Everything You Need to Know About Machu Picchu Circuit 1

Ultima actualización en 8 November, 2025 por Waman Adventures

Last Updated on 8 November, 2025 by Waman Adventures

Circuit 1 Machu Picchu is the ideal route for those who want to enjoy the best panoramic views of the Inca citadel. This official tour takes you through the upper areas of the sanctuary, including the famous Guardhouse, Machu Picchu Mountain, the Sun Gate (Intipunku), and the Inca Bridge. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know to plan your visit: schedules, difficulty levels, ticket types, best times for photos, and practical tips to make the most of your experience.

Details of Circuit 1 Machu Picchu

Circuit 1 Machu Picchu, also known as the Panoramic Route, is one of the visiting routes established by the Ministry of Culture of Peru to tour the Inca citadel.
Through this circuit, you can access the upper terraces and various emblematic points, from where you will enjoy spectacular views of the citadel and its entire natural surroundings. This tour consists of four main routes, each with unique characteristics and attractions.

Routes Available on Circuit 1 Machu Picchu

It consists of four main routes:

Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain

• Access: To enter, you need a specific ticket called “Machu Picchu + Mountain”.
• Duration: The round trip takes approximately 4 hours.
• Difficulty: It ranges from moderate to high, as the trail is steep and ascends to 10,111 feet (3,082 meters). It is recommended to be in good physical condition.
• Characteristics: From this route, you will enjoy impressive panoramic views of the citadel and the surrounding valley. It is ideal if you are looking for adventure and photography in a unique archaeological sanctuary.

Tourists hike up Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views.

Route 1-B: Upper Terrace

• Access: Requires the “Machu Picchu Classic Photo” or “Upper Terrace” ticket.
• Duration: The entire tour takes approximately 1 hour.
• Difficulty: The path is accessible for most visitors.
• Characteristics: You can access the upper terraces of the citadel and enjoy a unique perspective of its structures and the surrounding landscape. In addition, here you will have the opportunity to get the famous classic photo of Machu Picchu from the Guardhouse.

A close-up view of Machu Picchu from the upper terraces.

Route 1-C: Intipunku (Sun Gate)

• Access: It is only available in high season with the “Machu Picchu + Intipunku” ticket.
• Duration: The round trip takes around 2 hours.
• Difficulty: It is moderate, as the trail is paved and can become slippery during the rainy season.
• Characteristics: This route takes you to the ancient main entrance of the Inca citadel, known as Intipunku. From there, you can witness a spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu, an unparalleled experience for hiking and history lovers.

The trail from Circuit 1 leads to the Sun Gate, Inti Punku.

Route 1-D: Inca Bridge

• Access: Only available in high season with the “Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge” ticket.
• Duration: The tour lasts approximately 1 hour.
• Difficulty: It is low, as the path is flat and accessible to the general public.
• Characteristics: You can visit the Inca Bridge, an amazing stone structure that connects the citadel with the valley sector. This walk offers unique views and the opportunity to see one of the most enigmatic defensive constructions of the Incas.

The Inca Bridge can be accessed via Circuit 1 of Machu Picchu.

Remember that:
You must bring your passport or ID, as it is mandatory to present it along with the entrance ticket.

Best Time to Visit Circuit 1 Machu Picchu

Types of Tickets

• Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket
• Machu Picchu + Upper Terrace ticket
• Machu Picchu + Intipunku (Sun Gate) ticket
• Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge ticket

Estimated Duration of Each Route

• Route 1-A (Machu Picchu Mountain): Approximately 4 hours (round trip), including the tour of Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Route 1-B (Upper Terrace): The entire tour takes approximately 1 hour.
• Route 1-C (Intipunku): It has a duration of around 2 hours (round trip).
• Route 1-D (Inca Bridge): It lasts around 1 hour.

The Machu Picchu circuit varies depending on your chosen route.

Schedules for Each Route

Main Attractions of Circuit 1

Guardhouse

This construction of stone and adobe with a thatched roof is located in the agricultural sector, in the upper part of Machu Picchu. In the Inca era, it served as a surveillance post to control access to the citadel from the south.
Today, it is one of the most photographed points thanks to its strategic location, which offers you spectacular panoramic views of the citadel and the surrounding valley.

The Guardhouse offers one of the best views of Machu Picchu.

Intipunku (Sun Gate)

Known as the “Sun Gate”, this was the original access to the Inca Trail. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy privileged views of Machu Picchu and the Urubamba Valley, especially at sunrise, when the sun illuminates the citadel.

Inca Bridge

This ancient stone bridge is located in the northwest sector of Machu Picchu and was used as an access point to the citadel. The path that takes you there offers impressive views of the valley, making this walk a unique experience.

Temple of the Sun

It is a circular structure located in the religious sector of Machu Picchu. It was built over a natural cave and, according to studies, served for astronomical observations and religious ceremonies.
Currently, you can appreciate it from a nearby viewpoint, as access to its interior is restricted for conservation purposes.

The Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu was used for solar ceremonies.

Discover the Cultural Value of Circuit 1

Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain

When ascending Machu Picchu Mountain, you not only enjoy impressive views, but you also symbolically connect with the earthly and celestial worlds. For the Incas, mountains were huacas (sacred places) and were believed to be the abodes of the gods.

Route 1-B: Upper Terrace

The arrangement of these terraces, aligned with the cardinal points, reflects the deep astronomical knowledge of the Incas. From here, they could observe phenomena such as solstices, which were fundamental for both agriculture and religious rituals.

Route 1-C: Intipunku (Sun Gate)

Intipunku, or the Sun Gate, was the original entrance to the Inca Trail. Upon reaching this point, you can contemplate how the first rays of dawn illuminate the citadel of Machu Picchu, just as travelers did in ancient times.

Route 1-D: Inca Bridge

This bridge connects different sectors of Machu Picchu and is a clear example of the advanced engineering of the Incas. Beyond its practical function, it represents the ingenuity and adaptability of this civilization to its natural environment.

Panoramic view from Inti Punku, the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu.

Expert Tip:
Don’t be late; you have only a 30-minute tolerance with respect to your assigned entry time.

Tips for Taking the Best Photos

Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain

• Ideal time: Climb between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, when the light is softer and the mist has not yet completely covered the citadel.
• Ideal angle: Capture your photos from the viewpoints on the upper part of the mountain, where you will get a complete panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
• Practical tips: If you have a professional camera, use a wide-angle lens to capture the magnitude of the landscape.

Route 1-B: Upper Terrace (Guardhouse)

• Ideal time: Arrive around 8:00 AM, when the first rays of sun illuminate the citadel and the terraces are not yet very crowded.
• Ideal angle: From the Guardhouse, you will achieve the classic and iconic photo of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu Mountain in the background.
• Practical tips: Try to climb early to avoid the crowd and get better shots calmly.

Route 1-C: Intipunku (Sun Gate)

• Ideal time: The ideal is to arrive around 8:00 AM, when the sun crosses the mountains and its first rays illuminate the citadel.
• Ideal angle: Take your photos from the access path to Intipunku, where the entire citadel can be appreciated from a distant perspective.
• Practical tips: Keep in mind that the tour involves an additional 1-hour hike from Machu Picchu.

Route 1-D: Inca Bridge

• Ideal time: Between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, when the sunlight illuminates the trail and highlights the structure of the bridge over the cliff.
• Ideal angle: Take your photos from the authorized viewpoint before the bridge, as crossing it is not allowed for safety reasons.
• Practical tips: Walk carefully, as the trails are narrow and border ravines.

Basic Packing List for Your Tour

• Appropriate footwear: Preferably hiking shoes.
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
• Water and snacks: To stay hydrated and energized.
• Camera: To capture the impressive views.
• Identification document: ID or passport.

Circuit 1 of Machu Picchu combines history, culture, and unique panoramic views. Sometimes, planning your visit can be confusing. That’s why, at Waman Adventures, we offer personalized advice and complete management of routes, tickets, transfers, schedules, and everything you need to enjoy without worries. Tour the Sacred Valley with total peace of mind. Write to us at +51 979 858 544 or info@wamanadventures.com.

Frequently Asked Questions