Machu Picchu curcuit 2
Circuit number 2 is the most popular circuit of Machu Picchu. If you
hire a Machupicchu guide, this is the circuit that most Machu Picchu guides will recommend that you take. The entire circuit takes about 2 hours to complete. It is one of the best circuits if you want to see most of the main attractions of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. There are 2 routes that are very similar:
Differences between Circuit 2A Classic and Circuit 2B Lower Terrace
There is only one main difference between Circuit 2A Classic and Circuit 2B Lower Terrace: The Postal Photo or The Classic Photo.
Explanation:
The Circuit 2B Lower Terrace allows you to go at a higher viewing spot called "Lower Terrace". This is the location where you take the iconic
Postal Photo of Machu Picchu. The Lower Terrace photo spot is near the Guard's house which is considered one of the best spots to take the most popular photos of Machu Picchu.
The Circuit 2B Classic allows you to take the iconic
Classic Photo of Machu Picchu. This iconic Classic photo viewing spot gives you a much closer view of the citadel behind you when you take the photo.
Important:The Circuit 2B Lower Terrace will only allow you the Postal photo. You will not be able to take the Classic photo. And the Circuit 2A Classic will only allow you the Classic photo, it will not allow you the Postal photo.
Below are the 2 different photos: The Postal photo vs the Classic Photo.
Iconic "Postal Photo" taken on Circuit 2B - Lower Terrace
The iconic
Postal Photo of Machu Picchu is taken from a platform called Lower Terrace. It allows you to take a wider horizontal shot of the Machu Picchu citadel behind you.
Iconic "Classic Photo" taken on Circuit 2A - Classic
The Classic Photo of Machu Picchu shows the citadel behind you with all of it's amazing structures much closer than the Postal photo of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Circuit 2B Lower Terrace
This is the most popular circuit of Machu Picchu. This circuit will show you the agricultural zone and most of the urban area which includes the quarries (where the Inca's would extract the construction materials, ceremonial quarters, living quarters, main plaza, the Sacred Rock, the water mirrors, among many other attractions.
Map of Circuit 2B Lower Terrace
Below is a map that describes the best attractions you will find on the Circuit 2-B: Lower Terrace route. The best photo spots are marked with a camera icon. The lower section will also amaze you with incredible Inca structures that beautifully match the natural landscapes and surrounding mountains.To enter Circuit 2-A Classic route, you must buy this ticket:
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu entrance ticket: CIRCUIT 2 - Lower Terrace
1 Lower Terrace photo platform This is where you can take the iconic Postal Photo of Machu Picchu
2 Classic Close-up Photo Spot. This is another spot where you can take a good Classic photo of Machu Picchu
3 Main Gate
4 Dry Moat
5 Temple of the Sun
6 Granite Chaos
7 Temple area
8 Intihuatana Pyramid (Entrance only from 7 to 10am)
9 Sacred Rock
10 Industrial Sector
11 Inca oriental store houses
12 Water Mirror
13 Temple of the Condor (Entrance only from 10am to 1pm)
14 Pisonay tree plaza
15 Archaeological reserve
Location of Photo Spots to take the Iconic Postal photo of Machu Picchu
1 Lower Terrace photo platform This is where you can take the iconic Postal Photo of Machu Picchu
2 Classic Close-up Photo Spot. This is another spot where you can take a good Classic photo of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Circuit 2A Classic
This is the next most popular circuit of Machu Picchu. This circuit will show you the agricultural zone and most of the urban area which includes the quarries (where the Inca's would extract the construction materials, ceremonial quarters, living quarters, main plaza, the Sacred Rock, the water mirrors, among many other attractions.
Map of Circuit 2A Classic
Below is a map that describes the best attractions you will find on the Circuit 2-A: Classic route. The best photo spots are marked with a camera icon. The lower section will also amaze you with incredible Inca structures that beautifully match the natural landscapes and surrounding mountains.To enter Circuit 2-A Classic route, you must buy this ticket:
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu entrance ticket: CIRCUIT 2 - Classic
1 Classic Photo Spot This is where you can take the iconic Classic Photo of Machu Picchu
2 Classic Close-up Photo Spot. This is another spot where you can take a good Classic photo of Machu Picchu
3 Main Gate
4 Dry Moat
5 Temple of the Sun
6 Granite Chaos
7 Temple area
8 Intihuatana Pyramid (Entrance only from 7 to 10am)
9 Sacred Rock
10 Industrial Sector
11 Inca oriental store houses
12 Water Mirror
13 Temple of the Condor (Entrance only from 10am to 1pm)
14 Pisonay tree plaza
15 Archaeological reserve
Location of Photo Spots to take the Iconic Classic photo of Machu Picchu
1 Classic Photo Spot This is where you can take the iconic Classic Photo of Machu Picchu
2 Classic Close-up Photo Spot. This is another spot where you can take a good Classic photo of Machu Picchu
Circuit Number 2 main attractions
Lower Terrace photo platform
This is where you can take the iconic Postal photo of Machu Picchu. Only entrance ticket for Circuit 2-B Lower Terrace allows you to enter to this area. The entrance ticket for Circuit 2-A Classic will not allow you here.
Classic photo spot
This is where you can take the iconic Classic photo of Machu Picchu. Only entrance ticket for Circuit 2-A Classic allows you to enter this area. The entrance ticket for Circuit 2-B Lower Terrace will not allow you here.
This is the spot where you take the Classic Photo of Machu Picchu.
This is the spot where you take the Classic Photo of Machu Picchu.
Classic Close-up Photo Spot
This is another spot where you can take a very memorable photo of you with Machu Picchu behind you. This is called the "Close-up Classic Photo" spot because you will be able to take a photo of you with the citadel of Machu Picchu right behind you with all of its amazing structures very close to you.
Main Gate
The Inca architects designed it to frame the Waynapicchu mountain, one of the tutelary deities of the place. The trapezoidal shape is a hallmark of Inka architecture.
Dry Moat
The division between the agrarian and urban areas was marked by the Dry Moat, which would have been a water drainage. It also prevented excessive erosion of the land and contributed to the isolation of the ceremonial sector.
Temple of the Sun
Sun Temple, The temple is one of the best examples of organic architecture in the world and one of the finest in the sites of Machupicchu. The lower level contains a stepped symbol, a lithic sculpture, and trapezoidal niches that were used for ceremonial purposes related to the cult of the dead. In the top level, trapezoidal niches can be found, along with a large carved rock altar and trapezoidal windows that were astronomical observation points.
Granitic Chaos Or Quarries of Machupicchu
The fractured rocks and partially worked granite blocks in this area were still in the process of formation. The area was still being used as a quarry at the time the site was abandoned. It hints at what the site may have looked like prior to the construction of the deposit.
Temple Area
The temple area was the main space for religious ceremonies in Machu Picchu. Around it are two of the most remarkable constructions: the Main Temple and the Temple of the 3 Windows. It is currently one of the most visited sites within the Inca citadel. It is open to visitors every day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Intihuatana Pyramid (Entrance only from 7 to 10am)
The structure known as the Intihuatana is a rock hewn out of a rocky outcrop. This incredible rock is characterized by preserving several polished planes with incredible precision. This rock served as a sundial and has been known for years as the rock that radiates energy. Although it is forbidden to touch it, it will suffice to separate the palms of the hands a few centimeters to feel its energy.
Sacred Rock
The Sacred Rock is a monolith of amazing dimensions carved by the Incas inside Machu Picchu. It reaches a height of 3 meters sitting on a base 7 meters wide. This base is carved as an altar. It is made with granite stone located in the same sector. The fine carving of its base indicates that the Incas left various offerings there such as coca leaves, animal fetuses or llama sacrifices. It is currently one of the most famous buildings in Machu Picchu. Tourists believe that by bringing their hands close to its granite, they are filled with the energy of the mountains.
Industrial Sector
The "Industrial District" is the largest complex in the city, it is said that it could be the house of chosen women, women dedicated to the service of fine crafts, hence the name of the complex or industrial district
Inca Oriental Stores Houses
The colcas were part of the Inca system to store food and goods of each suyu that were later redistributed among all the inhabitants of the empire. This system guaranteed the survival of the Empire and its people in years of bad harvests.
Water Mirrors
They are two round-shaped containers, carved in a natural outcrop of granite, similar to mortars, which is why this place is known as: "The Mortar Room", they are located on the floor of one of the enclosures of the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun.
Temple of the Condor (Entrance only from 10am to 1pm)
The Temple of the Condor is an impressive example of Inca masonry integrated into its natural environment. Created from a granite outcrop in the shape of an Andean condor, which is surrounded by two large stones representing its wings.
Pisonay Square
Pisonay or cinchona or cascarilla tree, which is located in the Plaza, which is a symbol that represents the riches of the vegetable kingdom in the national coat of arms of Peru, will be part of the 24 native species that will be planted in the next five years in the Historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Archaeological Reserve
The archaelogical reserve is series of inca structures that are roofless. There is a variety of rooms and hallways. Some structures have many windows, other structures have long halls and walkways.
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