After hiking the Inca Trail and enjoying the panoramic views the hike afforded us, we were set to take in the site more closely the next morning. One of the benefits of signing up for the hike is that you don’t have a timed ticket. You can enter whenever you like, though you do still have to pre-select one of the six designated circuits. Peru instituted the circuit system in recent years to better manage the crowds. We opted for circuit three.

Circuit three winds through the heart of the complex and focuses on architecture and religious sites. Other routes take you to the more iconic venues that offer the stunning panoramic views. We enjoyed all of those stunning views the previous day by hiking in from the trail, so for us those would have been a repeat.

Machu Picchu also gets more crowds as the day progresses, especially starting at around mid morning and continuing through midday. I should note that we stayed at the Sanctuary Lodge, which is the only hotel on the mountain and adjacent to the entrance to the site. All other lodging is in Aguas Calientes on the valley floor, from which you must catch a shuttle bus up to the site.

We were originally booked to stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes that is highly regarded, but at the urging of a friend who had stayed at Sanctuary, we switched. It is pricey, I won’t lie, as it is part of the Belmond chain. The rooms aren’t spacious either, but you can’t beat the convenience. After our hike the previous day we didn’t have to face a bus ride down, not to mention first thing in the morning. We met our guide Franklin at 6:30 a.m. and just strolled into Machu Picchu. It was awesome.

Regardless of whether you stay at Sanctuary or in Aguas Calientes, our one piece of advice is get an early start to the day. You won’t be disappointed. Doors to the site open at 6 am.