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).

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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.