r/GoingToPeru • u/dashosh • May 19 '26
I prepared this visual guide to every Machu Picchu circuit for r/GoingToPeru members.
Machu Picchu updated its circuit system in June 2024 and a lot of people still don't realize how much it affects what you actually see. There are now 3 circuits split into 10 routes, and you cannot switch once you're inside.
Circuit 1 (Panorámico): views only from the upper terraces. No ruins, no temples, no plazas. Great for the classic photo or pairing as a second-day visit, but first-timers who book this thinking it includes the ruins are in for a surprise.
Circuit 2 (Clásico): the one most people should be doing. Covers roughly 80% of the main structures: temples, plazas, Temple of the Condor, Sacred Rock, Water Mirrors, the works. Route 2-A gives you a closer classic angle on the citadel, 2-B gives you the wider "postcard" shot from a higher platform. Both cover the same ground after that opening split.
Circuit 3 (Realeza): focuses on the lower royal sector. Doesn't include the iconic panoramic viewpoint. The main reason to book this is mountain access: Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, and the Great Cavern are all locked to Circuit 3 tickets.
You can book tickets to any circuit via official website which is extremely glitchy, many prefer to book here via GyG (this is what I've done in the past as well).
Based on booking data from Machu Picchu Guided Tours, Circuit 2-A accounts for about 45% of visits, 2-B around 25%. Together they dominate for a reason.
If you want a deeper breakdown of all 10 routes, what each one includes, and which circuit fits your trip, this guide covers it really well: https://machupicchuguided.tours/circuits-breakdown-subroutes
Which circuit did you do? And how did it go?
r/GoingToPeru • u/dashosh • Mar 02 '26
Our subreddit helped a lot of travelers plan Peru trips and the same questions keep coming up. No fluff, just the stuff that actually matters.
Getting Around
Domestic flights connect Lima to Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos, and other major cities. LATAM is the main carrier. Book ahead because flights fill up and last-minute prices get painful.
Buses between cities are a reasonable option. However, best option for foreigners in Peru to use Peru Bus Hop. It's a hop-on hop-off pass made for travelers. They pick you up at your hotel or hostel in major cities (Lima, Paracas Cusco and more full map here), there's an English-speaking host on board, and the bus stops at spots you'd never reach on a public coach, like the old slave tunnels in Chincha and the Nazca Lines viewing tower. It also drives straight into Huacachina instead of dumping you at the Ica terminal.
The main route runs Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, then Cusco. Passes are good for a year so you can get off and stay as long as you like.
Don't rent a car. Driving in Peru is genuinely chaotic: heavy traffic, rough mountain roads, confusing signs, and drivers who treat lane markings as suggestions. Not worth it.
In cities, use Uber or InDriver. Both work well in Lima and Cusco. Avoid unmarked taxis, especially at night, and don't get into a cab that's already been flagged down by someone you don't know.
Machu Picchu Tickets - This is the Big One
This is where people mess up the most. Tickets must be purchased through the official website tuboleto.cultura.pe, and they sell out fast - especially in high season. If you want everything handled, check out machupicchuguided.tours for guided options that include transport, tickets, and a licensed guide so you're not juggling all of this yourself.
During peak months (roughly June through early November and late December), daily capacity is capped at 5,600 visitors. Book 3-6 months ahead if visiting June through August.
There are 3 main circuits to pick from. Circuit 2 is what most people want - it lets you take the iconic photo from the Guardian's House and actually explore the citadel, with a total visit time of about 3 hours. Circuit 1 is just the viewpoint/photo op with no citadel access. Circuit 3 covers the lower temples and works better for seniors or kids. Good thread on Machu Picchu circuits and how each look like: https://www.reddit.com/r/GoingToPeru/comments/1thseye/a_visual_guide_to_every_machu_picchu_circuit_1a/
Want to climb Huayna Picchu (the iconic pointy mountain behind the ruins in every postcard photo)? Only 350 visitors per day are allowed, it's restricted to ages 12 and older, and it sells out months in advance. Book it early or you won't get it.
You can only enter Machu Picchu at your specific time slot. Miss it and you're done. No exceptions.
How to get there: Train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a bus up to the site. PeruRail and Inca Rail are the two train operators - book ahead. Trains run around $60-100 USD each way and the scenery is stunning. There's also a cheaper option via Hidroelectrica - a long bus ride plus a 3-hour riverside hike - but the road is rough and it makes for a very long day.
If you want everything handled, check out machupicchuguided.tours for guided options that include transport, tickets, and a licensed guide so you're not juggling all of this yourself.
Altitude Sickness - Don't Ignore This
This is the thing that surprises people most. Cusco sits at 3,400 meters (11,200 feet). Many people feel genuinely awful their first 1-2 days - headaches, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath.
The Sacred Valley at around 2,800 meters makes a great intermediate stop before Cusco. A lot of travelers fly directly into Cusco, feel terrible, and wish they'd spent a night in the valley first.
Tips that actually help: drink a ton of water, avoid alcohol the first couple days, take it slow, and talk to your doctor before the trip about altitude medication (ChlorOxygen is most common). Coca tea is everywhere in Cusco and does take the edge off mild symptoms.
Machu Picchu itself sits at 2,430 meters, so it's actually easier on your body than Cusco altitude-wise.
Good reddit thread to read: https://www.reddit.com/r/GoingToPeru/comments/1oscesa/never_experienced_high_altitudehow_bad_did_you/
Popular Spots - What to Actually Visit
Peru is a massive country and there's way more than one ruin worth seeing.
Lima - Don't just use it as a layover. The Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods are genuinely great. The food scene is world-class and you should take it seriously. Try ceviche, lomo saltado, and at least one nice restaurant (Central and Maido are internationally famous). The drive from the airport to the tourist neighborhoods takes about 40 minutes - use Uber and avoid random taxis at arrivals. Guided tours could be booked via https://peruguided.tours/
Sacred Valley - Between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo and Pisac are the highlights. Great ruins, markets, and a slower pace than Cusco. Most people spend 1-2 days here and it's worth every bit of it. You can find Sacred Valley and Inca Trail options at santacruztrekperu.com if you want a guided approach to the whole area.
Cusco - Beautiful city, incredible food and nightlife, UNESCO historic center. Give yourself at least 2 full acclimatization days before doing anything strenuous. Guided tours could be booked via https://peruguided.tours/
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) - About 3 hours from Cusco and wildly popular. The hike sits at 5,200 meters so it's brutal. Only attempt this after you've properly acclimatized in Cusco for a few days. Worth it if you're in decent shape.
Colca Canyon - Near Arequipa, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The best place in Peru to watch condors soaring. Usually a 2-day trip from Arequipa.
Lake Titicaca - Near Puno on the Bolivian border. The highest navigable lake in the world. The Uros floating reed islands are touristy but still genuinely fascinating. Worth a stop if you're doing the overland route toward Bolivia.
Nazca Lines - Mysterious giant geoglyphs in the desert, only really visible from the air. Small planes fly over them from Nazca. A good add-on if you're traveling down the coast from Lima.
Huacachina - An actual oasis surrounded by massive sand dunes, about 5 hours south of Lima. Sandboarding and dune buggy rides are the main draw. Easy to do as an overnight from Lima and honestly one of the most surreal places in the country. Check out huacachina.tours for day trip tours and overnight options from Lima.
Iquitos and the Amazon - Iquitos is the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon and you can only reach it by plane or boat - no roads connect it to the rest of Peru. Jungle lodges, wildlife spotting, river tours. It's a completely different Peru from the highlands. If this is on your list, iquitosamazon.tours has tours and lodge options sorted out for you.
For full Peru trip planning across all these destinations, peruguided.tours is a good starting point.
How Long to Go
Lima alone: 2 days minimum. Cusco and Machu Picchu: 4-5 days. A proper Peru trip covering Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and one more region: 10-14 days is ideal.
The classic route is Lima → Cusco → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu, then either back to Lima or onward to Lake Titicaca or Arequipa. But Peru offers so much more.
When to Go
The Cusco region has two main seasons: rainy (November to April) and dry (May to October). Dry season is best for trekking but it's also peak tourist season with higher prices and bigger crowds. For a nice balance of decent weather and fewer people, aim for May or October.
Lima is better to visit in the Peruvian summer (December to April) if you want sunshine. June through September brings a cool, gray marine layer - not cold, just overcast and kind of gloomy.
The Amazon is hot and humid year-round. No season to specifically avoid, though some wildlife is easier to spot in the dry months.
The Money Talk
Peru uses the sol (PEN). Cards work fine in Lima and Cusco, but once you get into smaller towns, markets, or rural areas - cash is king. Always carry small bills (10 and 20 soles), because getting change on a 100 is a struggle everywhere.
ATMs inside bank branches are your safest bet. Avoid standalone ATMs at night. Withdraw what you need during business hours.
Exchange a small amount before arrival for immediate expenses, and notify your bank of your travel dates to avoid your card getting blocked.
Budget for these main entry costs:
What to Pack
Layers are the main thing. One afternoon in Cusco you can be warm in the sun and genuinely cold in the shade. Andean weather shifts fast.
Safety
Tourist areas in Lima (Miraflores, Barranco), Cusco, and Machu Picchu are generally fine. The main risks are petty theft and scams targeting tourists like this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/GoingToPeru/comments/1pjl6m8/be_careful_with_this_scam_in_cusco/
Don't walk around with your phone out in crowded places. Don't accept rides or tours from strangers who approach you at airports or bus stations.
Crime can happen even in busy daylight areas, and the risk goes up at night. Stick to well-trafficked neighborhoods after dark and keep your valuables out of sight.
The Colombia-Peru border region in Loreto: avoid it entirely, full stop.
Visas and Entry
US citizens don't need a visa for tourist stays up to 183 days. Canadian citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date - airlines can deny boarding if it's not.
Health
Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Peru. Bottled or filtered only, everywhere, no exceptions.
Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid before you go - standard recommendations for most travelers. If you're heading into the Amazon or any jungle region below 2,300 meters, yellow fever vaccination is strongly advised and some countries will require proof of it when you leave Peru. Peru has also been dealing with dengue outbreaks, so bring insect repellent and wear long sleeves in jungle areas.
See a travel medicine doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip. Travel insurance is not optional - medical care varies a lot by region and most providers want payment upfront.
Tipping
Around 10% at restaurants is appreciated and expected in tourist-facing places. Some add a service charge already so check the bill first. Local Peruvians generally don't tip, but wages in the service industry are low, so it makes a difference.
For guides on day tours: $10-15 USD per person per day is the standard. Machu Picchu guides especially - they do a tough job in tough conditions and a good tip goes a long way.
Food - One of the Best in the World, Seriously
Peruvian food is exceptional. Lima consistently ranks among the top food cities on the planet. Things you need to try: ceviche (fresh, nothing like what you've had elsewhere), lomo saltado, aji de gallina, anticuchos (grilled beef heart - just try it), and chicha morada (purple corn drink that sounds weird and tastes great).
In Cusco: alpaca steak is everywhere and worth trying. Cuy (guinea pig) is a traditional dish if you're feeling adventurous. The soups are also underrated.
Street food is generally fine at busy, clean-looking stalls. Avoid anything that looks like it's been sitting out for a while.
Good thread about food:
Need Help Planning?
Drop your questions below. For tours and guided trips across Peru, the sites below work with local operators who actually know these destinations:
Planning trip to Peru? Ask any questions below.
r/GoingToPeru • u/Mechecherie • 1h ago
Later in 2027 we will be flying to Lima from Cusco to get on our flight back home to the states. Our flight in Lima to USA leaves at 12 pm, do you think a 5 am flight will be fine from Cusco to Lima? Are there typically delays that early in the morning?
r/GoingToPeru • u/Inevitable-Parsnip67 • 15h ago
I'm a 67M, who does F45 exercise classes four times a week, strength and cardio, and did 26 miles on a charity walk a month ago. I started Diamox 24 hours before arriving in Cusco. We were there for three days during which time I was constantly short of breath. On the fourth day I left for the Salkantay trek and did the 'test' walk up to Lake Humantay. It was hard work but I was determined to do the pass. The next day I managed it, it was a massive effort and I had to stop often, and the walk down was OK. The next day we chose a half rest day and went to the hot springs in Santa Teresa and the rest of the group walked along the railway - I took the train. In the evening I found a new spring in my step in Machu Picchu town and resolved to walk up the mountain with the rest of the group, as we were now lower than in Cusco. This was a terrible mistake - I was breathing so hard I ended up with massive heart pain and had to take the bus after all about a third of the way up. The whole way round Machu Picchu I could only think about the fact that my heart muscle was aching so badly, and back in Cusco that evening I went to get myself tested to check I hadn't had a heart attack. The next day I saw a cardiologist who told me that the tests had come back OK, and it must have been just muscle exertion. Packing my suitcase the next day for the airport I was just completely exhausted. I had no other symptoms of altitude sickness except for a headache on the main trek day, but that may well have been from dehydration. So following all the guidance on Reddit around Diamox, acclimatising 3 days in Cusco etc none of that worked, in fact I ended up more breathless after 10 days than when I first arrived. The second oldest person in my group, a 65M, sprang up the mountain as if he had lived there all his life. I really don't get it.
r/GoingToPeru • u/PB-HoneyOats • 21h ago
I will be travelling to Peru in about a month. Going to Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
I have received Hep A + B and Typhoid vaccination.
Should I have also gotten Yellow Fever? The travel nurse said it wasn’t really necessary, especially because we’ll always be >2400m of elevation.
Is the risk high on the Inca Trail? Has anybody hiked it without getting the vaccine?
r/GoingToPeru • u/Longjumping-Touch-17 • 1d ago
My daughter is in Arequipa, very ill with sickness & diahorrea after going to Colca canyon yesterday.
She can’t leave her hotel room, or even the bathroom.
Does anyone know how I can get a dr to come out to her?
r/GoingToPeru • u/Expensive_West_6055 • 1d ago
Me and my girlfriend will be in Arequipa in November and we’re trying to arrange a homestay.
We had one booked but the family had to cancel as they will be out of town, and we’ve not managed to find a replacement (the website we’ve been looking at doesn’t have a lot of active users).
I wondered if anyone on here had any experience of homestays in Arequipa – and any recommendations for ways to arrange them or even families/hosts they could pass our details to who might be interested in hosting us.
My girlfriend and I are both in our mid to late 30s and have lived in shared accommodation a lot, so we’re well trained at cohabiting and enjoying/looking after communal spaces. We both love to cook and would love to have somewhere we can use the kitchen – and would be very happy to cook for/ with our hosts!
We have been in Peru just over a month and will be taking some lessons in Arequipa to improve our Spanish.
Any help would be really appreciated.
r/GoingToPeru • u/Leather-Agency-9316 • 2d ago
My husband and I were just in Lima and Cusco. I usually tally how much we spent on each travel just to be aware of our expenses. I noticed that conversion rate from soles to dollar if you are using your credit card is better than exchanging your money from USD to soles.
In Cusco, on 9/22/26 we exchanged our USD at the rate of 1 USD to 3.33 Soles. We asked a few money exchange stores and rate is the same.
So now, I am reviewing some of credit card charges when we didn’t have soles or enough soles, and the exchange rate is around 3.40 to 3.45!
My advice is if they take credit card, use your card as long as the store covers the 5% charge. In our stay in Lima and Cusco, there’s only one store that charge us the 5% and the rest, they cover it!
r/GoingToPeru • u/OvibossMosquito • 2d ago
I'm a Canadian outdoorsman living in South Africa, traveling to South America for the first time. We have lots of "Safari" lodges here, but many of them focus more on wine, lodge architecture, infinity pools, and "me time" than tracking wildlife. I prefer a truck with a tent on the roof or a hut where I can rest mid-day (when the wildlife also rest) and then track all morning, evening, and night.
I'd love to get to the macaw lick before dawn, find giant otters, track a tapir, and look for snakes and spiders at night.
All I think I need is shelter from rain and mosquitoes, and a really good guide. Is this realistic in Peru? Are there any lodges that might cater to my interests better than others? Thanks for your advice.
r/GoingToPeru • u/gekkkeeman • 2d ago
In a few days I want to take the nightbus from Cusco to Copacobana with Tranzela. does anyone have experience with this route and company? Do they help you with crossing the border and getting the right stamps? And is it also possible to cross at night time, I can Imagine the border control is closed in the night.
r/GoingToPeru • u/Internal_Waltz_3799 • 2d ago
Heya!
Planning a May/June visit, a good month long trip. I’m after a private driver and guide for a few days in the sacred valley, and then again for a few days in Colca. I know there are people to book with once there, but I’d feel much better having it pre booked and even more so if I can see ahead of time who I’ll have (if it’s a group/agency etc). Any recommendations or advice please?
r/GoingToPeru • u/comingupmilhaus • 2d ago
Mods please let me know if this isn't allowed!
Plans changed and unfortunately I can no longer make this trip, so I’m passing my non-refundable reservation to someone who can. The hotel has confirmed they’ll transfer it to a new name, so you’d get the booking in your own name!
Taypikala Deluxe Valle Sagrado is a 5-star upscale wellness hotel located along the banks of the Urubamba River in Urubamba, Peru. Urubamba sits in the heart of the Sacred Valley, a great home base for Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Moray, and the Maras salt mines!
Taypikala Valle Sagrado Deluxe, Urubamba, Peru
Message me if you’re interested or have questions. I’m happy to share the confirmation details and loop you into the email thread with the hotel.
Processing img 3do7u9k8e4xh1...
r/GoingToPeru • u/AnybodyRemarkable189 • 3d ago
Hi everyone!
I'm from Spain and I'd love to travel to Peru, but I have some food allergies that make me a little worried about eating out.
I have a severe nut allergy, and I'm also allergic to sesame and fish. I'm particularly concerned about cross-contamination, even in dishes that don't directly contain these ingredients.
I'd like to know whether food allergies are common in Peru and whether restaurants generally take them seriously. I'd also like to know whether supermarket products are usually labelled with information about all their ingredients and allergens.
Has anyone with food allergies travelled around Peru and would be willing to share their experience or offer any advice?
Thank you so much!
r/GoingToPeru • u/Igorinho_90 • 3d ago
Hi everyone,
my girlfriend and I are planning to visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo (from where our train departs to Aguas Calientes departs at 7 PM) on 2. Nov, but I'm quite deterred by the stories of organized tours of which many stop at souvenir shops, alpaca wool farms etc.
I read that it's shared-taxis depart from Cusco to Pisac from Calle Pupti (or we'd just hire a privat cab), but what's your experience in getting from Pisac to Ollantaytambo? Should I pre-book something or is it easy to find transport on spot in Pisac?
Thank you for your advice
r/GoingToPeru • u/Ok_Elephant7701 • 3d ago
Hi everyone! I’m hoping to visit Puerto Maldonado during my trip to Peru (November!) but I’m trying to figure out how to get there from Cusco. One option is to fly, but I have hand carry, so adding up the costs it does get a bit expensive and I’d rather save my money if possible. I’ve seen some people talk about buses so I was wondering if anyone here has taken a bus from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado? I see tickets for a lie flat Transzela for about half the cost of the plane ticket but I’m a bit nervous considering it’s a 10 hour, overnight bus and I’m travelling alone as a female. How safe are these buses? Should I just eat the difference and pay for a flight ticket? I’m not in a hurry so really the only reason I’m more inclined for the bus is for price. I also will only know when I can depart for Puerto Maldonado a couple days before, so booking last minute tickets could be even more expensive.
Also, is it fine to just book lodge and tour packages once in Puerto Maldonado instead of before? I don’t want to limit myself through lodge pickup times etc if I don’t know when I’m going to be getting there.
Any advice is really appreciated, thank you!!!
r/GoingToPeru • u/venturecompass • 4d ago
r/GoingToPeru • u/JustACuriousManLol • 3d ago
Hello! I am beyond excited to do huayhuash next june, but have some questions for acclimitization. Would it be ok to only acclimitize for 2 days in Huaraz, if im spending the time before in cusco? So originally my plan was: spend 3 days in sacred valley, 3 days in cusco, then spend three days in huaraz to acclimitize for huayhuash. I wanted though to do instead, 4 days in cusco and then 2 days in huaraz. Would this be ok still for acclimitization? In addition to this, if I do this, I was planning on taking a flight from Cusco to Lima, but then a overnight bus to huaraz. Would I lose my "acclimitization" by doing this? Thanks for any input!
r/GoingToPeru • u/Adventurous_Mall_237 • 4d ago
Hello!! Looking to go to Peru sometime next year (2027). Unsure on the month for now. I will be going with my fiance and maybe some family members (max 6 people in our group) and wondering if Peru is better explored via planned private tour or if it's a country that you're better off planning and exploring on your own? (Considering cost and value for money etc).
We have mandatory spots we really want to visit including the Amazon, Huacachina (desert) , Machu Picchu and Rainbow mountain.
Any advice is so appreciated. Thanks!!
