Machu Picchu: 3 new circuits or routes through Machu Picchu

The Machu Picchu tours have changed considerably. Now you can find 10 new routes, all of them registered in 3 new circuits. The 3 circuits have as their main purpose to offer new experiences to tourists and also activities focused on giving greater significance to the trip to Machu Picchu. Here you can learn more about the routes, maps and places that can be visited during the visit to Machu Picchu. In addition, you can better choose which of the tickets suits you best or what new alternatives you can take into account. Let’s get started!

Entrance to Machu Picchu


Circuit 1 or Panoramic Route of Machu Picchu

Circuit 1, or Panoramic Route, extends along the first sector of Machu Picchu, that is, the access area, to the upper platforms and the main viewing points of the entire Inca citadel. On the other hand, some of the routes will also allow exclusive access to the most important destinations in this sector.

The activities that can be done will combine hiking and contemplative activities. These are ideal routes to disconnect from work with an excellent walk through the Machu Picchu viewpoints. It is also ideal for tourists to have panoramic photos of the place. The tickets that can be purchased for this Circuit are:

  • Ticket Classic Machu Picchu Photo
  • Ticket Machu Picchu with Mountain
  • Ticket Machu Picchu with Inti Punku
  • Ticket Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge


Circuit 2 or Classic Route through Machu Picchu

Circuit 2 or the Classic Route through Machu Picchu includes the citadel or Inca llaqta. The sector it covers is from the lower platforms and the Sacred Rock, in this sense it can be said that it covers the central area of ​​the entire archaeological site of Machu Picchu. In addition, it provides an easy route to follow and is ideal to do with the company of a guide.

The best thing about the circuit is that it allows you to tour inside the Inca citadel. The downside is that you are not allowed to go to other destinations and you do not have a panoramic view of the Inca complex. What you can have is a view and the opportunity to have a tour up to the fence of the House of the Guardian where you can have the postcard photo of Machu Picchu. The tickets that can be purchased on this Circuit are 2:

  • Ticket Machu Picchu Classic
  • Ticket Machu Picchu Classic (lower terrace)


Circuit 3 or Royal Route through Machu Picchu

Circuit 3 or the Royal Route through Machu Picchu is made up of the last sector of Machu Picchu. Although the circuit itself allows a tour of the Inca citadel, its greatest attractions are found just after the Sacred Rock. In this sense, the activities offered require hiking to different destinations, among which Huayna Picchu stands out.

This circuit, unlike the Panoramic one, does allow you to tour Machu Picchu, although through the lower area. It also allows you to see part of the main temples and the wide esplanades of Machu Picchu. You can also reach the Sacred Rock, where the hikes will begin. The entrances to Circuit 3 of Machu Picchu are:

  • Ticket Royal Circuit or Lower Part.
  • Ticket Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu.
  • Ticket Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon.
  • Tikcet Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu.

What changes have occurred in the old Machu Picchu Circuits?

Previously, there were 5 circuits that were used to visit only the destinations or areas within the Inca citadel. The buildings or areas on the outskirts of Machu Picchu could be visited, but they were not part of a specific circuit. Now, all the areas on the outskirts and the citadel itself of Machu Picchu are part of a Circuit. There are a total of 3 new Circuits that cover all the possible attractions of Machu Picchu. In addition, it is now possible to find a total of 10 entrances that serve precisely to learn more about these three sectors of Machu Picchu.




Map of the new Machu Picchu circuits

mapa-circuitos-machupicchu


What is included or what sites can I visit with the 10 tickets to Machu Picchu?

Now all the tickets have their own route. Some of them will allow access to the Inca citadel and others to destinations outside Machu Picchu, but with a brief stop at the citadel. We will see all these details below in the following table.

CIRCUIT 1 OR PANORAMIC ROUTE OF MACHU PICCHU
Entrance Classic Photo Postcard
Entrance Machu Picchu with mountain
Entrance Machu Picchu with Inti Punku
Entrance Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge
Includes:
  • House of the Guardian.
  • View of the agricultural area.
  • Viewpoints from the Superior Platform.
  • Ideal for the postal photo.
  • Views of all of Machu Picchu.
Includes:
  • Access to the Machu Picchu Mountain hike.
  • House of the Guardian.
  • Agricultural area.
  • Viewpoints from the Superior Platform.
  • Option to take a postcard photo.
  • Beautiful views on the way to Machu Picchu Mountain.
Includes:
  • Walk to the Inti Punku.
  • Follow part of the Inca Trail or Qhapac Ñam.
  • View of the Guardian’s House.
  • View over the agricultural area.
  • Viewpoints from the Superior Platform.
  • Ideal for the postal photo.
  • Visit the construction of the Inti Punku.
Includes:
  • Visit to the Inca Bridge
  • Tour to the Inca Bridge along the Inca Trail.
  • View of the Guardian’s House.
  • Route over the agricultural area.
  • Viewpoints from the Superior Platform.
  • It is possible to take the postal photo.
Learn more:
  • Ticket valid all year round.
  • Admission is for all ages.
  • Total travel time: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Simple route.
  • Ideal for photographers.
Learn more:
  • Entry available all year round.
  • Admission is only for those over 18 years of age.
  • It is an activity that can last 6 hours.
  • The route is moderately low.
  • You can bring snacks and drinks.
  • Perfect for contemplating the nature of the place.
Learn more:
  • Entry valid during high season.
  • Only for those over 18 years of age.
  • Duration of 4 hours in total.
  • Simple walk.
  • You can bring drinks and snacks.
  • You will learn about the original access to Machu Picchu.
Learn more:
  • Entrance only for high season.
  • Short walk to Puente Inca.
  • Simple route to take.
  • The total journey lasts up to 3 hours.
  • Beautiful panoramic views of Machu Picchu.
  • Ideal for having a postcard photo.
CIRCUIT 2 OR CLASSIC ROUTE THROUGH MACHU PICCHU
Entrance to Machu Picchu Classic
Entrance to Machu Picchu Classic (lower terrace)
Includes:
  • Agricultural area.
  • Entrance through the main gate.
  • Views of the platforms.
  • Temple of the Sun.
  • The House of the Inca.
  • Main Temple Square.
  • Sacred Rock.
  • Twelve bays and warehouses.
  • Temple of the Condor (optional).
  • Water mirrors (optional).
  • Pisonay Square.
Includes:
  • Lower platforms or terraces.
  • Find a search for the Guardian’s House.
  • Go through the main gate.
  • Temple of the Sun.
  • The House of the Inca.
  • Main Temple Square.
  • Walk to the Sacred Rock.
  • Eastern Colcas
  • Twelve Vanos Precinct.
  • Temple of the Condor (optional).
  • Water mirrors (optional).
  • Pisonay Square.
Learn more:
  • Available all year round.
  • Circuit through the narrow streets of Machu Picchu.
  • It doesn’t require great efforts.
  • The total journey lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Ideal for viewing buildings up close.
  • It is advisable to make a reservation 2 or 3 months in advance.
Learn more:
  • You can do the tour all year round.
  • Photo similar to the postcard photo.
  • Tour through the agricultural area.
  • The circuit or route is easy to do.
  • The activity can be completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • You will be able to touch some Inca walls.
  • It is important to book in advance.
  • It is recommended to do so 2 or 3 months in advance.
CIRCUIT 3 OR ROYALTY ROUTE THROUGH MACHU PICCHU
Entrance to the Royal Circuit or Lower Part
Entrance to Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu
Entrance Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon
Entrance Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu
Includes:
  • Lower platforms.
  • Walk the esplanades.
  • View of some main temples.
  • Walk towards Plaza Pisonay.
  • I walk up to the Twelve Spans.
  • Speak to the oriental mountains.
  • Water mirrors.
  • Temple of the Condor.
Includes:
  • I enter via Andenes inferiores.
  • I pass by Pisonay Square.
  • View of the wide esplanades.
  • Sacred Rock.
  • Inca Trail to Huayna Picchu.
  • Stairs of death.
  • Inca constructions at Huayna Picchu.
  • Spectacular views of Machu Picchu.
  • Passage through enclosure 12 Spans.
  • Temple of the Condor.
  • Water mirrors.
  • Qolqas orientales.
Includes:
  • View of the lower terraces.
  • Agricultural area.
  • Pisonay Square.
  • Sacred Rock.
  • Temple of the Moon Route along the Inca Trail.
  • Route through abundant vegetation.
  • I enter the Temple of the Moon.
  • Tour of other Inca constructions.
  • Return to Machu Picchu.
  • Passage through enclosure 12 Spans.
  • Option to visit the Temple of the Condor.
  • Water mirrors.
  • Eastern Qolqas.
Includes:
  • Start search in Agricultural area.
  • I pass by Pisonay Square.
  • View of the wide esplanades.
  • Sacred Rock.
  • Short Inca Trail to Huchuy Pichu.
  • View of Machu Picchu.
  • Step by enclosure 12 Vanos.
  • Temple of the Condor.
  • Water mirrors.
  • Urban sector.
  • Agricultural area and eastern colcas.
Learn more:
  • Available all year round.
  • It is one of the easiest routes or circuits to do.
  • Allows you to appreciate most buildings.
  • The tour lasts up to 2 hours.
Learn more:
  • Entry available all year round.
  • Entry with high demand and low availability.
  • Book 3 or 4 months in advance.
  • The tour takes 6 hours in total.
  • Demanding but quite rewarding route.
  • Beautiful views of Machu Picchu.
  • You can bring snacks and drinks.
  • It is recommended to dress comfortably.
  • If possible, wear hiking shoes.
Learn more:
  • You can book before the high season.
  • The tour is exclusive for the high season.
  • The Temple of the Moon is also known as the Temple of Fertility.
  • You can bring drinks and snacks.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and do not carry too much weight.
  • It is recommended to wear hiking shoes, but not essential.
  • The route has a moderate difficulty.
Learn more:
  • Entrance only during high season.
  • It has a simple route.
  • You can bring water and snacks.
  • Remember not to leave or litter.
  • It seems that Huchuy Picchu housed an important temple.
  • Beautiful views can be seen.
  • It is possible to see part of the flora and fauna.
  • It is advisable to wear light and comfortable clothing.

How do I choose my ticket to enter Machu Picchu?

There are now 10 options to visit Machu Picchu. However, the new circuits of the Inca citadel can help you better understand these 10 entrances. In this sense, the varied experiences offered by the circuits will be essential when choosing one of the 10 entrances.




What experience do the circuits offer?

By dividing Machu Picchu into three circuits, the entrances and routes to the wonder of the world have changed significantly. That is why you can now have different experiences when visiting the archaeological site. As we have seen, you can now find up to 10 entrances to Machu Picchu. The new entrances will be delimited by the 3 circuits. That is why we want to talk about the experiences that these 3 new Machu Picchu circuits can offer.

Experience – Circuit 1 or Panoramic Route of Machu Picchu

  • All tickets for this tour offer the option of having a postcard photo.
  • It is ideal for having a contemplative experience.
  • Beautiful views of all of Machu Picchu.
  • Some of the routes allow you to follow the Inca Trail or Qhapac Ñam.
  • It allows you to appreciate the geography of the place and Machu Picchu.
  • Contemplation of Machu Picchu from the upper platforms.
  • The routes have different routes and vary in the time taken to complete the activity.

Experience – Circuit 2 or Classic Route through Machu Picchu

  • Both tickets allow you to tour the entire Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
  • It will be possible to appreciate the main urban characteristics of Machu Picchu.
  • The characteristics of the imperial stones of the most impressive temples in the area can also be appreciated.
  • Both tickets allow a tour of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • It is not possible to follow or continue along the routes towards the mountains.
  • Exclusive routes to have more information about the process and importance that Machu Picchu had.

Experience – Circuit 3 or Royal Route through Machu Picchu

  • You can reach the most emblematic route to Huayna Picchu.
  • Option to reach the Temple of the Moon.
  • Tickets only allow you to visit the destination specified in their name.
  • Tour of Machu Picchu through the lower temples, additionally you can take the walk to the destination described in your ticket.
  • Learn about some of the sections and details of the construction and importance of the Inca Trail.
  • See more Inca constructions on the respective routes of each entrance.
  • The walks are generally easy to do. However, it is important to take care when walking.


 

By Imachupicchu – Last updated, July 4, 2024

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