To protect Machu Picchu for future generations, the Peruvian government updated the entry system. On 6 December 2023, the Ministry of Culture amended the Regulation for Sustainable Use and Tourist Visits for the Conservation of the Llaqta of Machu Picchu.
Why Have Circuits at Machu Picchu?
Circuits have been mandatory since 2022. They were introduced to meet UNESCO recommendations, to protect fragile areas, and to reduce congestion. Many paths inside the citadel are narrow and allow only one-way traffic. The circuits create a steady flow and limit dwell time at key viewpoints.
The 2027 Machu Picchu Circuits Explained
As of 1 June 2024, Machu Picchu has three circuits that group ten routes. The system was confirmed for 2027 with no major changes to routes, only to capacity and entry times.
| Circuit Type | Best For | Includes Postcard Photo? | Key Structural Highlights | Avg. Time |
| Circuit 2: Classic | First-time visitors wanting the standard, complete experience. | Yes (Traditional View) | • Main Temples & Sacred Plaza • Sacred Rock & Intihuatana Sector • House of the Inca & Hall of Mirrors | 2.5 – 3 Hours |
| Circuit 1: Panoramic | Landscape photographers and peak hikers looking for sweeping vistas. | Yes (Highest Terraces) | • Upper Agricultural Terraces • Guardian’s House Viewpoint • Machu Picchu Mountain / Sun Gate paths | 1 – 1.5 Hours (+ hike) |
| Circuit 3: Royalty | History enthusiasts and those preferring fewer steep steps. | No (Lower Angle View) | • Temple of the Sun (Interior) • Temple of the Condor • Water Mirrors & Royal Enclosures | 2 – 2.5 Hours |
| Circuits 1 & 3 Combo | The ultimate, comprehensive 2-day unhurried exploration. (can be done over 1 or 2 days). | Yes (Circuit 1 Portion) | • Full Panoramic Vista (C1) • Intimate Elite Ruin Tour (C2) • Optional Mountain Climbs | 1 Day (Express) or 2 Days |
Here we will cover each of the circuits in detail below:
Circuit 2 The Classic Circuits – Considered the best Circuit
The Complete Experience | Routes 2-A & 2-B.
Time | 2.5 to 3 hours.
Includes | CLASSIC POSTCARD VIEW, Sacred Plaza (external view), Temple of the Three Windows (external view), Main Temple (Templo Principal – external view), Temple of the Condor (regulated/external view), Sacred Rock, Hall of Mirrors / Water Mirrors, Ceremonial Fountains, Qolqas (Granaries), Pisonay Plaza, House of the Inca / Royal Residence, Main urban sector and lower city, Upper Agricultural Terraces (partial), Temple of the Sun (exterior/upper viewpoint only, NOT the interior), Intihuatana Sector (viewed from the lower trail only).
Base & Variants
- Route 2-A (Designed Route / Classic): Follows the standard main upper terrace loop. Includes the definitive iconic postcard view from the traditional upper viewing platforms near the Guardian’s House before descending into the urban core.
- Route 2-B (Lower Terrace Route): Follows the lower terrace loop. Bypasses the highest steps to the Guardian’s House but still includes the classic wide postcard view from the designated lower terrace platform before entering the ruins.
Does Not Include | Temple of the Sun (interior walk-through), Intihuatana close-up access, Machu Picchu Mountain (Route 1-A), Inti Punku / Sun Gate (Route 1-C), Inca Bridge (Route 1-D), Huayna Picchu (Route 3-A), Great Cavern / Temple of the Moon (Route 3-C), Huchuy Picchu (Route 3-D).
Circuit 1 The Panoramic Circuits
Upper Terraces | Routes 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, 1-D
Time | 1 to 1.5 hours (plus 2 to 3 hours for each mountain hike)
Includes | CLASSIC POSTCARD VIEW (from the highest platforms/Guardian’s House area), Upper Agricultural Terraces.
Base & Variants
- 1 -B (base): Standard Panoramic route focusing entirely on the upper terraces and the classic postcard views. No extra mountain hike included.
- 1-A: Adds the demanding hike up Machu Picchu Mountain.
- 1-C: Adds the trek to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) (Note: Seasonal/High-Season only).
- 1-D: Adds the walk to the cliffside Inca Bridge (Note: Strictly for ages 18+).
Does Not Include | Access to the lower ruins, the urban core, or any interior temples. Does not include: Temple of the Sun (interior or exterior), Intihuatana, Sacred Plaza, Temple of the Three Windows, Main Temple, House of the Inca, Temple of the Condor, Sacred Rock, Hall of Mirrors, Ceremonial Fountains, Qolqas, Pisonay Tree Plaza, Main urban sector and lower city.
Circuit 3 The Royalty Sector
Lower Agricultural Terraces | Routes 3-A, 3-B, 3-C, 3-D
Time | 2 to 2.5 hours (plus hikes).
Includes | Temple of the Sun (Interior walk-through), House of the Inca, Temple of the Condor (regulated close-up view), Sacred Rock, Water Mirrors (Espejos de Agua), Pisonay Tree Plaza, Lower Agricultural Terraces.
Base & Variants
- 3-B (base): Ceremonial Fountains (first 3 fountains only), Main urban sector (lower part only). Focuses purely on the lower ruins with NO extra mountain hike.
- 3-A: Adds the steep, iconic climb up Huayna Picchu Mountain.
- 3-C: Adds the trek to the Great Cavern / Temple of the Moon (Note: Seasonal/High-Season only).
- 3-D: Adds the short climb up Huchuy Picchu Mountain.
Does Not Include | CLASSIC POSTCARD VIEW (Views are from the lower agricultural sector looking up), Guardian’s House access, Intihuatana, Sacred Plaza, Temple of the Three Windows, Main Temple (Templo Principal), Qolqas, Upper Agricultural Terraces, Machu Picchu Mountain, Inti Punku, Inca Bridge.
Circuit 1 & 3
Two separate tickets purchased for either the same day (for travelers in a hurry) or split across 2 separate days. Not a single ticket.
Time | Circuit 1 (1.5 hours) and Circuit 3 (2.5 to 3 hours) can be combined on a single day or enjoyed sequentially over 2 days.
Includes | THE CLASSIC POSTCARD VIEW and Upper Terraces (plus optional mountain hikes), combined with the lower ruins, interior temples, and royalty sectors.
Base & Variants
- 1-B + 3-B (The Ultimate Base Combo): The standard combo. C1 uses Route 1-B (Upper Terrace only for the classic postcard view; no extra hike). C3 uses Route 3-B (The core royalty sector and lower ruins; no extra hike).
- 1-A + 3-B (The Upper Peak Variant): Adds the demanding Machu Picchu Mountain hike to your Circuit 1 day, followed by the standard lower ruins.
- 1-B + 3-A (The Peak Postcard Variant): Standard panoramic view, and adds the steep Huayna Picchu Mountain hike to your Circuit 3.
Does Not Include | Intihuatana close-up access, Sacred Plaza close-up walk-through, Temple of the Three Windows (interior/close-up), Main Temple (Templo Principal close-up), Qolqas, or the upper set of Ceremonial Fountains.
Which Machu Picchu Circuit Is Best?
If you only have one day, Circuit 2-A is the most complete single ticket. However, travelers in a hurry can now book both a Circuit 1 and a Circuit 3 ticket for the same day to see both the upper viewpoints and the lower interior temples without staying overnight.
If you have the time, we still strongly recommend splitting this combination over two days for an unhurried experience (Circuit 1 on day one, and Circuit 3 on day two). This two-day approach is why the government created the split system. You avoid rushing, you see everything without backtracking, and you stay within the rules.
Our Recommended 2-Day Plan
Day 1 – Circuit 1: The Panoramic Upper Terraces
Choose 1-B for photos only, 1-A if you want to add Machu Picchu Mountain, 1-C for Inti Punku, or 1-D for the Inca Bridge. All Circuit 1 routes give you the classic postcard view, the upper agricultural terraces, and time for unhurried photography without crowds below.
Day 2 – Circuit 3: The Lower Temples and Royal Sector
Choose 3-B as the base, 3-A if you want Huayna Picchu, 3-C for the Great Cavern and Temple of the Moon, or 3-D for Huchuy Picchu. All Circuit 3 routes include the Temple of the Sun interior, House of the Inca, Temple of the Condor, Sacred Rock, and Water Mirrors.
Together, Circuits 1 and 3 give you what no single ticket can: the upper viewpoints, the interior temples, and the option of a mountain hike.
Choosing Your Circuits
Base your choice on time, not just interest. One circuit will always feel incomplete. Booking two circuits—either maximized back-to-back in a single day or spread comfortably over two days—gives you the full citadel as it was designed to be seen.
All Machu Picchu tickets are issued by name, are non-refundable and non-transferable, and are valid only for the date and time printed. Because Circuit 1 and Circuit 3 tickets sell out separately, we advise booking both at the same time, ideally 3 to 4 months ahead for May to September travel.
What to Do If You Already Have Circuit 2 & Want the Mountains?
1. Keep Circuit 2 and add a second day (recommended)
- Day 1: Use Circuit 2 for the classic tour. Book the 6 to 7 am slot for best light and fewer crowds.
- Day 2: Buy a separate mountain ticket. Choose 1-A for Machu Picchu Mountain, or 3-A for Huayna Picchu.
Mountain tickets cost about S/200 versus S/152 for Circuit 2, and only 200 to 400 spaces are released per day. Book 3 to 4 months ahead for May through September.
This gives you everything: the photo and temples from Circuit 2, and the summit, without rushing.
2. Try both in one day is possible, but not worth it
You would need two separate, non-refundable tickets. A typical squeeze looks like this: start Circuit 2 at 6 am, finish by 8:30 am, exit, queue for the bus again, then re-enter at 9 am on a 3-A ticket for Huayna.
You will climb the steepest stairs already tired, and you will miss half of Circuit 2 because mountain tickets are timed for the hike, not for exploring the citadel.
Circuit 2 is the best single ticket for a first visit. If you want Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain too, plan a second day and buy 3-A or 1-A separately.
Last updated May 2026 for the 2025 to 2026 season.
