The 10 New Machu Picchu Circuits Explained (2024 Updated!)

In the past, visitors to Machu Picchu were allowed to freely explore the site. However, if you visit Machu Picchu today, whether visiting on your own (yes, it’s allowed!), on a tour like this one, or as part of the Inca Trail hike, you’ll have to walk along one of its circuits, or set routes.

When I visited Marchu Picchu in 2023 and walked several of the circuits, there were only five of them. However, in June 2024, the authorities changed it all up again, so now there are three Main Circuits (1, 2, and 3), each with different route option, for a total of 10 circuit routes you have to choose from! I’ve had to totally re-write this article to introduce the circuits as they now exist in 2024. Honestly, it has been a confusing mess to figure out and to keep this article updated.

While preparing for your Inca Trail or Machu Picchu visit, you’ll have to make some decisions related to the circuits. Your hike package likely includes one of the circuits, but not the best one. The circuit you get to walk on will determine which areas of Machu Picchu you will and won’t be able to visit. If you want to see it all, like I did, then you will most likely have to purchase multiple tickets to Machu Picchu so you can walk some different circuits.

Even though the official site has maps of each of the circuits here, understanding these maps can be overwhelming and requires a lot of research. In fact, many visitors don’t really understand the circuits, even during or after their visit.

I wrote this article to save you all the time I spent figuring out (and re-figuring out) the circuits at Machu Picchu. Below I’ll cover why these circuits exist, which Machu Picchu circuit is the best one, what you will see or miss on each circuit, the different entrances for each circuit, how to buy your Machu Picchu tickets online, how much time you’ll need for each circuit, and how to buy tickets for multiple circuits like I did.

Finally, at the end, I’ve included a glossary of all the main sights at Machu Picchu and which circuit you’ll see them on.

My best resource for researching the various sights at Machu Picchu was the excellent Machu Picchu Guidebook: A Self Guided Tour, written by two archaeologists. I learned far more from this book than from my Inca Trail guide, who also led us through Machu Picchu once we arrived there.

There are excellent maps of each conjunto (section) of MP in the book, as well as a great pull-out map of the whole site. However, the book was written well before today’s circuits were created, so some places described in the book are no longer accessible today.

Why Does Machu Picchu Have Circuits Now?

Machu Picchu has long been one of the world’s classic examples of overtourism. As many as 1.5 million people visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site and New World Wonder per year, or over 4000 per day. This is double the limit that UNESCO has recommended. UNESCO has presented other concerns about the site, too.

In an effort to appease UNESCO and to control the tourist crowds at Machu Picchu, the new circuits were introduced in October of 2021. Space is limited at Machu Picchu. Many trails, staircases, and doorways are very narrow, only allowing one person to pass through at a time. These create bottlenecks in the traffic flow, and human traffic jams are all too common.

The purpose of the new circuits is to spread out the crowds to different areas of the Sanctuary and at different times of the day. Not only will you have to enter Machu Picchu at a certain time that you’ll choose when you buy the ticket, but also you won’t be allowed to linger in certain areas with limited space for too long.

What’s more, certain visitors MUST take certain circuits. For example, when I went, anyone arriving to Machu Picchu on the 4-Day Inca Trail had to take Circuit 3 upon arrival at Machu Picchu, and that should still be the case today. And if you want to do one of the many add-on hikes at Machu Picchu, you’ll have to get a specific ticket for each one. In fact, to see every single part of Machu Picchu, you’d have to buy 7 entrance tickets, which would add up to over 300 USD!

In other words, no matter which circuit ticket you buy, it will miss certain parts of Machu Picchu. So if you really want to see the whole site, you’ll have to buy multiple tickets to Machu Picchu, each on a different circuit. That’s why I had 3 separate Machu Picchu tickets for my visit!

While I understand the need to spread out the crowds, it also feels like a bit of a money grab on the part of Machu Picchu (each ticket costs 152 or 200 soles, which is US$40/55), or even more if you buy the ticket from somewhere other than the official site.

Many visitors already feel this way after riding the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (starting from US$140 for tourists, while locals pay $6) and the bus (US$24 for a 20-minute bus ride – an outrageous price for Peru).

But if you really want to see Machu Picchu (let’s face it – you do…), then you’ll just have to pay up.

Also see my guides to the Cusco Tourist Pass and Cusco Religious Circuit Ticket.

Which Circuit is the Best One?

I’ll cover each of the circuits in detail below. But generally speaking, under the new system, Circuit 2 is the most complete Machu Picchu circuit.

Circuit 2 includes the famous Machu Picchu viewpoint, which everyone wants to see, and then it includes touring most of the ruins, including both the upper and lower areas of the site.

Circuit 1 ONLY includes the famous viewpoint, with the option to add some side hikes, but it doesn’t include touring the main ruins. Visitors short on time may choose this one.

Circuit 3 does NOT include the famous viewpoint, and it only visits the lower half of the main ruins, but it incudes the option to add some awesome hikes. If you want to do any of those hikes, you have to buy this circuit. Moreover, anyone arriving at Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail usually has a Circuit 3 tour included in their package.

If you want to see a lot of Machu Picchu like I did, there’s a good chance you will need to buy multiple Machu Picchu tickets.

For me, I had a free Circuit 3 tour on arrival, which I asked my Inca Trail tour operator to upgrade to Circuit 3A, which includes the add-on hike to Huayna Picchu (epic hike!) Even though Circuit 3 doesn’t include the famous MP viewpoint, we got to see that when we first arrived via the Inca Trail.

Then, on my own, I purchased an additional Circuit 1D ticket for the next day. I did this for several reasons – I wanted to do the side hike to Inca Bridge (see my guide to Inca Bridge trail), I wanted to see the Upper Ruins which are not included on Circuit 3, and I wanted to get a second chance to see the famous view of Machu Picchu.

In the end, I was so glad I got to see the famous view on two different days. When we arrived at Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail on the first day, the view from the famous viewpoint was totally obscured by clouds. It was so disappointing! When I came back the next day, it wasn’t, so I finally got to see it.

What Are the Different Circuits?

First and foremost, I must point the Machu Picchu circuits have changed several times since they were first created, so even the maps on the official site were off when I visited. According to my Inca Trail guide, the circuits are changing every week – probably a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point.

As of June 2024, there are now 3 circuits, each with multiple routes:

• Circuit 1 (see map): Panorámico (Panoramic), these focus on the classic MP viewpoint with option to add side hikes
• Circuit 2 (see map): Machupicchu Clásico (Machu Picchu Classic), classic MP viewpoint plus most of the site
• Circuit 3 (see map): Machupicchu Realeza (Machu Picchu Royalty), these only focus on the lower area, no classic viewpoint, with option to add side hikes

For each of the three circuits, you’ll have to choose one of the specified routes, as follows. For my estimated times, these are if you do it on your own. If you go on a guided tour (not required, as some local guides on site will claim!), it may take longer, as they stop to talk a lot.

Circuit	Name	Notes	Estimated Time
1A	Ruta Montaña Machupicchu	Classic MP viewpoint + Machu Picchu Mountain Hike	4-5 hours
1B	Ruta Terraza Superior	Classic MP viewpoint only	1 hour
1C	Ruta Portada Intipunku	Classic MP viewpoint + Sun Gate (June 1 to Oct 15 only)	2.5 hours
1D	Ruta Puente Inka	Classic MP viewpoint + Inca Bridge Hike	2-3 hours
2A	Ruta Diseñada	Classic MP viewpoint + Most of the Site	2.5-3 hours
2B	Ruta Terraza Inferior	Classic MP viewpoint (from slightly higher) + Most of the Site	2.5-3 hours
3A	Ruta Montaña Waynapicchu	Lower Ruins + Huayna Picchu Hike	3-4 hours
3B	Ruta Diseñada	Lower Ruins only	1 to 1.5 hours
3C	Ruta Gran Caverna	Lower Ruins + Temple of the Moon Hike (June 1 to Oct 15 only)	4-5 hours
3D	Ruta Huchuypicchu	Lower Ruins + Huchuy Picchu Hike (June 1 to Oct 15 only)	2.5 to 3.5 hours

Now I’ll cover each of these 10 routes in more detail.

Circuit 1

The new Circuit 1 focuses primarily on getting your classic Machu Picchu view. On the Circuit 1 map, the solid red line is the route that every Circuit 1 holder will walk upon entering the site. The dotted lines are the optional additional hikes.

Ruta Montaña Machupicchu (1A)

This route is the only way to hike Machu Picchu Mountain. This is a challenging, 3-4 hour hike to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain, with lots of stairs going up.

After entering the site, you will take the trail up through the forest (10-15 minutes), just like all Circuit 1 ticket holders. You will then do your side hike before you really get to see the famous postcard view of Macchu Picchu (this is subject to change, it’s possible you may be allowed to see the famous view before the big hike).

From the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain, which lies directly south of Machu Picchu, you will looking down on the ruins from far above. After you hike back down, you will get to see the classic postcard views from the Upper and Lower Terrace before exiting the site the same way you came in.

If you are considering this option, you may also want to consider the Huayna Picchu hike (3A) instead. The latter is a shorter (but even steeper hike) to the peak of the mountain to the north of the ruins, which you can see in almost every Machu Picchu photo.

After considering both of these side hikes carefully, I personally did Huayna Picchu and not Machu Picchu Mountain. I opted for the shorter but overall more dramatic (from start to finish) of the two hikes.

Note that this route only has two possible entry times per day and is for 18+ only.

Ruta Terraza Superior (1B)

This is the most basic ticket in Circuit 1. All you will do is hike up to the Upper Platform (10-15 minutes), enjoy the views from various points along the platform, then walk back down and exit Machu Picchu.

“Superior” refers to the fact that this route will take you to the highest platform for your Machu Picchu views. When you first get up to the highest spot, you’ll cross some terraces where there are often llamas, but you can’t actually see Machu Picchu (see photo above)

Then you’ll walk past the ruins of Kallanka, though to be an ancient chicha (maize beer) hall just outside the city. This appears as a series of rectangles on the map.

You’ll then loop back via the Lower Platform, from where the MP views are unbeatable, and follow the stairs back to the exit.

Note that routes 1A, 1C, and 1D will follow this exact same route, but they will include side hikes.

Ruta Portada Intipunku (1C)

This route is exactly like 1A, but instead of the side hike up Machu Picchu, you will get to do a much easier side hike to the Sun Gate (Intipunku).

The Sun Gate is the traditional gate which everyone had to pass through on the way to Machu Picchu. For those doing the 4 day Inca Trail like I did, this is where you will catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu at sunrise before proceeding to it. Therefore, if you are arriving on the Inca Trail, don’t buy this ticket!

On this route, you will walk up through the forest and then do the side hike before you even really get a good view of Machu Picchu. The side hike to the Sun Gate takes about 45 minutes up (only slightly uphill, nothing crazy) and 30 minutes back down.

On the way, you will pass some ruins with a huge boulder beside the trail. Some of the best-preserved mummies at Machu Picchu were found here. It is thought to be an ancient security station.

At the Sun Gate, you will admire the views of Machu Picchu, return to the main trail, then you will finally get to enjoy the epic views from the Upper and Lower Terrace before you exit.

Note that this route only has 4 possible entry times per day.

Ruta Puente Inka (1D)

The fourth and final option for Circuit 1 is the same as the above three, except with a side hike to Inca Bridge (Puente Inka).

When I went to Machu Picchu, the circuits were totally different. You could do a tour of the whole site (similar to today’s Circuit 2) with an Inca Bridge add-on. For that reason, I used to recommend that circuit as the best possible Machu Picchu circuit.

Now, it ain’t so. While I do still highly recommend this hike, you’ll now need to buy this circuit PLUS one of the Circuit 2 entries if you want to see most of Machu Picchu. Or you may even just forget about this one now and do a Circuit 2 + a Circuit 3 for the more thrilling Huayna Picchu hike.

Anyways, for this one, you’ll enter Machu Picchu and walk up through the forest just like the others. You’ll then walk across the Upper Terrace first, enjoy some initial Machu Picchu views, then do the side hike to Inca Bridge.

This is a very easy, 30-minute return hike, which I have introduced in detail in my Inca bridge trail guide. It’s mostly flat, but it is still thrilling because you are often walking on the side of a cliff. At the end, there are the remains of an ancient drawbridge built impossibly into the side of a cliff. Due to the dangers imposed by walking along the cliff, this hike is only allowed for adults (18+)

When you come back, you’ll get to enjoy some more epic Machu Picchu views before leaving. This is a plus of this route. I can guaranteed that you’ll get to see the famous MP view both before and again after the side hike.

Since the weather is always changing at Machu Picchu, having two chances to see the famous view, separated by a bit of time, is great. Sometimes, the ruins could be totally obscured by clouds, then 30 minutes later they are totally visible.

Overall, if you’ll main goal at Machu Picchu is to see the classic view plus you want to add a little something more that isn’t too hard, I think this is the best of the Circuit 1 options. However, you’re still missing out on exploring most of the MP ruins. If you want to visit those, you need to consider doing a Circuit 2 instead (or as well).

Note that this route only has 4 possible entry times per day.

Why Choose Circuit 1?

Circuit 1B is perfect for perfect for anyone who is short on time or only cares about getting the classic Machu Picchu view, and that’s it.

Circuits 1A, 1C, and 1D allow you to see the classic view plus add an extra hike of varying length and difficulty. 1D to Inca Bridge is easy and only adds 30 minutes, 1C to Sun Gate is medium and adds 1.5 hours, while 1A is hard and adds 3-4 hours. The Sun Gate add-on is the only one allowed for kids under 18.

On the downside, none of these circuits allow you to get up close and personal with the main ruins of Machu Picchu. To do that, you’ll need to do Circuit 2 or 3 instead.

If you care most about one of these side hikes, but also want to explore the ruins, then you’ll need to purchase a Circuit 1 ticket AND a Circuit 2 or 3 ticket. This is what I did.

Circuit 2

Circuit 2 was the best circuit before they changed them in 2024, and today it remains the best circuit of Machu Picchu.

Circuit 2 begins the same was as Circuit 1, including the famous viewpoint at the beginning. Then you will actually enter the Machu Picchu sanctuary and do a full tour of the Upper and Lower ruins. If you can only buy one Machu Picchu ticket, this should be it.

Ruta Diseñada (2A)

There is not a big difference between Circuits 2A and 2B. The first one, Ruta Diseñada or 2A, take a slightly higher path at the top and again in one spot later on. The first higher path doesn’t necessarily give better views.

After entering Machu Picchu, you will walk up to the Upper Platform, which I already described in Circuit 1. You’ll see some terraces which often have llamas and pass the ruins of a chicha beer hall. You’ll then descend a bit and enjoy your classic Machu Picchu views.

You will then descend some more and enter the actual Sanctuary through the traditional entrance gate (see photo above), which frames Huayna Picchu, then visit the Sacred Plaza.

From there, the circuit used to go up the pyramid-like hill to a famous sacred stone called Intihuatana (see photo above), which was only open from 7 AM to 10 AM. Now, it looks like the circuit just totally skips Intihuatana. If you’ve visited recently, please let me know if you got to climb up Intihuatana or not!

Next, the circuit continues all the way to Sacred Rock at northern end of the site before looping back via the Hall of Mirrors, which features some round ruins on the ground which, when filled with water, served as mirrors for observing the sky (see photo below).

Ruta Terraza Inferior (2B)

Route 2B is almost identical to Route 2A. I honestly wouldn’t fret too much about the difference between these. If only one of them is available, just book it.

I can only see two differences between these two routes on the map (2A is a solid line while 2B is a dotted line).

The first difference is that after you first enter and walk up through the forest, 2B is a little shorter, omitting the loop on the Upper Terrace. This is not a big deal. Those who go up to the higher terrace on Route 2A don’t get to see better Machu Picchu views from up there (when I went, I mainly saw llamas up there and couldn’t see Machu Picchu for most of it).

Route 2B cuts right to the chase and gives you epic Machu Picchu views as soon as you get up there. You will be walking across a terrace just below the Guardian House, that single structure up there. This means you won’t get a chance to sit next to the Guardian House, but you can look up at it from below.

The best Machu Picchu views are from any of the terraces beside or below the Guardian House, anyways.

Later on, after you go through the traditional entrance to Machu Picchu, Route 2 B diverges again, doing a little zig zag down into the ruins. This is a good thing. While 2A sticks to the top, passing by a field of boulders (building materials for future structures) called Inca Quarry, 2B descends a little into the ruins instead.

Then main point of descending into the ruins is that you will get to look down into the Torreon (Sun Temple), said to be the most important structure at all of Machu Picchu. This unique perspective is the only way to see the large stone platform inside it. At a certain time every year, the sun shines through one window onto the middle of the rock.

I should note that when I did this, they didn’t seem very strict about which way you went (straight through the Inca Quarry or right to see the Sun Temple). I chose to go right and see the Sun Temple. Back at the top, I was able to backtrack a little and see the Inca Quarry. You aren’t ever supposed to backtrack at Machu Picchu, but they weren’t enforcing it at this spot.

After that, Route 2B is exactly the same as 2A.

Why Choose Circuit 2?

Circuit 2 is currently the most complete circuit of Machu Picchu. It allows you to get the classic Machu Picchu view plus explore most of the site.

It’s really unfortunate that you can no longer add any side hikes to Circuit 2 (before you could add Inca Bridge, so that was my favorite circuit).

Now, if you want to do any side hikes, you’ll have to buy an additional Circuit 1 ticket (Machu Picchu Mountain, Sun Gate, or Inca Bridge Hikes) or Circuit 3 ticket (Huchuy Picchu, Temple of the Moon, or Huayna Picchu hikes).

Circuit 3

Circuit 3 is an abbreviated circuit that only visits the Lower Ruins of Machu Picchu and not the Upper ones i described for Circuit 2. This means you miss out on the classic view of Machu Picchu AND you miss out on the upper ruins like the traditional entrance gate to the sanctuary, the Sacred Plaza, and Intihuatana.

In other words, Circuit 3 is basically the least appealing circuit. Unfortunately, however, if you want to do one of three awesome side hikes (Huchuy Picchu, Temple of the Moon, or the pick of the bunch, Huayna Picchu), the only way is by purchasing a Circuit 3 ticket.

If you have mobility issues and can’t do many stairs, it’s worth noting that Circuit 3 (with no hiking add-ons) has the least amount of stairs.

Another important point: when I did the 4 day Inca trail, a Circuit 3 tour was included, and our trail guide was also our guide when we did arrived at Machu Picchu. This was the same for everyone doing the Inca Trail. We couldn’t choose any other circuit.

In the hike, we entered Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate and Upper Terrace first thing in the morning, so we did get to see the classic Machu Picchu view as part of our hike. We then exited the site and re-entered it on our Circuit 3 tickets.

Because I wanted the Huayna Picchu add-on to Circuit 3, I informed my Inca Trail guide long before, when I first booked the hike (you must go through a company for the Inca Trail), so that they could purchase the correct ticket for me (that would now be Route 3A).

Then, on my own, I purchased myself an additional Machu Picchu ticket (Circuit 2 + Inca Bridge – this circuit no longer exists, today you would have to buy 1D). I did this the following day. I was very glad I did this, because on our first day, Machu Picchu was totally obscured by clouds, but when I came back the second day, I got to see it.

If you are in this situation (doing the Inca Trail and they include a Circuit 3 Ticket, but you want to see more), you’ll need to make a choice for your second ticket. Either buy a Circuit 1 ticket if you want to see the classic view again + one of those side hikes, OR buy a Circuit 2 ticket if you want to see the classic view again + the Upper Ruins which you won’t be able to see on your Circuit 3 tour.

Ruta Montaña Waynapicchu (3A)

Huayna Picchu (also spelled Waynapicchu) is the most tempting of the Circuit 3 routes and it is the one I asked my Inca Trail tour operator to purchase for me.

I’ll describe Circuit 3 in more detail in the next entry. For now, I’ll just point out that this one includes the awesome side hike to Huayna Picchu. This is perhaps the most exhilarating hike at Machu Picchu and I highly recommend it (unless you have a serious fear of heights). This one is also only available to 18+.

You may note from the map that the side hike starts from the middle of the circuit, and the far northern end of Machu Picchu, near Sacred Stone. So basically you will tour about half of the ruins on your own, do the side hike, then loop back by the other half of the ruins.

What this meant is that while I was on my guided Circuit 3 with the group of people I’d done the Inca Trail with, I parted ways with all of them, including the guide, at this point. This is where I said goodbye to my hiking mates and guide, and gave him his tip. I then did the Huayna Picchu hike by myself while they completed the Circuit 3 tour with the guide. I never saw them again after that!

The Huayna Picchu trail is extremely steep, and in a few sections, terrifying. I loved it. At the top, you get to look down on Machu Picchu from a pointed stone, then descend through a narrow cave and go back down.

Note that this route only has 2 possible entry times per day and is 18+.

Ruta Diseñada (3B)

Route 3B is the most basic and (I would say) least appealing route of Machu Picchu. But it’s still not bad!

Focusing on the lower ruins only, you miss out on the classic viewpoint and upper ruins (just like all Circuit 3 routes) AND you don’t get any side hikes.

Unfortunately, this is the one that people doing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu must do when they get there (this is how it was in 2023, so please let me know if this is no longer the case!)

On the plus side, this circuit does include some key attractions that you DON’T get to see on Circuits 1 or 2, and you do get to get up close and personal with them.

On Circuit 3, instead of walking up to the classic viewpoint at the beginning, the trail cuts straight across some colcas (Inca storehouses) and terraces to the Middle Area of Machu Picchu (the field between the Upper and Lower ruins).

From there, you get to see the Ceremonial Fountains, Torreon (Sun Temple) and Royal Tomb below it, and House of the Inca (where the Inca kind actually lived). These sights are actually at the base of the Upper Ruins, but those who are walking Circuit 2 above won’t be able to see them, because they will be walking a route which is higher up.

After circling back, you also get to see the Temple of Condor, with a condor-shaped stone, only possible to see on this route.

Don’t fret if you are stuck with only this route. It’s still a great introduction to Machu Picchu and includes several attractions that you can’t see on other routes.

Ruta Gran Caverna (3C)

Gran Caverna refers to the a large, remote cave temple, otherwise referred to as Temple of the Moon, on the backside of Huayna Picchu mountain.

As the route’s complete name indicates, it is only available in high season, which is June 1 to October 15.

I did not try this hike when I went to Machu Picchu, but my understanding is that it is quite challenging. To be honest, I don’t see why anyone would choose this when Huayna Picchu is an option, but perhaps if you prefer to go more off-the-beaten-track, this one will be for you.

I believe this one is also 18+. Also note that this route only has 2 possible entry times per day.

Ruta Huchuypicchu (3D)

Last but not least, Route 3D has the add on hike of Huchuy Picchu. When looking at the classic view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu is the towering, pointed mountain forming the backdrop to the site, while Huchuy Picchu is the smaller mountain to its left.

I also did not try this one because I wanted to do the biggest and best (Huayna Picchu). From what I understand, this is basically a much easier and less terrifying side hike than Huayna Picchu.

You’ll also get a view looking down on Machu Picchu, but from not as high up. The two hikes start from the same spot behind Sacred Rock.

This one is also only available to 18+. Also note that this route only has 2 possible entry times per day.

Why Choose Circuit 3?

There are several reasons you might choose Circuit 3. One is that you didn’t choose it, but you have to do it as part of your Inca trail hike like I did. In that case, you can let your tour company know in advance if you want them to make it a route 3A, 3C, or 3D route, instead of just doing the basic 3B tour.

Another reason your might choose this circuit is because you badly want to do the Huayna Picchu hike. This is a valid reason! Even if this is your ONLY Macchu Picchu ticket, you will have a great experience and get to explore a decent chunk of the ruins.

However, if you only get a Circuit 3 ticket and are not arriving at Machu Picchu via the Inca trail (which includes the classic viewpoint), you’ll be missing out on the famous postcard view of MP. The only way to get it will be to also purchase an additional Circuit 1 or 2 ticket like I did.

How to Enter Machu Picchu on Each Circuit

There are actually four different possible ways to enter Machu Picchu, depending on which circuit ticket you have. Don’t make the mistake of waiting in the wrong line!

Main Entrance (upper gate)

If you’re coming to Machu Picchu by bus from Aguas Calientes, as most visitors do, the bus will drop you off at the main entrance gate, which is here on GoogleMaps and visible in the above photo. You’ll see the site’s only restrooms (2 soles to use) and luggage storage counter right in front of you.

If you’re entering Machu Picchu on Circuits 1 or 2, then you will want to take the stairs on the left up to the Upper Entrance Gate. This is usually the busier of the two entrances.

From this entrance, you will be able to access the walking path that goes uphill to the Upper and Lower Terraces. When you get up there, there will be security guards to point you in the right direction, according to which circuit ticket you have.

Main Entrance (lower gate)

There is a second entrance, the Lower Entrance Gate, right beside the restrooms, to the right of the above photo. This gate is for anyone doing Circuits 3.

It is essential to enter from this gate because it crosses the terraces to the Lower Ruins. If you go to the incorrect gate, you won’t be able to enter Machu Picchu and they’ll send you to the correct one. Don’t waste your time, as the lines can be long!

Don’t forget to bring your passport to Machu Picchu. The name on your ticket must match the name in your passport.

Via the Sun Gate

When we arrived at Machu Picchu on the 4-day Inca Trail, we caught our first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). We woke up at 3:30 AM on Day 4 of our trek to enter Machu Pichu Sancturary at 5:30 AM (that’s where we showed out tickets and passports) and then hike 1.5 hours to reach the Sun Gate at 7 AM. From there, it took around 45 minutes to hike to the Guardhouse for the famous Machu Picchu view.

We then proceeded downhill to exit the site (basically walking in the opposite direction as those entering Machu Picchu on Circuits 1/2), used the restrooms, then re-entered Machu Picchu through the Lower Entrance Gate to go on our Circuit 3 tour.  

Sun Gate + Main Entrance (lower gate)

For anyone walking the 1-day, 2-day, or 5-day Inca Trails, the way you enter Machu Picchu  will be a combination of the above. You will first hike to the Sun Gate, like those on the 4-day Inca Trail.

But after seeing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, you won’t hike the rest of the way to Machu Picchu. Instead, you will hike out and spend a night in Aguas Calientes town. The next morning, you will take a bus to Machu Picchu like most other visitors, then enter the site on a Circuit 5 ticket.

With this ticket, you’ll need to enter Machu Picchu through the Lower Gate, which is beside the restrooms, since Circuit 5 does not include hiking up to the famous viewpoint.

How to Book the Different Circuits Online

If you’re visiting Machu Picchu on a tour like this one, or as part of the Inca Trail, then your tour/trekking company will most likely book your Machu Picchu ticket for you.

However, you may be visiting Machu Picchu on your own without a guide (yes, this is allowed, contrary to what guides there might try to tell you!). Or you may be buying an additional Machu Picchu ticket for your yourself.

In these cases, you’ll have to navigate the official Machu Picchu website. The site used to be in Spanish only, but now you can click it to the English version. However, the ticket purchasing step is still in Spanish only.

Here are the steps for buying tickets on the official site:

1. Click the above link to the official site.
2. Change to English and explore the site to learn about the circuits and other Machu Picchu info.
3. Click “Online Tickets” in the menu.
4. Click the link you see at the bottom or just click here. You should be taken to the page in the above screenshot.
5. Scroll to the bottom to read more info (use GoogleTranslate) and watch videos about each circuit and route.
6. Once you’ve decided the route you want, at the top-right, under “Selecciona el circuito que deseas visitar”, select the circuit you want (1, 2, or 3).
7. In the second bar, “Seleccionar la ruta de tu recorrido”, select the route you want.
8. In the third bar, “Selecciona la fecha de tu visita”, select your desired date.
9. In the fourth bar, “Selecciona el horario de ingreso”, choose your desired entry time. Note that it shows how many tickets (boletos) remain for each time. If you can’t decide which time to choose, see the next section below.
10. In the fifth bar, “Selecciona tu procedencia”, (Choose your origin) and select “Extranjero” (foreigner)
11. Scroll down and select +1 under “general” ticket (per adult) and +1 under “Menor de edad (3 – 17 años)” (per child age 3 to 17, under 3 is free but most show passport on site). The price indicated is in Peruvian soles, written as S/. Note that tickets are non-refundable and there is maximum 5 people per booking.
12. Once you’ve made your selections, click the blue “Agregar al Carrito” (Add to Cart) button.
13. In the pop up, click “Reservar” (Reserve).
14. On the next page, if you’ve signed up for an account before, enter your username, password, and click “Ingresar”. If not, click “Regístrate aquí” (Register here) at the bottom.
15. If you need to register, you’ll need to enter your Nationality (choose “extranjero”, foreigner). Under “Seleccionar tipo de documento” select “Pasaporte” (passport), under “Seleccionar tipo de documento” enter your passport number (make sure it’s the one you carry use when you go there), under “Nombres” type your complete name, under “Apellido Paterno” type your paternal surname, under “Apellido Materno” type your mother’s surname (not required, can leave blank), and under “Seleccionar país” select your country, under “Ingresar correo electrónico” type your email. (Entering your cell phone number on the next bar to receive and enter a security code is optional). Click the blue “Enviar código de seguridad” button to receive a code by email. Check your email and copy-paste the code to the “Ingresar código de seguridad” box. Click the “validar código de seguridad” box to validate the code.
16. Under “Contraseña”, choose a password for your account. It must have at least one upper case letter and one special character. On the second line, type it again.
17. For the two options at the end, click the first one to confirm you’ve read the terms and conditions. Only click the second one if you want to receive emails about promotions.
18. Click the “Crear Cuenta” (Create Account) button at the bottom. If there are any issues or missing details, it will let you know somewhere in red.
19. If it works, you will be taken back to the login screen. Log in with your email and password you just created.
20. The ticket you already tried to buy should not be under “Mi Carrito” (My Cart) at the top. Click on it, then click on “Ir a la Prerreserva” (Go to pre-booking).
21. Under your ticket, click on the small arrow and fill in all the details for each ticket holder. These include “País de origen” (country), “Tipo de documento” (choose “pasaporte”), “Número de documento” (enter passport number), Nombres (complete name), Primer Apellido (primary surname), Fecha de nacimiento (birthdate), and Sexo (sex). Click “Guardar” at the end to save.
22. Once you’ve done this for each person, click “Reservar” to complete the reservation.
23. The last time I did this (2023, it may be different now), it took me to a payment screen where I entered my credit card info to pay. Choose “Tarjeta Internacional” for international credit card. There’s an added fee of 4.5%. Some people have reported that their credit card didn’t work. If this happens, try a different credit card. If it still happens, try a different browser or device. Lastly, if it still doesn’t work, you can try booking on a different website, like this one, but it will cost more.
24. After I paid, I received two emails from [email protected]. One of them contained a link to my ticket, with the blue anchor text IMPRIMIR RESERVA. I clicked that and saved the ticket to my phone. (Note: this step could have changed slightly, as I did this in 2023.) Printing a physical copy is highly recommended, as you may have no Internet connection or your phone could run out of battery by the time you reach Machu Picchu.

• Also note that you can buy Machu Picchu tickets at the Ministry of Culture in Aguas Calientes, even after all the ones online are sold out. An additional 1000 Machu Picchu tickets are released there per day. So even at the busiest times, it is possible to just show up in Aguas Calientes and buy a Machu Picchu ticket the day before your visit. Note that the line-up gets very long in high season.

• This is exactly what I did when I decided at the last minute to postpone my third (and final) visit to Machu Picchu by one day due to poor weather. I forfeited my original 3^rd ticket and just bought a new one for the next day from the office in Aguas Calientes. They still had hundreds left when I bought mine at the end of the day (note, I visited at a very slow time, when tourism was still down following the early 2023 protests).

• Unfortunately, it is not possible to get a refund for your Machu Picchu ticket if your plans change or you buy the wrong one.

What Entrance Time to Choose

Once you’ve settled on a circuit and date for your visit, you’ll need to choose your entrance time to Machu Picchu. This can be a complicated decision to make.

You might have to factor in what time your train arrives at Machu Picchu, how long it will take to get up there, what time you want to wake up in the morning, and/or what time your previous circuit will end if you’re buying more than one ticket.

Understanding the Entrance Times

In the past, when you chose one of the circuits with a side hike (MP Mountain, Intipunku, Inca Bridge, Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, or Gran Caverna), the time you chose (let’s say 7 AM) meant that you should start the side hike at 7 AM, but you could actually enter Machu Picchu from 6 AM. This basically gave you one hour to explore before doing your hike.

I don’t think this is the case anymore. If you chose a 7 AM ticket, then you should enter Machu Picchu at 7 AM. If you show up a little early, my guess is that they will still let you in. And you should enter no more than 45 minutes after your entrance time (I’m not sure how strict they are about this).

There’s a maximum amount of time set for each route, but the times are longer than I imagine anyone could spend. For example, ticket 1A (Macchu Picchu Mountain) gives you 7 hours, while 1B (only the classic viewpoint) gives you 2.5 hours. Also, security on site won’t really be enforcing this.

If you linger too long as certain spots like bottlenecks in the visiting path, the security may ask you to keep moving along.

You can see the maximum times for each route by clicking on the route here. It’s written at the bottom of the map.

Buying a Second Ticket to Machu Picchu

Imagine you’re arriving on the 4-Day Inca trail. You will do a Circuit 3 tour upon arrival with your group. Then you will break off from your group to climb Huayna Picchu (as I did), in which case your tour operator should have purchased a Huayna Picchu (3A) ticket for you in advance.

Your tour operator will advise you about the correct time to purchase, and they should purchase it for you.

But let’s say, like me, you were not satisfied with only doing a Circuit 3 tour (even though you got to see the classic view when you arrive that morning AND you got the Huayna Picchu add-on). Then, you should buy a second Machu Picchu ticket by yourself.

If you want to do the second entry on the same day, note that this will be a very huge and tiring day. We had to get up at 3 AM that morning! If you have time in your schedule, I recommend buying your second ticket for the next day and sleeping in Aguas Calientes. I was so glad I did this, for several reasons.

First, by the time I finished the Huayna Picchu hike, I was bloody exhausted. Second, Machu Picchu felt packed by that time of day. Third, by waiting till the next morning to come back again, you can return on the earliest ticket of the day, which felt like the least crowded time to me.

This also spreads out your chances of seeing an unobscured view from the classic viewpoint. Maybe on Day 1 it will be super cloudy and covered (this happened to me!) but on the next day, it will be clear (again, this happened to me). I was so glad I tried on two different days.

But if you must get a second ticket on the same day, ask your Inca Trail tour company in advance what time you should buy your second ticket for. Then choose which one you want to do (maybe Circuit 1 + Inca Bridge, as you already see Intipunku on the Inca Trail, and it will be too late for Machu Picchu Mountain. OR you might choose Circuit 2 to see the Upper Ruins you missed on Circuit 3).

If you DID NOT do the Inca trail, you will be buying both tickets on your own. In that case, look at the estimated times for each circuit in the table I shared above in this article, and space out your two entries accordingly.

If you are serious about experiencing a lot at Machu Picchu, there is a good chance you will want to buy two tickets. At the very least, I recommend doing a full tour of the ruins (Circuit 2) then buying an additional ticket for one of the side trails (Circuit 1 or 3).

How Long to Get from the Train Station in Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

A very common question in Peru Facebook groups is what time to buy a ticket for if you’re arriving in Aguas Calientes by train and then going directly to Machu Picchu.

I would budget 1 to 1.5 hours for this. This includes approximately 5 minutes to walk from the train station to the bus ticket office, 10 minutes to buy the ticket, 15 to 30 minutes waiting in line for the bus, 20 minutes bus ride, and 15 minutes waiting in line at Machu Picchu.

This estimate could of course be higher due to a variety of factors – you get a little lost, need to find a bathroom, or in high season the lines are super long.

Glossary of Sights and Circuits They’re On

Is there a specific sight at Machu Picchu that you absolutely must see? Or maybe you want to know which sights are must-sees, so you can decide which circuit is best for you? Then this glossary is for you.

• Sun Gate (Inti Punku): For trekkers on the Inca Trail, this is where you’ll catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu, but from afar. If you aren’t arriving via the Inca Trail, then you can visit the Sun Gate on Circuit 1C.

• Guardian House and Terraces (classic viewpoint): This thatch-roofed house sits atop a series of terraces at the southern end of Machu Picchu. These terraces offer the classic viewpoint of Machu Picchu that you probably don’t want to miss.
  
  If coming in on the Inca Trail, you’ll end up on the Platforma Inferior (Lower viewpoint), which is right next to and below the actual Guardhouse. If entering Machu Picchu from the main entrance, while hiking up to the Guardhouse, there’s a point (with sign) where you can go right for the Platforma Inferior (Lower) or left for the Platforma Superior (Upper) viewpoint, which is higher than the Guardhouse. A guard on site will point you in the right way according to which ticket you have.
  
  All of Circuits 1 and 2 include the Guardian House area, but which platform you will stand on exactly depends on the route. All routes on Circuit 1 go above and below it. Circuit 2A goes above it while 2B only goes below it.

• Inca Bridge: A 20-minute (30 min return) side hike leads to this impressive drawbridge built into the side of a cliff. This was an alternative entrance to Machu Picchu in ancient times. The Incas could keep intruders out by lifting the bridge when necessary. The hike to Puente Inka (Inca Bridge) starts and ends at the Upper Terrace (Platforma Superior) in the Guardian House area. You can only do this hike if you have a Circuit 1D ticket. Here’s my guide to hiking to the Inca Bridge.

• Main Gate: This is the traditional entrance to Machu Picchu. It is a picturesque stone doorway that perfectly frames Huayna Picchu. You’ll want a selfie here, but the sign says not to linger because it is a bottleneck for crowds entering the Citadel. You only get to walk through the gate on Circuit 2 (all routes).

• Inca Quarry (Quarry Group of Granite Quarry): Shortly after you pass through the Main Gate, it’s possible to go straight to visit the Inca Quarry, a collection of large boulders strewn about, or right to climb down to the Torreon (Sun Temple) Viewpoint. In the new circuit system, 2B ticket holders will walk through the Inca Quarry, while 2A ticket holders will go down to the Sun Temple viewpoint. They may not be strict about enforcing this. If you have the choice, check out the Sun Temple. When I went, I did this, then when I came back up, I also managed to backtrack a few steps to see the Inca Quarry (you are never supposed to backtrack, but they weren’t enforcing it here).

• Torreon Viewpoint: If you go right after passing through the Main Gate, you’ll descend through a series of ruined structured and staircases to a viewpoint looking down on the Torreon (Sun Temple). This is the only round structure at Machu Picchu and one of its most famous attractions. It’s actually best viewed from this spot, because when you see it from above, you can see the sacred natural stone inside of it (see photo above). During the equinoxes, the sun shines directly through the Torreon’s windows onto the stone. You only get to see this on Circuits 1 or 2. However, you get to see the Torreon closer up (from below) on Circuit 3, including the cave (Royal Tomb) under it.

• Sacred Plaza: This is a courtyard with 3 important structures and 1 viewpoint. The structures are House of the High Priest (south), Temple of Three Windows (east), Main Temple (north), and a view of the valley and mountains beyond (west). Just around the corner, you can also peer into the Sacristy. Sacred Plaza is one of the most important areas of Machu Picchu and is only included on Circuit 2. Circuit 3 does not go to the Sacred Plaza. On our Circuit 3 tour, our guide went up to ask the guard if we could come up for a quick look, but the guard said no.  

• Intihuatana: This is the most sacred place at Machu Picchu and considered the end point of any pilgrimage to Machu Picchu. It is a special carved stone that is actually the natural peak of the pyramid-shaped hill it stands on. The Incas used it to predict the equinoxes and it may be an abstract replica of Huayna Picchu behind it.
  
  A staircase ascends to it from behind the Sacred Plaza. It offers an awesome view of the entire Machu Picchu site, too. Also note the south-facing triangular stone on the same platform as the stone, and the carved stone shaped like the mountain behind it just before you get there.
  
  When I went to Machu Picchu, you could only visit Intihuatana on Circuit 2, and only from 7 AM to 10 AM. On the new Circuit 2 map, it looks like the route no longer allows you to visit Intihuatana, but I could be wrong about this. If you can, it should be right after the Sacred Plaza, and you will climb up some stairs to the top of the pyramid-like structure. If you know, please let me know in the comments at the end.

• Sacred Stone: This is a huge monolith at the northern end of Machu Picchu, between two wayrona style buildings with thatched roofs.

• Huchuy Picchu: This is the smaller of the two mountains backing Macchu Picchu. It’s a relatively easy 45-minute return hike. You’ll enjoy a great view of Machu Picchu, from the opposite direction as the Guardhouse. But, in my opinion, if you’re going to splurge on an extra ticket, you might as well go for the ultimate hike, Huayna Picchu. You can only do this on Circuit 3D.

• Huayna Picchu: This is taller mountain backing Machu Picchu in the classic pictures of the site. You can climb all the way to the top and back down in about 1.5 hours. It’s an extremely vertical hike, sometimes requiring you to use your hands. Just don’t look down! There are several ruins up there, amazing viewpoints looking down on Machu Picchu, and a super narrow tunnel you have to pass through. You can only do this on Circuit 3A.

• Three Towers: This is a very large structure at the northern end of the Lower Ruins area, but none of the Circuits currently provide access to it, meaning you can’t walk up those stairs in the above photo like in the past. Today, you can only admire it from the Upper Ruins area on Circuit 2, especially if you can go up to Intihuatana. You’ll also be able to see it on Circuit 3, from around the Royal Tomb. That’s where I shot the above photo from.

• House of Mirrors: You’ll see some cool staircases when you first enter this area. “Mirrors” refers to two round protrusions on the floor reflected the stars in the sky when they were filled with water. Don’t miss them in the room to the left before you exit this area. Currently, you can only see the House of Mirrors on Circuit 2A.

• Temple of Condor: After going between some buildings, and passing a point that used to provide access to Intimachay, a cool cave that is sadly no longer accessible, you’ll reach a rock slide and then finally the entrance to the Temple of Condor. It is named after a condor-shaped stone on the floor, with other stones above forming its wings. This area also has some really cool caves, but you can only just barely see them from the set route. Currently you can only see this on Circuit 3 (all routes). Circuit 2 (all routes) goes very close to it, so depending on how strict they are about the routes, you may be able to have a look.

• The way out: Whether you went though the House of Mirrors or Temple of Condor, the two routes will eventually reach the Prisoner’s Plaza (a field with a distinctive tree in it), after which they will meet up. The path will the cross above the Archaeological Area, a long terrace, then go below some colcas (storehouses), and then a final stretch to the exit. Essentially the exit route matches the entrance route if you came in on Circuits 3, 4, or 5, but you’ll be walking out on a slightly lower terrace than the one going in.  

Well, that brings us to the end of my guide to the circuits and Machu Picchu. I hope I’ve answered every question you had about the circuits and saved you many hours of research – I wish I could have had this guide when I first started planning my own visit! If you still have questions, please ask in the comments below!

Also don’t miss my guides to the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo ruins, Pisac ruins, and other ruins in the Cusco region!