Machu Picchu rules and regulations
Machu Picchu is Peru’s greatest tourist attraction and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Located high in the Andean Mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu’s ruins attract visitors from around the planet. Tour options to enter Machu Picchu are limited because the Peruvian authorities put a limit on the number of daily visitors to Machu Picchu.
Visitors usually take the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo for a day trip or sleep over in Aguas Calientes. Several Machu Picchu hiking tours such as Salkantay Trek or Lares Trek, both four- or five-day treks, are also regulated by the government.
RIVER EXPLORERS is happy to work within these regulations in order to protect Machu Picchu. The rules and regulations regarding Machu Picchu are constantly changing, and it is important to know the rules detailed before booking any tours that involves visiting this place.
Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations to enter Machu Picchu, have been adopted in the interest of the protection, preservation and environmentally sensitive operation of the Machu Picchu citadel.
The INC “National Institute of Culture” is the Manager of the Machu complex who is authorized to act for the undersigned in connection with MC – Cusco (Cusco Ministry of Culture) the rules and regulations.
As of January 1st 2019, the Peruvian authorities have taken urgent measures to limit the number of tourist who can visit Machu Picchu. The amount of people allowed to enter the citadel is 5,940 per day. As a result, the Machu Picchu citadel is closed and no additional bookings can be accepted after this number is reached.
In order to avoid problems, we recommend considering purchasing your tour as far in advance as possible.
Admission to the Machu Picchu city
Valid Machu Picchu entrance tickets must clearly state the time, date and names exactly as it appears on passports for foreigners and ID for locals.
A ticket is considered invalid if the date/time or names and surnames on the ticket are incorrect. Tickets are valid for only one time entry on the day that is described on the ticket.
The Cusco Regional Office of Culture (DRC-C) may close to, or restrict access to any of its properties and cancel entrance tickets, reservations without advance notice, cause, reason or explanation at any time.
Machu Picchu Sanctuary lodge entrance tickets and fees are non-refundable. In the case of an unexpected closing, however, guests with tickets for affected dates can reschedule for the next convenient time at no additional cost.
Schedules to visit Machu Picchu
If you thinking of visiting Machu Picchu, keep in mind the new rule to enter the city, which will impact all Machu Picchu tours from 1st of July.
The 2017 rules and regulations to enter Machu Picchu has been change. In order to use the time more efficiently and to ensure an easy flow of tourists inside the complex, extra visiting schedules was added. These new schedules are subject to changes and applies to all visitors in general, local and foreigners.
As from January 1st 2019, there are now 9 new fixed times to enter Machu Picchu, each schedule allows visitors to stay a maximum of 4 hours.
6:00 am
7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
2:00 pmSchedules with tickets to hike Huayna Picchu, Montaña and Inca museum
Length of stay limits are also effective for Huayna Picchu and Montana. We believe that these changes can reduce congestion, better control of visitors and will provide a better experience for those inside Machu Picchu.
Only 400 people are allowed to hike both places and is subdivided in two shifts accessible only in the morning.
Machu Picchu plus climbing to Huayna Picchu
I will recommend climbing Huayna Picchu to anyone who is not afraid of heights, the vistas are simply extraordinary. However, only 400 people are allowed to climb Huayna Picchu, consequently, the peak is open only in two waves of 200 hundred each time:
- Access to Machu Picchu from 6 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
- Access to Machu Picchu from 7 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
- Access to Machu Picchu from 8 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m.
Pre-purchasing of entrances is encouraged advised in order to avoid disappointments.
Machu Picchu plus climbing to Montaña
- Access to Machu Picchu from 6 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
- Access to Machu Picchu from 7 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
- Access to Machu Picchu from 8 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m.
Machu Picchu + Museum
Opening hours to visit the Manual Chavez Ballon museum is from 10:00 to 16:00. Sundays are close.
Prohibited Items
Visitors are restricted from bringing the following items onto Machu Picchu Sanctuary lodge:
- Painting and marking instruments including markers, spray paint, glass cutters, liquid paint and/or other devices.
- Back packs larger than 40x35x20 cm more than 5 kilos
- Explosives, including fireworks.
- Lighters, matches, candles or inflammable substances such as kerosene, gasoline, diesel or any other substances that can cause fires.
- Tools including instruments of hunting, fishing, bows and arrows, ax cutting tools or knifes with blades longer than 07 cm 2.75 inches.
- Visitors engaging in prohibited or disorderly conduct.
- Visitors under effects of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances or any narcotics which use is strictly forbidden.
- Any kind of traps used to capture animals.
- Pets including exotic and domestic animals.
- Tripods, drones or selfie sticks
There are guards constantly monitoring Machu Picchu, so comply with the regulations to have a pleasant day for you and the others.
