5 Things You Should Know About Machu Picchu Circuits

Book in advance to enjoy a postcard-worthy sunrise view

The new system has made it much more difficult to see the sunrise from the upper citadel. The best sunrise views are on Circuit 1, and only 30 tickets are available for the 6:00-7:00 time slot (you must reserve the “Circuit 1 – Upper Terrace Route” ticket).

Table of Contents

There are no other tickets available for Circuit 1 starting at 6 a.m., and it’s no longer allowed to enter Machu Picchu before your entry time (you can only enter during the time you have reserved).
While it’s still possible to enter the site at 6 a.m. with the “Circuit 2 – Lower Terrace Route” ticket, which has over 100 tickets available and goes to the lower platform in the upper city, it’s not the same as getting that view from Circuit 1.

If you can’t get access to Circuit 1 – Upper Terrace Route for sunrise, the next best option is Circuit 2 – Lower Terrace Route at sunrise. The view from here is still good (it’s right below the Guardian House), but not as good as the views from Circuit 1.

It’s worth spending 2 days at Machu Picchu

While we had splendid weather when we visited, Machu Picchu is known for its changing, and sometimes very cloudy, weather. For this reason, it’s worth visiting at least on two different days, if possible.

We’ve heard from people who arrive at Machu Picchu and can’t see it because of a thick layer of clouds. If you can’t go for more than one day, reserve a full day so that if you arrive in the morning and Machu Picchu is covered in clouds, you can wait for it to clear, as it usually isn’t that bad for an entire day.

The other benefit of spending 2 days at Machu Picchu is that you can climb the mountains and see the gems that are farther from the main site. For this, you’ll need additional tickets.
They also require extra tickets, which will also mean more time (unless you plan to spend a very long day stacking them one after another), so you’ll be glad for a second day. A night in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes is a fun experience, and there are plenty of good hotels and dining options.

There is a one-way system

One important thing to keep in mind is the one-way system, as it is strictly enforced at the top of the site. It’s quite troublesome since the signage in Machu Picchu is poor, and a wrong turn can abruptly end your day.
We saw several people make a wrong turn and were told to leave before they had the chance to explore much of the site!

The postcard view from The Guardian House is restricted

The updated system means that only people on multi-day hikes (Inca Trail, etc.) can access the small area directly next to the famous Guardian House at the top of Machu Picchu, the spot known specifically as the “postcard view of Machu Picchu.”

Circuit 1 and the “Lower Terrace” entry for Circuit 2 will let you access the terraces and gardens right next to the Guardian House, where llamas often wander early in the morning.
We could say that the “Upper Terrace” (Circuit 1), the area to the left of the Guardian House, and the terraces are just as good, but technically it’s not the most famous spot. The Guardian House is the quietest of all the classic viewpoints.

The temples aren’t open all day

At the time of writing this, the three main temples of Machu Picchu aren’t open all day. Since they are under restoration, there are specific opening times, so if you want to see them, you’ll need to ensure you’ve booked a ticket for the correct time.
Here are the current opening times for each temple and which circuit they’re on:

Temple of the Sun: Circuit 3 (only viewed from Circuit 2), open from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Temple of the Condor: Circuit 2 and 3, open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Intiwatana Pyramid: Circuit 2, open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Our Travelers Reviews

Best Tour Options with "Machu Picchu Peru Travel"

Machu Picchu and Amazon Jungle Tour 8 Days

Tambopata Tour 8 Days Kick off your trip in Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,400 m), exploring iconic sites like the golden...

BEST Peru Packages

Puno & Titicaca Tours

Lima Tours

5 Things You Should Know About Machu Picchu Circuits

Book in advance to enjoy a postcard-worthy sunrise view

It’s worth spending 2 days at Machu Picchu

There is a one-way system

The postcard view from The Guardian House is restricted

The temples aren’t open all day

Our Travelers Reviews

Best Tour Options with "Machu Picchu Peru Travel"

Amazon Rainforest 4

Machu Picchu and Amazon Jungle Tour 8 Days

Machu Picchu with Amazon Jungle Tour 7 Days

Tambopata Tour 4 Days / 3 nights

Tambopata Tour 3 Days / 2 nights

Hikes 11

Humantay Lake 2 Days with Salkantay Pass Trek

Tour Hike in Cusco half day

Salkantay Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu

Choquequirao Trek 5 Days

Inca Jungle Trek 4 Days

Rainbow Mountain Peru Day tour

Humantay Lake Tour 1 Day Tour

Short Inca Trail 2 Days

Classic Inca Trail 4 Days

Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days

Lares Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu

Puno Tours 6

Full Day Tour to Copacabana and Isla del Sol from Puno

Tour “Ruta del Sol” Cusco to Puno by Bus

Colca Canyon Tour 2 Days from Puno to Arequipa

2-Day Lake Titicaca Tour to Uros – Amantani and Taquile

Uros Lake Titicaca and Taquile from Puno Full day

Half Day Lake Titicaca Tour to Uros Floating Islands

Tours Cusco Machu Picchu 11

Machu Picchu, Paracas and Cusco Package 7 Days

Overnight Misminay Community with Machu Picchu 2 Days

Tour Moray and Misminay with Machu Picchu 2 Days

Machu Picchu Tour From Cusco 1 Day

BEST Machu Picchu Tour 6 Days

Tour Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake 6 Days

Inti Raymi Tour Cusco, Machu Picchu 5 Days

Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days

Cusco and Machu Picchu Tour 4 Days

Machu Picchu Tour 3 Days

Machu Picchu Tour by train 2 days

Tours in Cusco 25

Paragliding Sacred Valley Cusco

Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour 1 Day

Perolniyoc Waterfall Trek 1 Day

Inti Punku and Cachicata Trek 1-Day

7 Lakes Trek Ausangate 1-Day Trip From Cusco

Tour Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley 1 Day

Rainbow Mountain Tour 2 Days

Tour Palcoyo Mountain 1 Day Hike

Pallay Punchu 1 Day Trek

Humantay Lake 2 Days with Salkantay Pass Trek

Tour Waqrapukara 1 Day

Machu Picchu Tour From Cusco 1 Day

Walking Tour Cusco

Sounds that Heal Cusco Tour

Biking Maras Moray Salineras

River Rafting Urubamba Full Day

Tour Inti Raymi 2026

South Valley Tour Cusco

Quad Bikes Sacred valley

Sacred Valley Tour full day from Cusco

Super Sacred Valley Tour 1 Day

Qeswachaka Bridge Tour | Full Day Tour

Peruvian Cooking Class

City tour Cusco half day

Maras Moray and Chinchero half day tour

Tours Peru 9

Nazca Lines & Huacachina Oasis from Lima 1 Day

Nazca Lines, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina 1 Day

Nazca Lines, Huacachina Oasis & Ballestas Islands 2 days

City Tour Lima – Old and New Lima Tour

Machu Picchu Package 9 Days, Cusco & Puno

Tour Peru 11 Days Lima, Ica, Nazca, Cusco, Puno, Arequipa