Since 2024 there are ten entrances to Machu Picchu. Each of them offers a different experience for the archaeological site, as well as a mountain or complementary trekking route. The tickets allow you to do one of the three circuits around the Inca citadel. Each circuit includes certain Inca constructions and offers a photo from a different perspective. What are the advantages and disadvantages of all the tickets to the Wonder of the World? Learn more!

• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu ticket Classic Photo
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu Classic ticket
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu ticket Classic lower terrace
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu ticket lower temples
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu ticket
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge ticket
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Intipunku ticket
• Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket

Tourist descending to the citadel from the upper terrace

Why are there new tickets and circuits in Machu Picchu?
In the past, any visitor could walk freely through any part of Machu Picchu. This provided a great experience in the Inca city, although, unfortunately, it was detrimental to the protection and conservation of the archaeological site. This, according to studies, was wearing out year after year. It could even collapse in the future. In response to this, and due to its inclusion in the list of World Heritage in Danger by UNESCO, new visiting circuits were created, the daily visitor limit was reduced and new entrance tickets were implemented. Today, since 2024, there are ten entrance tickets, which allow visitors to visit one of the three circuits available in the Inca citadel. Each ticket offers a different experience. In addition, some of them complement the visit with a hiking route to one of the mountains or mysterious Inca constructions of Machu Picchu. The objective is to protect the Inca city from the danger of collapse by better distributing the number of people. Thus, the Inca llaqta will be able to survive in the future.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu ticket Classic Photo

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 1 (Classic photo at the Guardian’s House). This route does not include Inca temples such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Advantages, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, etc.

The ticket offers ten admission times starting at 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 am, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The visit time is approximately 2 hours. The ticket is available for an average of 800 people per day. It is recommended to purchase this ticket 1 or 2 months in advance. The ticket is available all year round and is suitable for visitors of all ages.

• Advantages: Allows you to get the best postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
• Disadvantages: It does not offer any additional trekking route. Circuit 1 is a short route that takes 2 hours at most. Then you have to leave Machu Picchu.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu Classic ticket

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 2 (classic photo in the sector of the Guardian’s House). This circuit offers the tourist visit to Inca temples, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Advantages, the Sacred Rock, the Hall of Mirrors, the Water Fountains and the agricultural sector.

The ticket offers ten admission times starting at 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 am, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The average visiting time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The ticket is available for an average of 800 people per day. It is recommended to purchase this ticket 2 or 3 months in advance. The ticket is available all year round and is suitable for visitors of all ages.

• Advantages: It allows to get the best postcard photo of Machu Picchu, as well as the visit to the main Inca temples. The tourist will have the most complete tour.
• Disadvantages: It does not offer any additional trekking in Machu Picchu.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu ticket Classic lower terrace

This ticket offers exactly the same as the Classic Machu Picchu ticket. The only difference is that the classic photo is taken a few meters below, on a lower terrace. This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 2 (classic photo in the sector of the Guardian House). It includes the touristic visit to Inca temples, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Advantages, the Sacred Rock, the Hall of Mirrors, the Water Fountains and the agricultural sector.

The ticket offers ten admission times starting at 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 am, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The average visiting time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The ticket is available for an average of 800 people per day. It is recommended to purchase this ticket 2 or 3 months in advance. The ticket is available all year round and is suitable for visitors of all ages.

• Advantages: It allows to get the best postcard photo of Machu Picchu, as well as the visit to the main Inca temples. The tourist will have the most complete tour.
• Disadvantages: It does not offer any additional trekking in Machu Picchu.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu ticket lower temples

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 3, also called the circuit of royalty. This circuit offers the touristic visit to Inca temples, such as: the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, Three Gates, the Temple of the Condor, the Ceremonial Fountains and the Agricultural Sector. At this point you get a panoramic photo of Machu Picchu.

This ticket offers ten admission times starting at 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 am, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The average visit time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The ticket is available for an average of 800 people per day. It is recommended to purchase this ticket 1 or 2 months in advance. The ticket is available all year round and is suitable for visitors of all ages.

• Advantages: Circuit 3 allows you to see little explored Inca constructions that belonged to royalty.
• Disadvantages: It does not include the classic photo from the Guardian’s House, but it does include a similar photo from the agricultural sector. The ticket is not complemented with any hike.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 3 and the 2 kilometers trekking route up to Huayna Picchu mountain. The circuit offers the touristic visit to: the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, Three Gates, the Temple of the Condor, the Ceremonial Fountains and the Agricultural Sector. At this point you get a panoramic photo of Machu Picchu.

This ticket offers only two admission times at 6 am and 9 am. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The visit time is 4 hours including the visit to Huayna Picchu. The ticket has availability for 400 people per day on average. It is recommended to buy this ticket 2 or 3 months in advance. The Huayna Picchu mountain is available all year round but only for people over 18 years old.

• Advantages: Circuit 3 allows you to see little explored Inca constructions that belonged to royalty. The Huayna Picchu mountain is considered the best short trekking route in Machu Picchu.
• Disadvantages: It does not include the classic photo from the Guardian’s House, but it does include two beautiful photos from the agricultural sector and from the top of Huayna Picchu. Only suitable for people over 18 years old.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 1 and the 5 kilometers trekking route to Machu Picchu mountain. The circuit offers the tourist visit to the Guardian’s House where you get the best postcard photo of the Inca city. It also allows a challenging trekking route to the top of Machu Picchu, at 3,082 meters above sea level.

This ticket offers only two admission times at 6 am and 8 am. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The visit time is 5 hours including the visit to the Machu Picchu mountain. The ticket has availability for 400 people per day on average. It is recommended to buy this ticket 1 or 2 months in advance. The Machu Picchu mountain is available all year round but only for people over 18 years old.

• Advantages: Circuit 1 allows you to get the best postcard photo of Machu Picchu, from the Guardian’s House. Machu Picchu Mountain is the most challenging route to the top of the Inca city.
• Disadvantages: The ticket does not allow you to visit Inca temples. Only suitable for people over 18 years old.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu ticket

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 3 and the trekking route of only 1 kilometer to the small mountain Huchuy Picchu. The circuit offers the touristic visit to the royal sector such as: the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, Three Gates, the Temple of the Condor, the Ceremonial Fountains and the Agricultural Sector (here you get a panoramic photo of Machu Picchu).

This ticket offers only two admission times at 11 am and 1 pm. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The visit time is 3 hours including the visit to Huchuy Picchu. The ticket has availability for 200 people per day on average. It is recommended to buy this ticket 1 or 2 months in advance. The Huchuy Picchu mountain is available from June 1 to October 15 and is suitable for people over 18 years old.

• Advantages: Circuit 3 allows you to see little explored Inca constructions that belonged to royalty. The route to the Huchuy Picchu mountain is easy and recommended for everyone. From there you have a panoramic view of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.
• Disadvantages: It does not include the classic photo from the Guardian’s House. The visit to Huchuy Picchu is only available from June 1 to October 15 and can only be done by people over 18 years old.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge ticket

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 1 and the hiking route of about 1 kilometer to the little known Inca Bridge. Circuit 1 is short, allowing only the tourist visit to the Guardian’s House (classic photo of Machu Picchu). It also allows a simple hiking route, with beautiful landscapes, to a construction little known by tourists: the Inca Bridge.

This ticket offers four admission times at 8 am, 9 am, 10 am and 11 am. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The visit time is 4 hours including the visit to the Inca Bridge. The ticket has availability for 400 people per day on average. It is recommended to buy this ticket 1 or 2 months in advance. The Inca Bridge is available from June 1 to October 15. Admission is for people over 18 years old.

• Advantages: Circuit 1 allows you to get the best postcard photo of Machu Picchu, from the Guardian’s House. The Inca Bridge is an easy route and surrounded by beautiful views.
• Disadvantages: The ticket does not allow you to visit Inca temples (Temple of the Sun, Main Temple, Sacred Rock, etc.). Only suitable for people over 18 years old and from June 1 to October 15.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Intipunku ticket

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 1. In addition, it allows the hiking route of about 4 kilometers to the little known Inca Bridge. Circuit 1 is short, it allows only the tourist visit to the Guardian’s House where you get the classic photo of Machu Picchu. It also allows a hiking route through the historic qhapac ñan (Inca trails) to reach the Intipunku (the control and entrance gate to Machu Picchu in the Inca period).

This ticket offers four admission times at 8 am, 9 am, 10 am and 11 am. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The visit time is 4 hours including the visit to Intipunku and circuit 1. The ticket has availability for 400 people per day on average. It is recommended to buy this ticket 2 or 3 months in advance. Access to Intipunku Inca is available from June 1 to October 15. Admission is for people over 18 years old.

• Advantages: Circuit 1 allows you to get the best postcard photo of Machu Picchu, from the Guardian’s House. The Intipunku is a beautiful and historic Inca construction. It offers beautiful panoramic photos of Machupicchu. The entrance is suitable for all ages.
• Disadvantages: The ticket does not allow you to visit Inca temples in the religious zone, such as: Temple of the Sun, Main Temple, Sacred Rock, etc. Access is from June 1 to October 15.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket

This ticket offers the visit to Machu Picchu through circuit 3 (called the route of the royalty) and the trekking route of approximately 5 kilometers in total to the mysterious Temple of the Moon, also called the Great Cavern. Circuit 3 offers the visit to constructions such as: the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, Three Gates, the Temple of the Condor, the Ceremonial Fountains and the Agricultural Sector where you get a panoramic photo of Machu Picchu.

This ticket offers only two admission times at 6 am and 9 am. Each schedule allows a maximum delay of 45 minutes. The visit time is 6 hours including the visit to the Great Cavern and Machu Picchu by circuit 3. The ticket has availability for 200 people per day on average. It is recommended to buy this ticket 1 or 2 months in advance. The Great Cavern is available from June 1 to October 15 and is suitable only for people over 18 years old.

• Advantages: Circuit 3 allows you to see little explored Inca constructions that belonged to the Inca royalty, such as: the House of the Inca or the Temple of the Sun (from the lower part). The route to the Temple of the Moon is one of the most challenging. However, in the Temple of the Moon the visitor will be very close and almost alone with a mysterious Inca construction.
• Disadvantages: Does not include the classic photo from the Guardian’s House. The visit to the Temple of the Moon is only available from June 1 to October 15. It is a somewhat tough route and is only available for tourists over 18 years of age.

Advice from people who have been there

Huayna Picchu

By: Julián P.

“A true experience“

“Every step was a challenge for me, as I am not physically well, but once up there you connect with the mountains and feel Machu Picchu inside you. A true experience. Thanks to Machupicchu Terra.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 23, 2024