Why Choose Circuit 2 Machu Picchu: Temples, Viewpoints, and Routes

Ultima actualización en 10 November, 2025 por Waman Adventures

Last Updated on 10 November, 2025 by Waman Adventures

If you want to experience the most complete visit to Machu Picchu, Circuit 2 Machu Picchu is the one to choose. This route leads you through the site’s most iconic temples, plazas, and viewpoints, allowing you to explore the best of the Inca sanctuary in a single entry. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what you’ll see and how to make the most of your visit.

Route 2-A (Classic or Upper)

Access: You enter through the upper part of Machu Picchu, following a path that leads you to the upper terrace.
Duration: The tour of Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu has an approximate duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes, although it may vary depending on your pace and the stops you make to rest or take photographs.
Difficulty: The difficulty is moderate to high, as you will have to climb several steep stone staircases and walk long stretches.
Characteristics:

• On this route, you can visit some of the most emblematic places of the citadel, such as:
• The Upper Viewpoint, from where you will get the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
• The Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Main Temple.
• The Sacred Rock and the Mirrors of Water.
• Urban sectors such as the Quarry, the ancient dwellings, the Pisonay Square, and the Temple of the Condor.

Choose the best time of year to experience Machu Picchu’s magic to the fullest.

Route 2-B (Middle or Lower)

Access: You enter through the middle part of the citadel, which allows you to tour Machu Picchu without having to climb up to the classic viewpoint.
Duration: The tour lasts between 2 hours and 2 hours 30 minutes, depending on your pace and the time you dedicate to exploring each sector.
Difficulty: The difficulty is moderate, as the path presents less physical demand than Route 2-A. The sections are more accessible and require less effort compared to the upper route.
Characteristics:

• On this circuit, you also visit important attractions of Machu Picchu, such as:
• The Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, and the Temple of the Three Windows.
• The Sacred Rock, the Mirrors of Water, as well as canals and fountains.
• The Temple of the Condor and the Pisonay Square.
• You enjoy panoramic views from the Lower Terrace, although you don’t reach the classic postcard view offered by Route 2-A.

Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu includes the main temples and sacred viewpoints.

Did you know…?
The Pisonay Square has a symbolic tree that connects the sacred city with nature.

The Main Difference Between the Two Variants

• Route 2-A: You get a closer and more elevated view of the citadel, very similar to the traditional postcard.
• Route 2-B: It offers you a wider and more panoramic perspective, although taken from a slightly lower level.

Reasons to Choose It

Main Attractions of Circuit 2 Machu Picchu

Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu is the most complete route within the sanctuary, as it allows you to discover the most important temples, the main squares, and the urban and agricultural areas of the citadel. Along this journey, you will have the opportunity to marvel at the following places:

• Temple of the Sun: Here, the Incas performed ceremonies in honor of their main deity, the Sun. Its curved stone walls are built with such precision that they align with the sun’s rays during the solstices.
• Temple of the Three Windows: This temple stands out for its three trapezoidal windows, which symbolize the three worlds of the Andean cosmovision: the upper world or Hanan Pacha, the earthly world or Kay Pacha, and the underworld or Uku Pacha.
• Main Temple: In this space, collective ceremonies and rituals of great importance were held. It is believed that it was reserved for Inca priests and authorities.
• Sacred Rock: It is a carved monolith that maintains a special alignment with the Yanantin mountain. It is considered to have been used as a ritual altar in ceremonies dedicated to the Apus or sacred mountains.
• Mirrors of Water, canals, and fountains: These elements showcase the advanced hydraulic engineering of the Incas and their relationship with nature and astronomy. The canals distribute water with great precision, while the fountains and Mirrors of Water served for rituals and astronomical observations.

The Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Three Windows reflect Inca wisdom.

Urban Areas

On Circuit 2, you will also tour the urban areas of Machu Picchu, where you can appreciate key spaces of Inca life:

• The quarry: Here, the stones that were later used to build temples, dwellings, and other structures of the citadel were carved.
• Residences of the elite: These dwellings are distinguished by a more elaborate architecture compared to the common houses, reflecting the status of their occupants.
• Pisonay Square: A large space that today is adorned by an imposing pisonay tree, a symbol of the connection between the sacred city and nature.

The pisonay tree is one of Machu Picchu’s iconic natural symbols.

Did you know…?
The Temple of the Three Windows represents the three worlds of the Andean cosmovision.

Variants of Circuit 2

Route 2-A (Designed): It includes access to the upper platforms, from where you can get a panoramic view very similar to the classic postcard of Machu Picchu.
Route 2-B (Lower Terrace): It takes you through the same main attractions but from a lower level, offering you another perspective of the citadel.

Duration and Times of Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu

Available Schedules

Best Season and Time to Tour Circuit 2 Machu Picchu

To make the most of your visit to Circuit 2 Machu Picchu, it is important to consider the season and weather:

High Season (more crowded, drier weather):

• It extends from June to August, although some sources consider it from May to September.
• During these months, skies are usually clear and temperatures are more pleasant and warm.
• It is the ideal time if you want to guarantee good visibility for your photos, although you will find more tourists on the site.

Low or Intermediate Season (fewer tourists, greener landscapes):

• During this time, the landscapes are full of life and you can tour the circuit more peacefully.
• These are also considered “shoulder season” months, where the weather is favorable and crowds are smaller.

Seasonal changes affect the number of visitors at Machu Picchu.

The Best Photos on Circuit 2 Machu Picchu

Route 2-A

On this route, you can get a closer and more detailed image of Machu Picchu

• The citadel will be seen at an ideal distance and you will have the imposing Huayna Picchu as a backdrop, perfect for capturing the classic postcard of Machu Picchu.

Route 2-B

• This route offers you a wider view from the Lower Terrace.
• You can achieve a horizontal panorama that includes both the citadel and the surrounding Andean landscape, ideal if you want to show the magnitude of the natural environment.

Practical Tips

• Book in advance
• Respect entry schedules
• Consider the required physical level
• Respect the sanctuary’s rules
• Organize your visit in Aguas Caliente

Essential Things You Must Bring to Machu Picchu

• Ticket and passport (checked at the entrance).
• Comfortable and light clothing that protects you from the sun.
• Trekking shoes or non-slip sneakers, as the ground may be wet.
• Sunscreen and hat, the sun at high altitude is intense even on cloudy days.
• Reusable water bottle (disposable plastics are not allowed).
• Insect repellent, especially if you visit between November and March.
• Camera or cell phone with good battery, as the circuit is full of photographic points.

Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu is the most complete option to explore temples, plazas, and agricultural terraces, with two routes that offer unique panoramic views. If you don’t know which route to choose, what to bring, or how to plan your visit, don’t worry. At Waman Adventures, we offer all the advice and support you need to make your trip perfect. Now you can enjoy Machu Picchu to the fullest, without complications. Contact us at +51 946 459 491 and get ready for an unforgettable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions