In June 2024, the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism introduced new regulations for visits to Machu Picchu to preserve and guarantee the protection of this wonder of the world. In this blog, we explain everything you need to know before visiting Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu entrance tickets
The Peruvian authorities have recently updated the regulations governing Machu Picchu entrance tickets, and there are now many different tickets allowing visitors to explore specific parts of the site.
The idea behind this is to help regulate the number of visitors in each part of Machu Picchu, helping preserve the ruins, as well as avoid overcrowding.
Tickets can sell out well in advance, so it's strongly recommended to book your visit as early as possible, especially if you have a specific route in mind.
General regulations for Machu Picchu
There are strict regulations controlling entrances to Machu Picchu, with a variety of routes and hourly entrance slots. You can enter the site from the time on your ticket until one hour later (e.g. if your ticket states 7am, you must enter between 7am and 8am).
There is a maximum stay of four hours in the site, which is open from 6am to 5.30pm. The last entrance is at 3pm. For a first visit, it is necessary to enter with a guide. For a second visit with an additional ticket, a guide is not required, but entrance tickets from the first visit must be shown to re-enter Machu Picchu.
The areas visited are regulated by the park authorities and can change at short notice. In each case, it is necessary to follow the official circuit of the site. It is not permitted to retrace your steps, and once the visit is over, it is necessary to leave the site. Re-entry is prohibited.
Llama at Machu Picchu, Peru
The Different Circuits of Machu Picchu
There are three main routes for visiting Machu Picchu:
Circuit 1: This offers a panoramic view of Machu Picchu, but does not allow entrance to the main buildings and terraces of the site.
Circuit 2: This is the classic circuit of Machu Picchu, allowing you to explore the upper and lower terraces.
Circuit 3: This includes the lower temples of Machu Picchu, but does not include the classic panoramic view.
New Circuits at Machu Picchu
Each circuit is divided into various sub-routes, visiting different parts of the site. For example, if you want to visit Huayna Picchu (the sugarloaf in front of the ruins), then this is possible on Circuit 3A.
For a first visit to Machu Picchu, we recommend Circuit 2, as this gives the most complete view of the site, but other circuits may be suitable if you want to try one of the more adventure hikes, or perhaps wish to visit a specific section of the site. Additionally, if you have already visited Circuit 2, you may want to visit a different circuit for a subsequent visit to the ruins.
Circuit 1A – Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is the peak behind the ruins, and the climb up offers some of the finest views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain takes approximately four to five hours to return, and the path is narrow with steep drops at certain points, but if you enjoy a fairly tough hike, is highly recommended.
Tickets for Circuit 1A have a one-hour time slot for passing the Machu Picchu Mountain control point. There are permits to enter Machu Picchu at 7am (passing the Machu Picchu Mountain checkpoint between 8am and 9am), and 9am (passing the Machu Picchu Mountain checkpoint between 10am and 11am).
Please allow time to get from the Machu Picchu entrance to the Machu Picchu Mountain control point.
Note: Machu Picchu Mountain tickets only allow you to walk from the gate of Machu Picchu to the control point of Machu Picchu Mountain and do not allow entry to the site of Machu Picchu itself.
Circuit 1B – Panoramic Circuit
This option allows you to get to the upper terraces of Machu Picchu, offering some of the best panoramic views of the ruins, so is an excellent option if you wish to take photos of the classic view of Machu Picchu. However, there is only a limited area that can be visited, and this does not include the main ruins. A visit to this circuit usually takes around one hour.
Circuit 1C – Panoramic Circuit + Sun Gate
The Sun Gate is located at the pass above Machu Picchu and is the first viewpoint of Machu Picchu for people walking the Inca Trail. The total visit takes around two hours, including the walk up and down from the Sun Gate. Tickets are only available in the high season, from June to October.
Circuit 1D – Panoramic Circuit + Inca Drawbridge
On the north side of Machu Picchu, the Inca Drawbridge is on a side path, offering alternative views of the ruins. The bridge itself is a retractable wooden section on a steep, narrow path, allowing the Incas to cut off access from the rear if necessary. The total visit takes around one-and-a-half to two hours, including the walk to and from the bridge. Tickets are only available in the high season, from May to October.
Circuits 2A and 2B – Classic Circuit
Both these circuits offer nearly identical experiences. The difference is that Circuit 2A includes a view from a higher terrace, and Circuit 2B includes a visit to a viewpoint on a slightly lower terrace. This is to split the number of visitors at the bottleneck point where people normally stop to take photos of the ruins and mountains, and in practice, there is not a great deal of difference between these two circuits. The route followed offers the most complete tour of the ruins, with a visit to the upper terraces and temples, as well as the lower area of buildings and temples. A visit to this circuit usually takes around two-and-a-half hours and is the recommended option for a first visit to Machu Picchu with a guide.
Circuit 3A – Lower ‘Royalty’ Circuit + Huayna Picchu Mountain
Huayna Picchu Mountain is the sugarloaf in front of the ruins, and this can be climbed for a different perspective on Machu Picchu. This involves very steep drops and ladders up cliff faces and guides do not accompany you.
Mountain Hikes in Machu Picchu
Circuit 3 of Machu Picchu is included with Huayna Picchu tickets. Circuit 3 visits the lower temples and terraces in more detail than Circuit 2, but does not include a visit to the upper platform for a more panoramic view. The circuit including Huayna Picchu takes approximately three to five hours.
Tickets for Circuit 3A have a one-hour time slot for passing the Huayna Picchu control point. There are permits to enter Machu Picchu at 7am (passing the Huayna Picchu checkpoint between 8am and 9am), and 9am (passing the Huayna Picchu checkpoint between 10am and 11am). Please allow time to get from the Machu Picchu entrance to the Huayna Picchu control point.
When the weather is wet, the Peruvian National Institute of Culture does not permit visits to Huayna Picchu, due to the risk of slipping. In this case, the National Institute of Culture does not refund the cost of the entrance fee to Huayna Picchu.
Circuit 3B – Lower ‘Royalty’ Circuit
Circuit 3B visits the lower temples and terraces in more detail than Circuit 2, but does not include a visit to the upper platform for a more panoramic view. The circuit takes approximately two hours. When walking the Inca Trail or the Short Inca Trail, Circuit 3B is included. On both the Inca Trail and Short Inca Trail, you get a classic panoramic view of Machu Picchu as you descend from the Sun Gate.
Circuit 3C – Lower ‘Royalty’ Circuit + Great Cavern
Circuit 3C follows the route of Circuit 3B, but also allows a visit to the Gran Caverna, which is a longer walk around Huayna Picchu to the temple of the moon. The total visit takes around three hours. Tickets are only available in the high season, from May to October, with limited entry times.
Circuit 3D – Lower ‘Royalty’ Circuit + Huchuy Picchu
Circuit 3D follows the route of Circuit 3B, but also allows a visit to the small peak of Huchuy Picchu (NB this is NOT Huayna Picchu - check graph above). Huchuy Picchu is the little sugarloaf visible to the left of Huayna Picchu. The total visit takes around three hours. Tickets are only available in the high season, from May to October, with limited entry times.
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