Tickets.
The truth is, unless you are willing to take the illegal and unadvised steps to break into Manchu Picchu, you will not be visiting without a ticket.
Prices are steep for a shoe-string traveller, but its a wonder of the world so what do you expect? It’s $62 (£50) for a standard ticket, and an additional $16 (£13) to add some of the ancient sights on top of the circuits (I’ll get into that later).
Personally, if you have already forked out to get to Peru, paid to hike or train there, or whatever, $62 dollars isn’t that bad at all, and you might as well add that extra $16. The locations available are incredible and worth the extra cash.
Below is a website used to get tickets. Remember there are limited spaces available everyday and depending on the time of year, they sell out fast.
Machu Picchu Circuits.
There are three circuits around the ancient site. Each have their pros and cons, each have separate price and waiting lists.
cUIRCUIT ONE – Red
Circuit One (Red) – I like to call this Circuit the influencer circuit. It was clearly designed to get the best pictures and the best view of the valley below. I shouldn’t be so obnoxiously critical of this Circuit, there is a reason that it was made, it overlooks the marvellous hillside of one of the most incredible sights on earth, and there is no wonder everyone wants a photo.
Although the Circuit is by far the most popular, often having the longest waiting list. Besides having the greatest view of the valley and of Machu Picchu, there isn’t a whole lot more to this route and I’d highly recommend choosing Circuit Two or Three over pictures that you can just find on the internet and you have more than likely seen 1000 times already.
Without any of the additional add ons, this Circuit climbs up a southern spire towards the ‘Platforma Superior’ translated to the higher platform. You’ll pass the lower platform
Circuit Two – Blue
This circuit explores the best of both worlds, photogenic scenes of extraordinary beauty and a walk through the historical royal palace of the Incan Emperor. Take a walk the long way around, as you visit the legendary Instagram photo spots, and through the old temples and living quarters of the Incan people.
Take plenty of water as you take this 2+ hour trek around the entire site. This Circuit doesn’t have any additions to it, as it is already considered large enough trek for a day out. Don’t let the lack of add on’s take you away from this marvellous tour. There is plenty to see and do and ask.
Besides hitting some of the major sights you’d see on circuit 3, you’d also manage to explore the Caos Granítico – Cantera, (Granitic Chaos – Quarry), Temples Square and the Intiwatana Pyramid.
You’ll only really miss the upper platform and the temple of the Sun, plus any add ons.
To get a better understanding of each site in more detail visit HERE.
Cirtuit Three – Yellow
Circuit 3 focuses on historical exploration over views and photographs. It takes you through the villages, through the gardens and ancient impressive stonework that slots together like a jigsaw. Walk through the same doorways that old Incan priestess’ did, into courtyards where the sound of old Inca speakers reflected naturally like a theatre, and where the great emperor Pachacutec once lived.
Although the trek is not tailored to grand views overlooking the old site. Each corner of the walk supplies you with grand landscapes of the jungle spires. With tours, your guide will explain each building in great detail, it’s purpose, the methodology of its creation and engage in great detail with those with questions.
Along the way you will encounter ‘the temple of the sun’, the Doce Vanos (Twelve Angles Stone), Qolcas Orientales, conjunto espejos de agua (Mirrors of the water), Temple Del Condor (The Temple of the Condor), Pisonay Square and the Reserva Arqueológica.
Each archaeological marvel gives you a glimpse into what life was like for the royalty of the Incan Empire. You can imagine what it was like for the peasants, the priests, soldiers and royal blue bloods of this phenomenal empire to walk among such incredible architecture.
To get a better understanding of each site in more detail visit HERE.
The extra bits
If going to Machu Picchu wasn’t enough excitement for one trip. If you have extra £££ burning in your pocket. Then why don’t you make this dream destination, a little more exciting. Each Circuit (NOT BLUE) has additional location you can visit, on top of the circuit already paid for, extending your visit by another hour or so.
Lets walk through these extras without too many spoilers, or making the job of the guides seem redundant.
You can only get one extra per a circuit, it costs an additional $12 or so.
Circuit one (red) extra bits.
CIRCUIT 1 + INTIPUNKU GATE .
Otherwise known as the ‘Sun Gate’, this marvellous structure is an hour hike away from Machu Picchu upon a spire hill. It’s presence gives off the illusion of a doorway to another world, and once upon a time it was. Perhaps not another world in the sense that most of us think, but this ‘Sun gate’ was once the entrance to Machu Picchu. A glorious beginning to the wonder, where Incan’s travelled through in search for this ancient site.
There are limited places in the world were you can sense the historical value or its story. The ‘Sun Gate’ like much of Machu Picchu holds the aura. You can picture, rising through the lush valley below, Incan men dressed in feathers and colourful clothes walking through this gate, woman shielding their babes from the sun scotching the pathed path ahead. Relieved eyes as Machu Picchu comes into their vision. A view that is alternative to the typical shots of Machu Picchu you see, revealing it from a side-on perspective. Those that are taking part in the Inca Trail should reconsider exploring this section as you are most likely going to walk through this epic gate on the way to Machu Picchu.
CIRCUIT 1 + INCA BRIDGE.
The Inca bridge is, in my personal opinion, the least attractive out of all the extras. I wouldn’t by any means say it was a waste of money, as it is still an amazing piece of history and an arachnological phenomenon. While walking the ‘alternative’ route to Machu Picchu you can see these narrow, ancient walkways carved into the side of the mountain sides.
You skirt down the mountains sheer edge on old carved out walkways. Cling to the side as you meander down to an old wooden bridge. Although the wood and bridge are replicas of the ancient one, it is incredible to see how these people used to navigate nature.
Having said that, I have not done the Inca bridge, only my research has led me to believe, on a personal level, that this is the least attractive option.
CIRCUIT 1 + MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN
Many people mistaken the larger of the two spires (WAYNAPICCHU MOUNTAIN) from the typical Machu Picchu photographs as Machu Picchu Mountain. However, Machu Picchu mountain is situated behind the typical photograph. So, if you are looking to get a photo form the larger of the two spires to the North of the site, then be sure to buy Circuit Three (Yellow) with the Waynapicchu or temple of the moon add on.
Machu Picchu mountain is South of the main site, make sure you are ready to get some steps in, and have good solid footwear. For not only will you embark up the lower and higher platforms, but you will continue to climb up through the jungle, to the highest out of the three spires surrounding Machu Picchu.
Although the climb is only 600 meters above the site below, the trek isn’t easy. Steep steps and slops are a battle from the very beginning. But the view is all so worth it. Not only can you see the ancient ruined lost city below, like a winding maze of stone. You can see the entire valley and beyond. On a clear, day with blue skies, the view can go on for miles and miles around. Rest under a small gazebo as you look out over the winding river, the train tracks and the lush forest hills that go on and go forever.
Circuit three (Yellow) extra bits.
CIRCUIT 3 + TEMPLE OF THE MOON
Temple of the moon is without doubt one of the greatest views provided by the Inca’s wonder of the world. While exploring the village and hidden gems of Machu Picchu on the Yellow circuit, you arrive at the tale of the complex. Behind the “Sacred Rock”, is a iron gate. It stands out from the expertly carved stones and ancient structures as the only modern addition to Machu Picchu you see since arriving at the site, that and sign posts.
Down some wooden steps and up some stone ones, you climb for 20 minuets or so. Through dense jungle and steep cliff edges. Here, the Uncharted game comes to mind. Cling onto rocks as you shuffle past high drops. Ancient rocks and stairs lead the way as you are suddenly cast into the life of an old explorer. This climb, for me, was the best part of Machu Picchu. To be following the footsteps of these great, legendary peoples.
The temple itself is tucked away in a cave at the top of the stone, jungle spire. Carved stones are crammed into the cave, exposed to its wide open door that looks out onto the vast jungle below.
CIRCUIT 3 + HUCHUY PICCHU MOUNTAIN
Huchuy Picchu is the lower of the two spires, a more humble and easier climb. While temple of the moon is without a doubt in my mind one of the jewels on this crown of Incan achievement. This is a perfect alternative to those who don’t wish to make the same level of climb and are a little ‘templed out’.
The climb is tricky, but almost quarter of the time of the Temple of the moon, and with a equally as impressive view. You’ll peel off left as the temple crowd move forward and ascend through the same metal gate way behind the “Sacred Rock”.
At the top of this climb, you’ll come across a number of rocks in a strange structure. It is unclear what these stones were, and I think the only downside to the Huchuy Picchu is the lack of information and tour groups to latch onto to get free information. However, this allows for a more… intimate travel experience.
CIRCUIT 3 + WAYNAPICCHU MOUNTAIN
Waynapicchu Mountain is an add on for those that are unable to enquire the temple of the moon pass. It is a ticket that allows for the climbing on the ‘big spire’. With this ticket you will climb the same ancient pass as the Temple of the moon, without access to the temple itself.
Uncharted Thoughts. 
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