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How much time to visit Machu Picchu
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What is the visiting time in Machu Picchu?

One of the questions that every visitor to the Inca city asks is whether they will have enough time to experience Machu Picchu. Today the visit to the Inca citadel is organized by four circuits: circuit 1, 2, 3 and 4. The route that most visitors prefer is circuit 2, which allows you to take the classic photo and tour the main temples and stone constructions. That route takes approximately 2 hours. Find out how much visiting time is required in Machu Picchu in each of its circuits



Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders of the world

Which ticket allows you to stay longer in Machu Picchu?
The Machupicchu + Mountain ticket and the Machupicchu + Huayna Picchu ticket offer more time to hike to these mountains, as well as a short tour of the Inca citadel (circuit 3 and 4). In total there are 5 or 6 hours in which the visitor will be able to enjoy an arduous but memorable walk. These tickets have a slightly higher cost than the rest of the tickets. However, they do not allow you to tour the sacred temple sector: the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Intihuatana.


What time is recommended to visit Machu Picchu?

  • A proper visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu lasts between 2 hours and 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • According to the new rules in Machu Picchu, the time to visit the Inca citadel (circuit 1 or 2) is a maximum of 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • However, no one will demand that you leave the Inca citadel. In any case, it is not allowed to go back while doing the circuit. That is, 2 hours 30 minutes is an adequate time to see the Inca constructions, the beautiful landscapes and, of course, take the best photographs at the archaeological site.
  • The hiking route to Huayna Picchu mountains, Huchuy Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain obviously takes longer. If you have an entrance ticket to these mountains, the visit time extends to 5 or 6 hours.
  • For example, to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain you will need approximately 2 hours. At the top it can take 30 minutes. The descent can be done in 1 hour 30 minutes. Finally you can do circuit 4 through the archaeological site, which takes 1 hour on average. That is, to complete the visit to the Huayna Picchu mountain and the Inca citadel you will need approximately 5 hours.

What to do if my visit to Machu Picchu is only 1 day?

  • If you chose to do the day trip, it is best to board the first train from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
  • There is a train (Expedition) that leaves Ollantaytambo around 5 am. By taking this train, you will arrive at your destination in Aguas Calientes around 7 in the morning. Which will give you more time to make your visit.
  • That is, yes or yes you will have to leave very early from the city of Cusco (approximately 5 in the morning). Most trains depart from Ollantaytambo station. The trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo takes 1 hour 30 minutes on average.
  • The trains heading to Machu Picchu have established schedules at different stations. Please note that the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu will take you about 30 minutes.
  • Once in Machu Picchu, it is recommended to do circuit 1 or 2 around the archaeological site. Both circuits take 2 hours or 2 hours 30 minutes. There is enough time to return by bus to Aguas Calientes and have lunch in the town.
  • On the return, you will probably have to be back at the train station at 4 pm (most return trains leave at that time on average) so you will have to be on the return bus (Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes) around 2 p.m.

What to do if my visit to Machu Picchu is two days?

  • You can easily explore most of the important sites of Machu Picchu in one day, but if you want to take your time to enjoy the stone city, and try to ascend to the top of Huayna Picchu, for example; You should probably consider spending a night beforehand in the town of Aguas Calientes (2-day visit).
  • If you spend a night in the town of Aguas Calientes, you will be able to enter Machu Picchu in the early hours of the morning. This way you can hike to the Huayna Picchu mountains or Machu Picchu mountain without any rush.
  • The hiking route to the mountains of Machu Picchu can be done in 5 or 6 hours. In addition, the visitor will have enough time to return to the town of Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon (around 4 pm) we board the return train to the city of Cusco.
  • It should be noted that tickets to the mountains of Machu Picchu include circuit 3 or 4 through the Inca citadel. If the visitor wants to know absolutely everything that the Inca citadel offers, they can choose to visit Machu Picchu (circuit 2) on the first day and, on day 2, take the hiking route to the mountain of their choice.

Can I enjoy Machu Picchu in two hours?

  • Machu Picchu will be an unforgettable experience, regardless of the length of your visit, whether it is a couple of days or just a few hours. This is about exploring one of the best destinations on the planet.
  • The sooner you enter Machu Picchu, the better. Not only will the light be better for your photos, but the city will also be relatively quiet and peaceful; At least until the hordes of tourists arrive and completely invade the place between 11 am and 1 pm.
  • The tour of the archaeological site (circuit 1 or 2) takes 2 hours. The time limit allowed is 2 hours 30 minutes. That is to say, in two hours it is possible to see the main Inca constructions, admire the beautiful landscapes and get the best photographs of the place.

Questions and answers about the time of visiting Machu Picchu

  • 1. How long is the visit limit in Machu Picchu?

    According to the Machu Picchu regulations, visiting the archaeological site (circuit 1 and 2) allows a maximum time of 2 hours 30 minutes. This circuit takes 2 hours on average.

  • 2. How long is the limit to visit the Huayna Picchu mountain?

    The visit to the Huayna Picchu mountain together with the visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (circuit 4) takes approximately 4 hours. The ticket allows up to 5 hours to visit.

  • 3. How long is the limit for visiting Machu Picchu mountain?

    The visit to the Machu Picchu mountain together with the visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (circuit 3) takes approximately 5 hours. The ticket allows up to 6 hours to visit.

  • 4. How long is the limit to visit the Huchuy Picchu mountain?

    The visit to Mount Huchuy Picchu along with the visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (circuit 4) takes 3 hours approximately. The ticket allows up to 4 hours to perform the visit.

  • 5. How long is the visit limit to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu?

    The visit to the Inca Bridge along with the visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (circuit 1 or 2) takes approximately 3 hours. The ticket allows up to 4 hours to visit.

  • 6. How long does it take me to tour all of Machu Picchu?

    Machu Picchu is huge. Touring the archaeological site (circuit 1 or 2) where its main constructions are located takes 2 hours 30 minutes. If you add the hike to one of its mountains (such as Huayna Picchu), you will have to add 2 hours 30 more minutes of travel. That is, an almost complete visit can take 5 hours.

  • 7. How to visit Machu Picchu throughout the day?

    Machu Picchu is open every day from 6 am to 5 pm. Visiting everything is complicated, however, you can tour a large part of the Inca citadel by choosing two tickets: Machupicchu Only ticket (circuit 2) and the Machupicchu + Huayna Picchu ticket (circuit 4). You can also vary by choosing the tickets: Machupicchu + Inca Bridge (circuit 2) and the Machupicchu + Mountain ticket (circuit 3).

  • 8. Are the schedules at Machu Picchu strict?

    The entry times to Machu Picchu are strict. The late limit is 30 minutes. The time spent in Machu Picchu can be flexible.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

Astrid V. (Colombia)By: Astrid V. (Colombia)

“Excellent experience“

“Excellent visit to Machu Picchu. The guide helped us choose the best circuit that included many stone constructions. He helped us take the best photos. In total it was almost 3 hours of visit. Thanks to Ticket Machu Picchu, excellent experience“


 

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024