Circuit 1 in Machu Picchu: panoramic route

When visiting Machu Picchu, tourists must choose between ten types of tickets, which include one of three circuits around the archaeological site. Circuit 1 is the most basic as it offers only a short route up the stairs to the Casa del Guardián viewpoint. From there, you get the best view of the Inca buildings. In addition, visitors can spend some free time to meditate or get the best photos of the visit. This circuit is ideal to be visited in the company of a tour guide who will take the time to provide the best explanation from this sector. The tickets offered by this circuit are: a) Machu Picchu Classic Photo ticket, b) Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge ticket, c) Machu Picchu + Intipunku ticket and d) Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket.

The new circuits and tickets for visiting Machu Picchu

• Why are there new circuits and tickets in Machu Picchu?

  Since 2024, due to the high demand of tourists and the danger that this represents for the conservation of Machu Picchu, ten new tickets and three new circuits have been created in Machu Picchu.

  In this way, the distribution of visitors to the archaeological site, as well as to the buildings and mountains surrounding it, was improved. In this way, hiking routes were added to the already known routes to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu and Inca Bridge. These are: the routes to Intipunku and the Temple of the Moon (also called the Great Cavern).

  With these new rules, in some cases the visiting time at Machu Picchu was reduced, but the distribution of visitors was improved. And this is intended to preserve Machu Picchu for the future.

• The new entrance tickets to Machu Picchu

  There are ten tickets to Machu Picchu, each offering one of three available circuits around the archaeological site. In addition, most tickets include an additional short hiking route to complete the visit.

  These are the new tickets and their circuits:

  • Machu Picchu Classic Photo Ticket (includes circuit 1).
  • Machu Picchu Classic Ticket (includes circuit 2).
  • Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket (includes circuit 2).
  • Machu Picchu Lower Temples Ticket (includes circuit 3).
  • Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket (includes circuit 3).
  • Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket (includes circuit 1).
  • Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu ticket (includes circuit 3).
  • Machu Picchu + Intipunku ticket (includes circuit 1).
  • Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge ticket (includes circuit 1).
  • Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon ticket (includes circuit 3).

• The 3 new circuits for visiting Machu Picchu

  These are what the three circuits at the Machu Picchu archaeological site offer:

  • Circuit 1 in Machu Picchu – Circuit 1 in Machu Picchu offers a panoramic route through the upper part of the Inca citadel. The route is short, as you only climb stone steps until you reach the Guardian House area, where you can get the best photos of the tourist visit. After getting the best photos and a tourist explanation in the company of a professional guide, you head back down the stairs. Circuit 1 offers a visit of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  • Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu – Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu offers a more complete route through the archaeological site, both in the upper sector, the middle sector and the lower part of the Inca citadel. The route offers a classic photo on the upper terraces, almost identical to the photos from the Guardian’s House. Then it continues with the visit to the main temples such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock and the Water Mirrors. Finally, the exit from the Inca city is made through the agricultural sector. Circuit 2 offers a visit of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Circuit 3 in Machu Picchu – Circuit 3 in Machu Picchu offers a very interesting route through the Inca temples in the lower part, also known as royal buildings. It includes a visit to the Casa del Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Casa del Inca and the Temple of the Condor. It does not offer the classic photo of Machu Picchu from the Casa del Guardian, but it does offer a very similar photo from the agricultural sector in the lower part. Circuit 3 offers a visit of approximately 2 hours.

Circuit 1 in Machu Picchu: panoramic route

• Circuit 1: the route that follows in Machu Picchu

  Circuit 1 begins with the entrance to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. The path leads to a detour towards a set of stone steps. This section takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the physical condition of the visitor. At the top, the Inca trail is reached, called qhapac ñan in the Quechua language. There, the upper path is taken that leads to the Casa del Guardian area. At this point, the visitor will spend more time enjoying the most panoramic view of Machu Picchu. In addition, they will be able to get the best photographs of the Inca citadel. It is also the point where the professional tour guide offers an explanation of the history and importance of the archaeological site. Then, it is time to descend a set of stone steps that, in 15 or 20 minutes, lead to the exit gate of Machu Picchu.

• Map: circuit 1 in Machu Picchu

• Advantages of circuit 1 in Machu Picchu

  These are the advantages offered by circuit 1 in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu:

  • The best classic photo of Machu Picchu from the Guardian House sector.
  • The best panoramic view of the archaeological site and its stone buildings (in the Casa del Guardián sector).
  • The Guardian’s House sector is perfect for receiving an explanation from a professional tour guide.
  • Route that can be complemented with three different hiking routes: hike to Intipunku, hike to Machu Picchu mountain and hike to the Inca Bridge.

• Disadvantages of circuit 1 in Machu Picchu

  These are the disadvantages of circuit 1 in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu:

  • It does not allow touring the main Inca temples of Machu Picchu: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor and more.
  • The shortest circuit of Machu Picchu as it takes between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the tour.

• Circuit 1 and the other circuits in Machu Picchu: differences

  Learn the difference between circuit 1 in Machu Picchu and the other circuits available for your visit to Machu Picchu: