Machu Picchu Tickets - Important Information

City: Cusco, Mountains // Category: Machu Picchu Tickets & Machu Picchu Information // Reading time: 8 min 

Everybody wants them, everybody needs them, but nobody understands their complexity or the different options that exist. What are we talking about? Machu Picchu tickets. And not many Machu Picchu operators explain which ticket is best for you.

Is it the availability of 6400 tickets per day? No. 

The new Machu Picchu regulations implemented in January 2019 as well as the ticket options you can choose from are what confuse thousands of travelers most. 

It’s like a small child in a candy store: there is this one lollipop but it has different tastes and toppings. So confusing! The child just wants to have the best lolipop, the sweetest and yummiest of them all! 

This could be you when deciding which Machu Picchu ticket to get. Why?

Because you need to consider the

• variety and capacity of entrance times to avoid a sold out status,
• hike options to Machu Picchu Mountain, Huayna Picchu or the Sun Gate that are available at specific times or under certain conditions, 
• and crucial regulations regarding entering and behaving at Machu Picchu. 

After this article, you’ll be perfectly set to decide what ticket time and -type fits best to your preferences, while having the Machu Picchu regulations in mind. 

Let’s dive in... 

Machu Picchu

General Information & Regulations

We’ll go through it step by step to ensure that you understand the Machu Picchu ticket complexity and the available options.

General Machu Picchu Ticket Information

First of all, it’s worth it knowing about the following facts. 

• You’re allowed to enter only once (using the general ticket)
• There are no toilets inside of Machu Picchu. Restrooms are outside and can be used before or after your guided tour (cost: S/ 1 per usage).
• Your guided tour takes between 1.5 - 2.5 hours (time comparison of Machu Picchu tours)

Official Machu Picchu Ticket Regulations

Apart from the facts, did you know about the new governmental regulations and prohibitions? 

Those were implemented due to past problems with travelers who disrespected Machu Picchu and its visitors. 

The most important regulation is that it’s obligatory to have an official Machu Picchu guide that should be included in every tour you’ll find. Further,

you’re not allowed to:

• Smoke normal or electronic cigarettes
• Jump, be noisy, cause disorder or generate tumult
• Climb on walls or lean against them
• Fly a drone
• Remove stones or take them with you.

To enter without problems, don’t bring:

• Brackets, trekking poles or similar objects
• Tripods or extensions for mobile phones and cameras
• Backpacks that exceed more than 5 kilogram
• Heels with hard-plant shoes

With this in mind, we can move on to the different Machu Picchu tickets.

Machu Picchu Tickets

There are three different Machu Picchu tickets based on the two mountains that you can climb during your visit: 

• Machu Picchu Mountain (MPM) and 
• Huayna Picchu (HP) 

Both hikes are rather difficult and only recommended to travelers that are in good shape.

Regarding the ticket availability, limitations are challenging. Due to the high demand, especially during dry season with up to 6400 visitors per day, those tickets are sold out quickly.

Another hike that was not mentioned yet is the Sun Gate hike. It is not a mountain but a checkpoint from the Inca Trail, and before you’ll learn more about those additional options, we quickly look into the Machu Picchu entry times.

Machu Picchu Ticket Times 

Overview of the different Machu Picchu tickets and the respective entrance times 

You realize that Machu Picchu group tours with an additional hike included, either to Huayna Picchu (HP) or Machu Picchu Mountain (MPM), only have two entrance times available: at 6 or 8 am. 

Now, there are three huge disadvantages of doing Machu Picchu + an additional hike to one of the surrounding mountains in a group instead of a private tour:

• You have to join the group tour first and you can only hike the mountain afterwards, not the other way around. You don’t have any flexibility.
• You only have 1.5 instead of 2.5 hours with your guide at Machu Picchu. After 1.5 hours you’ll have to leave to arrive on time at the meetup point where the hike starts. 
• Group tours start at 8 am. Thus, the 6 am tour with the 8 am hike option is only available for private tours.

Past travelers told us that if you value your time at Machu Picchu and would like to do one of the hikes, you might consider the option of a private Machu Picchu tour. You’ll have the flexibility to do the hike first and later the guided Machu Picchu tour.

Important: Planning to enter Machu Picchu before 8 am? You’ll have to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes and the tour has to be private. Group tours leave from Cusco and enter after 8 am.

Let's take a quick breath for a moment and process everything. 

I hope it all was understandable until now so that we can go on with a quick elaboration on what you can expect from the three optional hikes to Machu Picchu. 

Maybe you’d like to make one of them part of your time there?

Optional Hikes at Machu Picchu

You realize that Machu Picchu can be seen from different viewpoints.

1) Sun Gate (Inti Punku)    

2) Machu Picchu Mountain

3) Machu Picchu

4) Huayna Picchu Mountain (right at the feet of where the photo was taken)

Which hike would fit you best? 

• Sun Gate (1): You like hikes and the other two options (2, 4) are sold out.
• Machu Picchu Mountain (2): You don’t like heights but want to see Machu Picchu from another viewpoint. Moderate hike.
• Huayna Picchu (4): Most thrilling, only for adventurers that are not afraid of heights.

Remember, the altitude is most challenging and thus these hikes are only recommended to travelers with a good level of fitness.

Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu is the mountain you see right behind the Machu Picchu city itself when entering the complex. It’s the steepest hike of the 3 Machu Picchu hikes and welcomes those who are looking for an adrenaline kick.

Tip: Because of the thrilling experience and only 400 tickets available per day, this ticket is sold out quickly and should be booked at least 3 to 4 months in advance.  

In case you’re afraid of heights, you should rather consider the hike to Machu Picchu Mountain instead of Huayna Picchu.

Machu Picchu Mountain

Hiking Machu Picchu Mountain isn’t as difficult as hiking Huayna Picchu. It’s the favorite option for travelers that prefer a less adventurous hike but still seek a beautiful view of Machu Picchu.

Note that you will still face hundreds of stairs on your way there. Calculate with at least 1.5 hours to the top and 1 hour back.  

Both hikes to Machu Picchu Mountain and to Huayna Picchu have to be led by an official guide, which is the reason why you need a ticket for the hike.

If you did not get a ticket for one of the previously mentioned hikes, the one-and-only option to see Machu Picchu from far is from the Sun Gate.

Sun Gate

The Sun Gate, also known as Inti Punku, represents the main entrance to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail. Inca Trail participants say it's their favorite moment of the 4-day hike to Machu Picchu. 

With an approximate hike time of in total 2.5 hours you might consider it as an interesting alternative. Important to know is that you can only hike the Sun Gate on a private tour.  

Why It Pays off to be Informed About the Machu Picchu Tickets

Machu Picchu tickets can be confusing and may lead to frustrations if you don’t understand them well enough. 

But no worries, now you aren’t a misinformed traveler anymore! With your gained knowledge you’re perfectly prepared to evaluate which Machu Picchu ticket will make your tour unforgettable.
If you’re in good shape and have some extra time, we definitely recommend doing one of the additional hikes. The views you get of Machu Picchu are simply breathtaking and something you won’t experience anywhere else.

A final word: In case you plan to hike one of the mountains, be aware of the Machu Picchu weather. Stairs can be slippery and dangerous, depending on when you visit the New Wonder of the World.