What does the Machu Picchu ticket include and not include?
The trip to Machu Picchu can become one of the most memorable experiences of your life. To make the most of it, it is essential to choose the ticket that best suits your interests and clearly understand what each option includes. This guide provides a detailed analysis of the 10 tickets or routes available, highlighting their main features and differences, so you can make an informed decision. Additionally, we will guide you in planning your visit, helping you organize every detail to ensure an unforgettable experience.
- The 10 Types of Tickets to Machu Picchu
- The 3 Touring Circuits in Machu Picchu
- Ticket Distribution and Availability at Machu Picchu
- Which Sites Are Visited or Included in Each of the 10 Tickets?
- How to Better Understand the Machu Picchu Routes?
- Characteristics of Machu Picchu Tickets
- Frequently Asked Questions
Classic Postcard Photo of Machu Picchu
How to Choose a Machu Picchu Ticket?
Each Machu Picchu ticket immerses the visitor in different experiences throughout the Inca citadel, including panoramic routes, immersive walks through main Inca constructions, or even hikes in the surrounding mountains. Each option allows you to see the Sanctuary from various perspectives, which is why it is very important to learn about each alternative to choose the one that best fits your interests and preferences.
The 10 Types of Tickets to Machu Picchu
- The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu offers 10 routes or tickets to explore the Inca citadel.
- Only during peak season, from June 19 to November 2, are all routes available.
- During the regular ticket season, from November 3 to June 18, only six routes are available.
- Each ticket has its own availability, restrictions, schedules, and daily ticket quantity.
- Each ticket includes one of the three circuits that divide the citadel, in addition to following a specific route that may include a hiking trail.
Circuit 1 – Panoramic
- Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 1A)
- Upper Terrace Classic Photo Ticket (Route 1B)
- Inti Punku Gateway Ticket (Route 1C)
- Inca Bridge Ticket (Route 1D)
Circuit 2 – Classic
- Designed Classic Ticket (Route 2A)
- Lower Terrace Classic Ticket (Route 2B)
Circuit 3
- Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3A)
- Royalty Designed Lower Temples Ticket (Route 3B)
- Temple of the Moon or Great Cave Ticket (Route 3C)
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3D)
Circuits at Machu Picchu
The 3 Touring Circuits in Machu Picchu
- The three Machu Picchu circuits have independent routes that divide the Inca citadel to offer visitors more immersive and peaceful experiences.
- Each option has a different level of difficulty, as well as unique views from each sector: Panoramic circuit in the upper part, classic circuit in the middle part, and royal circuit in the lower area.
- In some cases, some route sections coincide; however, it is forbidden to access another circuit without the corresponding ticket.
- This also applies within the same circuit; for example, if you booked the Inti Punku Gateway ticket, you must follow that route and cannot move to the Inca Bridge or Machu Picchu Mountain.
| Circuit 1 – Machu Picchu Panoramic | Circuit 2 – Machu Picchu Classic | Circuit 3 – Machu Picchu Royal |
|---|---|---|
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Distribution and Availability of Machu Picchu Tickets
- Each Machu Picchu ticket has its own availability on specific dates, either during peak or regular season.
- The peak ticket season (all routes available) starts on June 19 and lasts until November 2.
- The rest of the year is regular season, when only six tickets are enabled.
- Peak season tickets are also available on December 30, December 31, and January 1.
- Tickets must be reserved online. Daily availability is 4,500 tickets, while during peak season there are 5,600 tickets available daily.
- Of these, 1,000 tickets can be purchased in person daily in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).
| Machu Picchu Circuits | Machu Picchu Tickets | Regular Season Ticket Availability (Web) | Peak Season Ticket Availability (Web) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit 1 | Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 1A) | 300 tickets | 300 tickets |
| Upper Terrace Classic Photo Ticket (Route 1B) | 850 tickets | 850 tickets | |
| Inti Punku Gateway Ticket (Route 1C) | Not applicable | 130 tickets | |
| Inca Bridge Ticket (Route 1D) | Not applicable | 80 tickets | |
| Circuit 2 | Designed Classic Ticket (Route 2A) | 800 tickets | 1000 tickets |
| Lower Terrace Classic Ticket (Route 2B) | 400 tickets | 700 tickets | |
| Circuit 3 | Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3A) | 350 tickets | 350 tickets |
| Royalty Designed Lower Temples Ticket (Route 3B) | 800 tickets | 1100 tickets | |
| Temple of the Moon or Great Cave Ticket (Route 3C) | Not applicable | 50 tickets | |
| Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3D) | Not applicable | 40 tickets |
Which Sites Are Visited or Included in Each of the 10 Tickets?
- The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has 172 buildings in its urban area, including temples, houses, small structures, and terraces.
- Some are located farther away, such as Inti Punku Gateway, Temple of the Moon, or Inca Bridge, which are reached via a hiking route.
- Each circuit includes exclusive buildings, and some hiking routes are designed specifically to access historic sites. Discover each one:
View from Machu Picchu Mountain
| Main Attractions of Machu Picchu | Circuit or Ticket Type |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Mountain Viewpoint | Exclusive to the “Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 1A)”. |
| Inca Bridge Viewpoint | Exclusive to the “Inca Bridge Ticket (Route 1D)”. |
| Inca Bridge | Exclusive to the “Inca Bridge Ticket (Route 1D)”. |
| Inti Punku Viewpoint | Exclusive to the “Inti Punku Gateway Ticket (Route 1C)”. |
| Inti Punku | Exclusive to the “Inti Punku Gateway Ticket (Route 1C)”. |
| Upper Platform | All Panoramic Circuit tickets. |
| The Guardian’s House | All Panoramic Circuit tickets. |
| Inca Warehouses (Qolqas) | All Panoramic Circuit tickets. |
| Sacred Fountains | All Classic and Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Lower Platform | Exclusive to the “Lower Terrace Classic Ticket (Route 2B)”. |
| Machu Picchu Gate Entrance | All Classic Circuit tickets. |
| Temple of the Sun Viewpoint | All Classic Circuit tickets. |
| The Inca House | All Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Temple Plaza | All Classic Circuit tickets. |
| Temple of the Three Windows | All Classic Circuit tickets. |
| Intihuatana Pyramid | Restricted ascent. |
| Sacred Rock | All Classic and Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Twelve Windows | All Classic and Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Water Mirrors Complex | All Classic and Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Condor Temple | All Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Eastern Warehouses (Qolqas) | All Classic and Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Pisonay Plaza | All Classic and Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Tour along Inca Roads (Qhapac Ñan) | Some Panoramic and Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Huchuy Picchu Viewpoint | Exclusive to the “Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3D)”. |
| Stairway of Death | Exclusive to the “Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3A)”. |
| Huayna Picchu Viewpoint | Exclusive to the “Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3A)”. |
| Royal Tomb | All Royal Circuit tickets. |
| Great Cave or Temple of the Moon | Exclusive to the “Temple of the Moon or Great Cave Ticket (Route 3C)”. |
What tickets to Machu Picchu do not include
It is important to keep in mind that Machu Picchu tickets only authorize the corresponding tour for the chosen circuit; they do not include additional services or allow access to different routes. For example, having a Circuit 1 ticket does not grant access to all four panoramic routes, although some sections may partially overlap. Each route is clearly marked and has detours that manage visitor flow. Respecting these rules, as well as maintaining order, is essential to preserve the site and ensure a good experience for everyone.
How to better understand the changes at Machu Picchu?
- Machu Picchu tickets are now considered as routes. The 10 alternatives are part of one of the three circuits that segment the citadel.
- Each route allows you to explore and view Machu Picchu from different perspectives, offering varied experiences throughout the Historic Sanctuary.
- This also allows visitors a more authentic experience and reduces crowding on the routes.
- The sectorization also helps preserve the Machu Picchu citadel.
Fotos en Machu Picchu
Characteristics of Machu Picchu Tickets
- Each Machu Picchu ticket allows you to experience something different; some include additional hikes, while others are just tours through the Inca citadel.
- Discover the main features of Machu Picchu tickets to choose the best one when making your purchase.
| Characteristics of Machu Picchu Tickets | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route (Ticket) | Schedule | Duration | Availability | Booking Time | Restrictions |
| 1A – Machu Picchu Mountain | Group 1: 07:00 AM Group 2: 09:00 AM | Up to 6 hours (including the hike to Machu Picchu Mountain) | All year | 1 month in advance | Suitable for all audiences |
| 1B – Upper Terrace Classic Photo | 10 time slots: From 06:00 AM to 03:00 PM, hourly intervals | 2 hours 30 minutes | All year | 1 month in advance | Suitable for all audiences |
| 1C – Inti Punku Gate | Group 1: 07:00 AM Group 2: 08:00 AM Group 3: 09:00 AM Group 4: 10:00 AM | Up to 4 hours (including the hike to Inti Punku) | High season only (June 19 – November 2) | 1 month in advance | Suitable for all audiences |
| 1D – Inca Bridge | Group 1: 08:00 AM Group 2: 09:00 AM Group 3: 10:00 AM Group 4: 11:00 AM | Up to 3 hours (including the hike to the Inca Bridge) | High season only (June 19 – November 2) | 1 month in advance | Only for visitors over 12 years old |
| 2A – Classic Designed | 10 time slots: From 06:00 AM to 03:00 PM, hourly intervals | 2 hours 30 minutes | All year | 3 months in advance | Suitable for all audiences |
| 2B – Classic Lower Terrace | 10 time slots: From 06:00 AM to 03:00 PM, hourly intervals | 2 hours 30 minutes | All year | 3 months in advance | Suitable for all audiences |
| 3A – Huayna Picchu Mountain | Group 1: 07:00 AM Group 2: 10:00 AM | Up to 5 hours (including the hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain) | All year | 2 months in advance | Only for visitors over 12 years old |
| 3B – Royalty Designed Lower Temples | 10 time slots: From 06:00 AM to 03:00 PM, hourly intervals | 2 hours 30 minutes | All year | 2 months in advance | Suitable for all audiences |
| 3C – Great Cave or Temple of the Moon | Group 1: 08:00 AM Group 2: 09:00 AM | Up to 5 hours (including the hike to the Great Cave) | High season only (June 19 – November 2) | 2 months in advance | Only for visitors over 12 years old |
| 3D – Huchuy Picchu Mountain | Group 1: 09:00 AM Group 2: 11:00 AM | Up to 4 hours (including the hike to Huchuy Picchu Mountain) | High season only (June 19 – November 2) | 2 months in advance | Only for visitors over 12 years old |
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What are the 10 tickets for Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu tickets are distributed across three circuits and cover routes such as Machu Picchu Mountain, Inti Punku Gate, Inca Bridge, Huayna Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu, Temple of the Moon, among others. Each ticket offers a unique experience depending on the chosen circuit.
2) When does high season start at Machu Picchu?
The high season officially begins on June 19 and runs until November 2.
3) How are the circuits distributed in Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is organized into three circuits:
- Circuit 1: Panoramic routes.
- Circuit 2: Classic tour.
- Circuit 3: Royalty route.
4) Which ticket do I need to take the famous Machu Picchu postcard photo?
To capture the classic Machu Picchu photo, you should choose a Circuit 1 ticket, such as the Upper Terrace Classic Photo Ticket (Route 1B), which includes a visit to the Guardian’s House.
5) Can I visit multiple circuits with a single ticket?
No, each ticket grants access to a single route within its specific circuit. Changing routes or visiting other sectors without the corresponding ticket is not allowed, even within the same circuit.
6) What attraction can I visit with the Inca Bridge route ticket?
This exclusive ticket allows you to visit both the Inca Bridge viewpoint and the Inca Bridge itself, two of the most impressive structures in the area.
7) Which ticket should I buy if I want to climb Huayna Picchu?
You should purchase the Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3A). This ticket also allows you to explore iconic spots like the Stairway of Death and Huayna Picchu Viewpoint.
8) What is ticket availability during high season?
Availability varies by circuit and route. For example, the Classic Circuit Ticket (Route 2A) offers 1000 daily entries during high season, while only 800 in the regular season.
9) Can I buy tickets in person?
Yes, but keep in mind that in-person sales offer fewer tickets and, in many cases, are the last option if you did not reserve in advance. It is always recommended to purchase online ahead of time.
10) Which circuit is best to see Machu Picchu’s main temples?
If you want to visit emblematic temples like the Temple of the Three Windows or the Inca House, you should choose Circuit 2, specifically the Classic Circuit tickets.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Dariel M.“The purchase was secure“
“We went in a group and got a student discount... the tour was phenomenal... I recommend going early.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, April 8, 2026