Based on the trend in ticket sales in 2024, visitors are shifting their preferences to buying tickets that include access to the upper circuits of Machu Picchu, rather than the previously coveted tickets to hike Wayna Picchu. Tickets that include access to the upper circuits are selling like hot cakes, while tickets to hike Wayna Picchu are not as popular. This has never happened before. Wayna Picchu tickets always sold out first, often weeks if not months in advance. Why is this happening? We believe it is because the Wayna Picchu tickets do not include access to Machu Picchu upper terraces, or upper circuit to the ancient city. Huayna Picchu tickets come with 1 entry to Machu Picchu lower circuit #3 and therefore visitors who hike to Wayna Picchu do not have access to the classic view of Machu Picchu. 

Why it's important to understand the difference between Machu Picchu Upper Terraces and Upper Circuits to the city.

The ancient city of Machu Picchu was constructed in a saddle between two mountains and has changes in elevation that provide natural separation between what is known as the upper terraces, and the lower routes to the actual ancient city. In the old days visitors could wander back and forth and up and down all day if they wanted. But in the last 3-4 years, park authorities set up one-way circuits to reduce congestion. On June 1, 2024, park authortieis reorganized the routes and created 10 new circuits. And then, on August 5, they launched a completely new government controlled website! (CLICK HERE for more info)

The upper terrace has become popular because it's the primary spot for getting that classic photo of Machu Picchu with the little mountain visible behind the ancient city. The four new circuit 1 routes are all about the panoramic views of Machu Picchu from varous upper platforms. NOTE: none of the circuit #1 routes include access to the actual ancient Inca city!  The upper terrace is only accessible for people with tickets that include circuits 1, or hikers coming off the Inca Trail. But, having access to the upper terrace is not the same as having access to the upper circuit inside the ancient city. The upper terraces (all the circuits #1) are the main viewing spots for taking photos and enjoying the classic image of Machu Picchu.

There are only 2 routes that include access to a platform for the classic view AND the route through the entire ancient Inca city. Those two circuits are Circuit #2A and #2B. These two circuits begin with a stop at a lower platform of the upper terrace then continue into the upper regions of the ancient city.and wind down into and include access to circuit #3 and the lower section of the ancient city.

What's the single biggest change to Machu Picchu tickets that has had the most profound impact on the visitor experience?

One of the biggest changes they made to entry tickets at Machu Picchu was not to allow visitors to re-enter on the same day using the same ticket. There's no allowance for bathroom breaks! This is important to know if you're on your own. Tour guides usually make sure everyone has a chance to use the one and only restroom before they enter the park. When people ask me how long they can stay inside Machu Picchu, the answer is, "How long can you hold it?" Meaning how long can you go between restroom stops. Of course we have a complete analysis of the toilet situation at Machu Picchu. Click here to read more.

There are 5 options for gaining access to the upper terrace for the view of Machu Picchu: (plus one Hail Mary long shot)

  • Hiking the 4-day Inca Trail. Hikers have exclusive access to the Guard Shack in the upper terrace for the classic view of Machu Picchu. However, the guided tour of the Inca city is on the lower circuit. Usually hikers arrive on foot on day 4, crossing the Sungate and descending into the upper terrace for "the view." From there they go down to the lower circuit in the city for the tour. Then return to Cusco later the same day. For hikers who choose the 5-day Inca Trail, they will spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and do the tour on the lower circuit on day 5, then return to Cusco. Permits for this hike can only be obtained by licensed tour operators.
  • Hiking the short 2-day Inca Trail. Hikers have exclusive access to the Guard Shack in the upper terrace for the classic view of Machu Picchu. However, the guided tour of the Inca city is on the lower circuit. Hikers cross over the Sungate and descend into the upper terrace for "the view." Then they exit the park and spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and do the tour on the lower circuit the next day. before they return to Cusco. Permits for this hike can only be obtained by licensed tour operators. 
    (when all tickets to Machu Picchu are sold out, permits may still be available. This is one way we can get people in when all entry tickets are sold out. You don't have to do the hike. We can just use the entry ticket to the lower circuit. Contact Jacquie or Heather in Virginia to ask about this. 757-714-6649, Call, Text, WhatsApp)
  • Machu Picchu Circuit 2 Tickets. Anyone can buy these tickets on the new Tu Boleto Machu Picchu official government website. Ticket holders can choose one of the 2 one-way circuits. This is the most popular entry ticket to Machu Picchu this year.
  • Inca Bridge + Circuit 1. Anyone can buy these tickets on the official government website. They cost the same as the Llaqta tickets. But note that the entry time at the Machu Picchu main gate is one hour before the entry window where you checkin for the hike to see the bridge. The checkin for the hike is located in the upper terrace.
  • Montana Hike + Circuit 1. Anyone can buy these tickets on the official government website. The cost is slightly higher than Machu Picchu Llaqta tickets. But note that the entry time at the Machu Picchu main gate is one hour before the entry window where you checkin for the hike. In 2023 the trend is for these tickets to sell out more quickly than Wayna Picchu tickets. We believe this is due to the fact that the Montana hike checkpoint is located in the upper terrace and visitors with these tickets have access to the Classic View of Machu Picchu. However the guided tour in the Inca ruins is on a lower circuit. It's not necessary to do the Montana hike. You can use the ticket to get access to the upper terrace before the tour of the lower circuit.
  • 1000 tickets per day sold in person in the village of Aguas Calientes. They sell limited numbers of tickets for each category including some for upper terraces with hikes and others with lower circuits. These tickets are only sold to the actual visitor. Tour guides and operators are not permitted to buy these tickets for you. There is no guarantee to get a certain ticket. You show up. It's first come, first serve. If they sell out, you can come back the next day. It's been reported that it takes 2 days.

There is one route for access to Machu Picchu Ancient City 

  • Machu Picchu Circuit #2 tickets. These tickets let you choose one circuit 2A or 2B. These tickets are the only tickets that offer access to the entire ancient city. The city is divided into an upper route and a lower route. 2A and 2B includes both upper and lower routes. The lower route is also called circuit #3 for which there is a separate entry ticket.
  • Machu Picchu Circuit #3 tickets. These tickets are for the lower section of the ancient city and if you have a knowledgeable tour guide who is not limited on time, they should know how to access one of the lower platforms on the upper terrace for the classic view..It's not well marked. But apparently right after you enter the Machu Picchu main gate, you walk past the entry to the steep steps that take visitors to the upper terraces and right after that is the access to get to the platform for the view before you tour the lower section of the city.  

Can you buy more than one entry ticket to Machu Picchu?

Yes you can buy more than one entry ticket for the same day as long as the ticket is different. But should you? That's up to you. In the big picture the cost of individual tickets are about $50 USD to $65 for adults. If available you can buy tickets to hike Huayna Picchu that include circuit #3. There's various ways to organize your trip with two entry tickets.  Here's a link to read more about things to consider regarding whether or not you should buy extra entry tickets to Machu Picchu and what you need to know if you do.

Let me know if you need help untangling the variables about how and when to buy your Machu Picchu entry tickets. Call, text or What'sApp our US office. 757-270-9293.

Should you hire a tour guide for your trip to Machu Picchu? Click Here to read more.