Machu Picchu Circuits
At Machu Picchu, guides and visitors must follow the established tourist circuits to preserve and restore the site. The PANM headquarters is responsible for implementing these circuits, each of which has its own characteristics, schedules, and specific conditions according to regulations.
The circuits and routes established in Article 8 are:
Circuit 1 or Panoramic Circuit
Circuit 1, also known as the Panoramic Circuit, is ideal for travelers who wish to take long routes such as the Machu Picchu Mountain
This circuit includes the Kallancas agricultural sector, which covers:
- Upper and lower platforms near the Guardian's House
- Terrace sector before the Inca Bridge sector
- Platforms below the Guardian's House
- Path to Machu Picchu Mountain
Access to these sectors depends on one of the following routes chosen by the visitor.
Route 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain Route
This option allows visitors to explore Machu Picchu Mountain.
To enter this route, visitors must first pass through the entrance control at the following two schedules:
- First schedule: 6:00 to 6:30 AM
- Second schedule: 8:00 to 8:30 AM
| First Schedule | Second Schedule | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to the Inca city of Machu Picchu | 6:00 to 6:30 AM | 8:00 to 8:30 AM |
| Registration at the Machu Picchu Mountain control point | Upon arrival at the control post until 8:00 AM | Upon arrival at the control post until 10:00 AM |
| Maximum stay on Machu Picchu Mountain | Four hours | Four hours |
| Exit registration at the Machu Picchu Mountain control point | Until 12:00 PM | Until 2:00 PM |
| Exit from the Inca city of Machu Picchu | By 1:00 PM | By 3:00 PM |
Route 1-B Upper Terrace Route
This route includes the agricultural sector, which features:
- Kallancas
- Upper platform
- Terrace sector before the Inca Bridge sector
The maximum time to complete this route is two hours and 30 minutes.
Route 1-C Path to Intipunku Gate
This route is available during the high season and allows visitors to explore the final section of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, reaching the Sun Gate (Intipunku). The journey takes approximately two hours round trip.
The maximum stay time after completing Route 1-C is two hours.
Route 1-D Inka Bridge Route
This route is also open during the high season and allows visitors to walk along the Inka Trail from the upper terraces of the agricultural sector, northeast of the Guardian's House, to the Inka Bridge.
The journey takes approximately one hour round trip.
The maximum stay time in the Inka city of Machu Picchu after completing Route 1-D is two hours.
Route 2 or Classic Circuit
Route 2 is also known as the Llaqta Circuit. This route includes visits to the Qolqas, terrace system, ceremonial enclosures, and more.
Visitors can choose between:
Route 2-A Designed Route
This route includes the agricultural sector and the urban areas covering:
- Terraces associated with the Guardian's House
- Inka Punku City
- Entrance to the urban sector
- Quarries sector and Temple of the Sun viewpoint
- Botanical garden area
- Main Temple and Temple of the Three Windows
- Sacred Rock and Qolqas sector
- (Alternative) Hall of Mirrors or Temple of the Condor
The maximum stay time in the Inka city of Machu Picchu for Route 2-A is two hours and thirty minutes.
Route 2-B Lower Terrace Route
This circuit is a variant of Route 2-A that prioritizes access to the lower terrace. It also includes the agricultural sector and the urban areas covering:
- Terraces associated with the Guardian's House
- Inka Punku City
- Entrance to the urban sector
- Quarries sector and Temple of the Sun viewpoint
- Botanical garden area
- Main Temple and Temple of the Three Windows
- Sacred Rock and Qolqas sector
- (Alternative) Hall of Mirrors or Temple of the Condor
The maximum stay time in the Inka city of Machu Picchu for Route 2-B is two hours and thirty minutes.
Route 3 or the Royalty Circuit
Also known as the Royalty Circuit, this is the most relaxed circuit, ideal for those who want to explore the urban area of the llaqta.
We can choose between:
Route 3-A Waynapicchu Mountain Route
This option allows us to visit WaynaPicchu Mountain.
To take this route, visitors must pass through the main entrance checkpoint at the following two schedules:
- First schedule: 6:00 to 6:30 AM
- Second schedule: 9:00 to 9:30 AM
| First Schedule | Second Schedule | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to the Inka city of Machu Picchu | 7:00 to 7:30 AM | 10:00 to 10:30 AM |
| Entry registration at the WaynaPicchu Mountain checkpoint | 7:45 to 8:15 AM | 10:45 to 11:15 AM |
| Maximum stay on WaynaPicchu Mountain | Three hours | Three hours |
| Exit registration at the WaynaPicchu Mountain checkpoint | Until 11:30 AM | Until 2:30 PM |
| Exit from the Inka city of Machu Picchu | Maximum at 12:00 PM | Maximum at 2:00 PM |
Route 3-B Designed Route
It includes the agricultural sector and the urban sectors covering:
- Terraces associated with the Qolqas sector
- Water fountains
- Temple of the Sun
- Inka's House
- Three-door Enclosure
- Twelve-niche Enclosure
- Qolqas Sector
- (alternative) Hall of Mirrors or Temple of the Condor
The maximum stay in the Inka city of Machu Picchu for the Route 3-B is two hours and thirty minutes.
Route 3-C Great Cave Route (high season)
This route allows visitors to explore the Great Cave or Temple of the Moon.
To access this route, visitors must first pass through the main entrance checkpoint to the Inka city of Machu Picchu at the following two schedules:
- First schedule: 6:00 to 6:30 AM
- Second schedule: 9:00 to 9:30 AM
| First Schedule | Second Schedule | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to the Inka city of Machu Picchu | 6:00 to 6:30 AM | 9:00 to 9:30 AM |
| Entry registration at the WaynaPicchu Mountain checkpoint | Until 8:00 AM | Until 11:00 AM |
| After passing the WaynaPicchu Mountain checkpoint, visitors follow a trail to the fork leading down to the Great Cave (Temple of the Moon), where signage and/or PANM staff are present. This route does not allow ascent to the summit of WaynaPicchu Mountain. | ||
| Maximum stay | Four hours | Four hours |
| Exit registration at the WaynaPicchu Mountain checkpoint | Until 12:00 PM | Until 3:00 PM |
| Exit from the Inka city of Machu Picchu | Maximum at 1:00 PM | Maximum at 4:00 PM |
Route 3-D HuchuyPicchu Route (high season)
This option allows visitors to explore HuchuyPicchu Mountain.
To access this route, visitors must first pass through the main entrance checkpoint to the Inka city of Machu Picchu at the following two schedules:
- First schedule: 11:00 to 11:30 AM
- Second schedule: 1:00 to 1:30 PM
| First Schedule | Second Schedule | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to the Inka city of Machu Picchu | 11:00 to 11:30 AM | 1:00 to 1:30 PM |
| Entry registration at the WaynaPicchu Mountain checkpoint | Until 12:00 PM | Until 2:00 PM |
| Maximum stay | One hour | One hour |
| Exit registration at the WaynaPicchu Mountain checkpoint | Until 1:00 PM | Until 3:00 PM |
| Exit from the Inka city of Machu Picchu | Maximum at 2:30 PM | Maximum at 4:30 PM |
For the routes 1-A (Machu Picchu Mountain), 1-D (Inka Bridge), and 3-A (Great Cave), visitors must meet the following requirements:
- The route is entirely voluntary, and participants must be in good physical condition.
- Must be over 18 years old.
- Respect the entry schedule.
- Adhere to the stay duration and exit times of the chosen routes. Failure to comply with the established schedules may lead to risky situations and responsibilities for visitors and/or guides in charge.
