Machu Picchu Circuits: Official Guide to 2026 and 2027 Tickets

Machu Picchu, Peru's foremost tourist attraction, draws over a million visitors annually. The Ministry of Culture, recognizing its significance, has implemented stricter rules to conserve this Incan citadel and enhance the visitor experience.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu faces increasing tourism. To manage this, the Ministry introduced changes in 2024 to the way people visit, including a revamped website for ticket purchases. Currently, the entry tickets to Machu Picchu are divided into circuits, and each circuit has a specific route to visit, which may include the mountains and other important sites. There are three main circuits, and each Machu Picchu circuit has a different route to explore the Inca citadel.

Machu Picchu entry tickets are essential for visiting the site. Since June 1, 2024, the number of available tickets increased to 5,600 during high season (June through August). During low season, only 4,600 tickets are available, plus an additional 1,000 tickets that can be purchased directly in Aguas Calientes, also divided by circuit.

The Machu Picchu circuits offer different experiences: some provide panoramic views, others allow full exploration of the Inca citadel or access to the lower part of the citadel. They also cover specific routes to Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, the Inca Bridge, Intipunku, and the Great Cavern (this last ticket is open only during the high tourist season).

Book your Machu Picchu tickets now! If you want to secure your ticket for 2026 or 2027, contact us, and Machu Picchut Travel will help you get them.

Machu Picchu Tickets 2026 & 2027

The Ministry of Culture's new website booking system for Machu Picchu circuits has left many travelers confused. Visitors often find themselves wondering which circuit best suits their visit to the Inca citadel—and whether it allows for a full exploration of the site or just the classic photo from the guardian houses.

Joinnus, the platform that previously handled Machu Picchu ticket sales, stopped operating in mid-May 2024. The government replaced it with a new system called "TuBoletoCultura," built to offer greater reliability and address the booking issues travelers had been experiencing.

Today, there are three circuits available at Machu Picchu, including access to the surrounding mountains:

Circuit 1 Machu Picchu Panoramic

• Route A: Machu Picchu Mountain
• Route B:  Upper terrace
• Route C: Intipunko or Sungate (Available in the high tourist season)
• Route D: Puente Inca or Inca Bridge

Circuit 2: Machu Picchu

• Route A: Design Route - Machu Picchu circuit classic route
• Route B: Lower Terrace Route - Machu Picchu circuit classic route

Circuit 3: Machu Picchu Royalty

• Route A: Huayna Picchu Mountain
• Route B: Designed Route
• Route C: Great Cavern Route (Available only in high tourist season)
• Route D: Huchuy Picchu Route (Available only in high tourist season)

Inca Trail Tickets & Permits

In 2025, the Ministry of Culture published new regulations for purchasing Inca Trail permits. Under these rules, the Inca Trail permit no longer includes entry to Machu Picchu, meaning tour operators must now purchase citadel tickets separately, based on availability.

If you book the Inca Trail in advance, you can choose Circuit 2 for Machu Picchu and explore the entire Inca citadel after completing the trek.

Machu Picchu Circuits 2026 & 2027

There are 3 circuits to Machu Picchu, and each circuit is divided into 10 routes to explore the Inca citadel. Below, we detail each circuit with the route map:

Circuit 1 Machu Picchu

The Circuit 1 Machu Picchu is a shorter route than the traditional circuit to visit the Inca citadel. The hiking duration is 2 hours, from the main gate to the exit door. This ticket is available from 06:00 to 09:00 am, with 760 tickets available every day, divided into 4 schedules.

This ticket is considered the best circuit for Machu Picchu, as it allows you to witness the sunrise at Machu Picchu and capture the classic picture from the Guardian House.

Route 1-A: Circuit 1 Machu Picchu Mountain

Route 1-b: Circuit 1 Machu Picchu - Upper terrace

Route 1-c: Circuit 1 Machu Picchu - IntiPunko

Route 1-D: Circuit 1 Machu Picchu - Inca Bridge (Puenta Inca)

Circuit 2 Machu Picchu

The Circuit 2 Machu Picchu is the most important and complete route to the Inca citadel. It covers a large area of Machu Picchu, allowing you to visit the Intihuatana and Condor Temple—two significant Inca sites that are not included in other circuits. However, you can explore these important sites only during a scheduled program, between 07:00 am and 09:00 am. Every day, there are 1144 tickets available, divided into 6 different schedules.

This ticket offers the best experience at Machu Picchu, with a hiking duration of 3 hours. It provides the opportunity to capture the iconic picture of Machu Picchu and explore the essential Inca sites.

Route 2 - A: Circuit 2 Machu Picchu Designed Route (Classic)

What do you visit in the circuit 2 Machu Picchu classic?

• Enter Machu Picchu Gate
• Guardian Houses
• Funerary Rock
• Cemetery
• The City Gate
• Nusta’s Bedroom
• Ritual Foundations
• The Royal Palace
• Temple of the Three Windows
• The Main Square
• The Sacred Rock
• Houses
• Industrial Zone
• Cultivation Terraces
• Exit Route

Route 2 - B: Circuit 2 Machu Picchu Lower Terrace Route (Classic)

What do you visit in the circuit 2 Machu Picchu Lower Terrace?

• Enter Machu Picchu Gate
• Funerary Rock
• Cemetery
• The City Gate
• Nusta’s Bedroom
• Ritual Foundations
• The Royal Palace
• Temple of the Three Windows
• Intihutana
• The Sacred Rock
• Houses
• Industrial Zone
• Condor Temple
• Cultivation Terraces
• Exit Route

Circuit 2 Machu Picchu Tickets – Timetables:

If you need help securing your Machu Picchu ticket for circuit 1 or 2, let us know. We will assist you in booking. BOOK ONLINE MACHU PICCHU TICKET

Circuit 3 Machu Picchu

The Circuit 3 Machu Picchu ticket is a shorter route within Machu Picchu, covering the lower part of the Inca citadel. To access this part of Machu Picchu, you will first ascend to the high point of the Machu Picchu mountains, which takes approximately 3 hours 30 min up and down (Slowly walk). From there, you can capture the iconic photo from the Machu Picchu. Afterward, you will descend to the Machu Picchu gate (not outside) and then proceed to explore Circuit 3, with a hiking duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes.

There are 100 tickets available every day, divided into two schedules of 50 tickets each hour. This Machu Picchu ticket is a great alternative to Huayna Picchu, Inca Bridge, Huchuy Picchu mountain and Inca cavern, as these tickets are usually sold out in advance.

Circuit 3 Machu Picchu Tickets – Timetables:

Machu Picchu Mountain ticket: 07:00 am

Machu Picchu Mountain ticket: 08:00 am

What will you visit in Circuit 3 Machu Picchu?

• Qolqas
• Agricultural Zone
• Water Channel
• Dry Moat
• Temple of the Sun Complex
• Inka House Complex
• Water Fountains
• Mirror of Water Complex
• Pisonay Square
• Archaeological Reserve

Route 3 - A: Circuit 3 Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu Mountain

Route 3 - B: Circuit 3 Machu Picchu - Royalty

Route 3 - C: Circuit 3 Machu Picchu - Large Cavern

Route 3 - D: Circuit 3 Machu Picchu - Huchuy Picchu

What will you visit in Circuit 3 Machu Picchu?

• Qolqas
• Agricultural Zone
• Water Channel
• Dry Moat
• Temple of the Sun Complex
• Inka House Complex
• Water Fountains
• Sacred Rock
• Eastern Qolcas
• Condor Temple (from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm)
• Mirror of Water Complex
• Pisonay Square
• Archaeological Reserve

Huayna Picchu Mountain

Nestled in the heart of the Andes Mountains, Huayna Picchu rises dramatically above the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Its name translates to “Young Peak” in Quechua, reflecting its relative height compared to the surrounding landscape.

RELATED STORY: HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN

Huchuy Picchu Mountain

Huchuy Picchu mountain is situated near Huayna Picchu mountain. It is a smaller peak, and its landscapes bear a resemblance to Huayna Picchu. The name ‘Huchuy Picchu’ translates to ‘Small Peak’ in Quechua.

RELATED STORY: HUCHUY PICCHU MOUNTAIN

Circuit Inca Trail

If you are embarking on the Inca Trail tours, Circuit 5 Machu Picchu is designed for you. You will explore the lower part of the Inca city. In previous years, it was possible to explore the entire Inca citadel, but today it has been modified to this circuit. Below, we explain what you shall visit in Circuit 5.

For those doing the 7 Day Inca Trail, 4 Day Inca Trail, or 3 Day Inca Trail: On the last day, you will wake up early and walk from Wiñaywayna to Intipunko, the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu, where you can witness the sunrise. After enjoying the views, continue walking to Machu Picchu, arriving at the Guardian House. Take a break to capture the best pictures; I recommend taking many photos as you won’t return to this point. Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Then, walk down to the Machu Picchu gate, go outside, use the bathroom, have coffee, and re-enter Machu Picchu. Walk down to the lower part of the citadel for a guided tour lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Capture the classic picture from Andean agriculture and other points mentioned in your Circuit 5 Machu Picchu map.

For those doing the short Inca Trail with hotel or camping: On the first day, walk from km 104 to Wiñaywayna, continue to Intipata and Intipunko. Capture the best pictures and appreciate the sunset. Continue the walk down to Machu Picchu, arriving at the Guardian House, and take the best picture of the iconic citadel. Once finished, exit Machu Picchu, take the bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes, spend a night. The next day, visit Circuit 5 Machu Picchu, exploring the lower part of Machu Picchu without returning to the Guardian House. Enjoy a guided tour of Circuit 5 Machu Picchu and return to the exit gate of Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Ticket in Aguas Calientes

There are 1000 tickets available in Aguas Calientes, but these tickets can be purchased personally at the Ministry of Culture. Typically, you need to buy them two days before your visit. Keep in mind that lines can be long, and service at the counter may experience delays. No travel agency or tour operator can access these permits directly. Before booking and purchasing, you must present your original passport; copies or photos are not accepted.

In July, August, and September 2023, many travelers were unlucky and missed the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu. They returned to Cusco without visiting this iconic site. For more information about the circuits and visit schedules: