What entrance to Machu Picchu allows me the classic photo?

Machu Picchu offers different experiences for each visitor. You can tour the archaeological site as well as take short routes to the top of its mountains. However, many visitors simply want to get that dream photo with the Inca city in the background. To get this photo you must buy the Machupicchu Circuit 1 or 2 ticket. Learn more about the tickets and how to get this dream photo.

Photo Postcard of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu entrance ticket types

There are four types of entrances to Machu Picchu:

Machu Picchu Circuit 1 or 2 ticket

The Machupicchu Circuit 1 or 2 ticket will only allow you to tour the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu (the tour with a tour guide will take an average of 2.5 hours).
This ticket is the most used by tourists to visit Machu Picchu.
The tour of Machu Picchu is the most extensive and complete. You will be able to see the amazing constructions made by the Incas, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, among others.
It can be visited by people of all ages alone or in company. Also for people with mild disabilities and even for people in wheelchairs (only the first part of the route)
The most remarkable thing is that this ticket allows you to visit Guardian’s House sector. From there you get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
The ticket price is 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults.

“Guardian’s House” – Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu Ticket

The ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu will allow you to travel beautiful Inca trails, from the Inca city of Machu Picchu to the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain, located at 2,693 meters above sea level.
The tour of Machu Picchu is partial. In other words, only some constructions are visited, such as: the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the Temple of the 3 Windows and other minor constructions.
This ticket does not allow you to visit the House of the Guardian. In other words, the tourist will not be able to take the classic postcard photo in the Inca city.
The tour of Machu Picchu lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The tour of Huayna Picchu (round trip) takes 3 hours or more.
From the top of Huayna Picchu you can get landscape photos with Machu Picchu and the nature that surrounds it. However, you don’t get that classic postcard photo.
It can be visited by people 12 years and older, (in the company of an adult); by single people and in company. This is the best adventure in Machu Picchu.
The ticket price is 200 soles for foreign adults and 112 soles for Peruvian adults.

The Huayna Picchu mountain. It is a great challenge to be able to reach its top

Machu Picchu with Mountain Ticket

In addition to knowing the Inca city, the Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket will give you the opportunity to walk the ancient Inca trails of the so-called ‘Machu Picchu mountain’, on which the archaeological site is built.
The tour of this mountain is also partial. In other words, tourists will only visit part of the constructions of the archaeological site such as: the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Ceremonial Fountains, the Hall of Mirrors, the Temple of the Condor and other minor constructions.
Theoretically, this ticket does not allow you to visit the House of the Guardian. However, many visitors can do so by asking their tour guide.
The tour of Machu Picchu lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The tour of the Machu Picchu mountain takes 4 hours or more.
From the top of the Machu Picchu mountain you can get landscape photos of Machu Picchu and the natural beauty that surrounds it. However, these photographs are not the classic postcard photo.
The visit to the Machu Picchu mountain is allowed to people of all ages. It’s a challenging but safe adventure.
The ‘Machu Picchu with Mountain’ ticket is the only one that allows the tourist to re-enter once.
The price of the ticket is 200 soles for foreign adults and 112 soles for Peruvian adults.

Spectacular view of the Inca city from Machu Picchu mountain

Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu Ticket

The ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu is a new entry created by the authorities of Cusco. It allows you to visit both the Inca city of Machupicchu and the small mountain Huchuy Picchu (1 kilometer walk to its top).
The tour of this mountain is also partial. Follow the same circuit through Machu Picchu as the one offered by the ‘Machupicchu + Huaynapicchu’ ticket. In other words, tourists will visit: the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the Temple of the 3 Windows and other minor constructions.
However, this ticket does not allow tourists to take the classic postcard photo in the House of the Guardian.
With this ticket the tour of Machu Picchu takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The route to the Huchuy Picchu mountain (round trip) takes approximately 2 hours.
From the top of the Huchuy Picchu mountain you can get landscape photos of the entire archaeological site. However, these photos are not as scenic as the Huayna Picchu or the Machu Picchu mountain. Nor is it the classic photo from the House of the Guardian.
The visit to Huchuy Picchu is allowed to people of all ages. It is an easy adventure, it does not require a great physical effort.
The ticket price is 152 soles for foreign adults and 64 soles for Peruvian adults.

View of Machu Picchu from Huchuy Picchu mountain

Which ticket allows me the classic photo?

In conclusion, the ticket that allows you to get the classic photo is the Machupicchu Circuit 1 or 2 ticket
The other tickets allow you beautiful landscape photos of the place but not that famous photo that many tourists want to get.

More information about photos in Machu Picchu

Tickets to Machu Picchu must be purchased online in advance. All tickets must be purchased one to two months in advance. Only the ‘Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu’ ticket must be purchased 3 or 4 months in advance.
Another point where you can get landscape photos of Machu Picchu is the Intipunku (the Gate of the Sun). This construction is almost a 2 kilometer walk uphill from the archaeological site.
Unfortunately, there are days when Machu Picchu wakes up covered in mist. On those days it is not possible to take any photos, not even high up in the mountains or in the House of the Guardian. The fogs usually happen in the mornings of the rainy months (from January to March). They usually disappear as the day progresses.
Take a good camera with you. Remember that tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed in Machu Picchu.