Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world, continues to attract tourists with its impressive architecture and mysterious history. To ensure the integrity of the archeological site and improve the experience of the visitor, new circuits have been established in 2024. Ensuring that each visitor finds the route that suits their interests and abilities, these new tours offer a variety of perspectives and challenges.
The Ministry of Culture of Peru has reorganized Machu Picchu's tourist circuits, reducing them from five to three principal circuits, each of them with multiple sub-routes, effective since June 1, 2024. The purpose of these changes is to preserve the archeological site for the future generations and to improve the visitor experience. We offer you a detailed description of the new circuits, their routes and the expectations for each of them.
Circuit 1: Panoramic
Without allowing access to the urban sector, this circuit offers impressive views of the citadel from multiple strategic points.
Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain
This route covers the upper terrace of Machu Picchu. It begins at the Guardian's House, where visitors can take the traditional postcard photo of Machu Picchu. The hike to the top of the Machu Picchu Mountain takes four hours (round-trip) and is surrounded by lush vegetation. For trekking enthusiasts of all ages, this route is ideal. It is open all year round.
Route 1-B: Upper Terrace
With this route the tourist can visit the upper terrace of Machu Picchu and take the traditional postcard photo from the Guardian's House. To obtain the best photos, the route includes a walk along the esplanade of the upper terrace and the area of the Guardian's House. The duration is two hours and thirty minutes.
Route 1-C: Intipunku: Sun Gate
The visitors can watch the sunrise over the citadel in this route, which takes them to the iconic Sun Gate (Intipunku). For about two hours, the round-trip hike allows for breathtaking views and the traditional photography of Machu Picchu from the upper terraces. It has a duration of four hours.
Route 1-D: Inca Bridge
The impressive Inca engineering and construction techniques are showcased in this tour, which takes the visitors from the highest terraces to the ancient Inca Bridge. The round-trip hike lasts one hour and thirty minutes.
Circuit 2: Traditional Machu Picchu
This circuit provides the opportunity to take a different view of Machu Picchu and explore the urban area of the citadel.
Route 2-A: Designed route
To get the traditional photo of Machu Picchu, this route allows a complete tour of the citadel, starting from the Guardian's House. The upper platform, the Tectonic Fault, the Dry Pit, the Viewpoint of the Temple of the Sun, the Granite Chaos, the Temple Square, the Intiwatana Pyramid, the Sacred Rock and the Twelve Spans are part of the tour. The duration is two hours and thirty minutes.
Route 2-B: Lower Terrace
On this route you can explore the lower part of the citadel, which includes the warehouses, terraces, the House of the Inca, water fountains, water mirrors and it ends at the Pisonay Square.
Circuit 3: Royalty Circuit
Through the urban region of Machu Picchu and the nearby mountains, this circuit offers the visitors a unique experience.
Route 3-A: Huayna Picchu Mountain
Visitors can visit the citadel of Huayna Picchu from a different perspective through this route that takes them to the top. The Sacred Rock, the Main Square and the House of the Inca are part of the route. An additional ticket is required for route 1-B to see the traditional view of Machu Picchu. It is available all year round and it is recommended to book in advance due to the high demand.
Route 3-B: Designed Route
The urban region of Machu Picchu, which includes the water mirrors, the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Condor and the Water Fountain, are explorable with this route, with a year-round availability.
Route 3-C: The Great Cavern
The hike to the Great Cavern is only accessible during the high season. The travel time is three hours.
Route 3-D: Huchuy Picchu, the mountain
Only during the high season visitors can access the Great Cavern by this route. The Sacred Rock, the Main Square and the House of the Inca are part of the tour. The round trip takes around three hours. Availability: Only during the summer period (June 1 to October 15 and December 30 to 31)
Conclusion
The new circuits of Machu Picchu in 2024 provide the tourist with a variety of perspectives and experiences of this ancient Inca city. These tours offer something for everyone, whether you are looking for a full exploration of Machu Picchu's architecture and history or a challenging hike. To get the most out of this World Heritage Site, plan your visit in advance and select the tour that best suits your interests.
