While there are ten entrances to Machu Picchu, only six are allowed for visitors of all ages. There are four other entrances available for visitors over 12 years old. This is to safeguard the safety of visitors, especially during hikes to the mountaintops. Tickets for children under 12 years old are: a) Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A), b) Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B), c) Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C), d) Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Classic Designed (Route 2A), e) Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B), and f) Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Royal Designed (Route 3B). Learn more about these tickets for the whole family!

• New tickets to visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu
• Tickets to Machu Picchu for children under 12
• The ticket Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A)
• The ticket Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B)
• The ticket Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C)
• The ticket Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Classic Designed (Route 2A)
• The ticket Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B)
• The ticket Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B)
• Difference between tickets to Machu Picchu for children under 12 years old
• Questions and answers about Machu Picchu tickets for children under 12 years old

Child observing the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu

Which is the best of the new Machu Picchu tickets?
There are ten types of tickets to Machu Picchu, all offering a different experience when visiting the Inca citadel. While most tickets offer hiking routes to mountains or little-known Inca structures, according to tour guides, the ticket that provides the best experience, at least on a first visit, is the “Machu Picchu Classic or Designed Classic Circuit (Route 2A)” ticket or the “Machu Picchu Classic or Lower Terrace Circuit (Route 2B)” ticket. Both offer a visit to the Inca city via Circuit 2, the most comprehensive tour and the one most tourists prefer because it includes most of the Inca temples. This ticket also offers the classic photo of Machu Picchu from the Guardian’s House area, considered the best postcard photo of the visit. Both tickets are available for people of all ages.

New tickets to visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s top tourist attractions, but also one of the world’s most scrutinized archaeological sites due to its large number of visitors each year. It’s estimated that the Inca city receives around 1.5 million people each year.

To reduce the impact of visitors on Machu Picchu, Peruvian authorities have planned the creation of ten new tourist tickets and three new tourist circuits in 2024. The goal is to organize the flow of visitors in a balanced manner, ensuring the survival of Machu Picchu for future generations.

These are the new entrance tickets to Machu Picchu:

• Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket (Route 1A) – Includes circuit 1, the panoramic route.
• Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Superior Terrace Ticket (Route 1B) – Includes circuit 1, the panoramic route.
• Machu Picchu + Inti Punku Ticket (Route 1C) – Includes circuit 1, the panoramic route.
• Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge Ticket (Route 1D) – Includes circuit 1, the panoramic route.
• Machu Picchu Classic or Classic Designed Circuit Ticket (Route 2A) – Includes circuit 2, the classic route.
• Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace Ticket (Route 2B) – Includes circuit 2, the classic route.
• Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3A) – Includes circuit 3, the royal route.
• Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty Ticket (Route 3B) – Includes circuit 3, the royal route.
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) – Includes circuit 3, the royal route.
• Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu Ticket (3D Route) – Includes circuit 3, the royal route.

Likewise, these are the three new circuits in Machu Picchu:

• Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route)

  The panoramic tour includes a visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu from the Guardian’s House viewpoint, where you can get the best postcard photos and a complete view of the Inca citadel. This tour takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. It is included in the Machu Picchu Classic Photo, Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge, Machu Picchu with Intipunku, and Machu Picchu with Mountain tickets.

• Circuit 2 (Classic Route)

  The classic tour includes a visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, including its main granite buildings, such as the Temple of the Sun viewpoint, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Hall of Mirrors, the ceremonial fountains, and the agricultural area. It also includes a classic photo opportunity from the Guardian’s House area through its lower terraces. The tour lasts approximately two hours. This tour is included in the Machu Picchu Classic and Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace tickets.

• Circuit 3 (Royal Route)

  The royal tour includes visits to important Inca sites in Machu Picchu, such as the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the ceremonial fountains, and the agricultural sector. The best photos are taken from the agricultural sector. This tour can be completed in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets to Machu Picchu include the lower temples, Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu, and Machu Picchu with the Temple of the Moon (Great Cave).

Tickets to Machu Picchu for children under 12

There are six tickets to Machu Picchu that are suitable for visitors under 12 years old and for the whole family, which are:

• Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket (Route 1A).
• Machu Picchu Classic Photo Ticket or Upper Terrace (Route 1B).
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C).
• Machu Picchu Classic or Classic Designed Circuit Ticket (Route 2A).
• Ticket Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B).
• Machu Picchu Ticket Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B).

Young tourist visiting Machu Picchu

The ticket Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A)

This ticket allows you to visit Machu Picchu via Circuit 1. It also includes the hike to the iconic Machu Picchu Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the entire citadel. It is suitable for all ages and is available every day of the year.

The ticket Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B)

This ticket allows you to visit Machu Picchu via Circuit 1. The route takes you up the stone steps (a 15- to 30-minute walk) to reach the Guardian’s House, where you’ll get the best view and the perfect postcard photo of Machu Picchu. It’s suitable for all ages and every day of the year.

These are the current hours:

• Group 1: Admission is from 6 am to 7 am
• Group 2: Admission is from 7 am to 8 am
• Group 3: Admission is from 8 am to 9 am
• Group 4: Admission is from 9 am to 10 am
• Group 5: Admission is from 10 am to 11 am
• Group 6: Admission is from 11 am to 12 am
• Group 7: Admission is from 12 pm to 1 pm
• Group 8: Admission is from 1 pm to 2 pm
• Group 9: Admission is from 2 pm to 3 pm
• Group 10: Admission is from 3 pm to 4 pm

Classic photo of Machu Picchu

The ticket Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C)

This ticket includes a tour of Machu Picchu via the circuit, including a visit to the Guardian’s House, where you can get the best postcard photos and the best views. It also includes the hike to Intipunku, the Inca city’s Sun Gate. This hike takes an average of one hour to ascend and one hour to descend. The ticket is open to visitors of all ages, but the Intipunku route is only available during the peak tourist season, from June 19 to November 2.

These are the current hours:

• Group 1: Entry to Machu Picchu is from 8 am to 9 am
• Group 2: Entry to Machu Picchu is from 9 am to 10 am
• Group 3: Entry to Machu Picchu is from 10 am to 11 am
• Group 4: Entry to Machu Picchu is from 11 am to 12 am

Tourists at the Sun Gate – Intipunku Machu Picchu

The ticket Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Classic Designed (Route 2A)

This ticket includes a visit to Machu Picchu via Circuit 2, the most recommended option. It includes visits to the Watchman’s House (postcard photo), the Temple of the Sun viewpoint, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Hall of Mirrors, the sacred springs, and the agricultural sector. The ticket is open to all ages and is available year-round.

These are the current hours:

• Group 1: Admission is from 6 am to 7 am
• Group 2: Admission is from 7 am to 8 am
• Group 3: Admission is from 8 am to 9 am
• Group 4: Admission is from 9 am to 10 am
• Group 5: Admission is from 10 am to 11 am
• Group 6: Admission is from 11 am to 12 am
• Group 7: Admission is from 12 pm to 1 pm
• Group 8: Admission is from 1 pm to 2 pm
• Group 9: Admission is from 2 pm to 3 pm
• Group 10: Admission is from 3 pm to 4 pm

View of the Temple of the 3 Windows – Machu Picchu

The ticket Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B)

This ticket offers the same route as the Machu Picchu Classic ticket. The only difference is that the classic photo is taken a few meters lower (on a lower terrace), although the panorama is almost identical. It is also suitable for all ages and is available year-round.

These are the current hours:

• Group 1: Admission is from 6 am to 7 am
• Group 2: Admission is from 7 am to 8 am
• Group 3: Admission is from 8 am to 9 am
• Group 4: Admission is from 9 am to 10 am
• Group 5: Admission is from 10 am to 11 am
• Group 6: Admission is from 11 am to 12 am
• Group 7: Admission is from 12 pm to 1 pm
• Group 8: Admission is from 1 pm to 2 pm
• Group 9: Admission is from 2 pm to 3 pm
• Group 10: Admission is from 3 pm to 4 pm

View of Machu Picchu from the lower terrace

The ticket Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B)

This ticket includes a tour of Machu Picchu through Circuit 3, where visitors will visit: the agricultural sector (the closest thing to the classic postcard photo), the Sacred Tomb, the Temple of the Sun (a tour of the lower part), the House of the Inca, the Three Doors complex, the Temple of the Condor, and the sacred springs. The ticket is open to visitors of all ages and is also available year-round.

These are the current hours:

• Group 1: Admission is from 6 am to 7 am
• Group 2: Admission is from 7 am to 8 am
• Group 3: Admission is from 8 am to 9 am
• Group 4: Admission is from 9 am to 10 am
• Group 5: Admission is from 10 am to 11 am
• Group 6: Admission is from 11 am to 12 am
• Group 7: Admission is from 12 pm to 1 pm
• Group 8: Admission is from 1 pm to 2 pm
• Group 9: Admission is from 2 pm to 3 pm
• Group 10: Admission is from 3 pm to 4 pm

Llama at the bottom of Machu Picchu

Difference between tickets to Machu Picchu for children under 12 years old

Questions and answers about Machu Picchu tickets for children under 12 years old

• 1) What entrance to Machu Picchu is available for children under 12 years old?

  Tickets for children under 12 years of age are: a) Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A), b) Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B), c) Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C), d) Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Designed Classic (Route 2A), e) Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B) and f) Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B).

• 2) And what entrance to Machu Picchu is available for visitors over 12 years old?

  Tickets for people over 12 years old are: a) Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D), b) Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A), c) Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern (Route 3C) and d) Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (Route 3D).

• 3) What does the Machu Picchu Classic Photo ticket offer?

  This ticket allows you to visit Machu Picchu via Circuit 1. The route takes you up the stone steps (a 15- to 30-minute walk) to reach the Guardian’s House, where you’ll get the best view and the best postcard photo of Machu Picchu.

• 4) What does the Machu Picchu Classic ticket offer?

  This ticket allows you to visit Machu Picchu via Circuit 2, the most recommended option. It includes visits to the Watchman’s House (postcard photo), the Temple of the Sun viewpoint, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Hall of Mirrors, the sacred springs, and the agricultural sector. The ticket is open to all ages and is available year-round.

• 5) What does the Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace ticket offer?

  This ticket offers the same route as the Machu Picchu Classic ticket. The only difference is that the classic photo is taken a few meters lower (on a lower terrace), although the view is almost identical.

• 6) What does the Machu Picchu Lower Temples ticket offer?

  This ticket offers a tour of Machu Picchu through circuit 3, where the visitor will see: the agricultural sector (most similar to the classic postcard photo), the Sacred Tomb, the Temple of the Sun (tour of the lower part), the House of the Inca, the Three Portals complex, the Temple of the Condor and the sacred fountains.

• 7) What does the Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku offer?

  This ticket includes a tour of Machu Picchu via the circuit, including a visit to the Guardian’s House, where you can take the best postcard photos and the best views. It also includes the hike to Intipunku, the Inca city’s Sun Gate. This hike takes an average of one hour to ascend and one hour to descend.

• 8) What document should I show to enter Machu Picchu?

  To enter Machu Picchu, you must show the ID or passport you used to purchase your ticket.

• 9) Can I enter Machu Picchu without a tour guide?

  Yes, a visit to Machu Picchu with a tour guide is optional.

• 10) Can I enter Machu Picchu if I am under 18 years old?

  Visitors under 18 years of age must enter Machu Picchu accompanied by an adult.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Maricielo B.

“An experience with history“

“How small I felt when I saw Machu Picchu in front of me. I had read and seen so many pictures of this site that when I was there I could not believe my eyes. I wish we could all go and appreciate what man has done. A world heritage site.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, May 19, 2025