With the arrival of the jubilee month of the wonderful Imperial City, 10 new circuits to Machu Picchu were announced in 2024, circuits that have been in effect since June 1, 2024.

Now, if you as a tourist want to visit the Wonder of the World, you will have to choose between 10 different types of entry, since not all of them allow you to take the classic postcard photo or walk through the Inca citadel. So, if you want to know which one is best for you, you should continue reading this post.

You are probably wondering which routes are available in the Inca City of Machu Picchu. That is why we present you with a detailed guide to the 10 new circuits to Machu Picchu for 2024, so you can plan this adventure and make the most of your vacation and the different attractions that the city of Cusco and Peru in general have to offer.

Circuits in the Inca City of Machu Picchu

Circuit 1 or Panoramic

Of all the circuits, this one is the least recommended because it only allows you to take the postcard photo and hike to other sectors, but you will not be able to visit the Inca citadel. In other words, you will not see the urban sector, temples, palaces, and houses.

1. Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain Route

This route is the most recommended if it is visited by young people and adults with a moderate level of physical activity, since it includes a hike to Machu Picchu Mountain that takes approximately 5 hours. You will also be able to take the postcard photo and enjoy a panoramic view of Machu Picchu.

The permitted stay is 7 hours. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

2. Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route

This route is the most recommended for older adults and for those who want to enjoy the panoramic view of Machu Picchu and take the postcard photo with a short walking time. The maximum permitted stay is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

3. Route 1-C: Intipunku Gate Route (available only during high season)

This route allows you to take the postcard photo and enjoy the panoramic view of Machu Picchu. To follow this route, you must climb until you reach the upper area or Terrace Zone. It also includes the path to the iconic Sun Gate, which is the final part of the 4-day hike that some tourists take, known as the Inca Trail, where you can observe the sunrise over the Inca citadel.

The round-trip hike takes approximately 2 hours. The permitted stay is 4 hours. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

4. Route 1-D: Inca Bridge Route (available only during high season)

This route is very beautiful and begins in the upper area or Terrace Zone. It allows you to take the postcard photo and enjoy the panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Likewise, you can take a walk toward the ancient Inca Bridge, where you will be able to observe ancient engineering and Inca construction techniques. The approximate walking time is 1 hour and 30 minutes round trip.

The permitted stay is 3 hours. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

Circuit 2 or Classic Machu Picchu

Of all the circuits, this is the one to choose, which is why it sells out the fastest. This type of circuit, divided into two categories, allows you to enter and explore the Wonder of the World, including the lower or urban area of the Machu Picchu citadel. You will also be able to take the classic postcard photo and have more options of places to visit.

5. Route 2-A: Designed Route

To enter this route, you must pass through the checkpoint and then climb up to the Guardian’s House, where you can take the postcard photo and enjoy the panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Then, you will descend to the main entrance, where you can visit the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and exit through the lower area. It is a good option if you want to explore more sites within the Inca citadel.

The permitted stay is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

6. Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route

To enter this route, you must pass through the checkpoint and then continue through the lower area, where the storage buildings and terraces are located. You will have access to continue to the Inca House, where you can observe the water fountains and the water mirrors, and finally exit through the main square.

The permitted stay is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

Circuit 3 or Machu Picchu Royalty

This circuit offers you a new experience. We also highly recommend this circuit, since it includes 4 routes where you can explore from Huayna Picchu to the adventure of the Great Cavern and Huchuy Picchu.

This circuit takes you through the urban area of Machu Picchu, where you can visit the temples, Inca houses, and palaces that the Incas previously inhabited, without being able to take the classic postcard photo or enjoy the typical panoramic view, but you will be surrounded by mountains, Inca constructions, and more.

7. Route 3-A: Waynapicchu Mountain Route

This route begins in the lower area, so you will not have the option to take the postcard photo or observe the panoramic view of Machu Picchu. The route goes through the urban area, where you can explore and discover the Inca citadel, the temples, palaces, the main square, and the Sacred Rock. From there, you will find another checkpoint that will take us toward the incredible Wayna Picchu.

At this point, you will hike to the top of this mountain, where you can enjoy incredible views. The permitted stay is 6 hours. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

8. Route 3-B: Designed Route

This route begins in the lower area, so you will not have the option to take the postcard photo or enjoy the panoramic view of Machu Picchu. The route goes through the urban area, where you can explore places that were no longer visited very often and discover the Inca citadel, the temples of the Sun and Pachamama, the palaces of the Inca and the priest, the main square, and the water fountain.

The entire visit will take place inside the Inca citadel without any extra hikes, and then we return to the same starting point. The permitted stay is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

9. Route 3-C: Great Cavern Route (available only during high season)

This route begins in the lower area, so you will not have the option to take the postcard photo or observe the panoramic view of Machu Picchu. The route goes through the urban area, where you can explore and discover the Inca citadel, the temples, palaces, the main square, the water fountain, and continue to the Sacred Rock. After this point, you will head toward the cavern.

We enter the new route, where you will take an approximately 3-hour round-trip hike. Along the way, you will be able to observe stairways, the Temple of the Moon, and beautiful architecture with perfect finishes. The permitted stay is 7 hours. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

10. Route 3-D: Huchuypicchu Route (available only during high season)

This route begins in the lower area, so you will not have the option to take the postcard photo or observe the panoramic view of Machu Picchu. The route goes through the urban area, where you can explore and discover the Inca citadel, the temples, palaces, the main square, the water fountain, and continue to the Sacred Rock. After this point, you will head toward Huchuypicchu, where you will have another viewpoint of the Wonder of the World.

To finish, you will return along the same route. The permitted stay is 3 hours and 30 minutes. Below, I show you a photo of the circuit you will follow and the photo you will be able to obtain through our travel agency:

Final conclusions:

With these new established routes, it will be possible to explore the Machu Picchu circuit better, depending greatly on what you want to observe and discover. The most complete and recommended option by us, GET IN PERÚ travel agency is Circuit 2 or Classic Machu Picchu.

Likewise, Circuit 3 or Machu Picchu Royalty allows you to observe Machu Picchu from other angles, explore places that were no longer visited very often, and discover the wonderful Inca citadel, the temples of the Sun and Pachamama, the palaces of the Inca and the priest, the main square, and the water fountain.