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Machu Picchu Rules 2025

Tourists close admiring Machu Picchu citadel and the surrrounding mountain from a spot close to the Guard House
Fanny
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December 17, 2024
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12 min. read
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Machu Picchu · Peru
#News

Updated on December 17th, 2024

Latest Update

Machu Picchu Circuits 2025 & Maps

Circuit 1 or 'Panoramic'

Explores the upper section of the so-called agricultural sector of Machu Picchu (featuring terraces).
It's a panoramic circuit where you can have views of the surrounding mountains Wayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu and Putucusi as well as the central area of the archaeological site.

There are two options for this circuit:

Circuit 1 and its alternatives

During the high season (from June 1st to October 15th and December 30-31) two further options are available:

Circuit 2 or 'Classic'

This circuit, which is highly sought after by visitors, encompasses both the agricultural and urban sectors of Machu Picchu. Along the route, you'll encounter landmarks such as the Inca quarry, the Sun Temple lookout point, the Sacred Stone, the storages known as Qolqas, and the Temple of the Condor, among other sites depicted in the map below.

There are 2 options when choosing this circuit:

The difference between 2-A and 2-B is illustrated in the maps below (highlighted by orange boxes).

Machu Picchu Circuit 2-A
Machu Picchu Circuit 2-B


Circuit 3 or 'Royal'

This tour explores the lower section of Machu Picchu, encompassing the agricultural terraces before delving into the urban sector. Notable attractions in this area include the Water Mirrors, Pisonay Square, the Temple of the Condor, and the Sacred Stone.

There are 2 options when choosing this circuit:

Circuit 3


During the high season (from June 1st to October 15th and December 30-31) two further options are available:

Circuit 3 Route 3-C Gran Caverna (Great Cavern)
Map of the Machu Picchu Citadel with a yellow line indicating the Route 3-D tour to Huchuy Picchu.
Circuit 3 Route 3-D Huchuy Picchu

Personal Data Required for Purchase

Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are issued based on personal data and are non-transferable or refundable. The following details are needed to buy tickets:

Due to the limited number of visitors, we recommend buying tickets at least 45 days in advance.

There is no sales point at the entrance to Machu Picchu itself!

Price Reduction for Children & Students

Visiting rules

Badge with circuit number and corresponding marked route at Machu Picchu
Badge with Circuit and corresponding marked route at Machu Picchu

Admission times

According to the resolution of May 2024, visitors purchasing tickets for specific entry slots are granted a tolerance period. This means that arrivals are permitted within the designated tolerance time frame for each slot.

Tolerance period HIGH SEASON
(June 1st to October 15th and December 30-31)
Tolerance Period LOW SEASON
45 minutes30 minutes

Restrictions

Surrounding Mountain Peaks

Some of our travelers want to explore one of the surrounding mountains of Machu Picchu. These are: Machu Picchu Mountain, Wayna Picchu Mountain, and Huchuy Picchu Mountain.

Infographic depicting the three mountains surrounding Machu Picchu: Wayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huchuy Picchu. It also displays the height of each mountain and the hike difficulty level

The following table depicts the number of daily entrance tickets available online for the surrounding mountains:

MountainCircuitTickets HIGH SEASONTickets LOW SEASON
Machu Picchu MountainCircuit 1  Route 1-A100 (07:00 am)
100 (09:00 am)
100 (07:00 am)
100 (09:00 am)
Wayna PicchuCircuit 3 Route 3-A150 (07:00 am)
150 (09:00 am)
150 (07:00 am)
150 (09:00 am)
Huchuy PicchuCircuit 3 Route 3-D25 (10:00 am)
25 (12:00 am)
not available

Wayna Picchu

Wayna Picchu is one of the mountain peaks that surround Machu Picchu. It is probably the most famous as it towers over Machu Picchu in the background in many photos. The ascent takes place on a narrow and extremely steep path and takes around 45 - 60 minutes, depending on the pace. Once at the summit, a fantastic view of the whole of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains awaits.

Since the path is very narrow and exposed in some places, we recommend this hike for experienced and sure-footed hikers. We highly recommend sturdy shoes.

Allowed time to visit Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu: 5.5 hours

Huchuy Picchu (only open in the high season)

Huchuy Picchu is something like the little brother of Wayna Picchu. Huchuy Picchu is right next to the checkpoint at the Sacred Rock and can be reached on a hike of around 15 minutes. Compared to the other options, this hike is significantly easier and shorter and therefore also possible for less experienced travelers.

Allowed time to visit Huchuy Picchu and Machu Picchu: 3.5 hours

Machu Picchu Mountain

Wood board in Machu Picchu indicating the path to Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain, which is also the Apu (sacred mountain) for the complex, is located south of the citadel, opposite Wayna Picchu. The hike partly leads through dense vegetation, but always rewards you with great views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding area.

It takes about 90 minutes to get to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain, depending on your pace. The path leads over a lot of stairs. We recommend having a good physical condition and sturdy shoes for this route.

Allowed time to visit Machu Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu: 7 hours

If you can't decide between visiting Machu Picchu Mountain or Wayna Picchu while planning your journey to Machu Picchu, our article has 3 questions that you need to ask yourself to help you make up your mind.

Inca Trail 2 Days / 1 Night

For travelers with the 2-day/1-night Inca Trail, on the first day, you will enter Machu Picchu via Intipunku. You can spend 20-30 minutes at the 'Plataforma superior' (point 2 on the map) to take photos before exiting the citadel. On the second day, you will visit Circuit 3-B. You may enter the site until 12:00 PM and stay for up to 2.5 hours.

One of these could also be of interest to you

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