Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu: classic route

Visiting Machu Picchu has changed since 2024 with the new circuits and entrance tickets to the archaeological site. Today there are three circuits included in the ten types of tickets. All tickets allow a different experience in the tourist visit. For example, there are tickets that allow only the tour of the archaeological site. In addition, there are others that allow incredible hikes along Inca trails to the tops of mountains (such as Huayna Picchu) or mysterious Inca constructions (such as the Great Cavern). Of the three circuits, the second is the one that most tourists prefer because it allows a more complete tour with a visit to the most famous Inca temples. This circuit is included in two types of tickets: a) Machu Picchu Classic ticket and b) Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket.

Tickets to Machu Picchu – what tours do they include?

• The ten new entrance tickets to Machu Picchu

  From 2024 there are ten types of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu:

  • Machu Picchu Classic Photo Ticket (circuit 1) – Ticket that offers only the tourist visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu through circuit 1. That is, the route allows the ascent to the Casa del Guardián sector where you can get a panoramic view of the Inca city, as well as the classic photo of the place that all tourists want. The ticket allows up to ten entry times and is available for visitors of all ages. This ticket can be purchased online on average 1 month in advance.
  • Machu Picchu Classic Ticket (circuit 2) – Ticket that offers only the tourist visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu through circuit 2. That is, the route allows the most complete tour of the upper, middle and lower parts of the site, with a close-up visit to historical buildings, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, the agricultural sector and more. It also allows the classic photo from the Guardian House sector. This ticket can be purchased online 3 months in advance.
  • Machu Picchu Classic Ticket Lower Terrace (Circuit 2) – Ticket that also offers a tourist visit to Machu Picchu through Circuit 2. That is, it allows the most recommended route through the majority of Inca temples and buildings, such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, the agricultural sector and more. It also allows the classic photo from the Guardian’s House sector. It differs from the ‘Machu Picchu Classic’ ticket only in that the classic photo is taken a few meters below the Guardian’s House sector.
  • Machu Picchu Lower Temples Ticket (Circuit 3) – Ticket that offers only a tourist visit to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu through Circuit 3, also called the Royal Circuit, as it allows visits to temples belonging to the Inca royalty: the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Condor, and more. In addition, it allows a panoramic photo of Machu Picchu through the agricultural sector. This ticket can be purchased online 1 month in advance.
  • Machu Picchu Ticket with Huayna Picchu (Circuit 3) – Ticket that offers a sightseeing tour of the Machu Picchu archaeological site on Circuit 3, as well as a hike to the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain (2 kilometers). Machu Picchu includes a visit to Inca buildings such as: the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Condor, and more. This ticket is available year-round for visitors over 18 years of age. It can be purchased online 3 months in advance.
  • Machu Picchu Ticket with Mountain (circuit 1) – Ticket that offers a sightseeing tour of the Machu Picchu archaeological site on circuit 1. It also allows a hike to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain (2.5 kilometers). In Machu Picchu, only the visit to the Guardian’s House is included, where you can get the best postcard photo. The mountain route is available all year round for visitors over 18 years old. The ticket can be purchased online 2 months in advance.
  • Machu Picchu Ticket with Huchuy Picchu (Circuit 3) – Ticket that offers a sightseeing tour of the Machu Picchu archaeological site on Circuit 3. It also allows a visit to the top of the small mountain Huchuy Picchu (1 kilometer). Machu Picchu includes a visit to Inca buildings such as: the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Condor, and more. This ticket is available from June 1st to October 15th for visitors over 18 years of age. It can be purchased online 2 months in advance.
  • Machu Picchu Ticket with Inca Bridge (circuit 1) – Ticket that offers a sightseeing tour of the Machu Picchu archaeological site on circuit 1. It also allows a hike to the Inca Bridge, a construction on the eastern edge of Machu Picchu (1 kilometer). In Machu Picchu, only the visit to the Guardian’s House is included, where you can get the best postcard photo. The route to the Inca Bridge is available from June 1 to October 15 for visitors over 18 years old. The ticket can be purchased online 2 months in advance.
  • Machu Picchu Ticket with Intipunku (Circuit 1) – Ticket that offers a sightseeing tour of the Machu Picchu archaeological site on Circuit 1. It also allows a hike to Intipunku, the Sun Gate, which was the entrance and checkpoint to Machu Picchu in Inca times (2-kilometer route). At the archaeological site, only a visit to the Guardian’s House is included, where you can get the best postcard photo. The route to Intipunku is available from June 1 to October 15 for visitors of all ages. The ticket can be purchased online 2 months in advance.
  • Machu Picchu Ticket with Temple of the Moon (Circuit 3) – Ticket that offers a sightseeing tour of the Machu Picchu archaeological site through Circuit 3. It also allows a visit to the mysterious Great Cavern, also called the Temple of the Moon (3 kilometers). The Inca citadel includes a visit to Inca buildings such as: the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Temple of the Condor, and more. Access to the Temple of the Moon is available from June 1 to October 15 for visitors over 18 years of age. It can be purchased online 2 months in advance.

• The three circuits in Machu Picchu: 1, 2 and 3

  Circuits in Machu Picchu	Circuit 1	Circuit 2	Circuit 3
  Description	The first circuit in Machu Picchu allows a panoramic experience of the archaeological site. The route lasts only 1 hour or more. It begins with a climb up stone steps until reaching the Guardian House area. This is where you can get the best photos of Machu Picchu. There, you also have the best panoramic view of the place. Circuit 1 is a short option but with beautiful landscapes.	The second circuit in Machu Picchu offers a more complete experience in Machu Picchu. The route offers a classic panoramic photo in the Guardian House sector. It also allows the visit to most of the Inca temples, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock and the Water Mirrors. Finally, the exit from the Inca city is made through the agricultural sector. The circuit lasts 2 hours or more. It is the option that most visitors prefer.	The third circuit in Machu Picchu offers a very interesting route through the temples in the lower part that belonged to the Inca royalty. It includes a visit to the Casa del Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Casa del Inca and the Temple of the Condor. It allows for a beautiful photo from the agricultural sector. This circuit can be completed in 2 hours or a little more. It is an excellent option to complement a hike in Machu Picchu.

Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu: classic route

• This is route 2 in Machu Picchu: the route that follows

  Circuit 2 begins with the entrance to the archaeological site. You immediately climb stone steps for 20 to 30 minutes until you reach the Guardian’s House, also known as the Watchman’s House. From there you stop to get the best photos of the visit. Then you descend to the area of ​​Inca buildings. You visit Inca buildings including the Temple of the Sun (from the upper viewpoint), the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock. On the way back you visit the Water Mirrors, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural sector. There you can get photos of llamas before leaving the Inca citadel.

• Map of circuit 2 in Machu Picchu

  

• Why choose circuit 2 in Machu Picchu?

  These are the advantages offered by circuit 2 when visiting Machu Picchu:

  • The best classic photo of Machu Picchu from the Guardian House sector (on the upper terrace and lower terrace).
  • This ticket allows you to visit most of the Inca buildings such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Water Mirrors, the Sacred Fountains, the agricultural sector and more.
  • The circuit with the longest journey time: 2 hours 30 minutes on average.

• Disadvantages of circuit 2 in Machu Picchu

  These are the disadvantages of circuit 2 in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu:

  • It does not allow a ticket that complements the visit with a hiking route to some mountain or distant Inca construction.
  • The ticket that sells out the fastest. It must be purchased online two or three months in advance.