In the past, visitors to Machu Picchu were allowed to freely explore the Inca site. However, if you visit Machu Picchu today, on a tour, or as part of the Inca Trail hike, you will have to take circuits, or set routes. See all the information about Which Machu Picchu Circuit is the Best One.
Moreover, while preparing for your Inca Trail hike or Machu Picchu visit, you will have to make some decisions related to the circuits. The tickets you end up buying will affect which areas of Machu Picchu you will and won’t be able to visit. You may end up buying 2 or more different Machu Picchu tickets in order to explore the whole site.
Even though the official site (Spanish only) has a map of each of the circuits, understanding these maps can be overwhelming and requires a lot of research. In fact, many visitors don’t really understand the circuits, even during or after their visit.
Why Does Machu Picchu Have Circuits Now?
Machu Picchu has long been one of the world’s classic examples of overtourism. As many as 1.5 million people visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site or over 4000 per day. This is double the limit that UNESCO has recommended. UNESCO has presented other concerns about the site, too.
In an effort to appease UNESCO and to control the tourist crowds at Machu Picchu, the new circuits were introduced in June 2024. Space is limited at Machu Picchu. Many trails, staircases, and doorways are very narrow, only allowing one person to pass through at a time. These create bottlenecks in the traffic flow, and human traffic jams are all too common.
The purpose of the new circuits is to spread out the crowds to different areas of the Sanctuary and at different times of the day. Not only will you have to enter Machu Picchu at a certain time that you will choose when you buy the ticket, but also you won’t be allowed to linger in certain areas with limited space for too long.
NOTE: What’s more, certain visitors MUST take certain circuits. For example, those arriving on the 4 Day Inca Trail must take Circuit 3 upon arrival at Machu Picchu. And those who want to climb Huayna Picchu can only do so by getting a Circuit 3 A ticket.
Unfortunately, however, each circuit misses certain parts of Machu Picchu. So if you really want to see the whole site, you will have to buy multiple tickets to Machu Picchu, each on a different circuit.
Which Machu Picchu Circuit is the Best One?
Here we will cover each of the circuits in detail below.
Circuits
Circuit 1 A, This circuit is designed to offer spectacular views of Machu Picchu, visit viewing points 1 and 2 for the best views of Machu Picchu. Included in this ticket is Machu Picchu Mountain hike a moderate hike considered safe for the whole family. If you wish to visit Machu Picchu you will need to buy another ticket.
Circuit 1 B, This circuit offers the viewing points 1 and 2 for the best views of Machu Picchu. If you wish to visit Machu Picchu you will need to buy another ticket.
Circuit 1 C, This circuit offers the viewing points 1 and 2 for the best views of Machu Picchu. Included in this ticket is the hike to the Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate. If you wish to visit Machu Picchu you will need to buy another ticket.
Circuit 1 D, This circuit offers the best viewing points 1 and 2 for the best views of Machu Picchu. Included in this ticket is the hike to the Inca Bridge. If you wish to visit Machu Picchu you will need to buy another ticket.
Circuit 2 A, Considered the best circuit to buy for the most comprehensive tour of Machu Picchu. On this circuit see viewing point 1, for spectacular views of Machu Picchu. Follow the circuit around and see some of the best areas of Machu Picchu including the Temple of the Sun, Sacred Rock, Water Mirrors, Temple of the Condor and much more.
Circuit 2 B, This tickets gives a complete tour of Machu Picchu including the most interesting places to visit without the viewing points. If you wish to see the viewing point you must buy an extra ticket to enter Machu Picchu.
Circuit 3 A, This ticket is solely for the hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain. This is a challenging trek for the fit. It features a set of stairs called the death stairs which will require you to use your hands to climb. The reward at the end of the climb is a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. If you wish to visit Machu Picchu you will need to buy another ticket.
Circuit 3 B, This circuit is used for those trekking to Machu Picchu. This circuit features the bottom half of Machu Picchu seeing the Water Mirrors, Temple of the Condor, the Plaza to name a few. This circuit does not include viewing points. If you wish to visit Machu Picchu you will need to buy another ticket.
Circuit 3 D, This circuit only includes the trek to the Big Cave, if you want to see the viewing points or tour Machu Picchu you will need to buy another ticket.
Choosing your circuit.
You must choose the circuit which will be the best for you. Most people these days buy 2 circuit tickets to get the complete picture of Machu Picchu. Please choose carefully as the tickets are non refundable.
