Dreaming of experiencing the unforgettable Machu Picchu?
The historic Inca city in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru can be explored through three main “circuits” (a total of ten different routes), each offering its own unique landscapes and highlights along the way.
If you’ve never heard about the Machu Picchu circuits and routes before, you’re definitely not alone. Here’s a quick and simple overview.
Read on to find out more about the fascinating experiences that await you on the various routes around Machu Picchu.
Note: This post is about the guided circuits at Machu Picchu – not the routes to Machu Picchu, such as the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek.
Which circuits exist at Machu Picchu?
A few years ago, visitors could roam freely among the fascinating ruins at Machu Picchu without following any designated route.
However, with more than a million visitors every year, the area around Machu Picchu soon became overcrowded. To address this challenge, the Peruvian government decided in 2021 (and again in 2024) to introduce a system of established routes for exploring the world-famous Inca city.
A visit to Machu Picchu is organised into three main route systems known as “circuits”, each consisting of several sub-routes. Altogether, there are 10 different Machu Picchu routes, designed to distribute visitors and guide them through various parts of the site.
- Circuit 1 offers sweeping panoramic views.
- Circuit 2 features the classic Machu Picchu routes with both ruins and viewpoints.
- Circuit 3 mainly takes you through the lower section of Machu Picchu’s ruins, close to the plazas and buildings.
You can read more about what characterises each of the circuits contain below.
Circuit 1 – The panoramic routes
Circuit 1 leads you up into some of Machu Picchu’s higher areas. The routes don’t take you inside the ruins themselves, but instead reward you with the ultimate panoramic view of the entire ancient city – including from the Guardian’s House and the upper terraces, both of which are included in every Circuit 1 route.
When you visit Machu Picchu via the Circuit 1 routes, you can be certain of one thing: you’ll capture some of the most stunning panoramic photos of the Incan citadel to take home with you.
Circuit 1 is divided into four different routes. They all have one thing in common – they take you to the upper terraces and the Guardian’s House. Beyond that, they differ slightly in what you get to experience. For example, one of the routes includes a climb up the Machu Picchu Mountain. If you’d like to visit the mountain, you can purchase an optional hike to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain, which takes place after your guided tour of the Incan city.
Circuit 2 – The classic routes
Circuit 2 leads you past Machu Picchu’s most important landmarks – from the city area’s iconic stone structures to the breathtaking viewpoints of the agricultural terraces. These routes offer you the most complete impression of the site.
You can experience Circuit 2 via two different routes. The routes share many highlights and are therefore quite similar. Both routes are open all year round.
The Circuit 2 routes are among the most popular ones at Machu Picchu as they take you through both the lower and upper sections of the site. In addition, the largest number of tickets are released for Circuit 2.
Circuit 3 – the royal routes
Circuit 3 takes you through areas that once held great significance for the Inca Empire’s nobility. The routes mainly wind through the lower part of Machu Picchu, where the most important Inca temples and ruins are found. Highlights include the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the House of the Inca, and the sector of the Three Doorways – all of which are included on every route.
When you visit Machu Picchu via one of the Circuit 3 routes, you can look forward to an experience that allows you to immerse yourself deeply in the fascinating legacy of the Inca civilisation.
Circuit 3 is divided into four different routes. Two of these routes include climbs to some of the surrounding peaks, such as Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu. If you’d like to climb these mountains, we recommend our optional tours to Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu, which you can ascend straight after your guided visit to Machu Picchu.
If you’d like to learn more about the 10 individual routes, you can do so here.
Which is the best route at Machu Picchu?
In our opinion, there isn’t one single route around Machu Picchu that is better than the others. Each offers its own unique combination of experiences, making them all remarkable in their own way.
As a rule, we book the Circuit 2 routes, as the highest number of tickets are released for these and they’re available all year round. Although we can never guarantee availability, you’ll increase your chances of being booked on a Circuit 2 route if you book at least 4 months before departure.
Can I choose my own route to Machu Picchu?
Yes. If you have specific preferences regarding the route at Machu Picchu, you’re very welcome to let us know when requesting a quote. As many routes have limited capacity and sell out months in advance, we cannot guarantee a spot beforehand. Our best advice is therefore to book as early as possible – ideally at least 4 months before departure. In these cases, it’s also important that we receive copies of your passports when booking your tour, as the visit cannot be reserved without them.
We would like to emphasise, however, that no matter which route you are assigned for your guided tour, you can look forward to an unforgettable experience and memories that will stay with you for life.
For your information, we do not book routes that include the climb to the Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, or Huchuy Picchu mountains as part of the guided tours. However, you can purchase these as optional add-ons, which will take place immediately after your guided tour.
Fancy exploring the Inca city?
Whichever route you take, a visit to Machu Picchu is always an extraordinary experience – and one of the absolute highlights of a tour to Peru.
When you travel to Peru with TourCompass, your visit to Machu Picchu is included as part of a package holiday with flights, hotels, transfers, and entrance tickets included. There’s no need to worry about ticket categories or routes – our travel specialists will arrange everything for you.
If you have any questions about the different circuits, you’re always welcome to get in touch with our experienced travel specialists, who are ready to help you set off on your next adventure!
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