Up until a few years ago, you could simply purchase entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, which is renowned as being one of the best preserved ancient Inca cities on the planet, and wander around almost all of the site without restriction. However, between restrictions imposed during COVID and to protect the site against the negative impacts of overtourism, you are now required to purchase a ticket to a specific “circuit” to Machu Picchu, which is a designated route that only provides access to certain areas of the site.
Sounds confusing? It honestly kind of is. Not to worry, though—here’s everything you need to know about Machu Picchu circuits before purchasing your ticket to Peru’s Wonder of the World.
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What are the Machu Picchu Circuits?
As mentioned above, when you’re planning on visiting Machu Picchu, you’re now required to purchase a timed entry ticket for a specific circuito (or circuit). These circuits were introduced to manage the number of people throughout the site at any given time, to both promote a better experience for visitors and to ensure the ancient city isn’t damaged by overtourism.
There are three main circuit options (1, 2, and 3), which are further broken up into different rutas (or routes) that allow you to access different areas or hiking trails that are located throughout the site. So, when you purchase your ticket, you’ll actually have to make a choice between one of ten different route options (don’t worry; we’ll be going into each of these options below)! You can see a map of each of the different circuits on the official Machu Picchu website.
None of these circuit options allow you to see everything at Machu Picchu, so it’s important to purchase the right tickets so that you can see the areas of the ancient city that you’re most interested in.
Pssst... don't want to sift through 10 different Machu Picchu circuit options and decide which one is the best for you? You can simply join a tour, like this option or this option, where the operator will take care of purchasing your tickets and transportation to and from the nearby city of Cusco.
If you like figuring out travel logistics, though, keep on reading!
Which of the Machu Picchu circuits is the best?
Obviously, this will depend on what you’re interested in seeing and doing at Machu Picchu, but unless you’re interested in doing one of the hikes in Machu Picchu, I’d recommend Circuit 2A (i.e., Circuito clásico, Ruta Diseñada) for most visitors.
This is the most comprehensive option and allows you to go to the classic postcard-worthy viewpoint over Machu Picchu and to walk through most of the ancient cities, including both its upper and lower sections.
It also is the most popular circuit option in Machu Picchu and is often sold out months in advance. Accordingly, I’d recommend purchasing your tickets online as soon as you know you’re headed to Machu Picchu. Tickets are typically released at the beginning of every year, around January (or sometimes in the preceding December).
What to expect along each of the Machu Picchu Circuits
Okay, so if you want to compare all of the different Machu Picchu circuits to decide which one is best for you, here’s a chart that can help you understand which one might be right for you. We’ll go into even more detail below.
| Circuit | Route | Name | What to expect | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Ruta Montaña Machupicchu | Classic viewpoint and the Machu Picchu Mountain hike | |
| 1 | B | Ruta Terraza Superior | Classic viewpoint only | |
| 1 | C | Ruta Portada Intipunku | Classic viewpoint and Sun Gate hike | Only available from June 19 through November 2 and limited to 400 people per day |
| 1 | D | Ruta Puente Inka | Classic viewpoint and Inca Bridge hike | Limited to 280 people per day |
| 2 | A | Ruta Diseñada | Classic viewpoint and most of the ancient city | |
| 2 | B | Ruta Terraza Inferior | Classic viewpoint (from a lower vantage point) and most of the ancient city | |
| 3 | A | Ruta Montaña Waynapicchu | Lower Ruins and Huayna Picchu hike | Limited to 350 people per day |
| 3 | B | Ruta Diseñada | Lower Ruins only | |
| 3 | C | Ruta Gran Caverna | Lower Ruins and Temple of the Moon hike | Only available from June 1 to Oct 15 only and limited to 400 people per day |
| 3 | D | Ruta Huchuypicchu | Lower Ruins and Huchuy Picchu hike | Only available from June 19 to Oct 15 and other select dates and limited to 50 people per day |
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect on each of these ten circuits.
Pssst… these circuits change frequently. In fact, up until about a year ago, there were only a total of five circuits! I’ll do my best to update this article as often as I can, but if you're SUPER set on seeing a particular structure or viewpoint at Machu Picchu, I'd recommend triple checking the circuit maps on the official governmental website before purchasing your tickets.
Circuit 1 – Panorámico
Circuit 1 is the most limited of the different circuits, focusing mainly on the viewpoint overlooking Machu Picchu and with some of the options providing access to a handful of hiking trails that depart from the overlook. If you’re short on time or are mainly just looking to snap some photos of Machu Picchu, this might be your best bet.
However, it’s important to note that you won’t get to explore any of the Machu Picchu ruins, so if you’re interested in exploring or learning more about the structures in the ancient city, this isn’t a good option.
Ruta 1A – Ruta Montaña Machupicchu
This option provides you access to the classic Machu Picchu viewpoint, as well as access to the Machu Picchu Mountain hike.
The Machu Picchu Mountain hike is seriously no joke, gaining over 1,900 feet in just 1.2 miles (579 meters in less than 2 km). It’s an unrelenting climb up 3,000 uneven stone steps, with significant drop-offs as you get higher and higher. This definitely isn’t a hike I’d recommend taking kiddos on—or really, any inexperienced hiker.
The endpoint is often clouded over, especially during the rainy season, but, if you luck out with clear skies, you’ll have stunning views of the ancient city and Huayna Picchu, the iconically jagged mountain behind the city, sprawling at your feet below.
I would only recommend this trail if you’re in tiptop shape and are looking for a butt-kicking hike!
Ruta 1B – Ruta Terraza Superior
This is the most basic ticket and only provides you access to the classic viewpoint, overlooking Machu Picchu.
To reach the platform, you’ll climb stairs past some agricultural terraces and the ruins of one building that was believed to once be a chicha (fermented corn drink) hall, but, otherwise, you will not be able to explore any of the actual ruins.
This is a great option if you’re short on time or mostly just interested in snapping some photos of the famous viewpoint.
Ruta 1C – Ruta Portada Intipunku
This option provides you access up to the iconic viewpoint, plus access to hike up to Intipunku, otherwise known as the Sun Gate.
Intipunku (or the Sun Gate) was once used as a controlled entry point into the city, where Inca soldiers could ensure that only trusted visitors were allowed into Machu Picchu’s sacred walls. It also had a spiritual meaning—every year, the sun shines through this gateway on the summer solstice, which was important to the Incan calendar and was used for agricultural planning.
Nowadays, it’s how visitors hiking the Inca Trail enter Machu Picchu, as well as serves as an endpoint for adventurous visitors on day trips to the citadel. This hike is still on the challenging side, gaining over 700 feet of elevation in the 1.1 miles (274 feet in the course of 1.7 km). At the Sun Gate, you’re treated to a birds’ eye view of Huayna Picchu and the terraces and structures of the ancient city.
It’s still significantly less challenging than Machu Picchu Mountain and, given that its endpoint is also 1,000 feet lower, you have a better chance of having a view that’s not obstructed by clouds or fog here.
We hiked the Inca Trail, so we stopped at the Sun Gate as we entered Machu Picchu—and it was such a unique and beautiful place to get to view the ancient city before exploring its remaining structures.
Ruta 1D – Ruta Puente Inka
This option is to the classic viewpoint, plus the hike to the Inca Bridge.
The Inca Bridge trail is a short and easy hike, with this stone pathway leading to a viewpoint overlooking the remnants of an ancient drawbridge. There is a twenty foot gap here, carved into the cliffside, that could be bridged by the Inca when they saw fit. Otherwise, invaders would have to figure out a way to cross the gap—or fall 1,900 feet into the canyon below.
If you’re primarily interested in seeing the postcard view and are wanting to get a quick little day hike in at Machu Picchu, this is my favorite option of Circuit 1.
Circuit 2 – Circuito clásico
Circuit 2 is called Circuito clásico for a reason! It’s the most comprehensive of the circuits, allowing you to access the classic viewpoint, plus most of the upper and lower areas of the site itself.
As mentioned above, I think this is the best option for most travelers that are interested in getting some stellar photos of Machu Picchu, as well as getting their Indiana Jones on and actually exploring some of the structures themselves.
Ruta 2A – Ruta Diseñada
To be honest, there’s really not a huge difference between Ruta 2A and 2B, but if I had to choose, I’d still pick Ruta 2A as the best overall circuit in Machu Picchu.
In this option, you’ll climb up to the classic Machu Picchu viewpoint through agricultural terraces. From here, you’ll follow the pathway downhill to the traditional entrance gate to the ancient city, which perfectly frames Huayna Picchu dramatically towering above.
The pathway continues to head downhill, allowing you a birds’ eye view of the Sun Temple, which is largely considered to be the most important building in the city. The Sun Temple was used for religious ceremonies and astronomical observations, with one of its windows designed for sunlight to shine through it and onto its central altar during the winter solstice.
Continuing on, the pathway passes the Sacred Plaza, which houses several religious structures, such as the Main Temple and the Temple of the Three Windows, and is believed to have once served as the heart of Machu Picchu’s cultural and spiritual life.
The pathway continues heading north before looping back through the lower portion of Machu Picchu, including some famous landmarks like Conjunto Espejos de Agua (the Water Mirrors) at the Hall of Mirrors. This temple has hollow circular stones that are carved into the ground and, when filled with water, they mirror the sky above. Accordingly, it’s believed the Inca used these features for astronomical observation.
Ruta 2B – Ruta Terraza Inferior
This option is largely the same as Ruta 2A, although you head to a slightly lower platform overlooking Machu Picchu. You can still get solid photos here though!
Another difference between this option and Ruta 2A is that 2B bypasses the Sun Temple and, instead, heads to the Inca Quarry, a collection of stones that were intended to be used in construction projects. Given the Sun Temple is considered to be the most sacred site in Machu Picchu and the Inca Quarry is effectively unused building materials, I think Ruta 2A takes you to the more impressive site.
Otherwise, this route loops through all of the same areas as Ruta 2A.
Circuit 3 – Machupicchu realeza
Circuit 3 focuses on the lower section of Machu Picchu, otherwise known as the “royal section.” This area features residences of Inca emperors (including some of the only known toilets in Inca architecture!) and some of the most sacred temples in Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Condor (the latter of which you can only see on this circuit).
It also allows you to access some of the most famous hikes in Machu Picchu, including up the slope of Huayna Picchu, the iconic mountain that towers over the ancient city below.
The biggest drawback of Circuit 3 is that it doesn’t include a stop at the classic viewpoint, so you won’t be able to get the iconic photo of you with Huayna Picchu and the ancient city as your backdrop (unless you purchase tickets to another circuit as well, anyway!).
Ruta 3A – Ruta Montaña Waynapicchu
This circuit focuses on the lower section of Machu Picchu (which I go into further detail about in the section for Ruta 3B below), but provides you access to one of the most popular hikes at Machu Picchu, the Huayna Picchu hike.
Huayna Picchu is believed to have held spiritual significance to the Inca, given the number of small temples that adorn its slopes. Nowadays, Huayna Picchu is renowned for its dramatic peak and the panoramic views of the Urubamba River and Hidroeléctrica valley that await hikers at its summit.
This hike is quite challenging, climbing over 1,000 feet to the summit along steep stone stairs that are carved into a mountainside. There’s even an infamous section of the trail known as the “Stairs of Death”, which consist of seemingly vertical stairs with steep drop-offs that would make even the acrophiles amongst us dizzy. Thankfully, the nickname is a bit hyperbolic—chains have recently been installed to provide hikers with something to hold on to as they make their descent and no one has ever really perished here.
Despite the gnarly sounding names and steep incline, most visitors in decent shape should be able to complete this hike, if they take it slow. Accordingly, if you don’t care about seeing Machu Picchu from the famous viewpoint and are looking to hike a challenging and memorable trail here, this might be a great option for you. It’s actually a popular add-on that you can usually request if you opt to do the Inca Trail!
Ruta 3B – Ruta Diseñada
This option focuses on just the lower area of Machu Picchu’s ruins—i.e., the same route as all of the other Circuit 3 options, but without access to any of the hiking trails. It’s definitely on the more basic side, but still provides a pretty interesting mix between agricultural, royal, and religious structures used by the Inca.
After entering the site, you’ll walk along an agricultural terrace and get to look up at the exterior of Temple of the Sun, which is considered the most sacred religious structure in Machu Picchu. In this area, you’ll also get to explore the House of the Inca, which is where the Inca emperors once lived.
The pathway continues northwards in the ancient city before looping around and hitting some of the most interesting religious sites, like the aforementioned “Hall of Mirrors” and Temple of the Condor.
Insider tip: It’s important to note that if you’re visiting Machu Picchu by completing the Inca Trail, like on the tour that we did, it will include this circuit. However, if you want to add on any of the hikes along Circuit 3, you can prearrange with your tour operator to get tickets for 3A, 3C, or 3D instead.
Since you end the hike and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, you’ll get an opportunity to climb down to the terraces with the classic viewpoint and take photos here, but, as mentioned above, this isn’t available to any other visitors that opt to only purchase tickets to Circuit 3.
Ruta 3C – Ruta Gran Caverna
This option provides you access to the lower ruins, as outlined above, as well as to the Grand Cavern or Temple of the Moon hike.
As mentioned above, Huayna Picchu is dotted with pathways and religious structures, the most famous of which is the Grand Cavern or Temple of the Moon. This religious structure is actually in a cave that’s been adorned with intricate stonework and altars, which are believed to have been used for spiritual rituals.
The hike up to the temple, like most of the trails in Machu Picchu, is extremely steep, gaining around 1,400 feet in less than a mile (427 km in 1.4 km). From the top of the trail, you’ll get stunning views of the surrounding Andes Mountains and the Temple of the Moon is one of the most unique and mysterious religious structures.
If you’re looking for a slightly more under-the-radar hiking option as compared to Huayna Picchu, this might be a good choice for you.
Ruta 3D – Ruta Huchuypicchu
Like all of the other Circuit 3 options, this option provides you access to the lower ruins, plus a hike up Huchuy Picchu, which is the smaller peak that sits to the left of Huayna Picchu.
This is one of the easiest hikes in Machu Picchu, given it only gains a few hundred feet of elevation. Accordingly, if you want the experience of hiking in Machu Picchu but without having to basically scale a mountain or are hiking with travelers that might not be physically fit enough to do the more demanding hikes, like little kiddos, this is a great choice!
Despite its easier rating, you’ll still get incredible views of Huayna Picchu and the citadel from the endpoint here.
Tips for planning your visit to Machu Picchu
We wrote a whole article with tips for visiting Machu Picchu, but here’s some things to keep in mind when choosing which circuit you want to visit and purchasing your tickets.
Consider going with a tour
If choosing between 10 different ticket options sounds overwhelming to you, consider heading to Machu Picchu on a guided tour. There’s a whole array of options that you can choose from, from a five day hike along the Salkantay Trek through the Andes Mountains to just a regular ol’ day trip from the nearby city of Cusco.
Not only will these tour operators purchase the tickets to Machu Picchu for you, but you’ll also be guided around the citadel with a knowledgeable guide who will share more information about Inca history and culture with you. There are literally no informational signs within the ancient city so, without a guide, it’s kind of hard to understand and appreciate the structures around you.
You can purchase tickets for multiple circuits
Let’s say you REALLY want to get some photos from the classic Machu Picchu viewpoint, but you also want to hike up Huayna Picchu. You can actually purchase tickets for multiple routes for the same day, if you want (e.g., you can purchase tickets to Circuits 1B and 3A on the same day).
You’re not allowed, however, to purchase tickets for different routes in the same circuit on the same day (e.g., you can not purchase tickets to Circuits 3A and 3D on the same day).
If you want to do multiple circuits, I’d just make sure to purchase tickets that give you plenty of buffer time and consider building an extra day in your Peru itinerary for Machu Picchu. Some of the hikes in Machu Picchu are extremely physically demanding and can take four or more hours to complete and even Circuit 2, which is just focused on the ancient city itself, involves several hours of walking and climbing up hundreds of stairs (and at high elevation, at that!). Depending on your fitness level, it may be easier to spread out your visit across two days.
Buy your Machu Picchu tickets before arranging your transportation
Most travelers visit Machu Picchu from Cusco, a stunning colonial city that’s nestled between the Andes Mountains.
We wrote an entire guide about getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu, but, in short, it’s not exactly straightforward, involving at least three different forms of transportation and about five hours to get to the ancient city’s entrance gate.
It’s important to plan how you’re getting to Machu Picchu ahead of time, given that train tickets here frequently sell out, but you also need to know when you need to be at the entrance gates of the ancient city. Some of the circuits, like 1A and 3A, only have two timed entry slots per day, which are typically early in the morning.
Accordingly, you’ll need to purchase your timed entry tickets for Machu Picchu online and then plan your transportation around what time you need to be there.
For example, it’s common for many travelers to actually get to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu Mountain, the day before they plan to visit the ancient city, so that they can get up to the entrance gates bright and early. Luckily, there’s tons of fun things to do in Aguas Calientes for a day or two to keep you busy before your trip up to Peru’s Wonder of the World!!
Be sure to head to the right entrance
If you’re arriving at the main entrance area of Machu Picchu from the town of Aguas Calientes, there’s actually two different entrances, depending on which circuit you’re doing.
- If you have tickets for Circuit 1 or 2, you’ll need to head up the stairs to the left to the Upper Entrance Gate. Once you climb the stairs, a guard will point you in the right direction for your circuit.
- If you have tickets for Circuit 3, you’ll head to the right of the bathrooms and luggage storage desk to the Lower Entrance gate.
If you head to the wrong entrance gate for your circuit, you won’t be allowed in. The lines to enter Machu Picchu can be REALLY long and they can actually deny you entry if you arrive too much later than what your timed entry ticket indicates. So be sure to head to the right spot the first time around!
I hope you have a better understanding of all the circuits of Machu Picchu—I know it’s totally confusing! Do you have any questions about picking which of the circuits are best for you? Let us know in the comments below!
