Machu Picchu circuits 2027 decide almost everything about your visit: which part of the citadel you walk through, whether you get the famous postcard photo, how long you can stay, and whether you can climb a mountain. Since June 2024, every ticket has been tied to one circuit, one route, and one entry time, and in 2027 the Ministry of Culture added new rules on capacity and mountain schedules.
Our team in Cusco walks these routes with travelers every week. In this guide, we explain the 3 circuits and 10 routes in plain language, show you the map of each route, and tell you which one we actually recommend depending on how you travel.
Quick answer: which Machu Picchu circuit should you choose?
- First visit: Circuit 2 (Route 2-A or 2-B). It gives you the classic view and the main temples.
- Best photos only: Circuit 1, Route 1-B (Upper Terrace).
- Hiking: Route 3-A (Huayna Picchu) or Route 1-A (Machu Picchu Mountain).
- Less walking: Route 3-B, but add Route 1-B if you want the classic view.
- Arriving on the Inca Trail: your permit gives same-day entry on Route 3-B.
What’s New at Machu Picchu in 2027
The circuit system itself has not changed: there are still 3 circuits and 10 routes. What changed are the rules around them. Two ministerial resolutions published in late October 2026 set the 2027 rules:
- Daily capacity (RM 000408-2026-MC): up to 5,600 visitors per day on 147 high-demand dates: January 1–3, March 25–28 (Easter week), June 19 to November 2, and December 29–31, 2027. On every other day, the limit is 4,500 visitors.
- Hourly cap: no more than 800 people can enter per hour. This is why your entry time is fixed and why popular morning slots sell out first.
- Mountain schedules (RM 000407-2026-MC): from January 1, 2027, entry to Machu Picchu Mountain (1-A), Huayna Picchu (3-A) and the Great Cavern (3-C) closes at 10:00 a.m., and hikers must start back from the summits by 12:00 noon.
- Seasonal routes: Inti Punku (1-C), Inca Bridge (1-D), Great Cavern (3-C) and Huchuy Picchu (3-D) open only on high-season dates.
What this means in practice: if you want a mountain hike in 2027, plan to be in Aguas Calientes the night before. The early bus up from Aguas Calientes is the only realistic way to make a 7:00 or 9:00 a.m. mountain slot.
Why Machu Picchu Uses Circuits and Routes
For decades, visitors could wander almost freely through the citadel. As numbers grew to more than a million a year, the most popular areas got crowded, and the stone paths and walls began to wear down. The circuit system spreads visitors across the site and keeps them moving in one direction.
The terms are simple once you see them side by side:
- A circuit is the general zone of the site: upper viewpoints (Circuit 1), the full classic tour (Circuit 2), or the lower royal sector and peaks (Circuit 3).
- A route is the exact one-way path you will follow inside that circuit, for example, Route 2-A.
On the ground, the circuits are marked with colored signs, and guards at checkpoints will turn you back if you leave your route. You cannot switch to another route once you are inside. If you want to see two areas, you need two tickets with different entry times.
Machu Picchu Circuits 2027 at a Glance
| Route | What you see | Classic postcard view? | Season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain | Summit hike + upper terraces | Yes | All year | Strong hikers |
| 1-B Upper Terrace | Guardhouse viewpoint, no urban sector | Yes | All year | Photos, add-on ticket |
| 1-C Inti Punku (Sun Gate) | Inca road up to the Sun Gate | Yes | High season | Moderate hike |
| 1-D Inca Bridge | Cliffside trail to the Inca Bridge | Yes | High season | Short, easy walk |
| 2-A Classic Designed | Upper platform + full citadel | Yes (highest angle) | All year | First-time visitors |
| 2-B Lower Terrace | Lower terrace view + full citadel | Yes (lower angle) | All year | First-time visitors |
| 3-A Huayna Picchu | Lower sector + steep summit climb | No (view from the summit) | All year | Adventure, no fear of heights |
| 3-B Royalty Designed | Royal residences, Temple of the Condor | No | All year | Less climbing, Inca Trail hikers |
| 3-C Great Cavern | Temple of the Moon Trail | No | High season | Quiet, off-the-beaten-path |
| 3-D Huchuy Picchu | Short climb to a small peak | No (side view from the peak) | High season | A short hike |
Standard visits on routes 1-B, 2-A, 2-B and 3-B allow up to 2 hours and 30 minutes inside. Mountain routes allow more time: up to 6 hours 30 minutes for Machu Picchu Mountain and 5 hours 30 minutes for Huayna Picchu, counting the time in the citadel.
Machu Picchu Routes Map: All 10 Routes Explained
Below you’ll find each route with its official map and our honest take on it. The colors on the maps match the signs you’ll see on site: red for Circuit 1, blue for Circuit 2, and yellow for Circuit 3.
Circuit 1 – Panoramic (Upper Viewpoints)
Circuit 1 stays in the high part of the site. You get the iconic view from the upper terraces, but you do not walk into the urban sector: no Temple of the Sun, no Intihuatana, no Sacred Plaza. Many travelers are disappointed by this because they didn’t read the fine print. That’s why we usually sell Circuit 1 as a second ticket, not as the only one.
Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain
This is the highest viewpoint in the sanctuary, at about 3,060 m (10,000 ft). The trail is a long staircase of Inca stone steps, usually 1.5 to 2 hours up for a fit hiker. It is less exposed than Huayna Picchu but more tiring. From the top you look down on the whole citadel, with the Urubamba River curving far below.
- Maximum stay: 6 hours 30 minutes (including the upper terraces)
- 2027: entry until 10:00 a.m., start back from the summit by 12:00
- Our tip: bring at least 1 liter of water per person. There is nowhere to refill on the trail.
Route 1-B: Upper Terrace
This short route goes straight to the Guardhouse (the Inca watchman’s hut) for the classic postcard photo, then walks you back out along the upper terraces. It takes about an hour at a relaxed pace.
- Maximum stay: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Available all year
- Our tip: this is the best add-on for anyone whose main ticket is Circuit 3, because Circuit 3 has no classic view.
Route 1-C: Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
You follow the final stretch of the Inca Trail up to the Sun Gate, the stone gateway where trekkers get their first view of the citadel. Allow about 2 hours for the full walk. The climb is steady but not technical.
- High season only
- Our tip: in the rainy months, clouds often fill the valley until mid-morning. A later entry time can give you a clearer view from the gate.
Route 1-D: Inca Bridge
This is a mostly flat path cut into the cliff. It ends at a gap in an Inca road that was once crossed with removable logs, a clever way to control who could reach the citadel from the west. The walk takes about an hour there and back.
- High season only
- Our tip: the trail is narrow with a big drop on one side. It’s easy, but not for people who get dizzy near edges.
Circuit 2 – Classic Machu Picchu
If you only buy one ticket, make it this one. Circuit 2 is the only circuit that combines the postcard view with a walk through the heart of the citadel. Both routes are available all year, and they sell out first, often weeks ahead in high season.
Route 2-A: Classic Designed Route
This route starts on the upper platform near the Guardhouse, which gives the highest and most complete version of the classic photo. It then goes down into the urban sector.
Highlights on 2-A: upper platform viewpoint, the dry moat and fault line, Temple of the Sun viewpoint, the quarry (granite “chaos”), Sacred Plaza and Main Temple, Intihuatana, Sacred Rock, the Twelve-Angled openings, eastern storehouses, the Water Mirrors, Temple of the Condor and Pisonay Square.
- Maximum stay: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Our tip: this is our first choice for travelers who will visit only once. If 2-A is sold out, take 2-B. You will hardly notice the difference.
Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route
Route 2-B covers almost the same ruins as 2-A. The difference is the photo spot: it’s taken from a terrace just below the Guardhouse, so the angle is slightly lower. It skips the upper platform but keeps all the main temples.
- Maximum stay: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Our tip: 2-B involves slightly less climbing at the start, which is helpful if you’re still adjusting to the altitude.
Circuit 3 – Royalty (Lower Sector and Peaks)
Circuit 3 enters through the lower part of the citadel, near the residences linked to the Inca elite, and includes the routes to Huayna Picchu, the Great Cavern, and Huchuy Picchu. None of these routes include the classic view from the Guardhouse. That’s the most common surprise we hear about, so plan a 1-B ticket if you want the postcard shot.
Route 3-A: Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the steep peak behind the citadel in every famous photo. The climb takes about an hour up, on narrow Inca stairs with drops beside them, and it includes a short squeeze through a rock tunnel near the top. The reward is a bird’s-eye view of Machu Picchu that most visitors never see.
- Maximum stay: 5 hours 30 minutes (including the lower sector)
- 2027: entry until 10:00 a.m., start back from the summit by 12:00
- Our tip: the way down is harder than the way up. Wear shoes with good grip and keep your hands free.
Route 3-B: Royalty Designed Route
This route goes through the lower sector: the Temple of the Sun area, the Inca’s royal house, the chain of stone water fountains, the Water Mirrors, the Temple of the Condor and Pisonay Square. It involves fewer stairs than Circuit 2.
- Maximum stay: 2 hours 30 minutes
- This is also the route assigned to Inca Trail hikers on arrival day (see below).
- Our tip: good for seniors or travelers with knee problems. Combine it with 1-B for the classic view.
Route 3-C: Great Cavern (Temple of the Moon)
This trail runs down the back side of Huayna Picchu to the Great Cavern, better known as the Temple of the Moon: a natural cave lined with some of the finest Inca stonework in the sanctuary. Few people go, so it’s very quiet. The full route takes about 4 hours.
- High season only
- 2027: entry until 10:00 a.m., return by 12:00
- Our tip: it’s a long walk with plenty of up and down. Expect more effort than the map suggests.
Route 3-D: Huchuy Picchu
Huchuy Picchu (“small mountain”) is a little peak next to Huayna Picchu, at about 2,500 m. The climb is short, around 30–40 minutes up, and gives a side-on view of the citadel. The whole route takes about 1.5 hours.
- High season only
- Our tip: it’s the best option if you want a “mountain” experience without the exposure of Huayna Picchu.
Which Machu Picchu Circuit Should You Choose?
After years of booking these tickets for travelers, here is what we recommend:
First time at Machu Picchu
Choose Route 2-A, or 2-B if 2-A is sold out. You’ll see the main temples and get the classic photo in one ticket. Add a guide: without one, the stones are beautiful but hard to understand.
Photography lovers
Choose Route 1-B for the iconic shot, plus Circuit 2 for the details. If you’re serious about photography, our Peru photo tour is planned around light and timing at each site.
Hikers
Choose Route 3-A (Huayna Picchu) for adrenaline or Route 1-A (Machu Picchu Mountain) for endurance and the widest view. In 2027, both close entry at 10:00 a.m., so book the earliest slot you can.
Seniors, kids, or limited mobility
Choose Route 3-B (fewest stairs) or Route 1-B (short and direct). Every route has stone steps, so no route is truly accessible.
Smart two-ticket combinations
You can buy two tickets on the same day if the entry times are different. These combinations work well:
- 3-A + 1-B: Huayna Picchu plus the classic view
- 3-D + 1-B: a short hike plus the classic view
- 3-B + 1-B: an easy lower sector plus the classic view
- 2-A + 1-A: the full classic tour plus a big summit
Leave at least 2.5–3 hours between entry times, because each visit has a maximum stay and you must exit before entering again.
Arriving on the Inca Trail: Which Route Do You Get?
Earlier versions of this guide talked about a “Circuit 5” for trekkers. That plan was replaced. Under Ministerial Resolution 000306-2025-MC, hikers who arrive from the Inca Trail network can enter the citadel the same day on Route 3-B, within the approved daily capacity.
Route 3-B does not include the classic view. If you want the Guardhouse photo after your trek, ask us to add a 1-B ticket for the following morning. Permits for the trail are sold only through licensed operators and are tied to your passport. Check current dates on our Inca Trail availability page, or compare the classic 4-day Inca Trail with the 2-day Short Inca Trail.
How to Buy Machu Picchu Tickets for Your Circuit
- Decide your route first. The ticket is for one circuit, route, date, and time, and it can’t be changed to another route once you’ve bought it.
- Buy on the official platform: tuboleto.cultura.pe (Ministry of Culture). Be careful with look-alike sites that charge extra.
- Use your real passport details. The name and number on the ticket must match the document you show at the gate.
- Book early in high season. For June to October, Circuit 2 and the mountains often sell out weeks or months ahead.
- Last-minute option: about 1,000 tickets a day are sold in person at the Ministry of Culture office in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) for the next day. Availability isn’t guaranteed, and lines can be long.
On the day, arrive on time. There’s a grace period of 30 minutes in regular season and 45 minutes in high season after the hour printed on your ticket. After that, entry is refused except in proven emergencies.
Not sure how to time the trains and buses with your entry slot? Our guide on getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu explains every option. For the full list of what’s allowed inside (bags, poles, drones, food), read our Machu Picchu rules and entry requirements.
Local Tips from Our Cusco Team
- Go to the toilet before you enter. The restrooms are at the entrance gate, not inside, and there’s no re-entry on the same ticket.
- Expect lines for the bus. In high season, the shuttle line in Aguas Calientes can start before dawn. Plan to arrive at the bus stop about an hour before your entry time.
- Weather changes fast. Carry a light rain jacket all year. In the wet season (November to March), clouds often clear by mid-morning. See the best time to visit Machu Picchu month by month.
- Hire a guide for Circuits 2 and 3. The routes are one-way, so you can’t go back to something you missed, and a guide makes sure you notice the details.
Find a Machu Picchu Tour That Matches Your Circuit
We book the right circuit for each itinerary and include tickets, trains, and a local guide:
- Machu Picchu Full Day Tour from Cusco: best for travelers short on time
- Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu – 2 Days: overnight in Aguas Calientes, ideal for early mountain slots
- Machu Picchu + Sacred Valley – 3 Days
- Machu Picchu by Belmond Hiram Bingham Train
- Inca Trail treks to Machu Picchu (1 to 5 days)
Want to compare everything? Browse all our Machu Picchu tours from Cusco, or start with our complete Machu Picchu travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many circuits are there at Machu Picchu in 2027?
There are 3 circuits (Panoramic, Classic, and Royalty) divided into 10 routes. Four of those routes (1-C, 1-D, 3-C and 3-D) open only on high-season dates.
Which Machu Picchu circuit is best?
For most first-time visitors, Circuit 2 (Route 2-A or 2-B) is best. It is the only circuit that includes both the classic view and the main temples.
Does Circuit 3 have the classic view of Machu Picchu?
No. Circuit 3 routes enter through the lower sector and don’t reach the Guardhouse viewpoint. Add a Route 1-B ticket if you want that photo.
Can I change my circuit or route after buying the ticket?
No. Tickets are personal and tied to a specific route, date, and hour. If you want a different route, you have to buy a new ticket.
How long can I stay inside Machu Picchu?
Standard routes allow up to 2 hours 30 minutes. Machu Picchu Mountain allows up to 6 hours 30 minutes, and Huayna Picchu up to 5 hours 30 minutes, including the time in the citadel.
What time do the mountain routes close in 2027?
From January 1, 2027, entry to Machu Picchu Mountain, Huayna Picchu and the Great Cavern closes at 10:00 a.m., and hikers must start back from the summits by noon.
What are the high-season dates for 2027?
January 1–3, March 25–28, June 19 to November 2, and December 29–31, 2027. On those dates, the daily limit is 5,600 visitors. On all other days, it is 4,500.
Is a guide mandatory?
Rules on guides have changed several times, so check the current requirement when you book. Either way, we strongly recommend one for Circuits 2 and 3.
Last reviewed by the Kondor Path Tours team in Cusco, November 2026. Sources: Ministry of Culture of Peru, Ministerial Resolutions 000407-2026-MC and 000408-2026-MC, and the official site machupicchu.gob.pe. Rules can change during the year, so always confirm your route on your ticket before you travel.
