In order to promote sustainability and preserve the wonder of Machu Picchu for future generations, the Peruvian government has changed the entry requirements of Machu Picchu. Since December 6, 2023 the Peruvian Government amended the “Regulation of sustainable use and tourist visits for the conservation of the Llaqta or Inka City of Machu Picchu”. You must be at the entry point of Machu Picchu during your assigned ticket time. If you are late you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER! Additionally, there are 5 circuits that must be followed while inside Machu Picchu.
Why Have Circuits At Machu Picchu?
Circuits have been mandatory ever sense October 2022. They were introduced in order to comply with UNESCO by better preserving delicate section of Machu Picchu, and to alleviate congestion. Many section of Machu Picchu have narrow pathways where only one person can pass at a time. The intention of these circuits is to better allow for free flowing exploration, and to limit the time visitors spend at certain areas.
Which Circuit is Considered the Best?
Generally speaking most people agree that circuit 2 is the best circuit. You will get to see the most sites and get the classic Machu Picchu picture opportunity at the Guard House. It’s also one of only two circuits that allow you to visit the Inca Bridge.
Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu
The Inca Bridge is an additional ticket purchase circuits 1 and 2 are the only ones that offer the optional visit to the Inca Bridge. The bridge is thought to have been the escape route of the Inca, it was constructed on a cliffside hundreds of feet in the air along a narrow stone path. Logs were placed across a large gap, after they crossing the bridge the Inca would pull away the logs preventing anyone from following.
What will you see on Circuit 2?
- Lower Platform
- Guard house
- Dry Pit
- Temple of the Sun
- Quarry
- Sacred Plaza
- Intihuatana (open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Sacred Rock
- Workshop (Doce Vanos)
- Oriental Storehouse
- Water Mirrors
- Temple of the Condor (open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Pisonay Square
- Archeological Reserve
Machu Picchu Circuits
Please be aware that the circuits vary in difficulty and in what sites you get to visit. Circuit 3 and 5 are the shortest and easiest circuits, if you have trouble with steps then stay away from circuits 1 and 2.
CIRCUIT 1 (HIGH-SHORT RED)
This circuit takes you to the upper and lower sections of Machu Picchu. Circuit 1 will take you to the guardhouse, where the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu are taken. In total it takes around 2 hours to complete. This is a great path if you want to get the iconic pictures of Machu Picchu but, don’t want to walk too much.
You will start this circuit at the main entry, from there you will walk up to a viewpoint among the agricultural terraces at the lower platform. After, continue to the famous Guard House where the classic post card photos are taken. Continue down the same trail that goes up to Puente del Inca “Inca Bridge”. From this path you will arrive next at the Dry Pit, continuing onward to the Temple of The Sun. The Temple of the sun is arguably the main attraction on this circuit. Next, head towards the Incan Quarry, the Inca used this rock to construct Machu Picchu. Follow the path to the water mirrors, and Pisonay Square, finally ending at The Archeological Reserve.
Sites Included in Circuit 1
- Lower Platform
- Guard house
- Dry Pit
- Temple of the sun
- Quarry
- Water Mirrors
- Pisonay Square
- Archeological Reserve
*PLEASE NOTE: Circuit 1 is one of only two circuits that allow a visit to the Inca Bridge
CIRCUIT NUMBER 2 (HIGH-LONG BLUE)
Longer than circuit 1, this route takes you along the upper agricultural terraces and follows the same route as circuit 1 but, explores more of the lower section of the Machu Picchu complex. After visiting the Quarry you will head towards the Sacred Plaza, instead of the Water Mirrors. Continuing on the circuit, you will climb up the stone steps to the mysterious Intihuatana stone (open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Intihuatana is the subject of many debates, no one knows its true function but there are many different speculations some say it’s just a simple sundial while others connect it to the summer and winter solstices.
After admiring the Intihuatana stone descend toward the Sacred Rock. Next you will go to the Workshop (Doce Vanos), then the Oriental Storehouse. Follow the path to the Water Mirrors, thought to be used to observe the night sky, particularly the moon. Further along is the Temple of The Condor one of the most impressive sites in Machu Picchu (open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), then Pisonay Square, finally ending at The Archeological Reserve.
- Lower Platform
- Guard house
- Dry Pit
- Temple of the Sun
- Quarry
- Sacred Plaza
- Intihuatana (open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Sacred Rock
- Workshop (Doce Vanos)
- Oriental Storehouse
- Water Mirrors
- Temple of the Condor (open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Pisonay Square
- Archeological Reserve
*PLEASE NOTE: Intihuatana is only open in the morning open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
**PLEASE NOTE: Temple of The Condor is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
***PLEASE NOTE: Circuit 2 is one of only two circuits that allow a visit o the Inca Bridge
CIRCUIT NUMBER 3 (SHORT-LOW YELLOW)
The shortest and easiest circuit, this is a great option if you don’t want to walk a lot or have trouble with steps. Like the other circuits this one starts at the main entry to Machu Picchu. Keep in mind this circuit does not take you to the upper part of the complex so you will not get a chance to take your iconic Machu Picchu postcard pictures. After leaving the main entry you will first arrive at the Store House continuing on through the agricultural terraces to the Water Canal and Dry pit. The Temple of The Sun is next and one of the main attraction on this circuit. Further along you will come to the Inca House continuing to the water fountains, Water Mirrors, Pisonay Square, finally ending at the Archeological reserve.
- Storehouse
- Agricultural Terraces
- Water Canal
- Dry Pit
- Temple of The Sun
- Inca House
- Water Fountains
- Water Mirrors
- Pisonay Square
- Archeological Reserve
*PLEASE NOTE: Circuit 3 is one of the shortest circuits at Machu Picchu
CIRCUIT NUMBER 4 (LONG-LOW LIGHT BLUE)
Circuit 4 goes along the same route as Circuit 3 but adds some additional attractions to the journey. Go along the same path as circuit 3 until you arrive at the water fountains. After you will go to the Sacred Rock instead of continuing to the water mirrors. Continuing from the Sacred Rock you’ll arrive at the Workshop (Doce Vanos). Next, are the Oriental Storehouses where the Inca would store food and goods helping the empire survive times of poor harvest. You will then go to the water mirrors, Temple of The Condor (open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Pisonay Square, and finally the Archeological Reserve before heading back to the exit.
- Storehouse
- Agricultural Terraces
- Water Canal
- Dry Pit
- Temple of The Sun
- Inca House
- Water Fountains
- Sacred Rcok
- Workshop (Doce Vanos)
- Oriental Storehouse
- Water Mirrors
- Temple of the Condor (open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Pisonay Square
- Archeological Reserve
*Please Note: If you would like to tour Machu Picchu and hike Huayna Picchu in the same day you can purchase the ticket for both circuit 4 plus Huayna Picchu
CIRCUIT NUMBER 5
Circuit number 5, the last circuit offered, takes you through the lower Urban Sector of Machu Picchu. Starting at the main entrance follow the same path as circuit 3. This circuit is almost exactly the same as circuit 3 except, after going to the Water fountains you will continue to The Temple of The Three Windows instead of the Water Mirrors. This Circuit takes you to the Storehouse, Agricultural Terraces, Water Canal, Dry Pit, Temple of The Sun, Incan House, Water Fountains, Temple of The Three Windows, Pisonay Square, and ends at the Archeological Reserve.
- Storehouse
- Agricultural Terraces
- Water Canal
- Dry Pit
- Temple of The Sun
- Inca House
- Water Fountains
- Temple of The Three Windows
- Pisonay Square
- Archeological Reserve
*PLEASE NOTE: Circuit 5 is the only one that offers a visit to Temple of The Three Windows
**PLEASE NOTE: Circuit 5 is the shortest circuit in Machu Picchu
*The 2 days or 4 days Inca Trail hikers will follow Circuit # 3.
