Find out all the information about Machu Picchu tickets and how to get yours down below!
Machu Picchu, the legendary Inca citadel, is a dream destination for travelers worldwide. But in 2025, visiting the ruins requires careful planning due to new regulations, limited entry slots, and multiple route options.
This guide will break down everything about Machu Picchu tickets. From the different circuits, to entry slots and the duration allowed per visit, to how to secure your ideal entrance!
Note: Booking early is essential — we strongly recommend securing your ticket at least 4 months in advance to get the best experience.
Before 2021, visitors could enter Machu Picchu with a general entrance ticket and explore freely. These were great times, when one could wander for hours-on-end freely around the ruins…
However, to preserve the site and better manage tourism flow, the Peruvian government introduced very strict circuit-based routes, which restrict movement to designated paths.
Now, visitors must choose a specific circuit when booking their tickets, with different viewpoints, durations, and experiences.
As onerous as the new rules are this circuit-based visitation system is designed to protect the integrity and enhance the visitor experience at the site.
The park wardens, police and professional guides all pay a part in ensuring this system runs smoothly.
Machu Picchu offers three main circuits, each providing unique perspectives and experiences.
This circuit offers a tour of the upper part of Machu Picchu. It provides a wide view of the entire citadel as well as the famous local mountains around the citadel.
You will have a tour through narrow paths that will take you through natural landscapes and ruins in addition to the classic view of Machu Picchu.
Route 1-A (Machu Picchu mountain): A challenging 3- hour round trip hike providing expansive views of the citadel and surrounding landscapes. You can enjoy the classic view of Machu Picchu and visit the imposing Machu Picchu mountain. It has an approximate distance of 3.9 kilometers. The duration of this circuit is approximately 6 hours. Special Entrance Ticket (Extra Cost)
Route 1-B (Upper terrace Viewpoint): This shorter route focuses on the classic Machu Picchu viewpoint from the Upper Platform, perfect for iconic photos and a visit to admire the grandeur of the site from above. The duration of this circuit is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Route 1-C (Intipunku – Sun Gate): Accessible during high season (July to October), this 4 hours round trip leads to the historic entrance of Machu Picchu, offering unique perspectives.It has an approximate distance of 4 kilometers round trip.
Route 1-D (Inca Bridge): Also available in high season (July to October), this 2-3 hour round trip takes you to a significant Inca construction showcasing their engineering prowess. It has an aproximate distance of 2 kilometers round trip.
This circuit offers the complete Machu Picchu experience, which is why it is the most requested and famous. It combines the visit to the terraces from where you will get the classic postcard of Machu Picchu and you can access the main urban part of the citadel.
There are two types of routes in the case of this circuit:
Route 2-A: Offers a complete tour of Machu Picchu’s most famous sites, ideal for first-time visitors.
2-B: Provides a unique perspective from the lower terraces, showcasing the site’s agricultural expertise and foundational architecture.
Both routes have an approximate duration of visit of 2 hours and 30 minutes, they offer the classic view and you can get the traditional photo in Machu Picchu, the only difference between the two circuits is that with Route 2 A you get the classic photo from the upper terrace and with route 2-B from the lower terrace (2 terraces less). They have an approximate distance of 1.5 kilometers.
Recommendation: Yapa Explorers highly recommends Circuit 2 for a holistic Machu Picchu experience.
This circuit will take you through the areas of the citadel that were occupied by the Incas belonging to the royalty.
This circuit, like circuit 1, has a variety of routes that take you to different paths within the Inca citadel.
Route 3-A (Huayna Picchu mountain): A steep climb offering spectacular views and access to the Temple of the Moon. Duration is approximately 3.5 hours.Taking into account that the ascent and descent of the mountain takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes round trip. It has a short path, approximately 300 meters further from the citadel of Machu Picchu. Special Entrance Ticket (Extra Cost)
Route 3-B (Lower ruins): This route guides visitors through the Lower Urban Sector of Machu Picchu, including fascinating architecture, ceremonial areas, and terraces used by Inca royalty. Duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the route.
Route 3-C (Great cavern): Accessible during high season (June to Octeber), this 3-hours route (Regular time inside Machu Picchu) leads to a hidden gem within Machu Picchu. Duration is approximately 5 hours to complete the total route.
Route 3-D (Huchuy Picchu): The Huchuy Picchu Route is a scenic and rewarding hike available only during the peak hiking season—from June 1st to October 15th, and again from December 30th to 31st, 2024. Special Entrance Ticket (Extra Cost)
This trail takes you to the summit of Huchuy Picchu Mountain, offering sweeping views over Machu Picchu and its breathtaking surroundings.
Less crowded and more accessible than the popular Huayna Picchu hike, Huchuy Picchu provides a peaceful alternative. Ideal for moderately fit travelers, it’s a fantastic option for those seeking stunning vistas without the hustle of busier trails.
The best way to get Machu Picchu tickets is by purchasing a tour or trek with Yapa Explorers. These tours also include pick-ups from your hotel/hostel in Cusco and train tickets (if you choose that option). Yapa Explorers offers the convenience of providing different train tours and treks such as the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, or Inca Jungle, without having to worry about booking Machu Picchu tickets and transportation from your hotel separately. You can even purchase access to mountains such as Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu. But if you want to do so, you should contact us in advance as they tend to sell out well in advance.
We don’t recommend buying tickets directly in Cusco, as you may often not find tickets available for the date desired. Machu Picchu is one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and access to it is restricted due to high demand. Make sure to organize your trip well and establish the desired date of your visit to the Inca citadel!
