EXPLORING MACHU PICCHU:
Guide to Routes, Circuits, Schedules, and Regulations for Visiting the Inca Citadel (Llacta)
We have created a guide to help you understand the new routes, circuits, schedules, and regulations effective from June 2024, for the better movement of tourists throughout the Inca city.
CAPACITY:
The Inca citadel has two seasons, each with different capacities for the influx of tourists, both foreign and national.
LOW SEASON: October 16 – May 31
- Capacity: 4,400 people
HIGH SEASON: June 1 – October 15
- Capacity: 5,600 people
SCHEDULES:
Machu Picchu welcomes tourists from all over the world daily and is open from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. Entry times are divided into slots from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, with 8 entry times to choose from for your visit to the Inca citadel.
ACCESS TOLERANCE:
LOW SEASON: We have a 30-minute tolerance from the reserved time on your ticket. For example, if you reserve from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, you can enter the citadel until 10:30 am at the latest.
HIGH SEASON: We have a 45-minute tolerance from the reserved time on your ticket. For example, if you reserve from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, you can enter the citadel until 10:45 am at the latest.
CIRCUITS – ROUTES:
To ensure efficient management of tourist visits and tours in the Llacta, 10 routes have been enabled, divided into 3 circuits as described below:
Circuit 1 – Panoramic Circuit
This circuit is characterized by offering a complete panoramic view of the Inca citadel. We do not have access to the traditional photo spot nor the citadel itself. We can tour the upper and lower platforms next to the Guardian’s House, the terrace sector before the Inca Bridge sector, platforms below the Guardian’s House, and the path to Machu Picchu mountain. It includes the following routes:
- Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain Route. (Open year-round) Only 2 slots
- Time: 07:00 – 09:00
- Duration: 4 hours
- Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route. (Open year-round)
- Time: All entry slots
- Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Route 1-C: Inti Punku Gate Route. (Open only in high season)
- Time: 08:00 – 09:00 – 10:00 – 11:00
- Duration: 2 hours
- Route 1-D: Inca Bridge Route. (Open only in high season)
- Time: 08:00 – 09:00 – 10:00 – 11:00
- Duration: 2 hours
Circuit 2 – Classic Circuit
This is the most recommended circuit, as we can tour the Inca citadel in its full expression. We can take the traditional photo, visit the platforms associated with the Guardian’s House, Inca Punku, the entrance to the urban sector, the Quarry sector and the Sun Temple viewpoint, the botanical garden area, Main Temple, and Temple of the Three Windows, Sacred Rock, and Qolqas sector. Towards the end of the route, visitors can opt to visit the Hall of Mirrors or the Condor Temple. It includes the following routes:
- Route 2-A: Designed Route. (Open year-round)
- Time: All entry slots
- Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route. (Open year-round)
- Time: All entry slots
- Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Circuit 3 – Royalty Circuit
This circuit has mixed routes, partly in the lower part of the citadel. It includes agricultural platforms associated with the Qolqas sector, Water Fountains, Sun Temple, Inca House, Three Doorways Complex, Twelve Niches Complex, and Qolqas sector. Towards the end of the route, visitors can opt to visit the Hall of Mirrors or the Condor Temple. It is recommended if Circuit 2A-B is unavailable. It includes the following routes:
- Route 3-A: Huayna Picchu Mountain Route. (Open year-round) Only 2 slots
- Time: 07:00 – 09:00
- Duration: 3 hours
- Route 3-B: Designed Route. (Open year-round – Recommended)
- Time: All entry slots
- Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Route 3-B: Great Cave Route. (Open only in high season)
- Time: 07:00 – 09:00
- Duration: 4 hours
- Route 3-C: Huchuy Picchu Route. (Open only in high season)
- Time: 10:00 – 12:00
- Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
RULES AND RESTRICTIONS:
Access and Visit to the Citadel
To ensure a smooth experience, please note the following:
- Machu Picchu entry tickets are non-transferable and cannot be changed for date or name, nor are they refundable.
- You must carry your ticket and official document that verifies your identity, with which the ticket was reserved.
- Groups are limited to a maximum of 9 people.
- Entry is only valid within the designated time slot and circuit.
- Visitors can choose between the three one-way circuits with a no-return system.
- Guided tours last approximately 2 hours.
- We must follow the guide’s recommendations and not violate any park rules, as access may be restricted and violators may be removed from the Inca citadel.
Prohibited Behaviors in the Llacta:
- Food and tableware.
- Animals, except for guide and emotional support dogs with proper documentation.
- Portable seats.
- Banners, posters, or signs.
- Alcoholic beverages, drugs, or illegal substances.
- Baby strollers. (Backpack-style baby carriers without metal frames are allowed).
- Musical instruments, megaphones, or speakers.
- Umbrellas.
- Sharp objects and/or weapons of any kind.
- Heels or hard-soled shoes. (Only soft rubber-soled or sports shoes are allowed).
- Feeding domestic or wild animals within the Inca city.
- Littering of any kind.
- Causing a commotion, jumping, and/or creating disorder inside the Inca city.
- Following non-established circuits or routes.
- Partial or total nudity.
- Wearing inappropriate or offensive clothing.
- Smoking or vaping.
- Entering with metal or hard-tipped walking sticks. (Rubber-tipped sticks are allowed for disabled or elderly persons).
- Disturbing, collecting, or extracting native flora or fauna and/or cultural elements.
- Carrying backpacks, bags, or purses larger than 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters.
- Carrying tripods, supports, or heavy extensions for cameras or cell phones, except as authorized under the final provision of this regulation.
- Starting or spreading any type of fire.
- Climbing on or leaning against walls and/or structures and/or extracting stone elements.
- Performing obscene acts contrary to morality and good customs.
- Performing any type of graffiti.
- Performing any activity that implies the degradation or deterioration of the monument, its natural environment, and/or facilities.
- Engaging in street vending inside the Inca city and surrounding areas up to the ruins bridge.
- Filming or photographing for advertising purposes without authorization.
- Making loud or disruptive noises that disturb the peace and sanctity of the Inca city of Machu Picchu and its surroundings.
- Flying paragliders, drones, or any type of small aircraft.
