Are All the Circuits at Machu Picchu Different?
Here's what you need to understand about the 10 circuits at Machu Picchu. There are people buying entry tickets to different circuits thinking they will see something different on each one. The old Machu Picchu website still has the best map tool on the internet to get a visual perspective of what I'm talking about.
To be perfectly clear, I'm not saying you should not buy additional tickets to enter Machu Picchu more than once. What I'm saying is that you will not necessariiy see new areas of the park from the different circuits unless you understand the 3 main routes inside the park.
Here's an overview of the 3 main routes at Machu Picchu.
Circuit 1 has 4 different tickets that include the upper terrace for panoramic views, and the option to hike Inca Bridge, Sungate or Machu Picchu Mtn. None of these 4 tickets include access to the actual ancient city. Once you get to the upper terrace Circuit 1 is a short route that takes about an hour.
There's no reason to buy more than 1 ticket to more than one of the circuit 1 routes unless you want to do more than one of the circuit 1 hikes.
Circuit 2 has 2 tickets that are very similar. Both routes go up one of the platforms on the upper terrace for the classic view of Machu Picchu, and then a tour of the upper and lower sections of the entire ancient city. Both routes are almost exactly the same. You can view the maps of each circuit to see if there's anything (the link to the maps is above) The view from the upper terrace does not include access to the entire panoramic circuit 1 route. It's a stop at one of the upper terrace platforms overlooking Machu Picchu. Circuit 1 panoramic route is not included. The duration of this tour is 2.5 - 3 hours. It depends on if you have a private tour guide who comes from Cusco. They usually travel to Machu Picchu just to guide your group. If you pickup a tour guide at the bus stop, they will tell you how long the tour is and then try to get back out to guide more groups. If you're on your own, (tour guides are not required at this time) the amount of time it takes depends on how long you linger. Rangers are positioned in high traffic areas and are prone to shoo people along.
There's no reason to buy more than 1 ticket to the circuit 2 routes unless you want to repeat your tour of the ancient city.
Circuit 3 has 4 different tickets that include a tour of the lower section of the ancient city, and the option to hike Wayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu or Great Cavern. Circuit 3 - Designed Classic Route also has a path designated for wheel chairs to roll out onto one of the agricultural terraces in the lower city to enjoy the view.
Unless you want to do more than one of the 3 hikes in the lower section, there's no reason to buy more than 1 entry ticket.
What are the best ticket combinations to see the most of Machu Picchu?
If you have time to enter Machu Picchu twice, which means you would buy two different entry tickets, I would get any of the circuit 1 tickets and a circuit 2 ticket. Here's a tip. Circuit 1 is mainly for the panoramic views. In my opinion, the best time of day would be late morning and afternoon. Mornings are the time of day when it's most likely to be cloudy, misty and foggy. You could do a 2-day trip with a tour of circuit 1 in the afternoon, then spend the night in Aguas Calientes and go back to Machu Picchu the next morning to tour circuit 2. It's about 5 hours travel time to return to Cusco later the 2nd day.
If both circuit 2 tickets are sold out, then I would get any of the circuit 1 and one of the circuit 3 routes.
How to find an experienced Machu Picchu tour guide
Adios tour guides can be hired for the day or the week. Just let us know what you need. Here's a link to get more info about booking our tour guides,
Still confused? Or have other questions about setting up trips to Machu Picchu? Contact our US office by email or call and talk to real people.