Machu Picchu Circuit 3 (Royalty) 2026: Routes 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, Times, Prices and Which to Choose

Circuit 3, officially called the Circuit of Royalty (Circuito de la Realeza), covers the lower part of Machu Picchu, where the buildings most closely linked to the Inca elite stand, and it is the gateway to the hikes on the Huayna Picchu side. It is sold as four routes: 3-A (Waynapicchu Mountain), 3-B (Designed Route), 3-C (Great Cavern) and 3-D (Huchuypicchu). The last two only open in high season. In short: if you want to climb Huayna Picchu, you need 3-A; if you want temples without much effort, 3-B; if you prefer a long hike with few people, 3-C; and if you want a short climb, 3-D. Keep in mind, though, that no Circuit 3 route passes the upper viewpoint with the postcard photo. In this guide we explain what each route covers according to the Ministry of Culture's official maps, its entry times, how long you can stay, quotas, prices, what's going on with the minimum age and which one suits you.

Circuit 3 at a glance

The distances come from the official Circuit 3 panel published by the Ministry of Culture on machupicchu.gob.pe.

Official names: Realeza, Waynapicchu and Huchuypicchu

You'll find this circuit under several names, and it's worth not getting confused when you buy:

• Circuit 3 or Circuit of Royalty (Circuito 3 o Circuito de la Realeza) is the name used in the regulations (RM 528-2023-MC and RM 000334-2026-MC). The machupicchu.gob.pe website presents it as Circuit 3 (Machupicchu Realeza), and the 2026 capacity annex calls 3-B "Ruta Realeza diseñada".
• Waynapicchu is the official spelling of the mountain most people know as Huayna Picchu, and Huchuypicchu is Huchuy Picchu.
• The Circuit 3 panel published in 2026 carries the text "Circuito 3: Machupicchu Clásico" in its header, which is the name of Circuit 2. The maps of each route and the regulations call it the Circuit of Royalty, so treat it as an error on the panel: what counts is the route printed on your ticket.

What Circuit 3 covers

According to RM 528-2023-MC, the circuit comprises an agricultural sector and several urban sectors: the agricultural platforms associated with the qolqas, the water fountains, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Enclosure of the Three Doorways, the Enclosure of the Twelve Openings, the qolqas (storehouses) and the water mirrors. The official panel sums it up like this: you'll get a close look at the most sacred spaces of Inca royalty with little physical effort, unless you choose one of its mountains or the Great Cavern, which require more time and more effort.

On the official maps of the four routes, the shared section follows this order:

1. Entrance and lower terraces. From the entrance control, the route climbs through the terraces of the lower agricultural sector, with a view of the city from below.
2. Temple of the Sun area. The route makes a short loop through the buildings around the Temple of the Sun, next to the point the map marks as the Temple of the Sun Viewpoint.
3. Eastern sector. The route continues past the Plaza del Pisonay towards the area of the Twelve Openings and the Eastern Qolqas.
4. Return. It comes back via the Water Mirrors Complex and the Temple of the Condor, and goes down the terraces to the exit.

The routes with a hike (3-A, 3-C and 3-D) branch off in the eastern sector towards the control booth next to the Sacred Rock, where the mountain trails begin, and then rejoin the return section. Route 3-B does not reach that booth.

What Circuit 3 does not include: the platforms of the Guardhouse, where the classic photo is taken, or the Plaza of the Temples with the Main Temple and the Temple of the Three Windows, which belong to Circuit 2. Bear in mind that, according to the regulations, the walkways can change for conservation reasons simply by changing the signage, so on site the signs always take precedence.

The 4 routes in detail

Route 3-A: Waynapicchu Mountain (Huayna Picchu)

This is the most famous route in the circuit and the only one that reaches the summit of Huayna Picchu, the mountain that rises behind the city in the postcard photo. After the tour of the royalty sector, the route passes the control booth next to the Sacred Rock and climbs a trail of steep Inca stone stairways, with narrow and exposed sections. You come down the same way.

• Time slots: 7:00 and 10:00. RM 528-2023-MC sets the mountain entry windows at 7:00 to 7:30 and 10:00 to 10:30.
• Time: about 3 hours on average between the mountain's entry and exit controls. The deadline for starting back from the summit is 13:00.
• Difficulty: high. The regulations require good physical condition for this alternative route, and the official panel warns that the mountains require greater physical effort. Not advisable if you suffer from vertigo.
• New in 2026: the route was closed from 1 to 30 June for conservation work and reopened on 1 July. According to the Ministry of Culture, pre-Hispanic stairways were consolidated, and stairs and new railings with steel cable were installed on the steepest sections.

If this is the route you're interested in, also read our guides to Huayna Picchu tickets and the Huayna Picchu hike.

Route 3-B: Designed Route

This is Circuit 3 without a mountain: just the tour of the royalty sector described above, with the Temple of the Sun, the Twelve Openings, the Eastern Qolqas, the Water Mirrors and the Temple of the Condor. It is the shortest route in the circuit (1.3 km round trip) and the least demanding, although it has stairs, like the whole llaqta (the Inca city).

• Entry times: every hour, from 6:00 to 15:00, year-round.
• Maximum time: 2 hours 30 minutes from entry; with a 14:00 or 15:00 entry, until 17:30 at the latest.
• Difficulty: low.
• Accessibility: the official 3-B map marks a signposted section for people with reduced mobility near the entrance. That doesn't mean the whole route is accessible, so it's best to ask beforehand.
• Inca Trail: visitors arriving via the Inca Trail Network enter the llaqta on Route 3-B, with their own quotas paid in advance through authorised agencies (article 15-B of the regulations, as worded by RM 000334-2026-MC).

Route 3-C: Great Cavern

After the royalty sector, the route passes the control booth next to the Sacred Rock and follows a long trail along the slope of Huayna Picchu to the Great Cavern, also called the Temple of the Moon, an Inca structure built beneath a large rock. According to the official map, the route does not pass the summit of Huayna Picchu. At 3.0 km round trip, it is the longest route in the circuit.

• Entry times: 8:00 and 9:00, high season only.
• Time: the official map gives a maximum stay of 7 hours. The regulations in force do not set a specific time for this route.
• Difficulty: medium to high, mainly because of the distance and duration.
• Quotas: it's one of the routes with the fewest places at Machu Picchu: 50 a day.

Route 3-D: Huchuypicchu (Huchuy Picchu)

This is the shortest hike in the circuit. After the royalty sector, the route passes the control booth next to the Sacred Rock and climbs a small hill at the foot of Huayna Picchu. In Quechua, huchuy means "small", and the name fits: it's a good way to do a mountain without the demands of Huayna Picchu.

• Entry times: 9:00 and 11:00, high season only.
• Time: the official map gives a maximum stay of 3 hours 30 minutes. The regulations in force do not set a specific time for this route.
• Difficulty: moderate: a short climb.
• Quotas: only 40 a day, the lowest figure of any route.

Our difficulty rating for the four routes is only a guide, based on the distances and on what the official panel and the regulations say; the Ministry of Culture does not publish a difficulty scale for each route.

Entry times and time limits

The entry times come from the annex to RM 000285-2025-MC for 2026. As you can see, for 3-A the two official sources don't match: the regulations say 5 hours 30 minutes and the map says 6 hours. Our advice is to plan with the shorter figure and check the condition shown on your ticket.

On punctuality:

• Main gate: there is a 30-minute grace period after the time on your ticket in regular-demand months and 45 minutes in peak-demand months. The official entry-times document, published in 2024, places those months between 1 June and 15 October and on 30 and 31 December.
• Mountain controls: at the Waynapicchu and Huchuypicchu mountain controls there is no grace period. Route 3-C also passes the control booth next to the Sacred Rock, so the prudent thing is to treat it the same way.
• Registration: on the mountain routes you must register at the control point when you go in and when you come out.
• No re-entry: once you leave the llaqta, you can't go back in on the same ticket, except in cases of force majeure.

Quotas per route in 2026

RM 000285-2025-MC and its annex distribute the 2026 daily capacity among routes and time slots:

In total, Circuit 3 offers 1,300 daily places in low season and 1,690 in high season. Two practical takeaways: 3-C and 3-D have very few places and, according to the annex, are not sold at the in-person ticket office; and 3-A reserves 25 in-person places per slot. You can check real availability at tuboleto.cultura.pe/disponibilidad/llaqta_machupicchu.

High season: when 3-C and 3-D open

For 2026, RM 000285-2025-MC sets the high season, with a total capacity of 5,600 visitors a day, on these dates: 1 January, 2 to 5 April, 19 June to 2 November, and 30 and 31 December. For the rest of the year the total capacity is 4,500 and routes 3-C and 3-D are not sold.

In practice, for the rest of 2026 you can do 3-C and 3-D until 2 November and again on 30 and 31 December. In addition, any route can close temporarily for conservation or emergencies: in 2026, 3-C and 3-D were closed from 19 to 30 June, and 3-A for all of June (RM 000317-2025-MC). Check official notices before your date.

Circuit 3 prices in 2026

The fares for routes 3-A, 3-C and 3-D appear in RM 000317-2025-MC, which amended the Ministry of Culture's fee schedule; 3-B has the same fare as the other standard routes. Since 1 May 2026, the SERNANP fee for entering the Machupicchu Historic Sanctuary is added: S/11 for foreign visitors. If you're a student or travelling with minors, check the SERNANP amount that applies to you when you pay. Peruvians and citizens of the Andean Community have their own fares. You'll find the full table and a step-by-step purchase guide in our guide to Machu Picchu tickets.

How to buy the ticket

• Official channels only. Since RM 000334-2026-MC, tickets are bought directly and in the visitor's name on tuboleto.cultura.pe or at the authorised offices of the Decentralised Culture Directorate of Cusco, with full payment and the full name and ID document of each visitor.
• Payment within minutes. Since 22 September 2026, during the trial period of the new system, the three-hour advance hold no longer exists: according to the Ministry of Culture, you initially have 15 minutes to complete payment, and if you don't, the place is released.
• No changes. The ticket is only valid for the date, time, circuit and holder shown. You can't change the date or the name, and the passport number can only be corrected once in the event of an obvious clerical error.
• In person as plan B. The ticket office in Machupicchu Pueblo sells tickets for the following day with a limited quota. More details in our guide to buying tickets in person.

Minimum age: what the sources say (and don't say)

This is where the sources disagree, so it's worth being careful:

• The regulations in force (RM 528-2023-MC) require good physical condition for the Huayna Picchu alternative route and registration at the control point, but set no minimum age. Nor do they set one for the Great Cavern or Huchuy Picchu.
• The official fee schedule (RM 000317-2025-MC) includes a minor's fare for routes 3-A, 3-C and 3-D.
• The 2024 draft regulations (RM 159-2024-MC), which were not approved as rules, proposed requiring visitors to be over 18 for routes 3-A and 3-C, among others. Many tour operators still cite that limit, and others mention 12 years with an adult for Huayna Picchu.

If you're travelling with minors and want a route with a hike, check the condition shown on tuboleto.cultura.pe at the time of purchase. For young children, 3-B is the most comfortable option. Remember that baby strollers are not allowed inside the llaqta.

Is a guide mandatory?

It isn't mandatory, but it is recommended. Article 17.1 of the regulations, as worded by RM 000334-2026-MC of 11 September 2026, states that to enter you need your ticket and an official ID document, and that it "is recommended" to be accompanied by a tour guide. On Circuit 3, with the Temple of the Sun and the royal buildings, an official guide adds a lot of context, but you can do it on your own if you prefer. Check the other Machu Picchu entry requirements.

Which Circuit 3 route should you choose?

• You want the iconic hike and don't suffer from vertigo: 3-A (Huayna Picchu). Book well in advance, because there are only 400 places a day.
• You're interested in the temples and don't want to walk much: 3-B. It's also the best option if you're travelling with young children, short on time or with someone with reduced mobility.
• You're looking for a long, quiet hike with few people: 3-C (Great Cavern), if you're travelling in high season and have the day free.
• You want to do a mountain, but without the demands of Huayna Picchu: 3-D (Huchuy Picchu), also high season only.
• Huayna Picchu is sold out: try 3-D or 3-C if it's high season, or Machupicchu Mountain (Route 1-A of Circuit 1).
• It's your first visit and you'll only have one ticket: consider whether Circuit 2, which combines the postcard view with the urban sector, is a better fit. We compare all the options in our guide to Machu Picchu circuits.
• You want the classic photo and Circuit 3: buy two tickets with different times, for example Route 1-B and 3-B on the same day, or Circuit 2 one day and 3-A another.

Practical tips

• Leave plenty of time to reach the mountain control. Between the main gate and the booth next to the Sacred Rock you have to cross a good part of the royalty sector, and there is no grace period at that control.
• Choose the first slot if you can. On 3-A, the 7:00 slot gives you more margin before the deadline for starting back from the summit (13:00).
• Travel light. Backpacks larger than 40 x 35 x 20 cm, food, walking sticks, tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.
• Wear shoes with good grip. High heels and hard-soled shoes are prohibited, and the stone stairways get slippery in the rain.
• Use the toilet before going in. The toilets are outside the llaqta and re-entry isn't allowed, which matters on long routes like 3-C.
• Carry the ID document you bought with. Staff may ask for your ticket and document inside the llaqta.
• Follow the signs. Entering routes you didn't select or restricted areas results in the visitor being removed.

Frequently asked questions

Which Circuit 3 route includes Huayna Picchu?

Route 3-A (Ruta Montaña Waynapicchu). It's the only one that climbs to the summit.

Does Route 3-C go up to the summit of Huayna Picchu?

No. According to the official map, the 3-C trail runs along the slope of Huayna Picchu to the Great Cavern, without passing the summit.

Can you see the classic Machu Picchu photo from Circuit 3?

No. Circuit 3 offers a view of the city from below. The postcard photo is taken from the Guardhouse platforms, on Circuits 1 and 2.

How much does Circuit 3 cost?

For a foreign adult, S/211 on routes 3-A and 3-C and S/163 on 3-B and 3-D, including the SERNANP fee.

How long can I stay inside with Route 3-B?

Up to 2 hours 30 minutes from entry. With a 14:00 or 15:00 entry, until 17:30 at the latest.

Is there a minimum age for Huayna Picchu?

The regulations in force don't set one, and the fee schedule includes a minor's fare. However, a 2024 draft proposed 18 years and many operators still cite it, so check the condition on tuboleto.cultura.pe when you buy.

Are routes 3-C and 3-D open in November?

In 2026, only until 2 November, when the high season ends. They open again on 30 and 31 December.

I'm arriving via the Inca Trail. Which route do I get?

Route 3-B. Visitors arriving via the Inca Trail Network enter the llaqta on that route, with their own quotas managed by authorised agencies.

In summary

Circuit 3 is the circuit of the royal temples and the hikes on the Huayna Picchu side. 3-A is for those who want the most famous climb; 3-B, for seeing the Temple of the Sun and the lower sector without effort; 3-C, for a long hike to the Great Cavern; and 3-D, for a short climb. The three hiking routes have few places and 3-C and 3-D only open in high season, so buy in advance and always check the route, entry time and conditions on your ticket.

Sources

1. Ministry of Culture, visiting circuits and routes: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/circuitos-y-rutas-de-visita/
2. Ministry of Culture, official map of Route 3-A: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/C3-R3AP.pdf
3. Ministry of Culture, official map of Route 3-B: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/C3-R3B.pdf
4. Ministry of Culture, official map of Route 3-C: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/C3-R3CP.pdf
5. Ministry of Culture, official map of Route 3-D: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/C3-R3DP.pdf
6. Ministry of Culture, official Circuit 3 panel: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PANEL-DE-CIRCUITO-3.jpg
7. Ministry of Culture, entry times and grace periods: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HORARIOS-DE-INGRESO.pdf
8. Ministry of Culture, rules of conduct: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/normas-de-conducta/
9. Tu Boleto, availability for the llaqta of Machupicchu: https://tuboleto.cultura.pe/disponibilidad/llaqta_machupicchu
10. Ministerial Resolution 528-2023-MC (circuits, routes and time limits): https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/5627334/4985976-resolucion-ministerial-n-000528-2023-mc.pdf
11. Ministerial Resolution 000285-2025-MC (2026 capacity and annex by route): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/normas-legales/7355929-285-2025-mc
12. Ministerial Resolution 000317-2025-MC (Circuit 3 fares and June 2026 closures): https://transparencia.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/transparencia/2025/11/resoluciones-ministeriales/rm000317-2025-mc.pdf
13. Ministerial Resolution 000334-2026-MC (tickets, Inca Trail, guides and entry): https://transparencia.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/transparencia/2026/09/resoluciones-ministeriales/rm-334-2026-mc.pdf
14. Ministerial Resolution 159-2024-MC (draft regulations, not approved as rules): https://transparencia.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/transparencia/2024/04/resoluciones-ministeriales/rm000159-2024-mc-reglamento.pdf
15. Ministry of Culture, reopening of Waynapicchu (30 June 2026): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/noticias/1412861-ministerio-de-cultura-anuncia-la-reapertura-de-la-montana-waynapicchu-desde-el-1-de-julio
16. Agencia Andina, trial period of direct ticket sales (22 September 2026): https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-machu-picchu-inician-marcha-blanca-nuevo-sistema-venta-directa-boletos-1092837.aspx
17. SERNANP fee from 1 May 2026, according to Infobae: https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/02/09/suben-tarifas-de-ingreso-a-machu-picchu-desde-cuando-rige-y-cuanto-costara-entrar-en-2026/