The three circuits and ten routes

The visit system divides Machu Picchu into three circuits: Circuit 1 (Panoramic, upper terraces and mountain routes), Circuit 2 (Classic, the postcard view plus the urban core), and Circuit 3 (Royalty, lower citadel and the Huayna Picchu mountain routes). Each circuit contains designated routes; some routes are seasonal. Your ticket fixes the circuit and route at purchase and cannot be changed at the gate. Choosing the right circuit BEFORE hunting tickets is the single highest-leverage planning decision.