Machu Picchu is one of the most photographed places in the world. Every day many people share their dream photo in the Inca citadel. However, few people know that there are 5 different types of entrances, which offer 5 different types of experiences. And, in addition, five different photo options. The classic photo is taken from the sector of the Guardian’s House, with scenic views of the entire archaeological site. Which of the entrances to choose to get that photo? Learn about the five types of entrances and the photographic options for each of them.

• Machu Picchu, a photography destination
• The five types of tickets to Machu Picchu
• The classic photo of Machu Picchu
• The five entrances and the five photographic options at Machu Picchu
• More information about Machu Picchu photos
• Questions and answers

Classic photo of Machu Picchu

Prohibitions in Machu Picchu on filming and photography
Machu Picchu is a very photographed tourist destination. Every day thousands of people share their postcards on various social networks. However, few know that there are some rules when getting the best shot at the Inca archaeological site. First, it is forbidden to use selfie sticks, as this impedes the passage of people during the circuit through the Inca constructions. Second, the use of drones is not allowed, as it disturbs the sacredness of the Inca city and may cause disorder in the airspace. Third, professional or advertising recordings with highly technical equipment are not allowed without the respective permit. This permit is obtained through the corresponding authorities of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. In addition to this, all visitors can get beautiful pictures of Machu Picchu, a photography destination.

Machu Picchu, a photography destination

Machu Picchu is one of the most photographed tourist destinations in the world. This is proven in social networks, with the number of people who share and comment on the extraordinary photos of the Inca citadel.

Machu Picchu offers a special landscape of the jungle of Cusco in Peru. It is at an altitude of 2,430 meters above sea level, in the middle of the Andes Mountains. This mountainous and green landscape was chosen by the Incas to build a magnificent stone citadel in 1450 A.D. approximately (by orders of Emperor Pachacutec).

In addition, Machu Picchu offers a special image due to the stone enclosures that characterize it. In total there are about 170 stone buildings, some of them very famous, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more.

Machu Picchu can be photographed from different points of view without losing its charm. The sector of the Guardian’s House is the most popular from where the most popular photos are taken and shared on social networks (with the Huayna Picchu mountain in the background). In addition, you can get very beautiful panoramic photos from the tops of the mountains Huchuy Picchu, Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu.

During the tour of the archaeological site you can also get very popular photos as in the Intihuatana or the Sacred Rock. It is believed that by bringing his hands close to its stone structures, the visitor is filled with the energy of the sun.

With the company of a tour guide, the visitor can get experienced help in photography. The guides know where to take the best pictures of the Inca citadel. In addition, the guide offers a more thorough knowledge of each Inca construction. During the visit, it is recommended to hire a guide and try to get the best pictures possible.

Complete photo of Machu Picchu + the guardian’s house

The five types of tickets to Machu Picchu

Before visiting Machu Picchu and looking for the best pictures of the trip, you must choose one of the five available entrances:

• Machu Picchu Only Ticket – This ticket allows you to visit only the archaeological site of Machu Picchu Only through circuit 1 or 2, which includes the visit to famous stone constructions, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Mirrors and the agricultural sector. It does not allow an additional hike.
• Machupicchu with Huayna Picchu Ticket – This ticket allows you to visit the archaeological site of Machu Picchu through circuit 4, as well as the trekking route to the Huayna Picchu mountain (suitable for people over 12 years old). Circuit 4 includes visits to Inca constructions, such as: the agricultural sector, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor and the Water Mirrors.
• Machupicchu with Mountain Ticket – This ticket allows you to visit the archaeological site of Machu Picchu through circuit 3, as well as the trekking route to Machu Picchu mountain (suitable for visitors of all ages). Circuit 3 includes visits to Inca constructions, such as: the agricultural sector, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca and the Temple of the Condor. As it is the shortest tour, it is recommended for older adults or visitors with mobility problems.
• Machupicchu with Huchuypicchu Ticket – This ticket allows you to visit the archaeological site of Machu Picchu through circuit 4, as well as the trekking route to Huchuy Picchu mountain (suitable for people of all ages). Circuit 4 includes visits to Inca constructions, such as: the agricultural sector, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor and the Water Mirrors. The hike to the top of this mountain is the easiest, taking only 30 minutes.
• Machupicchu Ticket with Inca Bridge – This ticket allows you to visit the archaeological site of Machu Picchu through circuit 1 or 2, as well as the short trekking route to the Inca Bridge (suitable for visitors of all ages). Circuit 1 or 2 offers the visit to Inca constructions, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Mirrors and the agricultural sector.

The classic photo of Machu Picchu

The classic photo of Machu Picchu, the most famous and shared on social networks, is taken from the sector of the Guardian’s House, in the upper part of the archaeological site.

To get there, from the entrance gate of Machupicchu, you must climb a set of stone steps made by the Incas. This ascending walk is arduous, especially for older adults. A young person can complete it in 15 minutes, while an older adult can complete it in 30 minutes or more.

In the sector of the Guardian’s House, the visitor will be able to get a complete view of the archaeological site. It is there where hundreds of people stop for 10, 20 or 30 minutes to get the best angle and the dreamed picture of Machu Picchu.

Unfortunately, if it rains or it gets cloudy, this famous photo is in danger. Machu Picchu is known as the ‘city among the clouds’. If the humidity and fog do not allow it, you will not be able to see anything from the Guardian Sector. The rainiest months are January, February and March. A possible solution is to simply wait until the clouds disappear for at least a few minutes. Then the visitor will be able to get the dream photo on his trip.

The best time to get the classic photo of Machu Picchu is in the afternoon. The possibility of clouds covering the archaeological site decreases. In addition, in the afternoon fewer people walk through the Inca city, which makes it easier to capture better pictures. The evening sun, around 4 pm, allows to obtain an adequate illumination of the Inca citadel.

To visit the Guardian’s House you must buy the ticket ‘Machupicchu Only’ or ‘Machupicchu with Inca Bridge’.

The most taken photo by visitors – Classic Photo

The five entrances and the five photographic options at Machu Picchu

These are the five types of entrances to Machu Picchu and the possible photographs you can take during your visit:

• Ticket Machupicchu Only – With this ticket you can get the classic photo from the sector of the Guardian’s House.
• Machupicchu with Huaynapicchu Ticket – With this ticket you can get a nice picture of Machu Picchu from the agricultural sector. In addition, you can get a panoramic photo from the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain.
• Machupicchu with Mountain Ticket – With this ticket you can get a nice picture of Machu Picchu from the agricultural sector. In addition, you can get a panoramic photo from the top of the Machu Picchu mountain.
• Machupicchu with Huchuypicchu Ticket – With this ticket you can get a nice picture of Machu Picchu from the agricultural sector. Also, you can get a panoramic photo from the top of Huchuy Picchu mountain.
• Machupicchu ticket with Inca Bridge – With this ticket you can get the classic photo from the sector of the Guardian’s House.

More information about Machu Picchu photos

• To get the classic photo of the Inca city you must choose the tickets a) Machupicchu Only or b) Machupicchu Only with Inca Bridge. In addition, if you request permission from one of the guards, you can visit the sector of the Guardian’s House and take the photo by purchasing the ticket ‘Machupicchu with Mountain’.
• Para obtener la clásica foto de la ciudad inca debe elegir los boletos a) Solo Machupicchu o b) Solo Machupicchu con Puente Inca. Además, si solicita permiso a uno de los guardias, podrá visitar el sector de la Casa del Guardián y tomarse la foto adquiriendo el boleto ‘Machupicchu con Montaña’.
• Selfie sticks are not allowed in Machu Picchu. Neither the use of tripods or drones. For professional filming or photo shoots, a special permit must be requested through the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.

Questions and answers

• 1) How to get the best picture of Machu Picchu?

  The best photo of Machu Picchu is obtained from the sector of the Guardian’s House. This viewpoint made by the Incas is visited through two types of tickets a) Machupicchu Only or b) Machupicchu Only with Inca Bridge.

• 2) Which ticket allows me to get the classic photo of Machu Picchu?

  There are two types of tickets that allow you to get the classic photo of Machu Picchu: a) Machupicchu Only ticket and b) Machupicchu Only ticket with Inca Bridge. In addition, by requesting permission from a guardian, you can visit for a few minutes this viewpoint through c) ticket Machupicchu with Mountain.

• 3) Which circuit in Machu Picchu allows me to get the classic photo?

  Circuit 1 and circuit 2 include the visit to the sector of the Guardian’s House. There you can get the classic photo of the Inca citadel.

• 4) Can I hire a photographer in Machu Picchu?

  No. However, all tour guides have extensive knowledge of Machu Picchu and the best spots to get excellent photographs. The guide service is optional but highly recommended when visiting the archaeological site.

• 5) What photo does circuit 4 in Machu Picchu allow me to get?

  Circuit 4 of Machu Picchu allows you to get a beautiful photo through the agricultural sector (not the classic photo). It also allows you to get a panoramic photo from the top of Huayna Picchu mountain or Huchuy Picchu mountain (not the classic photo either).

• 6) What photo does circuit 3 in Machu Picchu allow me to get?

  Circuit 3 of Machu Picchu allows you to get a beautiful photo through the agricultural sector (not the classic photo). It also allows you to get a panoramic photo from the top of the Machu Picchu mountain (not the classic photo either).

• 7) What photo does circuit 2 allow me to get in Machu Picchu?

  Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu allows you to get the classic photo in the sector of the Guardian’s House.

• 8) What photo does circuit 1 allow me to get in Machu Picchu?

  Circuit 1 of Machu Picchu allows you to get the classic photo in the sector of the Guardian’s House.

• 9) What photo can I get on the Machu Picchu mountain?

  At Machu Picchu mountain (3,082 meters above sea level) you can get a panoramic photo of the entire archaeological site and the beautiful Andean geography that surrounds it. It is not the classic photo.

• 10) What photo can I get in the Huayna Picchu mountain?

  On the Huayna Picchu mountain (2,693 meters above sea level) you can get a panoramic photo of the entire archaeological site and the beautiful Andean geography that surrounds it. It is not the classic photo.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Camilo B.

“Amazing“

“Machu Picchu is a place difficult to describe in words, you have to be there and be impressed. I recommend hiking to Huayna Picchu, a difficult but worthwhile trek.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, May 13, 2024