Machu Picchu offers different experiences for every visitor. You can tour the archaeological site, as well as take short hikes to the top of its mountains. However, many visitors simply want to get that dream photo with the Inca city in the background. To get this shot, you must purchase tickets that include Circuit 1 or Circuit 2. Learn more about tickets and how to get that dream photo.

• Types of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket (Route 1A)
• Machu Picchu Classic Photo Ticket or Upper Terrace (Route 1B)
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C)
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Inka Bridge (Route 1D)
• Machu Picchu Classic or Classic Designed Circuit Ticket (Route 2A)
• Ticket Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B)
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu or Waynapicchu Mountain (Route 3A)
• Machu Picchu Ticket Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B)
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern (Route 3C)
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route)
• The Machu Picchu ticket via the Inca Trail
• What entry does the classic photo allow me?
• More information about photos in Machu Picchu

Postcard photo of Machu Picchu

What is the classic Machu Picchu photo?
The classic Machu Picchu photo is the most shared on social media, offering a scenic view of the archaeological site with Huayna Picchu mountain and the blue sky. It can be taken from various points in the Casa del Guardián area. However, not all entrance tickets allow you to tour this area. Only the following tickets: a) Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A), b) Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B), c) Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C), d) Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D), e) Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Designed Classic (Route 2A) and f) Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B) allow you to take this dream photo.

Types of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu

• The Machu Picchu + Mountain entrance (Route 1A) (includes classic photo) .
• The Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Superior Terrace entrance (Route 1B) (includes classic photo) .
• The entrance to Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C) (includes classic photo) .
• The entrance to Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D).
• The entrance to Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Classic Designed (Route 2A) (includes classic photo) .
• The entrance to Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B).
• The entrance to Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain or Waynapicchu (Route 3A) (includes classic photo) .
• The entrance to Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B).
• The entrance to Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) (includes classic photo) .
• The entrance to Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route).

Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket (Route 1A)

• In addition to exploring the Inca city, the Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A) ticket gives you the opportunity to explore the ancient Inca trails of the so-called ‘Machu Picchu Mountain,’ on which the archaeological site is built.
• The tour of this mountain is also partial through Circuit 1. That is, tourists will only visit the Guardian’s House.
• At the Guardian’s House, visitors can get the classic photo of Machu Picchu.
• The Machu Picchu tour lasts approximately 1 hour. The Machu Picchu Mountain tour takes 4 hours or more.
• From the top of Machu Picchu Mountain, you can capture scenic photos of Machu Picchu and the surrounding natural beauty. However, these photographs aren’t your typical postcard photo.
• Visiting Machu Picchu is open to those 12 years of age and older (minors must be accompanied by a parent). It’s a challenging but safe adventure.
• Machu Picchu mountain can be visited all year round.
• The ticket price is 200 soles for foreign adults and 112 soles for Peruvian adults.

Spectacular view of the Inca city from Machu Picchu mountain

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

• The Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace ticket (Route 1B), as its name suggests, allows you to get the classic photo of the Inca city from the Guardian’s House area.
• The tour of Machu Picchu is through Circuit 1, the shortest, but with a complete view of the Inca citadel and its main buildings. From this viewpoint, you can see in the distance: the Main Temple, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, among others.
• This tour is suitable for visitors of all ages.
• The highlight is that this ticket allows you to visit the Guardian’s House section. From there, you can get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
• The ticket price is also 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults.

Guardian’s House – Machu Picchu

Ticket Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C)

• The Machu Picchu + Inti Punku ticket (Route 1C) is a new entrance created by the Cusco authorities, which allows you to visit Machu Picchu through circuit 1.
• With this ticket, visitors can visit the Guardian’s House area , which means they can get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
• With this ticket, the tour of Machu Picchu takes only 1 hour. The Intipunku visit takes approximately 2 hours for the round trip.
• The Intipunku was the main gate that allowed access to Machu Picchu during the Inca era. It features Inca walls, niches, doors, and a stunning view of Machu Picchu.
• The Inti Punku tour is open to tourists of all ages. It is open from June 19th to November 2nd.
• The price of the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C)’ is 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults.

Machu Picchu Ticket + Inka Bridge (Route 1D)

• The Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge (Route 1D) ticket is a new entry ticket created by the Cusco authorities, which allows you to complete circuit 1 through Machu Picchu, as well as the alternative route across the Inca Bridge of the Inca citadel.
• The Machu Picchu tour is Circuit 1, which offers a visit to the Guardian’s House, where you can enjoy a complete view of the main buildings, such as: the Main Temple, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Condor, and more.
• In addition, this ticket includes a visit to the Guardian’s House area , meaning tourists can get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
• With this ticket, the tour of Machu Picchu takes approximately one hour. The round-trip visit to the Inca Bridge takes only 40 minutes.
• The Inca Bridge connected the eastern border of Machu Picchu. This bridge is made of wood, supported by a rustic stone structure. The bridge could be removed in the event of an enemy invasion, thus protecting the citadel.
• The visit to the Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu is available for tourists over 12 years of age (minors in the company of a group).
• The price of the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D)’ is 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults.

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

• The Machu Picchu Classic or Classic Designed Circuit ticket (Route 2A) will allow you to tour the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu (the guided tour will take an average of two hours and 30 minutes).
• This ticket is the most used by tourists to visit Machu Picchu.
• The tour of Machu Picchu includes Circuit 2, the longest and most comprehensive. You’ll see the amazing Inca structures, such as the Main Temple, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Sacred Rock, among others.
• It can be visited by people of all ages and is open year-round.
• The highlight is that this ticket allows you to visit the Guardian’s House section. From there, you can get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
• The ticket price is 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults.

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

• The Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B) ticket will allow you to tour the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu through circuit 2, which takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• This ticket, along with the Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Designed Classic ticket (Route 2A), is the most commonly used by tourists to visit the Inca citadel.
• The ticket also includes a visit to Inca structures such as the Main Temple, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, and more.
• The circuit can be visited by people of all ages and is available year-round.
• The highlight is that this ticket allows you to visit the Guardian’s House section. From this point, you can get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
• This ticket costs 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults.

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

• The Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu or Waynapicchu Mountain (Route 3A) ticket will allow you to travel along beautiful Inca trails, from the Inca city of Machu Picchu to the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain, located 2,693 meters above sea level.
• The tour of Machu Picchu is partial through circuit 3. That is, only some structures are visited, such as: the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the Temple of the Three Windows, and other minor structures.
• This ticket does not allow you to visit the Guardian’s House. This means you won’t be able to take the classic postcard photo of the Inca city.
• The Machu Picchu tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Huayna Picchu tour (round trip) takes 3 hours or more.
• From the top of Huayna Picchu, you can take scenic photos of Machu Picchu and the surrounding nature. However, you won’t get that classic postcard shot.
• It can be visited by people 18 years and older. This is the ultimate adventure in Machu Picchu.
• The ticket price is 200 soles for foreign adults and 112 soles for Peruvian adults.

Huayna Picchu mountain. Reaching its summit is a great challenge.

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

• As its name suggests, this tour visits the royal buildings located in the lower part of the Inca city. The tour includes a beautiful photo of Machu Picchu from the agricultural sector (lower part of the archaeological site).
• After capturing the best photos, the route continues to the religious sector of Machu Picchu. There, tourists can tour the main Inca temples and precincts built for royalty, such as the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Three Gates building, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more.
• This tour takes a maximum of 3 hours and 30 minutes. It does not include additional hiking to any mountain. Tickets must be purchased online one or two months in advance.
• The circuit is open to people of all ages.
• The ticket price is 200 soles for foreign adults and 112 soles for Peruvian adults.

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

• The Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) ticket is one of the new tickets that offer a hiking route in Machu Picchu.
• This ticket includes a tour of Machu Picchu along Circuit 3, which includes visits to important Inca sites such as the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Three Gates, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more.
• It doesn’t offer a tour of the Guardian’s House, so you won’t get the classic photo of Machu Picchu, although a similar shot can be obtained from the agricultural sector.
• With this ticket, the tour of Machu Picchu takes approximately 2 hours. The visit to the Temple of the Moon takes 4 hours for the round trip.
• The Temple of the Moon is known as the Great Cavern because it is located inside a cave at the bottom of Huayna Picchu Mountain. The hike is one of the most challenging adventures in Machu Picchu.
• The visit to the Temple of the Moon at Machu Picchu is open to guests 12 years and older (minors in the company of a group) from June 19 to November 2.
• The ticket price is 200 soles for foreign adults and 112 soles for Peruvian adults.

Temple of the One (Great Cavern) of Machu Picchu

Ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route)

• The Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route) ticket is a new entry created by the Cusco authorities. It allows you to visit both the Inca city of Machupicchu and the small mountain Huchuy Picchu (1 kilometer walk to its summit).
• The tour of the Inca city is through Route 3. It follows the same route through Machu Picchu as the one offered by the “Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A)” ticket. This means that tourists will visit: the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the House of the Inca, and other smaller structures.
• However, this ticket does not allow tourists to take the classic postcard photo at the Guardian’s House.
• With this ticket the tour of Machu Picchu takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The route to Huchuy Picchu mountain (round trip) takes approximately 2 hours.
• From the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain, you can take scenic photos of the entire archaeological site . However, these photos aren’t as scenic as those of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Nor are they the classic photo from the Guardian’s House.
• Visiting Huchuy Picchu is open to people over 12 years old (minors must be accompanied by a parent). It’s an easy adventure that doesn’t require much physical effort.
• The ticket price is 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults.

View of Machu Picchu from Huchuy Picchu mountain

The Machu Picchu ticket via the Inca Trail

• There is a special type of ticket that can only be purchased when taking the Inca Trail tour, either the classic 4-day version or the shorter 2-day version.
• This ticket, in addition to granting access to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, also allows you to access the original Inca trail network (called qhapac ñan). This route is protected by the Peruvian government, so access is only possible with the appropriate permit.
• The only way to obtain the “Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail” ticket is through an all-inclusive tour organized by a travel agency. Tourists cannot purchase this ticket independently online.
• The Machu Picchu Inca Trail ticket allows you to take the most comprehensive tour of the Inca citadel. You can visit: the Main Temple, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Mirrors, and more.
• Of course this ticket also includes the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu .

Tourists descending the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu

What entry does the classic photo allow me?

• In conclusion, the entrance that allows you to get the classic photo are the tickets: a) Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A), b) Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B), c) Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C), d) Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D), e) Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Designed Classic (Route 2A) and f) Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B).
• The other tickets allow you to take beautiful landscape photos of the place, but not the famous photo that many tourists want.

More information about photos in Machu Picchu

• Tickets to Machu Picchu must be purchased online in advance. All tickets must be purchased 3 to 4 weeks in advance.
• Unfortunately, there are days when Machu Picchu dawns covered in fog. On those days, it’s impossible to take any photos, not even at the top of the mountains or at the Guardian’s House. Fog usually occurs in the mornings during the rainy months (December through March). It usually disappears as the day progresses.
• Bring a good camera. Remember that tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed in Machu Picchu.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Gabriela S.

“Great Machu Picchu“

“My visit to Machu Picchu was great. Thanks to Machupicchu Terra who helped me get my ticket, they gave me all the information and I was able to take a super tour with the best photography. Thank you all and greetings from Ecuador.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, March 26, 2025