How to visit ALL of Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is one of the best tourist attractions in South America and the world. It was an Inca citadel that served as a religious center, a sporadic Inca palace, and a strategic point for the Inca dominions in the east. Touring all of its stone structures can take more than one visit because there are 10 types of tickets divided into three different circuits. Thus, to see all or almost all of Machu Picchu, you must choose the correct circuit and ticket type. Learn how to do it!
- The constructions of Machu Picchu
- All Machu Picchu tickets and tours
- Which ticket and circuit should you choose to visit all of Machu Picchu?
- Hiking trails in Machu Picchu
- Tips for a successful visit to Machu Picchu
- Questions and Answers
Machu Picchu archaeological site
What is the best route in Machu Picchu?
There are three circuits in total in Machu Picchu: Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route), Circuit 2 (Classic Route), and Circuit 3 (Royal Route). One of the most popular tickets is the Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B). This route is considered one of the best, as it allows you to see most of the stone structures, as well as take the classic postcard photo from the Guardian’s House area. However, this route does not allow for alternative hiking routes, such as those to the Inca Bridge, Machu Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu Mountain, or the famous Huayna Picchu.
The constructions of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is an Inca city built in 1450 AD by order of Emperor Pachacutec to be an important religious and urban center in his eastern domains, in the high Amazon rainforest.
The Inca citadel covers an area of 540 meters long by 200 meters wide. However, its structures extend higher, into the mountains surrounding the citadel. Furthermore, beneath its terraces and platforms, the Incas built a solid stone foundation that maintains it in good condition to this day despite earthquakes, heavy rains, and the passage of time.
A total of 172 stone structures have been recorded, including famous sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more.
Most of the Inca constructions are agricultural terraces and terraces, which extend mainly in the lower part of the citadel. Many terraces are still awaiting excavation and restoration. In the upper part, the Inca roads, or qhapac ñan, also stand out, providing access to and exit from the city during the Inca era.
Most Inca buildings are located in the urban and religious center of Machu Picchu . However, paths, stairways, platforms, and some temples can also be found in the mountains. For example, on Huayna Picchu mountain, there is a little-known structure called The Great Cave or Temple of the Moon.
It’s estimated that touring the entire Machu Picchu area would take a full day, around 10 hours, with tickets for each circuit included. The archaeological site alone, with the main temples and buildings, takes 3 or 4 hours. The most difficult part is exploring its mountains, located approximately 2 kilometers away.
Guardian’s House – Entrance to Machu Picchu
All Machu Picchu tickets and tours
There are ten types of tickets to Machu Picchu in total, all of which allow you to take different tours of the archaeological site:
| Machu Picchu + Mountain Entrance (Route 1A) | Machu Picchu Classic Photo Entrance or Upper Terrace (Route 1B) | Machu Picchu + Inti Punku Entrance (Route 1C) | Machu Picchu Entrance + Inka Bridge (Route 1D) | Machu Picchu Classic or Classic Designed Circuit Entrance (Route 2A) | Entrance to Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B) | Entrance to Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A) | Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) | Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern (Route 3C) | Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit included | Circuit 1 | Circuit 1 | Circuit 1 | Circuit 1 | Circuit 2 | Circuit 2 | Circuit 3 | Circuit 3 | Circuit 3 | Circuit 3 |
| Walk included | Hike to Machu Picchu Mountain | Does not include any | Walk to Inti Punku | Hike to the Inca Bridge | Does not include any | Does not include any | Hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain | Does not include any | Walk to the Temple of the Moon | Hike to Huchuy Picchu mountain |
| Approximate price | S/ 200 | S/ 152 | S/ 152 | S/ 152 | S/ 152 | S/ 152 | S/ 200 | S/ 152 | S/ 200 | S/ 152 |
| Restrictions | Suitable for everyone | Suitable for everyone | Suitable for everyone | Only for ages 12 and up | Suitable for everyone | Suitable for everyone | Only for ages 12 and up | Suitable for everyone | Only for ages 12 and up | Only for ages 12 and up |
| Advance purchase | 2 months before | 2 months before | 2 months before | 2 months before | 3 months before | 3 months before | 2 months before | 2 months before | 2 months before | 2 months before |
| Availability | All year round | All year round | During high season (June 19 – November 2) | During high season (June 19 – November 2) | All year round | All year round | All year round | All year round | During high season (June 19 – November 2) | During high season (June 19 – November 2) |
These are the prices and discounts for each of the tickets to Machu Picchu:
| Machu Picchu + Mountain Entrance (Route 1A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Machu Picchu Classic Photo Entrance or Upper Terrace (Route 1B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Machu Picchu + Inti Punku Entrance (Route 1C) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Machu Picchu Entrance + Inka Bridge (Route 1D) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Machu Picchu Classic or Classic Designed Circuit Entrance (Route 2A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Entrance to Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| Adults | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| University students | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| Entrance to Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Entrance to Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Entrance to Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern (Route 3C) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
| Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu Entrance (3D Route) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | S/ 200 | S/ 112 |
| University students | S/ 125 | S/ 80 |
| Minors under 18 years of age | S/ 118 | S/ 80 |
And these are the three circuits in Machu Picchu:
| Circuit 1 – Panoramic Route | Circuit 2 – Classic Route | Circuit 3 – Royal Route | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of input included in the circuit |
|
|
|
| Inca constructions | Guardian’s House, agricultural sector, general view of the citadel. | Temple of the Sun, Sacred Rock, Temple of the Three Windows, Main Square. | Temple of the Sun (from below), house of the Inca, lower area of the citadel, lower platforms, partial view of the Sacred Rock, partial view of the main square. |
| Approximate travel time | 2 hours 30 minutes. | 2 hours 30 minutes. | 2 hours 30 minutes. |
| Recommended for type of visitor | For the whole family and adventurers. | For the whole family. | For the whole family and adventurers. |
Which ticket and circuit should you choose to visit all of Machu Picchu?
The “Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A)” ticket allows you to see more of the Inca citadel’s structures. This ticket includes Circuit 1 of the archaeological site tour. This tour offers panoramic views of the most important Inca structures, as well as the Guardian’s House (where you can take classic photos) and the Agricultural Sector from the upper terrace.
This ticket also includes a hike to one of the most impressive mountains, Machu Picchu. This route is less than 2 kilometers long along slightly steep and wide paths. Visiting Machu Picchu is open to people of all ages.
However, Circuit 3 also offers a breathtaking hike and panoramic views with the ticket “Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu (Route 3A).” This ticket includes a hike along Circuit 3, which includes a visit to the Temple of the Sun (from below), the Inca’s house, the lower part of the citadel, the lower terraces, a partial view of the Sacred Rock, and the main plaza.
This ticket also allows you to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. This route is known as the most adventurous in the Inca city, as it leads almost 2 kilometers uphill to the summit of Huayna, offering unforgettable scenic views. Currently, this ticket does not allow you to visit the Temple of the Moon (the Great Cave), as it is only available with the “Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)” ticket.
That is, the tickets that allow you to see all of Machu Picchu from the best angles are: a) the Machu Picchu with Mountain Ticket (Route 1A) and b) the Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu Ticket (Route 3A). Both can be purchased for different days, allowing you to enjoy every incredible angle of the wonder of Machu Picchu.
Hiking trails in Machu Picchu
In addition to the visit to the archaeological site, the visit to Machu Picchu offers optional hiking routes to the tops of its mountains and to mystical constructions:
- Huayna Picchu Mountain Trail – This nearly 2-kilometer hike takes you up hundreds of steps to the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain. Along the way, you can see platforms, terraces, and stone buildings. Suitable for ages 12 and up.
- Machu Picchu Mountain Trail – This hike, just over 2 kilometers long, follows paths and stone stairs to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain (the highest point). From the trails, you can observe beautiful natural flora and fauna. It is suitable for visitors of all ages.
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain Trail – This hike, just under 1 kilometer, is the easiest and most accessible route. It takes you up stone steps to a slope of Huayna Picchu, known as Huchuy Picchu (small mountain). The route is suitable for visitors over 12 years old.
- Inca Bridge Route – This hike, just under 1 kilometer long, follows flat trails with breathtaking views until reaching a viewpoint. From there, you can see a wooden bridge over stone that marked the eastern exit from the Inca city. The hike is suitable for ages 12 and up.
- Inti Punku (Sun Gate) Route – This hike takes us to the entrance gate for those hiking the Inca Trail, at the top of a peak. It is believed to have been the main checkpoint for Machu Picchu. It is an easy one-hour hike. It is suitable for visitors of all ages.
- Route to the Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern – This hike is one of the most mystical and surprising. To get there, we’ll embark on a walk of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The route is suitable for visitors over 12 years old.
Tips for a successful visit to Machu Picchu
- If you want to visit all of Machu Picchu, choose one type of ticket for one day (for example, Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge) and another for the next day (Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu). This way, you’ll be able to tackle the hikes with more energy.
- If you only have one day to see all of Machu Picchu, choose two tickets. The first, Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A), is for the morning, and the second, Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B), is for the afternoon. This way, you can better manage your time.
- The routes to Inti Punku, the Inka Bridge, the Temple of the Moon, and Huchuy Picchu Mountain are only available during Machu Picchu’s peak season (June 19 to November 2). All other tickets are available year-round.
Questions and Answers
1) How to visit all of Machu Picchu?
To visit all of Machu Picchu, you must purchase at least one ticket for each of the three available circuits (panoramic route, classic route, and royal route).
2) Which circuit allows you to see all of Machu Picchu?
Circuit 2 is a more comprehensive option as it includes a visit to most of the Inca buildings in Machu Picchu.
3) How to visit Inti Punku in Machu Picchu?
The Inti Punku or Sun Gate can only be visited with the Machu Picchu + Inti Punku ticket (Route 1C) during high season or via the Inca Trail.
4) How to visit the Inca Bridge in Machu Picchu?
This construction can only be visited by purchasing the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D)’.
5) How to visit Huayna Picchu in Machu Picchu?
This mountain can only be visited by purchasing the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A)’.
6) How to visit Machu Picchu mountain in Machu Picchu?
This mountain can only be visited by purchasing the ‘Machu Picchu with Mountain’ ticket.
7) How to visit the House of the Inca in Machu Picchu?
This construction can be seen by purchasing two types of tickets: a) Machu Picchu with Mountain (Route 1A) or b) Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A).
8) How to visit Huchuy Picchu mountain in Machu Picchu?
This mountain can only be visited by purchasing the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A)’.
9) How to visit the Temple of the Moon in Machu Picchu?
This construction can only be visited by purchasing the ticket ‘Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C)’.
10) How to visit the Guardian’s House in Machu Picchu?
This structure is included in Circuit 1, the panoramic route to Machu Picchu, along with any of its ticket options.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Ruth V.“I would come back a thousand times“
“I just finished my visit to Machu Picchu with Franklin, a great guide, and I swear I would come back a thousand times, an experience worth living, the landscapes, the energy, the history, everything makes it memorable. I am sure I will be back soon.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, May 15, 2025