It is simple! For 2025, there are three Machu Picchu circuits to visit. These pass by different zones through the Inca citadel and are different from each other. None of them cross the same zone.
These circuits separate people and avoid crowds and traffic of visitants. Once you start a circuit, you can’t go back (Unidirectional routes) or pass from one route to another during the tour. Each circuit contains more specific ones (sub-circuits) that include treks to the adjacent mountains and visits to specific citadel areas.
- Circuit 1: A short hike, perfect for those who want the perfect picture or postcard of Machu Picchu from the high zone. This circuit has excellent panoramic views of the citadel. This circuit is divided in 4 sub-circuits.
- Circuit 2: Long distance. The circuit is the most extensive and allows a complete visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu. It is perfect for those who visit Machu Picchu for the first time. This circuit is divided in 2 sub-circuits.
- Circuit 3: Of regular extension. The circuit passes through the lower sector of Machu Picchu (agricultural sector). And, it is perfect for people who do not want to climb many steps. Here, you can also take excellent pictures of the Inca citadel. This circuit is divided in 4 sub-circuits.
So, there are 10 subcircuits and, consequently, 10 Machu Picchu ticket types.
Therefore, if you want to know What is Machu Picchu and want to know how to buy tickets for 2025, Machu Travel Peru will tell you everything! Schedules, prices, circuits, and much more. Our team is ready to help you with any item regarding the tickets to Machu Picchu.
Everything you need to know about the Machu Picchu tickets for 2025
Circuit 1
As we mentioned before, the Machu Picchu entrance—Circuit 1—allows visitors to tour the citadel’s high zones. If we note a Machu Picchu map, this circuit offers amazing photos of the citadel from the terraces of the Guardian’s House sector. You have to ascend through stone stairs for 15 to 30 minutes to get there. The finest vista of the archaeological site and the Inca terraces are visible there.
This circuit is not long but rather short.
This kind of Machu Picchu entrance includes four sub-tickets to enter the citadel. These include visits to Machu Picchu mountain, the Sun Gate, and the Inca Bridge.
Ticket A – Route Machu Picchu Mountain
This entrance allows you to visit the citadel by touring its high zone with access to the trek of Machu Picchu Mountain. This mountain is on the south of the citadel at 10,111 feet altitude. The trek up this mountain is not steep; it climbs gradually, and the path is quite wide. This experience is perfect for even older people!
Schedules
- 06:00 am.
- 08:00 am.
The maximum stay is 4 hours on the mountain and 1 hour in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for people 18 years old.
- Foreign Adult: $54
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $31
- Higher education student: $34
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $32
Ticket B – Route Upper Terrace
This is the classic entrance of this circuit and passes by the upper sector of terraces. You will have to climb up some steep stairs. It offers the best and most amazing panoramic photos of Machu Picchu. The outstanding attraction in this circuit is the Guardian House.
Schedules
- 06:00 am.
- 07:00 am.
- 08:00 am.
- 09:00 am.
- 10:00 am.
- 11:00 am.
- 12:00 pm.
- 13:00 pm.
- 14:00 pm.
- 15:00 pm.
The maximum stay is 2 hours and 30 minutes in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for all ages.
- Foreign Adult: $41
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $18
- Higher education student: $21
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $19
Ticket C – Route Intipunku Gate
This circuit is similar to the superior Terraces route. Of course, it adds the last stretch of the Inca Trail leading to the Intipunku gate. The Sun Gate is the other name of the Intipunku and is southeast of Machu Picchu. It was the main entry to the Machu Picchu.
The Inti Punku is a lithic Inca gateway that gives access to the citadel. It was a checkpoint and security post of the Inca militia for the elite of Machu Picchu. Inti Punku is about 2745 meters above sea level, about 300 meters higher than Machu Picchu, and 1.8 kilometers south of the citadel.
Schedules
- 08:00 am.
- 09:00 am.
- 10:00 am.
- 11:00 am.
The maximum stay is 2 hours to get and return from the Intipunku gate and 2 hours in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for all ages.
- Foreign Adult: $41
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $18
- Higher education student: $21
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $19
Ticket D – Route Inca Bridge
This pass includes panoramic views of Circuit 1 as well as a ride from the highest terraces to the Inca Bridge. The Inca Bridge is on the south side of Machu Picchu.
The Inca Bridge, also known as Puente Inca, is a removable bridge made of two tree trunks. It crosses a 5-meter gap in a narrow path along a cliff. The height of the trail to the ground is 580 meters. The Inca militia used to remove these two tree trunks from their place in the face of a threat of an invasion.
Schedules
- 08:00 am.
- 09:00 am.
- 10:00 am.
- 11:00 am.
The maximum stay is 1 hour to get and return from the Inca Bridge and 2 hours in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for people 18 years old.
- Foreign Adult: $41
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $18
- Higher education student: $21
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $19
Circuit 2
Circuit 2 is the longest and complete inside the Machu Picchu citadel. This passes by most of the Inca citadel’s attractions. Of course, it’s perfect for visitors who visit Machu Picchu for the first time. For this reason, many visitors call it the “Traditional circuit”.
This circuit covers a thorough tour of the park in its lower areas. It also covers the tour of the highest elevations of the citadel. Precisely, these areas are famous for the photo ops that the visitor can take from them.
This Machu Picchu ticket – Circuit 2 has two types.
Ticket A – Designed Classic Route
Everyone calls this route the Traditional Classic Route. It passes through the most important attractions. It offers the most complete visit to the Inca citadel. For this reason, this is the most sold tour and it is necessary to buy it 3 or 4 months in advance.
Schedules
- 06:00 am.
- 07:00 am.
- 08:00 am.
- 09:00 am.
- 10:00 am.
- 11:00 am.
- 12:00 pm.
- 13:00 pm.
- 14:00 pm.
- 15:00 pm.
The maximum stay is 2 hours and 30 minutes in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for all ages.
- Foreign Adult: $41
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $18
- Higher education student: $21
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $19
Ticket B – Route Lower Terrace
This circuit provides a slightly different route from the Traditional circuit mentioned before. So, this is a great alternative to Machu Picchu traditional route. However, it permits the complete exploration of most of the citadel, especially its lower part. In addition, visitors can still take traditional pictures from the lower zones.
Schedules
- 06:00 am.
- 07:00 am.
- 08:00 am.
- 09:00 am.
- 10:00 am
- 11:00 am.
- 12:00 pm.
- 13:00 pm.
- 14:00 pm.
- 15:00 pm,
The maximum stay is 2 hours and 30 minutes in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for all ages.
- Foreign Adult: $41
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $18
- Higher education student: $21
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $19
Circuit 3
This circuit permits stunning images of Machu Picchu from below (in the agricultural zone). During the tour, the visitors can enjoy the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, and the Sacred Rock. Without mentioning the Temple of the Condor (Others name them the Water Mirrors) and the Water Fountains.
This circuit is relatively short.
This Machu Picchu ticket includes four sub-tickets. These include excursions to attractions of Machu Picchu; Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu Mountain, and the Great Cavern.
Ticket A – Route Huayna Picchu mountain
This ticket permits access to the Circuit 3 route and access to the trek of Huayna Picchu mountain. Generally, the visitor first takes the tour of Circuit 3 and then enters the Huayna Picchu mountain trek. During the Huayna Picchu trek, visitors will be able to observe and see small Inca constructions.
These are very close to the top of the mountain and serve as a surveillance center. The trail is steep and challenging, so we recommend you be in excellent physical shape before doing it.
Schedules
- 07:00 am.
- 09:00 am,
The maximum stay is 3 hours on the mountain and 1 hour in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for people 18 years old.
- Foreign Adult: $54
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $31
- Higher education student: $34
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $32
Ticket B – Designed route of the royals
This entry ticket provides entry to numerous significant ruins. We can mention the Water Fountains, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Condor. As well as a tour of the citadel’s lower area. The complete tour lasts two hours and thirty minutes.
The path, like the other ones mentioned before, is well-designed.
Schedules
- 06:00 am.
- 07:00 am.
- 08:00 am.
- 09:00 am.
- 10:00 am.
- 11:00 am.
- 12:00 pm.
- 13:00 pm.
- 14:00 pm.
- 15:00 pm.
The maximum stay is 2 hours and 30 minutes in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for all ages.
- Foreign Adult: $41
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $18
- Higher education student: $21
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $19
Ticket C – Route Great Cavern
The Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern) is accessible with this ticket in addition to the Circuit 3 route. Its visit is the most interesting experience among the things to do in Machu Picchu. This unique natural cave features exquisite stonework, perfectly angled walls, and carved niches used for ceremonial purposes. The Incas elaborated them on the same Huayna Picchu mountain’s stone walls. Precisely, the Incas utilized this grotto as a site for ceremonies and sacrifices.
Even the expert affirms that the Inca Mummies rested there. The Incas saw caverns in the mountains as channels of communication for connecting with their gods and the spirits of their dead.
Schedules
- 07:00 am.
- 08:00 am.
The maximum stay is 3 hours in the Great Cavern and 1 hour in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for people 18 years old.
- Foreign Adult: $54
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $31
- Higher education student: $34
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $32
Ticket D – Route Huchuy Picchu Mountain
This ticket includes the 3rd circuit’s highlights, as well as a walk-up of Huchuy Picchu Mountain. If we take a Machu Picchu virtual tour, we´ll see this mountain. Huchuy Picchu is a tiny mountain on the flank of Huayna Picchu. A few years ago, the authorities made the path available for its visit.
Measuring more than 2,497 meters above sea level, Huchuy Picchu is barely 50 meters higher than Machu Picchu. Huchuy Picchu means tiny mountain for this reason. Its hike is also the easiest, requiring the least amount of effort.
Schedules
- 09:00 am.
- 11:00 am.
The maximum stay is 1 hour in the Huchuy Picchu and 1 hour and 30 minutes in the Inca citadel. From the check-in time shown on your ticket, you have 30 minutes of tolerance to enter. This circuit is perfect for people 18 years old.
- Foreign Adult: $41
- CAN Adult (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): $18
- Higher education student: $21
- Minors (3 to 17 years old): $19
How to buy tickets
To be honest, the availability of tickets in some circuits tends to run out very quickly. This occurs especially in those used during the high season. Take it into consideration when you are building your Machu Picchu trip cost. It is because people from Peru have the same opportunity as you to get an entrance through these options. So you better buy them early!
Remember, if there are no more tickets available for a certain day, you will have to look for tickets for another date. If you were wondering how to get to Machu Picchu, then you must first get your Machu Picchu tickets. Of course, the easiest way to do it is online.
1. Visit https://tuboleto.cultura.pe and click on the “Iniciar Sesion” image (Log In), on the upper part, on the right side, to create a user. Obligatory.
2. In the next window, in the central part, at the bottom, click on the “Registrese Aquí” (Register here).
3. You will have to complete a form with your personal data. Then, you will have to enter a personal email and your cell phone number because a verification code will be sent to your mobile device. This code must be entered in the same form. Then, you will have to create a password and enter it again. Finally, you must accept the terms and conditions of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Then, you must click on the “Create Account” (Crear Cuenta) button.
4. Next, you’ll receive a successful registration confirmation email. After, in the next window, you’ll have to enter your e-mail address in the User box (Usuario). Then, you’ll enter your created password (Contraseña) minutes before signing in.
5. Then, click on the Machu Picchu button to buy your tickets.
6. On the left side of the screen, you must enter the circuit you want to visit (1, 2 or 3). Then the sub-circuit that suits you best. Next, choose the date, time of visit and your status (if you are a foreigner, Peruvian, CAN member, or Cusco resident). Finally, you must enter the number of visitors and then click on the “Add to cart” button (Agregar al Carrito).
7. Then, you will have to click on the “Continue” button. (Continuar)
8. After you will have to enter the passenger’s complete data. Save this information. Then, accept the terms and conditions and click the “Continue” button.
8. In the next window, you must click “Pagar Reserva” (Pay Reservation). Remember that the reserve can only be maintained for 3 hours, after which it is lost.
8. In the next window, you must select your credit card. National or International credit card. Finally, click on the “Buy” (Pagar) button.
9. In the following pop-up, enter your Credit Card information. After, click on the “Buy (the total amount of the tickets)” red button and… Well done!
Once your purchase is complete, you will receive an email. This email includes a reservation number. Within the page of the Ministry of Culture, you will have to click on the Check-In button. There, you will have to enter your reservation number.
That’s it. From that page, you can print and save your tickets.
Don’t forget to keep these tickets in a safe place until it’s time for your visit!
Tips 2025
1. Booking in advance
All Machu Picchu tickets are of limited availability. These can also go out of stock overnight. So, don’t trust that you’ll get them one day before the Machu Picchu tour once in Cusco.
The sooner you buy them, the better. Therefore, buying them online will be your best option with a minimum of 6 months in advance.
2. Make sure your passport is up to date when you buy your tickets
Be sure that the passport you used to buy your tickets is the same one that you will present to the control guards when entering the citadel. There are some cases in which a visitor buys his tickets in advance with a passport about to expire. In this sense, he changes his passport and comes to Peru with the new one. Thus, he forgot the old one in his home country—a big mistake.
3. Besides your entrance tickets, entering the Inca citadel without a tour guide is forbidden
This is according to the rules of the Culture minister, the government institution responsible for Machu Picchu. Therefore, if you choose the travel agency to buy your Machu Picchu entrances, you can also book a tour guide.
But don’t worry. If you buy your tickets yourself online, you can find many official tour guides close to the citadel entrance. A private tour guide costs around $20 during the 02:30 hrs of the tour. And $8 if you want to join a group.
4. Tickets can be changed to another date but cannot be refunded
If you suffer from a personal inconvenience, you can change the entrance date of your Machu Picchu tickets. You just have to write an email to obtain the requirements to change the date on your ticket: callcenter@culturacusco.gob.pe
On the other hand, you can call +51 84 582030. However, if you want a refund for your no-used tickets will not be possible.
These processes are in accordance with the policies of the Ministry of Culture.
5. Discount for students
Are you a student between 18 and 25 years old? So, this information is for you! Among Machu Picchu facts about ticket purchase, student tickets have a great discount!
To buy these tickets, you only have to put the number on your university student card instead of the passport number! Follow the next steps (as a normal purchase), and you will get your entrance to Machu Picchu with a special discount. Only remember to show these tickets and your original University Student Card when you enter Machu Picchu. The guard park will contrast the information on your passport and the ticket.
leave the citadel. But be careful, if you want to re-enter, you will have to pay a new entrance fee.
“BUY THE TICKET, TAKE THE RIDE”
We hope together with Machu Travel Peru has been helpful. Remember that you can enjoy Machu Picchu throughout the year. But it is always a good idea to start organizing your Machu Picchu tour a few months in advance.
If you want to know more about the guided tours to the Inca citadel, you can consult with our advisors. They will be more than happy to help you with your next trip.
