New Circuits for Visiting Machu Picchu
The Peruvian government has created new regulations for visiting Machu Picchu. This has been done with the purpose of preserving the historic site for future generations. However, the new 4 circuit system can be rather confusing and overwhelming to understand. Sit back and relax as we guide you through your options.
With the new circuits for Machu Picchu, so comes new ways to explore the Inca city. With the new regulations, four official tourist visitor circuits have been established. These circuits must be respected and followed by all people who enter the National Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu.
These circuits must be followed by both visitors and tour guides. Please read the discriptions below and the check out the attached maps to better understand the new circuits.
Circuit Number 1 (High Short Route)
The Best- but only available in the mornings.
Anyone looking to visit Machu Picchu will see that they can do one of four circuits within the Inca citadel. Circuit number 1 includes what would be the high part near Machu Picchu Mountain. Here, you can tour a little of the agricultural area and enjoy your first glimpses of Machu Picchu.
This circuit begins at the well-known fork in the access road to the Inca Llaqta of Machu Picchu. You will climb to a platform roughly 240 meters high. From there you will have your first complete view of the Inca Citadel before continue to the ceremonial platform where the well-known Guardians Hut is located.
From there, the path leads to Puente del Inca. Following this path takes travelers to the urban sector of the Citadel. There you can see the main entrance or the Main Gate of the urban area. The main door would have been the original entrance to the urban sector of Machu Picchu.
From the urban sector you will be able to see the other side of the citadel. The road continues until reaching the quarry area (Granitic Chaos). Continuing along the road will take you down to a group of Inca buildings before arriving at the Temple of the Sun. From there you can admire the Casa del Inca, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Temple of the Condor.
View map below:
Circuit Number 2 (High Long Route)
This circuit is a long high route, taking you through the majority of the Inca Citadel. Circuit number 2 initially follows the same route as number 1. This route is different in the sense that after the Temple of the Sun, you will continue to climb the steps of the fountains.
From there you will go to the Sacred Plaza to ascend to the Intihuatana pyramid. From the top of the pyramid, you will head in the direction of the Sacred Rock.
From there the route will reach open space before you find the Three Gates, a set of buildings dedicated to the Inca elite. Please note that you cannot spend longer than 20 minutes at each site.
Once you have finished the main section of the circuit you will continue to the Hall of Mirrors and the Temple of the Condor. Unlike circuit one, this tour includes the sites of the Sacred Plaza, the Intihuatana, Sacred Rock, and the Three Gates.
This circuit is one of the best Machu Picchu tours available with the most comprehensive experience as it explores the Inca citadel and its different sectors in depth.
View map below.
Circuit Number 3 (Short Low Route)
Available all Day Long
This circuit begins at the fork in the access road to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. But unlike circuits 1 and 2, circuit 3 follows the route that crosses the area of agricultural terraces to go directly to the urban sector.
This circuit is the shortest circuit of the Inca citadel. You will descend no more than 30 meters to access the warehouses (Colcas) and continue along the path that crosses the agricultural sector. From there you will be able to appreciate the different agricultural terraces until you reach the Main Gate where you will enter the Urban Sector.
The next place you will go to is the Ceremonial Fountains before continuing south to enter the Temple of the Sun. If you continue, you will get to visit the Casa del Inka and before climbing the steps to the fountains. From this point, the circuit takes the same route as circuit 1.
Ticket Machu Picchu Mountain Hike!
Note:
The Machu Picchu Mountain ticket is now a separate ticket from the 4 circuit tickets. It is no longer included in circuit ticket #3.
Circuit Number 4
Purchased Mostly to Climb Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu Mountain
Circuit 4 is comprised of the same route as circuit 3- the main differences being that it includes the Sacred Plaza, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock and surrounds the Three Gates, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Temple of the Condor.
This is the circuit ticket required to climb Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Mountain.
Note:
In the case of the two alternative additional climbs of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, it is an additional to circuit ticket #4 to be able to climb either of these and is an additional fee of $75 for either.
