What Circuit 3 covers, and what it does not
The Ministry calls it the Royalty circuit, which sounds like an upgrade. It is not: on the official maps, every Circuit 3 route walks the same six landmarks in the lower sector of the city, the Temple of the Sun viewpoint, Pisonay Square, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Mirrors, the Eastern Qolqas and the Twelve Niches, about half of what Circuit 2 walks. None of them reach the panoramic platforms and none visit the upper temples: no Temples Plaza, no Intiwatana. What Circuit 3 has that no other circuit has is the Sacred Rock as a trailhead for the mountains.
The five Circuit 3 tickets at a glance
| Circuit | Duration | Price | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit 3A Huayna Picchu | Up to 6 h | $78 | Challenging | The iconic peak, 400/day, 18+, books out months ahead |
| Circuit 3B Royalty | 2 h 30 | $62 | Easy | The gentlest walk, all ages |
| Circuit 3B Premium | 2 h 30 guided | $245 | Easy | Sold-out dates, flexible entry, guide included |
| Circuit 3C Grand Cavern | Up to 7 h | $78 | Challenging | Temple of the Moon, emptiest trail (Jun–Oct, 18+) |
| Circuit 3D Huchuy Picchu | Up to 3 h 30 | $62 | Moderate | A summit without the Huayna fight (Jun–Oct) |
Route 3A: Huayna Picchu
The peak in every photo of Machu Picchu, climbed on 750 original Inca steps to a 360-degree view of the city from above. Capped at 400 visitors a day, adults only, up to 6 hours inside, sold year-round, and the hardest ticket in the sanctuary to get: in high season it books out 3 to 4 months ahead, weekends first. If it is gone, Machu Picchu Mountain on Circuit 1 is the higher, longer and far more available alternative; the comparison is in Mountain vs Huayna Picchu.
Circuit 3A Huayna Picchu
Climb the iconic peak — 400 visitors per day, only
Route 3B: Royalty
The lower sector on its own, with no trail: the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the House of the Inca, in a maximum stay of 2 h 30 and the least climbing of any route. It is the ticket for older parents, small children and anyone who wants to be inside the walls without a workout, and it often still has times when Circuit 2 is sold out.
Circuit 3B Royalty
The royal lower sector — temples and sacred sites
Route 3B Premium: guided, flexible entry
The same 3B walk with two things no other ticket has: a licensed bilingual guide included, and entry at any time between 6 AM and 3 PM instead of a fixed hourly window. It costs $245 per adult, so it is not the ticket for a planned trip; it is the ticket for a trip that cannot move when the standard slots for the date are gone, and it is usually still open then.
Circuit 3B Premium
Flexible entry 6 AM–3 PM with licensed guide included
Route 3C: Gran Caverna and the Temple of the Moon
The long trail around the back of Huayna Picchu to the Temple of the Moon, built inside a natural cavern, along jungle paths that very few visitors walk. Up to 7 hours, adults only, the most demanding route after the two summits, and marked on the official map as high season only: June to October.
Circuit 3C Grand Cavern
The Temple of the Moon, hidden inside Huayna Picchu
Route 3D: Huchuy Picchu
The small peak next to Huayna Picchu, at 2,497 m: about an hour of moderate climbing to a panorama very close to the famous one, with a fraction of the people and no 400-a-day cap fight. Up to 3 h 30, sold June to October. The best answer to "I want a summit but Huayna Picchu is sold out and I do not want a 4-hour hike".
Circuit 3D Huchuy Picchu
Easy 1-hour hike to a panoramic peak — away from crowds
Who should book Circuit 3
- You want Huayna Picchu: Route 3A, booked 3 to 4 months ahead in high season. Accept that your city walk will be the lower sector.
- You want the least walking possible: Route 3B. Nothing in the sanctuary is gentler.
- Your date is sold out and cannot move: 3B Premium, if the budget allows. Otherwise the options in what to do when Machu Picchu is sold out.
- You want a summit between June and October without the Huayna fight: Route 3D Huchuy Picchu. Route 3C if you want the longest, emptiest trail and the Temple of the Moon.
- First visit, no hike, you want to see the whole city: Then not Circuit 3. Book Circuit 2: it walks twice the landmarks for the same $62.
Booking notes for Circuit 3
- Age limits: Huayna Picchu (3A) and Gran Caverna (3C) are for adults aged 18 and over; there is no child fare on them. 3B, 3B Premium and 3D admit children, with the 8 to 17 fare.
- Seasonality: 3A, 3B and 3B Premium all year; 3C and 3D from June to October only.
- Prices: 3B and 3D cost $62 per adult; 3A and 3C cost $78; 3B Premium costs $245 with the guide included. A 5% service fee is added at checkout. Full table in the 2026 price guide.
- Passport at the gate: All Circuit 3 tickets are nominative and checked against the original document, and the mountain trails have their own control point where it is checked again.
Frequent questions about Circuit 3
What is Circuit 3 in Machu Picchu?
The circuit the Ministry calls Royalty. Its five routes share a walk through the lower sector of the city, six landmarks around the Temple of the Condor, and from the Sacred Rock three of them climb: Huayna Picchu (3A), Huchuy Picchu (3D) and the Gran Caverna trail (3C). Route 3B is the lower sector alone; 3B Premium adds a guide and flexible entry.
Is Circuit 3B a good ticket for a first visit?
Only if walking little is the priority. Route 3B is the gentlest walk in the sanctuary but covers about half the landmarks of Circuit 2 and none of the upper temples. For a first visit with normal mobility, Circuit 2A shows you more for the same price.
What does Circuit 3B Premium include?
The 3B route with a licensed bilingual guide for the 2 h 30 visit and entry at any time between 6 AM and 3 PM instead of a fixed slot. It costs $245 per adult and $182 per child, and it is usually available when standard tickets are sold out.
How far ahead does Huayna Picchu sell out?
Three to four months ahead in high season, June to September, and six to eight weeks off-season, weekends first. It is capped at 400 visitors a day and is adults only.
Can children do Circuit 3?
Routes 3B, 3B Premium and 3D admit children with the 8 to 17 fare. Huayna Picchu (3A) and Gran Caverna (3C) are for adults aged 18 and over.
Book a Circuit 3 route with live availability
All five tickets on one calendar, Ministry-issued QR, checkout in your language and WhatsApp support seven days a week.