Visiting Machu Picchu and the return to Cusco

Circuits and entry times: Machu Picchu can only be visited on fixed circuits, and every ticket is valid for one circuit and a specific hourly entry time. The circuit included in your tour is stated in the tour description.

Circuit 1 – Panoramic: 1A Machu Picchu Mountain, 1B Upper Terraces with the classic postcard view, and in the high season 1C Sun Gate and 1D Inca Bridge.

Circuit 2 – Classic: 2A the classic route with the postcard view, the Temple of the Sun and the Sacred Plaza; 2B the lower terraces.

Circuit 3 – Royalty: 3A Huayna Picchu, 3B the royal lower sector with the Temple of the Condor, as well as the Great Cavern and Huchuy Picchu routes.

Our recommendation: For first-time visitors, Circuit 2A offers the most complete experience. It is very popular and often sold out months in advance. The Huayna Picchu route (3A) does not include the classic postcard view.

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain: Both climbs can be added to the Inca Trail and the alternative treks for USD 75 per person. The tickets are only sold together with the Machu Picchu entrance ticket, so please book them with your tour. Huayna Picchu is limited to 400 people per day; there are usually two entry groups (entrance at 7:00 AM with the climb at 8:00 AM, or at 9:00 AM with the climb at 10:00 AM). Both climbs are steep and partly exposed – good fitness, sure-footedness and a head for heights are required.

What you can bring: Only small daypacks are allowed inside Machu Picchu; larger bags can be left at the luggage storage near the main entrance. Food is not permitted, and walking poles are only allowed for medical reasons.

Standard return: We usually book the Expedition train from Aguas Calientes in the afternoon (currently at 2:55 PM, arriving in Ollantaytambo at around 4:30 PM). From there, our private transport takes you to your hotel in Cusco, where you arrive at around 6:30–7:00 PM. For bookings at short notice, a later train may be necessary (currently at 6:20 PM), with arrival in Cusco at around 9:00–9:30 PM.

Upgrade: For more comfort, you can upgrade to the Vistadome train for an extra charge (from USD 30 per person).

Why not the direct train to Cusco? The direct train takes about 4 hours, plus around 45 minutes by bus to the center of Cusco. The combination of the train to Ollantaytambo and our private transfer is considerably faster, at around 3 hours in total. In addition, tickets for the direct train are hard to get.

Please note: Train schedules can change; the exact times are confirmed with your booking.