Machu Picchu Circuits 2026: The 3 Circuits, All 10 Routes and Which to Choose
In 2026, Machu Picchu is visited through 3 circuits that group 10 routes: Circuit 1 (Panoramic), Circuit 2 (Classic Machu Picchu) and Circuit 3 (Royalty). Each ticket is for a single route with a fixed date and entry time, and you walk it in one direction only. In short: Circuit 2 is the most complete option for a first visit, because it combines the postcard view with the urban sector; Circuit 1 is the one for high viewpoints and Machu Picchu Mountain; and Circuit 3 covers the Inca royal buildings in the lower part of the site and gives access to Huayna Picchu, the Great Cavern and Huchuy Picchu. In this guide we explain what each route includes, how long you can stay, which routes only open in high season, what the rules say about guides and age, and how to choose.
How the circuits work
The current system has been in force since June 1, 2024. It was set up by Ministerial Resolution 528-2023-MC, which amended the 2017 visitor regulations for the llaqta (the Inca city). The essentials:
- One ticket, one route. You buy a specific circuit and route on tuboleto.cultura.pe. The ticket is valid only for the date, time, circuit and holder shown on it.
- One-way routes. Routes are signposted, and you can't turn back or switch to another route. Under the regulations, entering routes you didn't select or restricted areas means being removed from the site.
- No re-entry. Once you leave, you can't go back in with the same ticket, except in cases of force majeure.
- No changes. You can't change the date or the holder's name. Since RM 000334-2026-MC, the only correction allowed is to the passport number, once, in case of an obvious clerical error.
- Inca Trail. Visitors arriving via the Inca Trail network enter the llaqta on Route 3-B, with their own quota managed through authorized agencies.
The 3 circuits at a glance
| Circuit 1: Panoramic | Circuit 2: Classic Machu Picchu | Circuit 3: Royalty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | Upper agricultural sector, next to the Guardian's House | Guardian's House platforms and urban sector | Lower agricultural sector and royal buildings |
| Classic postcard view | Yes, from the highest point | Yes, from the Guardian's House platforms | No; it offers a different angle, from below |
| Enters the urban sector | No | Yes | Yes, the lower part |
| Routes | 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, 1-D | 2-A, 2-B | 3-A, 3-B, 3-C, 3-D |
| Optional hikes | Machu Picchu Mountain, Inti Punku, Inca Bridge | None | Huayna Picchu, Great Cavern, Huchuy Picchu |
| Best for | Panoramic photos and hikers | First visit | Temples, and climbing Huayna Picchu |
The 10 routes: what each one includes
Distances come from the official panels for each circuit published by the Ministry of Culture on machupicchu.gob.pe, and they refer to the round trip.
| Route | Official name | What it covers | Distance (round trip) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-A | Ruta Montaña Machupicchu | Upper terraces and the climb up Machu Picchu Mountain | 3.8 km | Year-round |
| 1-B | Ruta Terraza Superior | Kallankas, upper platform and upper terraces, with the classic view | 1.6 km | Year-round |
| 1-C | Ruta Portada Intipunku | Upper terraces and the last stretch of the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate | 3.4 km | High season only |
| 1-D | Ruta Puente Inka | Upper terraces and the trail to the Inca Bridge | 2.6 km | High season only |
| 2-A | Ruta diseñada | Guardian's House, quarries, Main Temple, Three Windows, Sacred Rock, qolqas | 1.3 km | Year-round |
| 2-B | Ruta Terraza Inferior | Similar to 2-A, giving priority to the lower terrace | 1.4 km | Year-round |
| 3-A | Ruta Montaña Waynapicchu | Lower royal sector and the climb up Huayna Picchu | 2.4 km | Year-round |
| 3-B | Ruta diseñada | Temple of the Sun, House of the Inca, fountains, Three Doorways, qolqas | 1.3 km | Year-round |
| 3-C | Ruta Gran Caverna | Lower sector and the trail to the Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon | 3.0 km | High season only |
| 3-D | Ruta Huchuypicchu | Lower sector and a short climb up Huchuy Picchu | 1.7 km | High season only |
Circuit 1: Panoramic
It covers the upper agricultural sector: the kallankas, the upper and lower platforms near the Guardian's House and the terraces leading to the Inca Bridge. This is the circuit for wide views and the classic photo from above, but it doesn't go down into the urban sector, so you won't walk among the temples and plazas.
- Route 1-A, Machu Picchu Mountain. The longest and most demanding hike of all. According to RM 528-2023-MC, it has two entry slots (7:00 to 7:30 and 9:00 to 9:30), an average of 4 hours between the mountain's entry and exit checkpoints, and the descent from the summit must begin by 13:00 at the latest.
- Route 1-B, Upper Terrace. Just the upper part, with the postcard view. It's the shortest option in the circuit and works well for a second visit or if you're short on time.
- Route 1-C, Inti Punku. It follows the last stretch of the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate. The regulations estimate about 2 hours round trip. High season only.
- Route 1-D, Inca Bridge. A cliffside trail to the Inca Bridge, about 1 hour round trip according to the regulations. High season only.
Circuit 2: Classic Machu Picchu
This is the visit most people picture. It starts on the platforms associated with the Guardian's House, with the panoramic view, and then goes through the city gate into the urban sector: the quarry sector and the Temple of the Sun viewpoint, the botanical garden area, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock and the qolqas (storehouses).
- Route 2-A, Designed Route. The circuit's main layout.
- Route 2-B, Lower Terrace. A variant of 2-A that gives priority to the lower terrace and covers essentially the same urban sectors.
Both routes are available year-round, and the difference between them is small. We break it down in detail in Circuit 2A vs 2B.
Circuit 3: Royalty
It starts in the lower agricultural sector, with a view of the city from below, and focuses on the most sacred and important spaces of the Inca elite: the water fountains, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Enclosure of the Three Doorways, the Enclosure of the Twelve Openings, the qolqas and the water mirrors. The official panel describes it as a circuit that takes little physical effort, unless you choose one of its mountains. It doesn't include the upper viewpoint at the Guardian's House.
- Route 3-A, Waynapicchu Mountain (Huayna Picchu). The most famous climb: steep stone stairways and exposed sections. RM 528-2023-MC sets two entry slots (7:00 to 7:30 and 10:00 to 10:30), an average of 3 hours on the mountain and 13:00 as the latest time to start back from the summit. After the June 2026 works, stairs and steel-cable handrails were installed on the steepest sections.
- Route 3-B, Designed Route. Just the royal sector, with no mountain. This is the route used by visitors arriving via the Inca Trail.
- Route 3-C, Great Cavern. A long trail along the side of Huayna Picchu to the Great Cavern, also called the Temple of the Moon. It doesn't go up to the summit of Huayna Picchu. High season only.
- Route 3-D, Huchuy Picchu. The shortest hike in the circuit, up a small hill facing the city. High season only.
If this circuit interests you, there's more detail in our Circuit 3 (Royalty) guide and our Huayna Picchu tickets guide.
How long can you stay inside?
| Route type | Maximum time under the rules |
|---|---|
| Routes without a mountain (1-B, 2-A, 2-B, 3-B) | 2 h 30 min from entry; with a 14:00 or 15:00 entry, until 17:30 at the latest |
| 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain | 6 h 30 min in total from entry, including about 4 h on the mountain |
| 3-A Huayna Picchu | 5 h 30 min in total from entry, including about 3 h on the mountain |
| 1-C Inti Punku and 1-D Inca Bridge | Hikes of about 2 h and 1 h round trip; the regulations don't set a different total time |
| 3-C Great Cavern and 3-D Huchuy Picchu | The current rules don't specify their time; confirm it when you buy |
These times come from RM 528-2023-MC. At the main gate there's a grace period of 30 minutes after the time on your ticket in regular-demand months and 45 minutes in peak-demand months. At the checkpoints for Machu Picchu, Waynapicchu and Huchuypicchu mountains there is no grace period.
Prices by route in 2026
| Route | Foreign adult: ticket | Foreign adult: total with SERNANP |
|---|---|---|
| 1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 2-A, 2-B, 3-B, 3-D | S/152 | S/163 |
| 1-A, 3-A, 3-C | S/200 | S/211 |
The SERNANP fee (S/11 for foreign visitors) has been charged since May 1, 2026. Students and children aged 3 to 17 pay reduced rates. You'll find the full table and a step-by-step buying guide in our Machu Picchu tickets guide.
Entry times and daily spots by route in 2026
Ministerial Resolution 000285-2025-MC and its annex split the daily capacity among routes and time slots (online and in-person sales combined):
| Route | Entry times | Daily spots in low season | Daily spots in high season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain | 7:00 and 9:00 | 350 | 350 |
| 1-B Upper Terrace | Every hour, 6:00 to 15:00 | 950 | 950 |
| 1-C Inti Punku | 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 | Not available | 130 |
| 1-D Inca Bridge | 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 | Not available | 80 |
| 2-A Designed Route | Every hour, 6:00 to 15:00 | 1,400 | 1,600 |
| 2-B Lower Terrace | Every hour, 6:00 to 15:00 | 500 | 800 |
| 3-A Huayna Picchu | 7:00 and 10:00 | 400 | 400 |
| 3-B Designed Route | Every hour, 6:00 to 15:00 | 900 | 1,200 |
| 3-C Great Cavern | 8:00 and 9:00 | Not available | 50 |
| 3-D Huchuy Picchu | 9:00 and 11:00 | Not available | 40 |
| Total | 4,500 | 5,600 |
Two practical takeaways: Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain have very few spots compared with Circuit 2, and the seasonal routes are even scarcer (3-D has only 40 a day). You can check real-time availability at tuboleto.cultura.pe/disponibilidad/llaqta_machupicchu.
High season and seasonal routes
Routes 1-C, 1-D, 3-C and 3-D only open in high season. For 2026, RM 000285-2025-MC sets high season, with a capacity of 5,600 visitors a day, on these dates: January 1, April 2 to 5, June 19 to November 2, and December 30 and 31. The rest of the year, capacity is 4,500 visitors and those four routes aren't sold.
In addition, any route can close temporarily for conservation work or emergencies. There were several examples in 2026:
- Route 3-A (Huayna Picchu) was closed from June 1 to 30, and routes 3-C and 3-D from June 19 to 30, for conservation work (RM 000317-2025-MC). Huayna Picchu reopened on July 1.
- Route 1-D (Inca Bridge) was closed from September 20 to 25 for emergency works, and ticket holders were moved to Route 1-C.
That's why it pays to check official notices before your date. If you're choosing a month, also read our guide to the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
Is a guide mandatory?
Under the current rules, it isn't mandatory, but it is recommended. Article 17.1 of the regulations, as worded by RM 000334-2026-MC of September 11, 2026, says that to enter you need your ticket and an official ID, and that being accompanied by a tour guide "is recommended." RM 528-2023-MC already used the same wording.
Even so, you'll see many agencies claiming that a guide is mandatory. That's partly because a draft regulation published in 2024 (RM 159-2024-MC) proposed requiring one. Our advice: an official guide makes a big difference on Circuits 2 and 3, where there's a lot to explain, but you can visit without one if you prefer. Check the other Machu Picchu entry requirements before you travel.
Minimum age and restrictions
This is where sources disagree, so tread carefully:
- The current rules (RM 528-2023-MC) require good physical condition and registering at the checkpoints for the alternative routes, but they don't set a minimum age. The official price list even includes a minor's rate for routes 1-A, 3-A and 3-C.
- The 2024 draft (RM 159-2024-MC) proposed requiring visitors to be over 18 for routes 1-A, 1-D, 3-A and 3-C, and several tour operators still cite that limit. Others mention 12 years old with an adult for Huayna Picchu.
If you're traveling with minors and want a mountain route, check the conditions shown on tuboleto.cultura.pe when you buy. For young children, routes 2-A, 2-B and 3-B are the most comfortable. Keep in mind that strollers aren't allowed inside the llaqta.
Which circuit should you choose?
- First visit and a single ticket: Circuit 2 (2-A or 2-B). It's the only one that combines the postcard view with a walk through the urban sector.
- The photo matters most to you: Route 1-B or Circuit 2.
- You want a demanding hike: 1-A (Machu Picchu Mountain), longer and with more elevation gain, or 3-A (Huayna Picchu), shorter, steep and with exposed sections. We describe the climb in Huayna Picchu hike.
- You want an easy hike: 1-D (Inca Bridge) or 3-D (Huchuy Picchu), if you're traveling in high season.
- You're traveling with kids or have limited mobility: 2-A, 2-B or 3-B.
- Circuit 2 is sold out: combine 1-B and 3-B on the same day, with two tickets and different entry times. That way you see the upper area and the royal sector.
- You have two days: do Circuit 2 one day and a mountain route (1-A or 3-A) the other. Each visit needs its own ticket.
Practical tips
- Choose your route first and buy the ticket; then plan your train and bus around your entry time.
- Be on time for the mountains. Their checkpoints have no grace period, and routes 1-A and 3-A only have two slots a day.
- Pack light. Backpacks larger than 40 x 35 x 20 cm, food, walking sticks, tripods and selfie sticks aren't allowed.
- Wear shoes with good grip. High heels and hard-soled shoes are prohibited, and the mountain trails get slippery in the rain.
- Use the restroom before you go in. The facilities are outside, and re-entry isn't allowed.
- Bring the ID you used to buy your ticket. Staff can ask for your ticket and ID inside the llaqta.
- Check for temporary closures on the Ministry of Culture's official channels before your date.
FAQ
- What's the best Machu Picchu circuit?
- For most first-time visitors, Circuit 2, because it combines the classic panoramic view with the temples and plazas of the urban sector.
- Which circuit includes Huayna Picchu?
- Circuit 3, on Route 3-A. Machu Picchu Mountain belongs to Circuit 1 (Route 1-A).
- Can I do two circuits on the same day?
- Yes, by buying a ticket for each route with different entry times. There's no combined ticket, and each ticket is a separate entry.
- Which circuit has the classic Machu Picchu photo?
- Circuit 1 (especially Route 1-B) and the start of Circuit 2. Circuit 3 offers a different view, from the lower agricultural sector.
- Can I switch routes once I'm inside?
- No. You must follow the route on your ticket, and entering routes you didn't select can get you removed from the llaqta.
- Are routes 1-C, 1-D, 3-C and 3-D open in November?
- In 2026, only until November 2, when high season ends. They open again on December 30 and 31.
Bottom line
If you're only going once, choose Circuit 2. Add Circuit 1 or a mountain route if you want more views or a good hike, and book Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and the high-season routes well in advance, since they have very few spots. Because entry times and rules change fairly often, always check the entry time and conditions for your route on your ticket.
Sources
- Ministry of Culture, visitor circuits and routes: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/circuitos-y-rutas-de-visita/
- Ministry of Culture, official Circuit 1 panel: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PANEL-DE-CIRCUITO-1.jpg
- Ministry of Culture, official Circuit 2 panel: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PANEL-DE-CIRCUITO-2.jpg
- Ministry of Culture, official Circuit 3 panel: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PANEL-DE-CIRCUITO-3.jpg
- Ministry of Culture, entry times and grace periods: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HORARIOS-DE-INGRESO.pdf
- Ministry of Culture, rules of conduct: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/normas-de-conducta/
- Ministerial Resolution 528-2023-MC (circuits, routes and time limits): https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/5627334/4985976-resolucion-ministerial-n-000528-2023-mc.pdf
- Ministerial Resolution 000285-2025-MC (2026 capacity and annex by route): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/normas-legales/7355929-285-2025-mc
- Ministerial Resolution 000317-2025-MC (Circuit 3 prices and June 2026 closures): https://transparencia.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/transparencia/2025/11/resoluciones-ministeriales/rm000317-2025-mc.pdf
- Ministerial Resolution 000334-2026-MC (tickets, guides and entry): https://transparencia.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/transparencia/2026/09/resoluciones-ministeriales/rm-334-2026-mc.pdf
- Ministerial Resolution 159-2024-MC (draft regulation, not adopted as a rule): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/normas-legales/5435413-159-2024-mc
- Ministry of Culture, reopening of Waynapicchu (June 30, 2026): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/noticias/1412861-ministerio-de-cultura-anuncia-la-reapertura-de-la-montana-waynapicchu-desde-el-1-de-julio
- La República, closure of Route 1-D from September 20 to 25, 2026: https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2026/09/18/machu-picchu-cerraran-ingreso-al-puente-inca-del-20-al-25-de-setiembre-por-obras-de-emergencia-424242
- SERNANP fee since May 1, 2026, according to Infobae: https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/02/09/suben-tarifas-de-ingreso-a-machu-picchu-desde-cuando-rige-y-cuanto-costara-entrar-en-2026/
