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Are you planning to visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in 2024? We have exciting news! The Peruvian Ministry of Culture and the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu have announced updates to the schedules and circuits for this year’s high season. Learn about the new circuits, schedules and everything you need to know to plan your visit to one of the new seven wonders of the world.
The New Circuits of Machu Picchu
The Ministry of Culture has implemented three main circuits with ten new routes to visit Machu Picchu in 2024, offering visitors a more diverse and personalized experience. These are the circuits:
Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain Route
Route 1-B: Upper Terrace
Route Route 1-C: Intipunku Cover Route (available only in High Season)
Route 1-D: Inka Bridge Route (available only in High Season)
Route 2-A: Designed Route
Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route
3-A: Waynapicchu Mountain Route
Route 3-B: Designed
RouteRoute 3-C: Great Cavern Route (available only in High Season)
Route 3-D: Huchuypicchu Route (available only in High Season)
Hours & Earning Capacity
The Ministry of Culture has started selling tickets to visit Machu Picchu in the high season, which runs from June 1 to October 15, 2024, as well as December 30 and 31, 2024.
Maximum capacity:
- From June 1 to October 15, 2024 and from December 30 to 31, 2024 (high season): 5,600 daily visitors.
- In low season: 4,500 visitors per day.
Check-in times:
- The entry time to each circuit will be specified on your entrance ticket.
- There will be a tolerance of 30 minutes for entry in low season and 45 minutes in high season.
After this time, entry will not be allowed, except for duly justified reasons of force majeure or fortuitous event.
The Best Circuits to Visit Machu Picchu 2024
The best circuits of the 10 new circuits to visit Machu Picchu are:
Circuit 2 (Classic Machu Picchu)
- Route 2-A: Designed route (with the classic view of Machu Picchu).
- Route 2-B: Low Terrace Route (with classic view of Machu Picchu)
Circuit 3 (Machu Picchu Royalty)
Route 3-D: Huchuy Picchu Route (without the classic view of Machu Picchu). To have the classic view, you would have to add a new entrance ticket, which is CIRCUIT 1 or PANORAMIC (Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route)
Suggested combinations:
- Route 3-D + Route 1-B
- 3-D Route + 1-D Route
Route 3-A: Waynapicchu Route (Visit Machu Picchu through the center of the citadel). However, if you want the classic view of Machu Picchu, you would have to add a new entrance ticket, which is CIRCUIT 1 or PANORAMIC (Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route).
Suggested combinations:
- Route 3-A + Route 1-B
Route 3-A + Route 1-D
Detailed Information on the new Circuits to visit Machu Picchu 2024
Circuit 1 (Panoramic)
This circuit does not allow entry to the ruins of Machu Picchu, but offers a unique photographic perspective and the opportunity to explore the surrounding area.
Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain
- Only for the hike on Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Maximum length of stay: 7 hours.
Route 1-B: Upper Terrace
- Just for the classic view of Machu Picchu.
- Maximum length of stay: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Route 1-C: Intipunku Gate (Inca Sun Gate)
- Only for the hike to Inti Punku.
- Available only in high season: from 1 June to 15 October 2024 and from 30 to 31 December 2024.
- Maximum length of stay: 4 hours.
Route 1-D: Inka Bridge
- Only for the hike to the Inka Bridge (includes the classic view of Machu Picchu).
- Available only in high season: from 1 June to 15 October 2024 and from 30 to 31 December 2024.
- Maximum length of stay: 3 hours.
Circuit 2 (Classic Machu Picchu)
Note: The entrance ticket allows access to the ruins of Machu Picchu with the classic view from the house of the Inca watchman.
Route 2-A: Designed Route (with the classic view of Machu Picchu)
The best route to visit and explore Machu Picchu, offering the classic view from the vicinity of the house of the Inca watchman.
- Maximum length of stay: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Places to visit:
- Upper Platform
- Dry Pit, Tectonic Fault
- Viewpoint of the Temple of the Sun
- Granite Chaos
- Square of the Temples
- Intiwatana Pyramid
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route or Llaqta Circuit (with the classic view of Machu Picchu)
This circuit runs through almost all the spaces of Machu Picchu, offering the classic view from an Inca terrace a little below the house of the Inca watchman.
- Maximum length of stay: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Places to explore:
- Dry Pit, Tectonic Fault
- Viewpoint of the Temple of the Sun
- Granite Chaos
- Square of the Temples
- Intiwatana Pyramid
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Circuit 3 (Machu Picchu Royalty)
Route 3-A: Waynapicchu Mountain Route
A classic hike to get the best view of Machu Picchu and its surroundings from the summit of Waynapicchu.
- Maximum length of stay: 6 hours.
Visits:
- Temple of the Sun
- Inca House Set
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Route 3-B: Designed Route
It does not allow access to the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain, but it does offer access to the center and the left side of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
- Maximum length of stay: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Visits:
- Temple of the Sun
- Inca House Set
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Route 3-C: Great Cavern Route
It allows access to the center and the right side of Machu Picchu without the classic view, continuing to the great cavern, known as the Temple of the Moon of Machu Picchu. Available only in high season: from 1 June to 15 October 2024 and from 30 to 31 December 2024.
- Maximum length of stay: 7 hours.
Visits:
- Temple of the Sun
- Inca House Set
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Route 3-D: Huchuy Picchu Route
It does not offer the classic view of Machu Picchu, as it is entered through the center of the citadel. However, 20 minutes away is the Huchuy Picchu viewpoint, which offers a different photographic perspective.
- Maximum length of stay: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Visits:
- Temple of the Sun
- Inca House Set
- Sacred Rock
- Twelve Opening
- Eastern Deposits
- Water Mirror Set
- Temple of the Condor
- Pisonay Square
- Archaeological Reserve
Frequently asked questions
Which of the new circuits for Machu Picchu is the best?
We recommend Circuit 2 or Inka City Circuit (Route 2-A, Route 2-B). This circuit offers the classic view of Machu Picchu and allows you to explore the citadel in depth, including iconic landmarks such as the Upper Platform, the Dry Moat, and the Temple of the Sun.
How long does it take to get to Machu Picchu?
Getting to Machu Picchu can take a full day, depending on your starting point. From Cusco, it takes approximately 3-4 hours to reach the city of Aguas Calientes by train or bus. From there, you take a bus to the citadel, which takes approximately 30 minutes.
What is the difficulty level of the circuits?
The circuits in Machu Picchu vary in difficulty. Routes that include hiking, such as the mountain and Huayna Picchu routes, are more challenging and require a good level of fitness. Designed and terrace routes are more accessible and suitable for most visitors.
How do I get tickets to enter Machu Picchu?
Tickets to enter Machu Picchu can be purchased online through the official website of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture or through authorized travel agencies. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, especially during peak season.
We hope this guide has helped you plan your visit to Machu Picchu in 2024. Don’t forget to check out the new schedules and circuits to make the most of your experience in this wonder of the world!
Tickets Available to Explore Machu Picchu in 2024! Book Now!
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