Which circuit to choose in Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is a World Heritage Site and a wonder of the world, as such it is administered by the Peruvian Government, through the Ministry of Culture of Peru. Machu Picchu is currently one of the most visited places in the world.
To preserve the World Heritage, new circuits and/or visiting routes were enabled within Machu Picchu.
In June 2024, the new circuits were enabled, consisting of 3 circuits or routes, each divided into sub-circuits or sub-routes, which are marked and will allow you to explore Machu Picchu. Each circuit or route within Machu Picchu has its own characteristic.
Below we inform you in detail what each of the circuits and sub-circuits consists of and you will be able to make a better decision for your trip to Machu Picchu:
1. Machu Picchu Circuit 1 – Panoramic:
This is a new circuit enabled to visit Machu Picchu. This circuit will only allow you to climb to the top of Machu Picchu and you will have a panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
If you are the traveler who is looking ONLY to have the “Classic Machu Picchu” photo, this is your ideal route for your panoramic photos of Machu Picchu.
Within this Circuit 1 – Panoramic there are the following Sub routes, which are:
Route 1 – A: Machu Picchu Mountain:
This sub route allows you to have the classic photo of Machu Picchu, in addition to accessing the top of Machu Picchu Mountain (3,082 m.a.s.l.). It is a very demanding climb that takes 2 hours to reach the very top of Machu Picchu Mountain. (enabled all year round).
Route 1 – B: Upper Terrace (see map):
Within the present Circuit 1 – Panoramic, this sub-route is the most visited in this circuit, because it only allows you to have the famous classic photo of Machu Picchu. This sub-route does not allow you to access other places within Machu Picchu. (enabled all year round).
Route 1 – C: Intipunku Portal:
You want to have the experience of knowing what the first view that hikers on the Inca Trail have of Machu Picchu. This subroute will allow you to have that view, in addition to having the classic photo of Machu Picchu. It is a 2-hour walk until you reach the place called Intipunku. (enabled according to season).
Route 1 – D: Inca Bridge:
The Incas were extraordinary architects, who did great feats of engineering. This Subroute allows you to visit the famous Inca Bridge and also have the classic photo of Machu Picchu. (enabled according to season).
Here you can see a map of Route 1 – B – Upper Terrace, which in general all the other sub-routes of Circuit 1 – Panoramic, revolve around. The places you will visit are:
1. Main door. | 4. Top Photo. |
2. Inside Machu Picchu. | 5. Bifurcation of roads. |
3. Top platform. | 6. Upper path. |
2. Machu Picchu Circuit 2 – Classic Circuit:
Do you want to visit Machu Picchu and have the best experience, explore the largest number of places within Machu Picchu? This circuit or route is the chosen one, it is the best circuit to visit Machu Picchu.
Circuit 2 – Classic Circuit allows you to go up to the upper platform, one of the most desired places by all travelers, because it will allow you to have the souvenir photo of Machu Picchu, the long-awaited “classic photo” and then be able to visit the lower part of Machu Picchu, where the main enclosures and temples within Machu Picchu are located.
With a single ticket to Machu Picchu, you will have the opportunity to have the classic photo and walk through the lower part of Machu Picchu.
Within Circuit 2 – Classic Circuit, there are 2 sub-routes and both sub-routes are very similar and are enabled for every day of the year. These Subroutes are:
Route 2 – A: Classic Designed:
This is the best route to visit Machu Picchu. You will have the very famous classic photo of Machu Picchu, from the place called Upper Terrace and you will be able to have a panoramic photo of Machu Picchu, then you will access the lower part of Machu Picchu, where the main enclosures within Machu Picchu are located. These are the places you will visit:
1. Classic photo. | 8. Twelve vanos. |
2. Dry pit. | 9. Eastern Qolqas. |
3. Granitic chaos. | 10. Water mirrors. |
4. Sun Temple Viewpoint. | 11. Condor temple. |
5. Temple Square. | 12. Pisonay Square. |
6. Intiwatana. | 13. Archaeological reserve. |
7. Sacred rock. |
Route 2 – B: Lower Terrace:
Within the range of Circuits and Subroutes that exist within Machu Picchu, this is the other best option for visiting Machu Picchu.
There is only one difference with the previous Subroute within Circuit 2. It is the access to an upper terrace.
However, it should be noted that you will not find any other difference, as you will be able to take the classic photo and visit the lower part of Machu Picchu, where the main enclosures within Machu Picchu are located.
Here on this map you can better illustrate yourself about route 2 b – Lower Terrace:
3. Machu Picchu Circuit 3 – Machu Picchu Royalty:
You will visit Machu Picchu from the lower part (nuclear area). This circuit allows you to visit Machu Picchu ONLY from the lower part of Machu Picchu. You will have the opportunity to visit the main enclosures and temples within Machu Picchu.
You have to consider when choosing this route that you will NOT be able to take the classic photo of Machu Picchu, because it does NOT allow you to climb to the top of Machu Picchu. You will still have very nice photos.
However, Circuit 3 – Machu Picchu Royalty is the second option you should take if you were unable to find space for Circuit 2.
In addition, within Circuit 3 within Machu Picchu, there are 4 Subroutes, these are:
Route 3 – A: Waynapicchu Mountain:
This route allows you to go along Route 3, the lower part of Machu Picchu, and also climb Waynapicchu Mountain (2,720 m.a.s.l.). It is a 1-hour walk until you reach the top, the stepped path.
This route to Waynapicchu is only for tourists with hiking experience and who are not afraid of heights. (Open all year round).
Route 3 -B: Designed Royalty – (See map):
Did you run out of space for Circuit 2? Subroute 3 B – Designed Royalty is the second option you should choose to visit Machu Picchu. You will see the incredible enclosures that the Incas built in Machu Picchu.
This Subroute 3 – B, is the base of all the Subroutes within Circuit 3. (Enabled all year round).
Route 3 – C: Great Cavern:
You can walk inside Machu Picchu on the lower part, through the main enclosures and temples within Machu Picchu.
It also allows you to walk to the so-called Great Cavern, a very long walk that takes 3 hours to reach this place. You must have experience in hiking. (Enabled only during the Seasons).
Route 3 – D: Huchuypicchu:
If you do not have enough hiking experience to climb Waynapicchu. This Subroute 3 D – Huchuypicchu, is the climb to a smaller mountain than Waynapicchu.
This 3D Subroute also allows you to visit the core of Machu Picchu, exploring the main enclosures and temples in Machu Picchu from the lower part. (Only available during the season).
1. Qolqas. | 6. Inka house complex. |
2. Agricultural area. | 7. Water fountains. |
3. Waterway. | 8. Water mirrors. |
4. Dry pit. | 9. Pisonay Square. |
5. Sun temple complex. | 10. Archaeological reserve. |
Questions about the circuit or route to choose to visit Machu Picchu:
What circuit or route is the best to get to know Machu Picchu?
It is Circuit 2, you can go up to the lower and upper platform, from where the classic photo of Machu Picchu is taken, and also visit the lower part of Machu Picchu.
What is the second best route to visit Machu Picchu?
The second option would be route or circuit 4, because it allows you to visit the entire lower part of Machu Picchu.
What are the entry times to Machu Picchu?
The entry time to Machu Picchu is from 06:00 am. and the last time is at 15:00 pm.
Why is circuit or route 2 the best in Machu Picchu?
Because, it allows you to climb to the lower and upper platform, from where you can take the classic photo of Machu Picchu.
Is circuit 2 for all tourists?
To reach the first platform from where the classic photo of Machu Picchu is taken, it is necessary to walk along a steep path for 15 minutes.
If you have any health or mobility problems, the recommendation would be to choose another route, which could be circuit 3 or 4, which are more accessible routes.
How far in advance should you buy the ticket to Machu Picchu?
To ensure your visit to Machu Picchu, it is advisable to purchase in advance, at least 2 months before your trip.
With this time in advance, you will be able to secure your ticket to Machu Picchu, for the best circuit, which would be route 2.
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