New Schedules and Circuits to visit Machu Picchu 2025
Kondor Path Tours has prepared this updated 2025 guidebook about Machu Picchu, an Inca city everyone wants to know about. No photo or description can capture this experience. We will be there to see if a first impression is the best. A city that is perfectly nestled between two craggy mountain peaks. Read this travel guide about Machu Picchu in 2025.
The Complete List of the New Machu Picchu Circuit
The Ministry of Culture of Peru and the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu updated the information on May 20, 2025.
- CIRCUIT 1
- Machupicchu Montaña Route or Ruta Montaña Machupicchu (Circuito 1: Route 1-A)
- Upper Terrace Route or Ruta terraza superior (Circuito 1: Route 1-B)
- Inti Punku Route Inca Sun Gate or Ruta Portada Intipunku (Circuito 1: Route 1-C)
- Inca Bridge Route or Ruta Puente Inka (Circuito 1: Route 1-D) high season
- CIRCUIT 2
- Designed Route or Ruta Clásico Diseñada (Circuito 2: Route 2-A)
- Lower Terrace Route or Ruta Terraza Inferior (Circuito 2: Route 2-B)
- CIRCUIT 3
- Huayna Picchu Route or Ruta Montaña Waynapicchu (Circuito 3: Route 3-A)
- Designed Route or Ruta Realeza Diseñada (Circuito 3: Route 3-B)
- Great Cavern Route or Ruta Gran Caverna (Circuito 3: Route 3-C) high season
- Huchuy Picchu Route or Ruta Huchuy Picchu (Circuito 3: Route 3-D) high season
The Ministry of Culture began selling tickets to visit Machu Picchu during the high season from June 1 to October 15, 2025, and December 30 to 31, 2025.
In 2025, the entry capacity to Machu Picchu will increase from 4,500 to 5,600 visitors daily through three circuits with ten new routes.
For this high season, there is a tolerance of thirty (30) minutes for entry to Machupicchu in the low season and forty-five (45) minutes in the high season (it is being increased by 15 more minutes for entry). After this period, the visitor will not be able to enter the Machupicchu llaqta, except for causes of force majeure or duly proven fortuitous event,” the protocol states.
1-Day To Machu PIcchu
THE BEST CIRCUITS TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU 2025
There are ten new circuits to visit Machu Picchu! in which the best circuits are:
CIRCUIT 2 or INKA CITY CIRCUIT:
- Circuito 2: Route 2-A: Designed Route (with the classic view of Machu Picchu).
- Circuito 2: Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route (with classic view of Machu Picchu)
CIRCUIT 3 or ROYALTY CIRCUIT
Circuito 3: Route 3-D: Huchuy Picchu Route (without the classic view of Machu Picchu) To have the classic view, you would have to add a new entrance ticket, which is CIRCUIT 1 or PANORAMIC (Circuito 1: Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route)
Formula:
- Circuito 3: Route 3-D + Circuito 1: Route 1-B
- Circuito 3: Route 3-D + Circuito 1: Route 1-D
CIRCUIT 3 or ROYALTY CIRCUIT
Route 3-A: Waynapicchu Route: Visit Machu Picchu through the center of the citadel! But if you require the classic view of Machu Picchu, you would have to add the following ticket:
Formula:
- Circuito 3: Route 3-A + Circuito 1: Route 1-B
- Circuito 3: Route 3-D + Circuito 1: Route 1-D
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW CIRCUITS TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU 2025
CIRCUIT 1 or PANORAMIC
Note: IT IS NOT ALLOWED to enter Machu Picchu ruins!
The purchase of the entrance ticket through the panoramic circuit would be more like a complement to the visit to Machu Picchu to have another type of photographic perspective and visit the surroundings of Machu Picchu, or in case the visitor is buying the Huayna Picchu ticket and requires the classic view of Machu Picchu from the house of the Inca watchman.
Route 1-A: Machupicchu Montaña Route
Only to Montaña Hike
- Maximum stay time: 7 hours
Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route
Only the classic view of Machu Picchu.
- Maximum stay time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Route 1-C: Inti Punku Route (Inca Sun Gate)
Only to Inti Punku Hike
(Available only in high season: From June 1 to October 15, 2025, and from December 30 to 31, 2025.)
- Maximum stay time: 4 hours
Route 1-D: Inka Bridge Route
Only to Inka Bridge Hike (It has the classic view of Machu Picchu)
(Available only in high season: From June 1 to October 15, 2025, and from December 30 to 31, 2025.)
- Maximum stay time: 3 hours
CIRCUIT 2 or INKA CITY CIRCUIT
Note: The entrance ticket allows you to enter Machu Picchu ruins with the classic view of Machu Picchu from the house of the Inca watchman.
Route 2-A: Designed Route (with the classic view of Machu Picchu)
The best route to visit and explore Machu Picchu with the classic view of Machu Picchu from the vicinity of the Inca watchman’s house
- Maximum stay time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Places to visit:
- Upper Platform
- Dry Pit, Tectonic Fault
- Viewpoint of the Temple of the Sun
- Granite Chaos
- Square of the Temples
- Intiwatana Pyramid
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route or LLAQTA CIRCUIT (with the classic view of Machu Picchu)
The incredible circuit runs through almost all the spaces of Machu Picchu, with the classic view of Machu Picchu from the Inca terrace a little below the house of the Inca watchman.
- Maximum stay time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Places to Explore:
- Dry Pit, Tectonic Fault
- Viewpoint of the Temple of the Sun
- Granite Chaos
- Square of the Temples
- Intiwatana Pyramid
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
CIRCUIT 3 or ROYALTY CIRCUIT
Route 3-A: Waynapicchu Route (a classic hike to have the best view of Machu Picchu and the surroundings from the Wayna Picchu summit)
- Maximum stay time: 6 hours
Visits:
- Temple of the Sun
- Inca House Set
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Route 3-B: Designed Route
It does not have access to the top of Huayna Picchu mountain! It only has access to the center and left side of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
- Maximum stay time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Visits:
- Temple of the Sun
- Inca House Set
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Route 3-C: Great Cavern Route
You can access the center and right side of Machu Picchu without a classic view! Then, continue towards the great cavern, better known as the temple of the moon of Machu Picchu.
(Available only in high season: From June 1 to October 15, 2025, and from December 30 to 31, 2025.)
- Maximum stay time: 7 hours
Visits:
- Temple of the Sun
- Inca House Set
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Route 3-D: Huchuy Picchu Route
It does not have the classic view of Machu Picchu because you enter through the center of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu! But at the other end of Machu Picchu, 20 minutes away, is the Huchuy Picchu viewpoint with another photographic perspective: in the latter case, we recommend it.
- Maximum stay time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Visits:
- Temple of the Sun
- Inca House Set
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
LIST OF NEW MAPS TO VISIT MACHU PICCHU FROM JUNE 1, 2025
Route 1-A: Machupicchu Montaña Route Map
Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route Map
Route 1-C: Inti Punku Route Inca Sun Gate Map
Route 1-D: Inca Bridge Route Map
Route 2-A: Designed Route Map
Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route or Llaqta Circuit Map
Route 3-A: Huayna Picchu Route Map
Route 3-B: Designed Route Map
Route 3-C: Great Cavern Route Map
Route 3-D: Huchuy Picchu Route Map
- With the new “Regulations for Sustainable Use and Tourist Visits for the Conservation of the Inca Llaqta of Machu Picchu,” these new routes to the complex have been designed.
- All people entering Machu Picchu must respect and follow these circuits.
- Both visitors and guides must strictly respect these circuits, which are expected to continue being modified to preserve Machu Picchu.
- For this reason, we would like to inform you about the new regulations and routes with Kondor Path Tours.
- Join us to learn more about the meaning of Machu Picchu and new ways to visit the Inca citadel.
- Learn about the new tours to visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu. About the unique tours, New ticket sales About alternative routes Rules to follow
CIRCUIT NUMBER 5 TO MACHU PICCHU (AFTER THE INCA TRAIL HIKE)
The Ministry of Culture constantly adapts the circuits to avoid overcrowding the visit to the Inca citadel and preserve the area’s archaeological heritage. It is unknown when a new circuit for hikers on the Inca Trail will be available for reservations. For more details, follow our publications; we will keep you informed. This trail is what the new Circuit 5 will look like.
Approximate walking time: 1.5 hours
Places worth seeing on this route:
- Qolcas
- Agricultural zone
- Water channel
- Dry well
- Temple of the Sun Complex
- Casa del Inca Complex
- Water sources
- Set with three sleeves
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological reserve
RECOMMENDED TOURS FOR THE NEW CIRCUITS OF MACHU PICCHU 2025
The tourist packages are from 1 to 6 days in all their modalities. Here is the suggested list. We recommend booking your tours in advance to ensure income from tickets to Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, Montaña, etc.
Adventure travel packages along the trails of the Inca Trail, Lares, Salkantay, Choquequirao, Ausangate, etc. Book the extra tickets for one of the best experiences visiting Machu Picchu on your next vacation in 2025.
NEW TICKET SALE Once you access the official government website:
https://reservas.machupicchu.gob.pe/inicio, you will notice that new tickets are available.
Rules to keep in mind when visiting Machu Picchu
These standards were in place before the pandemic and are still in effect.
This rule applies to both visitors and guides. It is not allowed to carry backpacks or bags larger than 40x35x20 centimeters.
There are small storerooms at the door for large bags. No food or utensils in Machu Picchu. However, illegal substances, alcohol, and aerosols are not allowed.
Umbrellas, camera tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited, and animals, except guide dogs and musical instruments, are not allowed.
Strollers are not allowed, only backpacks that do not contain metal. You can enter with sports or walking shoes; shoes with heels are prohibited. You are not permitted to enter with any weapon.
The use of metal poles is not allowed. It is also not permitted to enter or climb the structures or walls of Machu Picchu or remove or deface them.
It is not allowed to alter the flora and fauna of the site—smoking is forbidden in ruins.
You may not use drones or other flying devices. It would be best if you did not make films or documentaries without prior authorization. You must not enter any prohibited areas of the site. “The new entrances and circular routes established by the government are a way to avoid crowds.
Handling the demanding situation is necessary with continuously reopening the different archaeological sites and complexes. We hope this article has facilitated our understanding of the new regulations for visiting Machu Picchu.
The team of specialists at Kondor Path Tours wishes we could have helped you. If you would like to know more about our different tours to the Inca Citadel, do not hesitate to consult with our team of specialized consultants, who will be happy to help you make the trip of your dreams come true. Peru has so much to offer that it can be challenging to know where to start.
With years of experience in the tourism industry, Kondor Path Tours is happy to answer any questions about your trip to Machu Picchu and the tours involved. Let us make your Machu Picchu experience unforgettable.
Huayna Picchu
The name Huayna Picchu means “new mountain” in Quechua. It rises 2,671 meters above sea level, and its summits are surrounded by Inca buildings, terraces, and a sanctuary at its base, the Temple of the Moon. The climb to the top takes 50 minutes and an hour and requires a hair-raising and complex ascent along a narrow path and through a cave-like tunnel.
The steep granite steps at the top take you to the edge of the abyss. The hike begins at the sacred rock at the north end of the sanctuary. Only 200 visitors are allowed per day in four shifts: the first from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., the second from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., the third from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the fourth from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. (note: visitors are not allowed to enter the Citadel after completing this walk).
Huchuy Picchu Mountain
Its Quechua name, Huch’uypicchu, means “small mountain.” At 2,496 meters above sea level, this peak, located very close to the imposing Huayna Picchu, is just that.
The moderate summit hike offers impressive views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding cloud forest, despite its relative size. The 1.9-kilometer walk takes between 45 minutes and an hour. From the checkpoint, the hike loops along the lower trail over the eastern terraces ascend the summit and exits again via the upper Inca terraces.
The number of visitors per day is limited to 200, divided into nine shifts throughout the day, with the first shift from 6:00 to 7:00 and the last shift from 14:00 to 15:00 (note: visitors cannot enter the Citadel after this tour).
Machu Picchu Mountain
At 3,061 meters above sea level, the Quechua name of this highest peak at the southern end of the Sanctuary means “old mountain.”
The climb is technically less demanding than Huayna Picchu, but the hike is more prolonged and less strenuous. It usually takes 90 minutes and two hours to reach the summit.
However, at several points along the way, this hike offers unparalleled views of the Inca citadel framed by the Huayna Picchu, around which the Urubamba River winds in a horseshoe curve.
Once at the top, you will have a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The hike begins above the thatched guard house on a marked stone path that leads off the trail to Inti Punku. The number of visitors per day is limited to 400, also in two shifts: the first from 6:00 to 7:00 and the second from 8:00 to 9:00.
Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu
As with Huayna Picchu and Mount Machu Picchu, the trail begins with a guard post where you must sign in and out. However, the hike is free for visitors with tickets for routes 1 or 2. It is a relatively easy, though unsteady, hike. The Inca Bridge takes 20–30 minutes to walk via a winding trail in the cloud forest.
The road, which gets narrower and narrower, offers spectacular views of the river valley and surrounding mountains.
But it is a beautiful sight. Four tree trunks lie loose in a six-meter gap in a section of the road planted into the steep mountainside. This “drawbridge” allowed the Incas to control access to prevent unwanted guests from sneaking in from the Aobamba Valley to the west.
Inti Punku (Gate of the Sun)
These ruins, located at an altitude of 2,700 meters, are the endpoint of the Inca Trail and offer hikers a magnificent first view of Huayna Picchu and the magnificent stone citadel that sprawls across the mountain’s saddle. Visitors to Machu Picchu can also enjoy this iconic view during the day.
It takes 45 minutes and an hour to climb Inti Punku from the sanctuary, leaving the guard house to the left of the upper terrace.
Inca Trail Access to Machu Picchu
For years, Inca Trail permits allowed hikers arriving through the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to re-enter the Machu Picchu sanctuary and access the upper terraces.
This spot provided another opportunity to enjoy the iconic panoramic view of the plaza, with Huayna Picchu in the background, and explore the main sights.
This circuit changed in June 2022, with a new policy restricting hikers to terraces and lower sanctuaries on routes 1 and 2. Classic Inca Trail hikers no longer have the right to re-enter the cover after leaving it. Short Inca Trail hikers can return the next day from Aguas Calientes using CIRCUIT NUMBER 5, EXCLUSIVE FOR HIKERS OF THE INCA TRAILS PERU.
However, all Inca Trail hikers must purchase an additional ticket to return to the top of the sanctuary and hike routes 1 or 2.
What should I bring to Machu Picchu?
- Your passport. Do not forget to carry it with you, because you cannot enter the country without it.
- Your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. There is no way to issue a new ticket if you forget or lose it.
- Proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus (physical or digital) or a negative PCR test result
- A camera with a fully charged battery and plenty of space on the memory card
- Good walking shoes, preferably sneakers or shoes suitable for walking.
- Water in a non-plastic bottle.
- Sun protection and a cap or hat
- A rain poncho (a small, collapsible Poncho that works well when it rains)
How long does it take to climb Machu Picchu?
For the ascent to the Sanctuary, you can choose between a 75-minute hike and a 2-hour hike (the duration depends on your physical condition) or take one of the buses that leave Aguas Calientes every five minutes between 5:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Buses take about 25 minutes to travel the winding Hiram Bingham Road. Bus tickets are sold at the vehicle exits in the vehicle office, but there are often long lines. Also, tickets for Machu Picchu are not sold at the upper entrance gate of the Inca citadel; it is better to buy them in advance and even with KONDOR PATH TOURS.
In Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu Pueblo), there is an office of the Ministry of Culture where you can buy tickets, but buying them at the last minute is not advisable.
Tickets can sell out days or weeks in advance during the high season (June through August).
Therefore, purchasing the bus ticket to the sanctuary and the entrance ticket to the citadel well in advance is advisable. Visitors can also check availability and purchase tickets on the official Machu Picchu website.
Train ticket to Machu Picchu
The Kondor Path Tours team of specialists has selected the best schedules and prices for train tickets to Machu Picchu, and we publish them in our online reservation. Choosing the best time to visit Machu Picchu is usually complicated, but we will make it easy for you to choose the best time to visit Machu Picchu. Our staff will prepare for the best time to take the train and visit Machu Picchu. Please do not waste your time; we will take care of your trip to Machu Picchu by train.
- Poroy – Machu Picchu – Poroy transfer and train tickets
- Panoramic train Vistadome 360° from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
- Train Expeditions or Voyagers from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
- Bimodal Service (Transfer and Inca Train from Cusco to Machu Picchu to Cusco)
- Transfer and train tickets Poroy – Mapi – Poroy
These train tickets are for Expeditions (Perurail) or Voyagers (Inca Rail) train services. They include transfers from your hotel in Cusco to Poroy in Cusco and the train ticket from Poroy to Machu Picchu in Poroy.
Our driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the train station. When you return to Poroy, the same driver will pick you up at the station and drop you off at your hotel.
Vistadome or Paronamic Train 360 from Ollanta, Machu Picchu, to Ollantaytambo
This train departs from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo. After booking, you will receive an email from our reservations department with your train ticket attached.
Expedition or Voyager Train from Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
This service is an economical tourist train; only the train ticket is included. If you want to add transfers, Machu Picchu, etc., select this option in our online reservation system.
Bimodal service (transfer and train from Cusco to Machu Picchu to Cusco)
The bimodal service includes the tourist bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, where you take the train to Machu Picchu. After visiting Machu Picchu, take the train to Ollantaytambo, where the railway company staff will bring the tourist bus to pick you up at Av Sol (IncaRail) or Wanchaq (Perurail) station.
