Machu Picchu last minute ticket purchase guide 🔖

Many people buy Machu Picchu tickets online in advance because popular routes, such as Circuit 2, are easily sold out and need to be booked 2-3 months in advance. However, booking tickets in advance makes the itinerary inflexible, so I did not book in advance. . I went to Machu Picchu in October, which is the beginning of the rainy season, not the peak season. I arrived at Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu, at 11 a.m. the day before and went to the ticket center to get a number. I got chip number 394 that day and returned to the ticket center at around 4 pm. The staff started calling out chip numbers. When my number was called, I was able to enter the ticket center to queue up for tickets and successfully bought a ticket to Machu Picchu for the next day. (Put on a helmet first. This is my experience in October 2023. I am not sure if it is applicable now, but you can ask the visitor center or hotel staff in Cusco, they can provide the latest information) . After the epidemic, there have been many changes in the ticket packages for Machu Picchu. When I went there in October 2023, there were 4 types of tickets. From June 2024, Machu Picchu tickets are divided into 3 packages. (Many people think that the authorities want to earn more money from tourists, because tourists need to buy at least 2 sets of tickets to see the whole Machu Picchu) . Circuit 1 (Panoramic route): You can take pictures of Machu Picchu from the Guardian’s House, where you can see the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows and other buildings. You can mainly walk on the upper level, and you can also climb up Machu Picchu Mountain. 💰The current ticket price is 152 soles (HK$317) if you don’t climb the mountain, and 200 soles (HK$418) if you climb the mountain. . Circuit 2 (Classic Route): You can take photos of Machu Picchu from the platform under the guardhouse. The photos taken are closer to Machu Picchu than Circuit 1. You can see the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the main square, the water mirror and other buildings. It is a relatively comprehensive route. 💰The current ticket price is 152 soles (HK$317). . Circuit 3 (Royal Route): It mainly walks around the lower level of the Royal Building. You cannot take pictures of Machu Picchu from the classic angle, but you can choose to climb up Waynapicchu Mountain to see Machu Picchu from another angle. 💰The current ticket price is 152 soles (HK$317) if you don’t climb the mountain, and 200 soles (HK$418) if you climb the mountain. . My travel companion and I thought about it for a long time and finally bought the Waynapicchu tickets at 6 am. 6 o'clock is the earliest entry time, which ensures that there is enough time to slowly appreciate this city in the sky. Although we can't take pictures of Machu Picchu from the classic angle, we want to climb up Waynapicchu Mountain to see Machu Picchu from a high angle. And for me, taking a classic tourist photo of Machu Picchu is not the only purpose of going to Machu Picchu. What I look forward to is to carefully appreciate the architecture of the Inca civilization with my travel companions who have climbed the mountain for 4 days🥳 #GlobalTravel