New Machu Picchu visitation regulations for 2019

Machu Picchu is one of the most well maintained ancient wonders of the world. A lot of the stone intricacies have either been preserved or restored so that as a visitor, you can feel and see as the Incans did so long ago. One of the biggest challenges to maintaining something this magnificent, is the massive amount of tourists that are eager to see the site for themselves. To keep Machu Picchu as  preserved as it is, for the next person, the Peruvian Government has made regulations, to decrease the impact of the tourism footprint. Here is an update on those regulations. 

In addition to the regulations and visitation schedule introduced back in July of 2017, a new schedule system has been put into effect.  This new visitation schedule has been designed by the Ministry of Culture of Cusco within the framework of the regulations for the sustainable use of Machu Picchu that has been in effect since July 2017. The new scheduling format is intended to reduce to negative impact of overcrowding at the site and should improve the traveler's experience with fewer visitors at the citadel at any given time. 

Here is an overview of the current rules and regulations: 

Machu Picchu Citadel:

• Machu Picchu entrance tickets must be purchased in advance.
• Visitors must be accompanied by a registered guide (first visit only – a second visit can be self-guided*)
• If visitors want to re-enter Machu Picchu the same day on a different shift a second entrance ticket must be purchased.
• For visitors who wish to revisit Machu Picchu on the second day, a separate ticket must be purchased.
• *If self-guided it will be required to show entrance tickets at the entrance of Machu Picchu as well as the entrance ticket for the previous shift/day with the name of the guide who guided them.
• The maximum allowed time to remain in the citadel complex –  4 hours.
• The citadel will close at 5:30pm
• Access to Intipunku (also called the “Sun Gate” -  the first view of the ruins along the Inca Trail) and
  Puente Inka (the Inca Bridge - an easy 20-minute hike from the citadel) are included with the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. 

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain:

• For access to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, a ticket is required. This ticket is also valid for the main entrance to Machu Picchu. 
• Two departures are available for the climb to Huayna Picchu and must be reserved in advance (maximum 200 participants): 7:00A-8:00A, 10:00A-11:00A.  Tickets will be for a specific entrance time.
• Two departures are available for the climb Machu Picchu Mountain and must be reserved in advance (maximum 200 participants): 7:00A-8:00A, 9:00A-10:00A.  Tickets will be for a specific entrance time.
• For Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu hikes, there will be 3-4 hours to complete them, in additional to the 4 hours of stay in the citadel.  
• Visitors to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu may enter the citadel up to 1 hour before the time stated on their ticket.

Usually, these activities are without a guide. With the new regulation, it will be necessary that visitors show entrance tickets at the entrance of Machu Picchu as well as the entrance ticket for the previous day with the name of the guide who guided them.

Below is a chart with the 9 entrance times distributed among 3 shifts.  You will also see the distribution of spaces to enter Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu. 

For Lost World Adventures clients:

Machu Picchu entrance tickets will be purchased in advance for clients of Lost World Adventures. When purchasing the tickets, our local office in Cusco will need to select and confirm a specific entrance time, according to the train arrival time and availability. 

For our clients on the Inca Trail Trek and Mini Inca Trail Hike (full-day hike), Inca Trail Permits will be purchased and will include entrance fees to Machu Picchu. For most trekkers the guided tour is on the morning after arriving at Machu Picchu. We suggest the first shift (entrances between 6:00am-8:00am).  For clients who are spending the night at a Machu Picchu hotel and revisiting the citadel on the following day we also suggest the first shift.

A passport photocopy for each traveler is required to purchase the tickets.

If you have any questions about the new regulations and how they may affect your trip please contact a Lost World Adventures consultant.

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