MachuNew Machu Picchu circuits starting 1st June 2024

Are the Circuits at Machu Picchu Changing?

Yes, it’s true. It was officially announced this week that starting June 1, Machu Picchu National Park will be divided into 10 new routes, or circuits. However, we are currently only seeing 8 new routes listed on the official website. For now, we have a preliminary chart showing how to convert the previous circuits to the new ones. The Joinnus website is now displaying both the new and old circuits together, but you can only purchase tickets for the new circuits. Please stay with me as I gather more details.

Here’s what we know about changes to Machu Picchu circuits

• Tickets for entry to Machu Picchu’s new circuits are now available on the same website as before, TuBoleto Cultura Machu Picchu / Joinnus, for entry dates through October 15, December 30, and December 31.
• Maps for each new circuit are now available on the old Machu Picchu website.
• All existing circuits at Machu Picchu will be affected by these changes. Tickets for the old circuits are sold out and no longer available, but they still appear on the Joinnus website’s list when you select your circuit. Please ignore them. With the upcoming launch of another new ticketing website, it seems they have just added the new circuits to the list without properly updating it. Joinnus will soon be phased out.
• The changes to the circuits will begin on June 1, 2024.
• Even visitors who pre-purchased Machu Picchu tickets for entry after June 1 can expect changes to the circuit they originally chose.
• There are 3 new routes for Circuit #1 named “Upper Terrace Route,” “Intipunku Cover Route,” and “Puente Inka Route.” None of these routes include access to the ancient city. They are for panoramic views of Machu Picchu City from the upper terraces and access to the Inca Bridge, as well as the hike up to the Sungate.
• There are 2 new routes for Circuit #2 named “Classic Designed Route” and “Lower Terrace Route.” Both routes include access to the full upper and lower circuits. Note that route 2B does not include the classic view of Machu Picchu from the upper terrace; that’s the only difference between the two routes.
• There are 3 new routes for Circuit #3 named “Designed Royalty Route,” “Great Cavern Route,” and “Huchuy Picchu Route.”
• We believe that the “Designed Royalty Route” is the ticket needed for entry to what used to be called the “Wayna Picchu” route, but we haven’t seen official definitions of these terms. We’re just trying to help out here; please don’t yell at us if we make mistakes.
• The “Great Cavern Route” is what used to be the “Temple of the Moon.” This was an extension of the Wayna Picchu hike, but it has been closed off for a while. It appears they are now monetizing this hike as a new, separate route. As far as we know, it does not include the hike to Wayna Picchu.

If you need further adjustments or have more information to add, just let me know!

Here’s what we don’t know about the changes to Machu Picchu circuits:

• When will the new website be launched with entry tickets for the new circuits? (Click here for information about the launch of the new Machu Picchu)
• Will maps showing the new routes be available? We received some maps that were sent to tour guides, but they are not yet ready for public release.
• What are the definitions of the new terms used to describe the new circuits? What is a “cover route”? What is a “designed route”?
• Our manager visited the Ministry office in Aguas Calientes seeking a map and information about the new circuits, but they were unaware. PDF maps of each new circuit have been sent to tour guides, which we now have access to. We are working on sharing these maps with you.

Equivalent Choices for New Circuits at Machu Picchu (preliminary info)

What if you need to buy tickets now to Machu Picchu for entry after June 1st ?

Tickets for accessing Machu Picchu via the new circuits can now be purchased through the Joinnus / TuBoleto Cultura website, the same platform as before. These tickets are available for booking from June 1 to October 15, as well as on December 30 and 31. Please note that there are no longer tickets available for the old circuits on any dates. Despite the old circuits still being displayed on the Joinnus website, the calendar for selecting circuits is inactive. Please disregard the old circuits and proceed with selecting from the available options.

What is the best new circuit for exploring Machu Picchu?

My initial analysis, based on the information I’m receiving from Vidal in Cusco (and his cousin!), not to mention the inaccurate maps we received, suggests that all three circuits marked with #1 mainly offer views of Machu Picchu from the upper terraces and do not include entry to the actual ancient city. The good news is that one of the three new circuit #1 options now includes the option to hike up to Inti Punku, which has been closed to park visitors since the pandemic. The Sun Gate at Machu Picchu has only been available to hikers — I have to say, I’ve hiked the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate a couple of times without the crowds, and it was well worth the effort!

If you’re up for hiking, even the short one-day Inca Trail (8 miles/12 kilometers) includes views of Machu Picchu plus entry to the lower circuits in the city. Visitors from inside the park can hike to the Sun Gate in about 1.5 hours uphill and 45 minutes downhill to return to the upper terraces. Another of the three circuit #1 options includes a short, easy 30-minute hike to view the Inca Bridge (visitors do not get close enough to touch it, let alone walk on it).

This next bit is kind of breaking my heart. I believe the overall “best” or longest of the new circuits are both of circuit #2, named “Classic Designed Route” and “Lower Terrace Route.” These are the only two entry tickets that allow access to both the upper and lower circuits of the ancient city and the Plaza of the Temples. Note that the only difference between these two tickets is that 2B, Lower Terrace Route does not include access to the classic view of Machu Picchu from the upper circuit.

What is the policy for arriving late to enter Machu Picchu?

Don’t be late for your date with “the wonder” unless you have a pretty good story! Like a mudslide that prevented you from getting to Aguas Calientes, or if trains were suspended. What time is used to determine when the tardiness clock begins? Is it the end of the one-hour entry window displayed on the website when you booked your tickets, or the time printed on your ticket? Our manager says the clock starts ticking from the time printed on your ticket. Here’s the official word: the tolerance time will be increased.

“The entry time to each circuit is the one stated on your entry ticket. There is a tolerance of thirty (30) minutes for entry to the Machupicchu Llaqta in low season and forty-five (45) minutes in high season (it is being increased by 15 more minutes for entry). After this period, the visitor cannot enter the Machupicchu llaqta, except for reasons of force majeure or a duly proven fortuitous event.”

When is the high season at Machu Picchu?

High season at Machu Picchu is now defined as June 1 through October 15. That doesn’t mean it won’t be crowded at other times of the year. By defining these dates for the high season, it will determine whether you have an extra 15 minutes tolerance for entering late. Aside from that, I don’t see any other benefits or advantages for traveling in one season or the other, except for factors like weather and certain hotels which may have reduced availability at certain times of the year. The cost of Machu Picchu entry tickets remains the same year-round.

Is it possible to see maps of the New Circuits at Machu Picchu?

YES. Here they are. Link to the old and new Machu Picchu circuits.

I found this statement which indicates that visitors who bought tickets for entry to Machu Picchu after June 1 can expect changes.

“According to the published regulations, those who have purchased tickets before this date will need to adjust their plans according to a conversion chart detailing the new itineraries. Previously purchased tickets remain valid for entry to the Inka city of Machupicchu, allowing visitors to tour it through the new circuits.”

Is a new website being launched for buying entry tickets to Machu Picchu?

Yep. Go big or go home is what I say. Apparently, changing all the circuits with less than 2 weeks notice is not enough excitement. More changes are coming. Could this change to circuits have anything to do with the “Final” New Website due to be launched soon? We’re still searching for details, not to mention accurate maps, and will be reporting back as soon as we can get access to information.