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Circuits of Machu Picchu

machupicchu circuits

When you visit Machu Picchu, it is important that you know all the circuits within the citadel of Machu Picchu. Here we will tell you how many circuits there are, where are the circuits located, what you will visit in each circuit, photos of the attractions of each circuit, and maps so you can easily guide yourself. First and foremost, since Machu Picchu tickets are not sold at the entrance, you must book your ticket to Machu Picchu and you can do it here: Machupicchu ticket availability. We suggest that you buy your tickets at least 2 months in advance because the best time to visit Machu Picchu is 10am and this time slot sells out fast. We also suggest that you hire a guide in advance. Here is the link to hire a Machupicchu guide. We recommend that you do not wait unitl the last minute to hire a guide. The guides at the entrance of Machupicchu are usually those who do not have much experience. The best and more experienced guides work for agencies.


Circuit 1 (Upper level, short route)

Circuit number 1 takes about 2 hours to complete. It is one of the best circuits if you want to take the best pictures of Machu Picchu and you have limited time. The upper area consists of 3 of the best spots to take pictures of Machu Picchu. If you enjoy landscape photography, this circuit is a must. Below is a map that describes the best attractions you will find on this circuit. The best photo spots of Machupicchu are shown with a camera icon where you can take the classic photo of Machu Picchu as well as some of the best landscape photos of this Inca world wonder. The tickets that allow you to visit circuit 1 in it\'s entirety are the following:
- The Machu Picchu citadel Circuit 1, 2, 3, or 4 ticket
- The Machu Picchu citadel Circuit 1 or 2 ticket plus Inca bridge
The tickets that allow you partial access to circuit 1 so you can take the classic picture of Machupicchu for 20 minutes are
- The Machu Picchu citadel Circuit 3 - VIP ticket - Note: Only if you do the hike to the Sungate the day before
- The Machu Picchu Mountain ticket - Note: Only if you follow our special instructions given to you after purchase

machupicchu circuit 1
1 Lower platform. This is where you can take the classic picture of Machu Picchu 2 Upper platform. This is another area where you can take the classic picture of Machu Picchu 3 Main Gate 4 Dry Moat 5 Temple of the Sun 6 Granitic Chaos 7 Water Mirrors 8 Pisonay tree plaza 9 Archaeological reserve

Circuit Number 1 main attractions

Click on this link: Circuit Number 1 main attractions to see a full description and photos of the main attractions you will be able to visit on MachuPicchu\'s circuit 1.

Circuit 2 (Upper level, Lower level, long route)

Circuit number 2 is the most popular circuit of Machu Picchu. If you hire a Machupicchu guide, this is the circuit that most Machupicchu guides will take. The entire circuit takes about 3 hours to complete. It is one of the best circuits if you want to see most of the main attractions in Machu Picchu. The upper area consists of 3 of the best spots to take pictures of Machu Picchu. If you are into landscape photography, this circuit is one of the best. Below is a map that describes the best attractions you will find on this circuit. The best photo spots are marked with a camera icon so you can take the classic photo of Machu Picchu as well as some of the best landscape photos of this Inca world wonder. The lower section will also amaze you with incredible Inca structures that beautifully match the natural landscapes and surrounding mountains. The Machu Picchu citadel ticket is the only ticket that will allow you to visit circuit in its entirety.

machupicchu circuit 2
1 Lower platform. This is where you can take the classic picture of Machu Picchu 2 Upper platform. This is another area where you can take the classic picture of Machu Picchu 3 Main Gate 4 Dry Moat 5 Temple of the Sun 6 Granite Chaos 7 Temple area 8 Intihuatana Pyramid (Entrance only from 7 to 10am) 9 Sacred Rock
10 Industrial Sector 11 Inca oriental store houses 12 Water Mirror 13 Temple of the Condor (Entrance only from 10am to 1pm) 14 Pisonay tree plaza 15 Archaeological reserve

Circuit Number 2 main attractions

Click on this link: Circuit Number 2 main attractions to see a full description and photos of the main attractions you will be able to visit on MachuPicchu's circuit 2.

Circuit 3 (Lower level, short route)

Circuit number 3 is the lower level of Machu Picchu citadel. Circuit 3 is a short circuit that takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. The tickets that allow you to visit this circuit are the following:
- The Machu Picchu citadel ticket
- The Machu Picchu mountain 7am + Circuit 3 ticket
- The Machu Picchu mountain 8am + Circuit 3 ticket
- The Machu Picchu VIP ticket
Circuit 3 has 10 great attractions. The circuit starts with the many Inca store houses, the agricultural zone, the water channel, the dry moat, the sun temple complex, the Inka house complex, the water fountains, the water mirror complex, the Pisonay plaza and the archaological reserve

machupicchu circuit 3
1 Inca Store Houses. 2 Agricultural Sector. 3 Waterway 4 Dry Moat 5 Temple of the Sun 6 House of the Inca 7 Water Fountain 8 Water Mirror 9 Pisonay tree plaza 10 Archaeological reserve

Circuit Number 3 main attractions

Click on this link: Circuit Number 3 main attractions to see a full description and photos of the main attractions you will be able to visit on MachuPicchu's circuit 3.

Circuit 4 (Lower level, long route)

Circuit number 4 is the complete lower level of Machu Picchu. This entire circuit takes about 2.5 hours to complete. It is one of the best circuits if you want to see most of the main attractions in Machu Picchu. The tickets that allow you to visit circuit 4 are the following:
- The Machu Picchu citadel ticket
- The Huayna Picchu mountain + Circuit 4 ticket
- The HuchuyPicchu mountain + Circuit 4 ticket
Circuit 4 has 14 great attractions. The circuit starts with the many Inca store houses, the agricultural zone, the water channel, the dry moat, the sun temple complex, the Inka house complex, the water fountains, the sacred rock, the industrial sector, the Inca oriental store houses, the water mirror complex, the Condor temple (open from 10am - 1pm), the Pisonay plaza and the archaological reserve

machupicchu circuit 4
1 Inca Store Houses. 2 Agricultural Sector. 3 Waterway 4 Dry Moat 5 Temple of the Sun 6 House of the Inca 7 Water Fountain 8 Sacred Rock
9 Industrial Sector 10 Inca oriental store houses 11 Water Mirror 12 Temple of the Condor (Entrance only from 10am to 1pm)
13 Pisonay tree plaza 14 Archaeological reserve

Circuit Number 4 main attractions

Click on this link: Circuit Number 4 main attractions to see a full description and photos of the main attractions you will be able to visit on MachuPicchu's circuit 4.