Travel Guide to the Best Machu Picchu Circuits
Peru’s Machu Picchu is a dream destination. Most people only visit the Inca citadel once in their lives. Did you know ten Machu Picchu circuits crisscross the ancient ruins?
This guide will help travellers choose the best circuit when visiting Machu Picchu. Find out the top attractions and which route best suits your travel style with our easy-to-follow guide to the best Machu Picchu circuits.
Ten Machu Picchu Circuits
There are a whopping ten walking circuits around Machu Picchu. These can be split into three primary circuits with further subgroups.
Circuit 1 (The Panoramic Circuit) is perfect for early risers who want the iconic shot of Machu Picchu at sunrise or who want to add mountain hikes or remote highlights. One version includes the Sun Gate, usually only accessible to Inca Trail trekkers. However, Circuit 1 covers few other attractions within the Machu Picchu ruins.
Circuit 2 (The Classic City Circuit) is the most complete (and popular) circuit blending history, lower and upper terraces, and two distinct versions of the iconic Machu Picchu photo opportunity.
Circuit 3 (The Royalty Circuit) has relatively few stairs, making it the most accessible circuit to walk. It includes exclusive visits inside the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Sun.
Machu Picchu Circuits 1: The Panoramic Circuits
Circuit 1 has FOUR separate options. Each of those four circuits gives the traveller access to the Guardian’s House, which requires climbing many Inca stairs to reach the viewpoint.
From here, people take the iconic picture of Machu Picchu and its ruins in the distance. Anyone wishing to be at the Guardian’s House for sunrise needs to secure one of just 30 tickets for the 6-7 a.m. slot.
Visitors enjoy panoramic views from the Guardian’s House to the Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza, Temple of the Three Windows, and more. However, you can’t visit these sites with a Circuit 1 entry ticket. You are restricted to the upper terraces.
That said, you can visit more of the Machu Picchu site if you add (and pay) extra for more attractions. These options all include the Guardian’s House viewpoint.
- Panoramic Circuit + Upper Terrace Route: Hike to the Guardian’s House for the iconic views and pictures only.
- Panoramic Circuit + Machu Picchu Mountain: Hike to the Guardian’s House and climb Machu Picchu Mountain (3,083m/10,115ft).
- Panoramic Circuit + Intipunku: Hike to the Guardian’s House and visit the Sun Gate (Jun 1 – Oct 14, high season only); allow 3-4 hours in total.
- Panoramic Circuit + Inca Bridge: Hike to the Guardian’s House and walk the beautiful trail to the Inca Bridge (June 1 – Oct 14, high season only). Allow. Allow 1-2 hours in total.
Machu Picchu Circuits 2: The Classic Circuits
Two classic circuits, known as Circuit 2, are the most popular visitor routes. They are exactly the same but differ in just ONE way.
That one difference is where visitors get their picture of Machu Picchu and the ruins. One permits a wider, more distant view of the ruins (think postcard style), and the other is much closer (think more of a portrait style).
Circuit 2A: The Classic ‘close-up photo’ route: Guests take the classic Machu Picchu from a lower terrace, making it a more ‘close-up’ photo of the ruins in the background. The 2A is also slightly shorter than the second option.
Circuit 2B: The Classic ‘postcard-style photo’ route: Visitors walk slightly longer to an upper terrace for the classic Machu Picchu shot from further away than on the 2A tour. The exact spot for this ‘postcard’ view is just below the Guardian House.
The rest of the itinerary is the same for Circuit 2A & 2B, taking in:
- Main Gate
- Temple of the Sun (from below, not inside)
- Temple of the Three Windows
- Intihuatana Pyramid (entrance from 7 to 10am only)
- Sacred Rock
- Temple of the Condor (from below, not inside, 10am to 1pm)
- Inca storehouses, industrial sector, and water fountains
- Pisonay Tree Plaza
- Granite Plaza
- Archaeological reserve
It takes about 2.5 hours to complete either circuit, the most in-depth option that offers a deep understanding of the Machu Picchu complex. Tickets are limited, and this popular route does sell out several months in advance. It suits history buffs and those wanting to take their time among the Inca ruins.
Note: Neither of the Circuit 2 options includes entrance to the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu, Sun Gate, or the Inca Bridge).
Machu Picchu Circuits 3: The Royal Circuits
The Royal Circuits of Circuit 3 all feature exclusive tours inside the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Sun and visits the Temple of the Condor.
Furthermore, Circuit 3 mainly explores the lower terraces, meaning there are fewer stairs on these circuits compared to the others. Circuit 3 gives people 3.5 hours to explore a trail that may only take 1-1.5 hours to complete unless adding on extra attractions (at additional cost).
People interested in climbing Huayna Picchu (2-3 hours, tough), visiting the Temple of the Moon (3-4 hours, moderate), or Huchuy Picchu (60-90 minutes, easy) can also access the main, one-hour-long Royal Circuit 3.
- Royal Circuit only: Temple of the Sun, the Royal Palace, Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more.
- Royal Circuit + Huayna Picchu: Ascend 200m/656 feet over two kilometres of steep and occasionally vertigo-inducing Inca stonework (limited to 200 spaces daily).
- Royal Circuit + Huchuy Picchu: A one-kilometre pathway on flat trails before heading up some Inca stairs rises 50m/164 feet over the Inca citadel to give excellent views for minimal effort. Allow 60-90 minutes.
- Royal Circuit + Temple of the Moon: Allow 2-3 hours for the return journey to this mysterious cave, also known as the Grand Cavern, under Huayna Picchu. (Jun 1 – Oct 14, high season only).
Frequently Asked Questions: Machu Picchu Circuits
Which Circuit Should You Choose?
The most suitable Machu Picchu circuit for you depends on your interests.
- Circuit 1: A short trip with an incredible view can be lengthened by adding on (at extra cost) Machu Picchu Mountain, the Inca Bridge, or the Sun Gate.
- Circuit 2: A well-rounded tour of the history and most of the Machu Picchu site, plus the iconic photo.
- Circuit 3: The easiest to walk with some exclusive visits inside temples. Add Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, or the Temple of the Moon for more walking (extra cost).
Seeing the Sunrise at Machu Picchu
The famous magical sunrise at Machu Picchu is best seen from the Guardian’s House. That means snapping up one of the 30 Circuit 1 entrance tickets for the 6-7am slot.
The next best option is the same 6-7 a.m. slot on either Circuit 2A or 2B for sunrise from one of the iconic photograph spots.
Remember the One Way System
Our tours include guides to keep you on the right path. However, anyone exploring under their own steam should remember that Machu Picchu enforces a strict one-way walking system.
Signage around the Inca ruins is not great, so be careful not to lose your way. Taking a guided tour is the best way to get an intimate insight into Machu Picchu.
Consider Multiple Tickets or Staying for Two Days
Each circuit has its own attractions and a limited number of tickets available. It’s impossible to see everything with one entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
A winning combination is the Circuit 1 sunrise ticket at 6-7 a.m., followed by a Circuit 2 tour.
Hikers love the challenge of Huayna Picchu or switch to the gentler but rewarding hike up Huchuy Picchu, both on Circuit 3. Get away from the crowds with the seldom-explored Machu Picchu Mountain or the iconic Sun Gate (Intipunku) on Circuit 1.
There are 10 time slots, starting every hour from 6 a.m. to final entry at 3 p.m.
Food and Facilities at Machu Picchu
Important points to remember when visiting Mach Picchu:
- There are no toilets or refreshment areas within the Machu Picchu ruins.
- You cannot bring food into the Inca citadel, but you can enter with a reusable water bottle. Snacks, food, and plastic bottles will be confiscated at the entry gate.
- Outside the site entrance, there are toilets (2 soles/50 cents), a luggage store, and a café selling hot food, sandwiches, coffee, and soft drinks. The hotel at the entrance sells ice cream and has a buffet restaurant. Another option is a drinks vending machine and some locals who sell refreshments.
- Remember that your ticket only grants one entry at your allotted time—you cannot pop out for a snack or to use the bathroom.
- Buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (20-25mins, around $12 one way) start at 05.30am and run every 5-10 minutes. The last bus leaves the site around 5.30pm.
