Circuit 2 to Machu Picchu is the one that most tourists prefer because it allows a more complete visit to the Inca citadel including the temple of the sun, the main temple, the temple of the 3 windows, the sacred rock, the classic photo at the guardian’s house and more. Circuit 2 can be done with two types of tickets: the Classic Machu Picchu ticket and the Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket. How do these two tickets differ and why are they preferred by visitors? Learn more!

• Machu Picchu circuit 2, the most complete route
• What is the difference between the Machu Picchu Classic ticket and the Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket?
• Classic Machu Picchu ticket: schedules and prices
• Ticket Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace: schedules and prices
• Differences and similarities of the Machu Picchu tickets that offer circuit 2
• Questions and answers

Tourists entering the Inca City of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Circuit 3, another excellent option for your visit
Circuit 2 is considered the best tourist route within the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. However, circuit 3 also offers an experience worth knowing. This circuit is called ‘of the royalty’ because it offers the visit to Inca constructions destined to the ruling elite, such as: the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun or the Royal Tomb. In addition, the tour through circuit 3 offers a scenic photo of Machu Picchu very similar to the classic photo you get at the Guardian’s House. This photo, in circuit 3, is obtained in the sector of the Guardian’s House. The tour with circuit 2 through the archaeological site takes 2 hours 30 minutes approximately. Meanwhile, the tour through circuit 3 has an average duration of 2 hours. Both circuits are highly recommended because they allow for beautiful photos and a tour through historic stone constructions.

Machu Picchu circuit 2, the most complete route

Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu is considered the most complete route. It allows an almost complete visit to the most famous Inca constructions: the temple of the sun, the main temple, the temple of the three windows, the sacred rock, the water mirrors, the sacred fountains, the agricultural area, terraces and more.

Additionally, circuit 2 allows you to get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu from the sector of the Guardian’s House (also known as the Watchman’s House). This photo is the one that most tourists prefer on their visit to Machupicchu. For these reasons most tourists prefer tickets that include circuit 2.

There are two tickets that include circuit 2: the Classic Machu Picchu entrance and the Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace entrance. Both allow you to take the tour of circuit 2 in Machu Picchu, as well as the classic postcard photo. They differ only by the point where this picture is taken. The first in the sector of the Guardian’s House. The second, on the other hand, a few meters below on a lower platform.

However, beyond this difference, both tickets offer exactly the same: circuit 2 of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. This circuit is suitable for visitors of all ages and is available every day of the year.

Touring Machu Picchu Circuit 2 takes 2 hours and 30 minutes on average. The visitor can complete it in that time, a few minutes more or a few minutes less. The company of a tour guide is not mandatory but really recommended to learn more about each of the stone buildings and their functions.

Circuit 2 is called the ‘classic circuit’ because it allows the most traditional tour of Machu Picchu, the one that most visitors like to do. Perhaps a negative aspect of this circuit is that both the Classic Machu Picchu ticket and the Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket do not offer any additional trekking route through any mountain or Inca construction. Most tickets to the mountains of Machu Picchu offer circuit 1 or circuit 3, which are also recommended but do not allow a complete tour of the main Inca constructions.

Postcard photo from the classic Machu Picchu route

What is the difference between the Machu Picchu Classic ticket and the Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket?

Both tickets are almost similar with an almost complete tour of Machu Picchu through circuit 2. The only difference is the point where you get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu. The Classic Machu Picchu ticket offers the photo from the sector of the Guardian’s House. On the other hand, the ticket Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace offers the photo from a terrace below this space, just two or three meters below. However, the result, the photo obtained, are very similar.

• Ticket Machu Picchu Classic – This ticket includes circuit 2 and the classic photo of Machu Picchu in the sector of the Guardian’s House.
• Ticket Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace – This ticket includes circuit 2 and the classic photo of Machu Picchu in the sector of the Guardian’s House but on a lower terrace.

View of Machu Picchu from the classical route

Classic Machu Picchu ticket: schedules and prices

The Classic Machu Picchu ticket offers up to ten visiting hours per day. This ticket allows a delay of 30 minutes during the year and 45 minutes in high tourist season (from June 1 to October 15). However, a longer delay can be justified. The ticket is available for tourists of all ages. These are the ten admission times:

• Group 1. Entrance is from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• Group 2. Entrance is from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Group 3. Entrance is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Group 4. Entrance is from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Group 5. Entrance is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Group 6. Entrance is from 11:00 a.m. to noon.
• Group 7. Entrance is from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Group 8. Entrance is from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Group 9. Entrance is from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Group 10. Entrance is from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The Classic Machu Picchu ticket offers discounts for visitors under 18 years old, university students (undergraduate students and under 25 years old), as well as citizens of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia. The purchase can be made online or in person in the city of Cusco (or in the town of Aguas Calientes). It is recommended to do it 2 or 3 months in advance because the availability is limited to approximately one thousand tourists per day.

Ticket Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace: schedules and prices

The Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket also offers up to ten visiting hours per day. This ticket allows a 30-minute delay during the year and 45 minutes in high tourist season (June 1 to October 15). However, a longer delay can be justified. The ticket is available for tourists of all ages. These are the ten admission times:

• Group 1. Entrance is from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• Group 2. Entrance is from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Group 3. Entrance is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• Group 4. Entrance is from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Group 5. Entrance is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Group 6. Entrance is from 11:00 a.m. to noon.
• Group 7. Entrance is from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Group 8. Entrance is from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Group 9. Entrance is from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Group 10. Entrance is from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket also offers discounts for visitors who are under 18 years old, university students (undergraduate students and under 25 years old), as well as citizens of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia. The purchase can be made online or in person in the city of Cusco (or in the town of Aguas Calientes). It is recommended to do it 2 or 3 months in advance because the availability is limited to approximately one thousand tourists per day.

Differences and similarities of the Machu Picchu tickets that offer circuit 2

Questions and answers

• 1) Which tickets include circuit 2 at Machu Picchu?

  The Machu Picchu Classic and Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace tickets offer circuit 2 in Machu Picchu.

• 2) What Inca constructions does circuit 2 in Machu Picchu include?

  Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu offers the visit to important Inca constructions, such as: the temple of the sun, the main temple, the temple of the three windows, the sacred rock, the water mirrors, the sacred fountains, the agricultural area.

• 3) What is the difference between the tickets that offer circuit 2 in Machu Picchu?

  Both offer circuit 2 in Machu Picchu. The only difference lies in the point where the classic postcard photo is taken.

• 4) How much does the Classic Machu Picchu ticket cost?

  The Classic Machu Picchu ticket costs 152 soles for foreign adults. There are also discounts for university students, children under 18 years old and citizens of the Andean Community of Nations (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia).

• 5) How much does the Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket cost?

  The Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket costs 152 soles for foreign adults. There are also discounts for university students, children under 18 years old and citizens of the Andean Community of Nations (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia).

• 6) What type of photo does the Classic Machu Picchu ticket offer?

  This ticket offers the photo from the sector of the Guardian’s House.

• 7) What type of photo does the Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace ticket offer?

  This type of ticket offers the photo from the sector of the Guardian’s House, but from a terrace a few meters below.

• 8) How long does it take to do circuit 2 in Machu Picchu?

  Circuit 2 takes approximately two hours and thirty minutes.

• 9) How many schedules does the Classic Machu Picchu ticket offer?

  The Classic Machu Picchu ticket offers up to ten entrance times every hour from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm.

• 10) How many entrance times does the Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket offer?

  The Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace ticket offers up to ten entrance times every hour from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Stephanie O.

“Simply breathtaking“

“It was a trip often postponed, but when you have Machu Picchu in front of you, you realize that dreams come true and you would come back a thousand times if you have enough time. A place to meditate and organize your life. There is a before and an after Machu Picchu.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 3, 2024