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket has the following prices and discounts:

Map of the route along the lower terrace of Machu Picchu

Travel to Machu Picchu with friends

If you visit Machu Picchu with friends, especially if they are young people over 18 years old, it is recommended to do a trekking route to Machu Picchu. And, according to experts, the most exciting and memorable route is the one included in the ‘Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu’ ticket.

The Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket includes circuit 3 in the visit to the Inca citadel. This circuit 3 offers a tour of the lower part of the archaeological site, such as: the Royal Tomb, the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the site of Tres Portadas, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural area (postcard photo of Machu Picchu). Circuit 3 takes 1 hour 30 minutes on average.

But the most striking thing about this ticket is that it includes the hiking route to the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain. This hike is uphill for almost 2 kilometers to reach 2,693 meters above sea level at the top of this mountain. From there you have a scenic view of Machu Picchu and all the surrounding geographic environment. A young visitor on average can complete this hike in 1 hour 30 minutes.

The Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket is available all year round but only for tourists over 18 years old.

The Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket has the following prices and discounts:

Route to Huayna Picchu mountain

Travel to Machu Picchu for the second time

If you visit Machu Picchu with friends, for the second time, it is best to choose a different, special adventure in Machu Picchu. Then one of the best options is to choose the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Mountain’.

The Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket includes circuit 1 in the visit to the Inca citadel. This circuit offers the visit to the Guardian’s House where the tourist will get the famous postcard photo of Machu Picchu.

But the most striking thing about this ticket is that it includes the trekking route to the top of the Machu Picchu mountain. This hike is uphill for almost 2.5 kilometers to reach 3,082 meters above sea level at the top of this mountain. This is the most challenging trekking route in Machu Picchu. An average visitor can complete the hike to the top in 2 hours or a little more.

The Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket is available all year round but only for tourists over 18 years old.

The Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket has the following prices and discounts:

Map of the route to Machu Picchu mountain

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Valentino L.

“History, landscapes and energy“

“Machu Picchu is a fantastic place, I keep its great history, the beautiful pictures with amazing landscapes, and the energy that radiates one does not know from where.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, October 3, 2024