Tickets Machu Picchu 2026: scarce and sell out fast
Do you want to visit Machu Picchu in 2026? Then you will need an official entrance ticket. What many travelers don’t realize is that the number of tickets is limited and they often sell out quickly. Especially during the high season (May–August), it is crucial to secure your tickets well in advance. Sales for Machu Picchu 2026 tickets start in December 2025. In this blog, we explain how many tickets are available per day, the types of access, and how you can guarantee your spot.
How many tickets are available per day?
The Peruvian government sets a maximum number of visitors each year to protect the Inca citadel. In June 2024, circuits were assigned to guide your walking route through Machu Picchu. For 2026, the daily limit is approximately 4,800 visitors, distributed across different circuits and time slots:
- Machu Picchu all circuits: ~3,000 tickets per day
- Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu: ~200 tickets per day
- Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain: ~400 tickets per day
- Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu: ~200 tickets per day
The last 1,000 tickets are offered daily at the official sales office in Aguas Calientes.
Combined tickets (Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain) are especially popular and usually sell out months in advance. It is therefore important to purchase your Machu Picchu tickets at least 6 months ahead.
Why are tickets scarce?
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and must be protected from mass tourism. For years, tourists could choose their own route with a guide. As the site became increasingly crowded, many paths ran directly through the ruins, requiring stricter protection. To preserve the ruins, there is now a daily visitor limit and restrictions per time slot. During busy months (May–Sept), tickets are often sold out months in advance.
Types of tickets for Machu Picchu
Guided Tours are divided into three circuits:
Circuit 1
In Circuit 1, you visit the “left side” of Machu Picchu, stretching from Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to the Puente Inka (Inca Bridge). Within Circuit 1, there are four route options:
- 1A: required if you want to climb Machu Picchu Mountain
- 1B: visit Terraza Superior and enjoy a view from above Machu Picchu
- 1C: walk from the entrance to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for a spectacular view
- 1D: route to the Inca Bridge
Circuit 3B is included with the 2-day or 4-day Inca Trail.
Routes 1C and 1D are only available during high season.
Circuit 2
Circuit 2 is the most extensive, leading you through the center of Machu Picchu and past the main highlights. Within Circuit 2, there are two ticket options:
- 2A: slightly shorter route, but close to the Temple of the Sun
- 2B: includes Terraza Inferior for a panoramic view of the city
Circuit 3
Circuit 3 covers the right side of Machu Picchu. To climb Huayna Picchu, a Circuit 3 ticket is required. Circuit 3 has several options:
- 3A: needed to climb Huayna Picchu
- 3B: visit the lower part of Machu Picchu
- 3C: leads to the Inca cave
- 3D: allows climbing Huchuy Picchu, the smaller peak on the left side
This way, visitors can plan precisely which areas and peaks they want to explore while securing their limited tickets well in advance.
When should you book your Machu Picchu ticket?
- High season (May–August): at least 3–6 months in advance.
- Combination tickets with Huayna Picchu (Circuit 3) or Machu Picchu Mountain (Circuit 1): at least 6 months in advance.
- Low season (October–April): usually tickets are still available a few weeks to months ahead.
If you’re traveling to Peru in June, July, or August, book your Machu Picchu ticket as soon as you plan your trip. Don’t wait until you arrive in Peru, as tickets may already be sold out. If you’re unlucky, you can try your luck at the Aguas Calientes ticket office, where about 1,000 tickets are sold daily. Be patient, as lines can be long.
How to book your Machu Picchu ticket
- When you book a ticket through us, it always includes a 2-hour guided Tour with a local, experienced guide who explains all about the history of the Incas and Machu Picchu.
- We can arrange transport from Cusco (train and bus), optionally combined with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, so you can take it easy.
- A visit to Machu Picchu is also included when booking any Trail (Inca Trail, Salkantay, etc.).
- Important: Machu Picchu tickets are personalized → your name and passport number must match exactly.
FAQ Machu Picchu tickets
How many tickets are available per day?
About 4,500 tickets distributed over various time slots and circuits.
How far in advance should I book?
For Huayna Picchu and/or Machu Picchu Mountain: at least 6 months ahead.
For high season general tickets: 3–6 months ahead.
Can I cancel or change my Machu Picchu ticket?
No, tickets are strictly personal and non-transferable.
What if tickets are sold out?
You can choose another time slot or ticket type. If all options are sold out, you must select another date.
