The authorities of Machu Picchu ordered that the visit to the Inca city be done by strict routes. The objective? To protect and preserve the archaeological site for the future. Each visitor will follow a route according to the ticket chosen: the Machu Picchu Solo ticket, the ticket that includes the Huayna Picchu mountain, the ticket that includes the Machupicchu mountain, the ticket that includes the Huchuy Picchu mountain or the ticket that includes the Inca Bridge.
What is the most recommended circuit and ticket in Machu Picchu?
If you are visiting Machu Picchu for the first time, the best option is definitely to buy the ‘Machu Picchu Solo’ ticket and take Circuit 2. This tour is considered the most complete as it includes a visit to the main Inca sites. If you have already visited Machu Picchu before, you can purchase the ‘Machupicchu with Huayna Picchu’ ticket and do circuit 4.
Circuit – Ticket Machu Picchu Only
- The basic ticket to knowing the Inca citadel and its many constructions is the entrance ‘Machu Picchu Only’.
- This ticket allows you to know buildings such as the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Square, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more.
- In the past, it was possible to hike for almost 2 hours to the Intipunku (Sun Gate). However, today this route is not allowed.
- It also allowed us to visit the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu. Today this short route (20 minutes) is only available with the ticket ‘Machupicchu with Inca Bridge’.
- Of course, the ticket also allows the opportunity to take the classic postcard photo with Machupicchu in the background.
- To tour Machu Picchu with this ticket, the authorities have created four available tourist circuits: Circuit 1, Circuit 2 (the most recommended), Circuit 3 and Circuit 4.
This is what circuits are like:
Machu Picchu Circuit 1
Circuit 1 allows you to visit the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site. This tour goes through the main constructions as well as the area of the terraces and terraces in the highest part (from there you get the classic postcard photo of Machupicchu). The tour is recommended for seniors. It lasts approximately 2 hours.
Machu Picchu Circuit 2
Circuit 2 allows you to tour the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site (both the upper and lower religious areas). Of course, it also includes the main constructions of the Inca citadel. The tour is recommended for all tourists. It lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes approximately.
Machu Picchu Circuit 3
- Circuit 3 allows you to visit the nuclear area of Machu Picchu (lower part). It includes a visit to the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, and the agricultural area. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Machu Picchu Circuit 4
- Circuit 4 allows you to visit the core area of Machu Picchu (lower part). It includes the visit to the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the agricultural area, and the Sacred Rock. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Circuit – Ticket Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu
- The ticket that runs out the fastest is the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu’, which includes the tour to the top of this mountain as well as the route through the Inca citadel.
- This ticket allows you to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. Visitors can optionally take a detour and tour the Temple of the Moon (also known as the Great Cavern).
- Likewise, when leaving the mountain, the ticket allows the tour of Machu Picchu through Circuit 4.
This is what circuits are like:
- Circuit 4 allows you to visit the lower part of Machu Picchu, that is, the urban sector. There the visitor will be able to appreciate Inca constructions such as the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the Temple of the 3 Windows and more.
- The circuit follows the route in one direction only (no backtracking is allowed). Circuit 4 takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Circuit – Ticket Machu Picchu with Mountain
- The ‘Machu Picchu with Mountain’ ticket is ideal for a family hiking route (entry is allowed for people of all ages). It is also the best option for visitors who did not get availability for the Huayna Picchu mountain.
- This ticket allows you to hike to the top of the highest mountain in the whole place: Machu Picchu Mountain. It also allows you to leave Machu Picchu and re-enter once.
- In this re-entry, visitors can take a tour of the main archaeological sites of Machu Picchu in Circuit 3.
This is what circuits are like:
- Circuit 3 allows you to visit the platform sector, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inka, the Ceremonial Fountains, the Hall of Mirrors, the Temple of the Condor and other minor constructions.
- The circuit allows you to re-enter Machu Picchu but you cannot follow the routes to the House of the Guardian or the hiking routes to Intipunku or the Inca Bridge. Circuit 4 takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
More information about the new Machu Picchu circuits
- The circuits are intended to better organize visitor traffic within Machu Picchu. It also seeks to adequately distribute the visitors and protect the constructions of the archaeological site for the future.
- The ticket Machu Picchu Only, the Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge ticket and the Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu ticket have the same cost.
- The ticket Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket and the Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket have the same cost (higher than the other three tickets).
- The circuits are mandatory and must be traveled in the company of a professional tour guide (optional). It is not allowed to go back during the route.
- The only ticket that allows you to leave and re-enter Machu Picchu is the ‘Machu Picchu with Mountain’ entrance.
Questions and answers about the circuits in Machu Picchu
- 1) How is circuit 1 in Machu Picchu?Circuit 1 allows you to visit the upper part and the lower part of Machu Picchu. It includes part of the main Inca enclosures, as well as the area of the platforms and terraces in the highest part, where the entrance to Machu Picchu is obtained. It is a good option for older adults. It takes approximately 2 hours.
- 2) How is circuit 2 in Machu Picchu?Circuit 2 allows the most complete tour of Machu Picchu. It includes the Inca sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock and more. It is the most used circuit. It takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
- 3) How is circuit 3 in Machu Picchu?Circuit 3 allows you to visit the nuclear area of Machu Picchu (the lower part). Includes a visit to Inca constructions such as: the House of the Inka, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, as well as the agricultural area. It takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. It is recommended for older adults.
- 4) How is circuit 4 in Machu Picchu?Circuit 4 allows you to visit the nuclear area of Machu Picchu (lower part). Includes a visit to the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the agricultural zone and the Sacred Rock. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
- 5) What is the best circuit in Machu Picchu?Circuit 2 is considered the best in Machupicchu since it allows a more complete tour of the constructions of the Inca citadel. Includes the classic photo!
- 6) What circuit allows you to take the classic photo of Machu Picchu?Circuits 1 and 2 allow the classic photo of Machu Picchu from the House of the Guardian. The entrances that these circuits allow are: Machupicchu Solo entrance and Machupicchu entrance with Inca Bridge.
- 7) What circuit allows you to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain?The ‘Machupicchu with Huaynapicchu’ entrance is the only one that allows you to climb the famous mountain. This ticket allows you to do circuit 4, which includes buildings in the lower part such as the Casa del Inka.
- 8) What circuit in Machu Picchu to choose for older adults?Seniors in good physical condition can complete Circuit 2 with no problem. If they don’t make it, circuit 1 will be the best option. In cases of older adults in poor physical condition, they can choose circuit 3 or 4 and sit on one of the benches that allow them to contemplate Machu Picchu from the lower part.
- 9) What circuit in Machu Picchu to choose for children?Children can complete any of the circuits. The most recommended is circuit 2.
- 10) How long does it take to complete all of Machu Picchu?Circuit 2 is the most complete that Machu Picchu offers. Completing it, slowly and enjoying the tour, takes 2 hours 30 minutes on average.
Related Machu Picchu Circuits
Here are some other options that will suit your needs
