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Machu Picchu Closing: All You Need to Know This 2024!

Home / Travel Blog / Machu Picchu Closing: All You Need to Know This 2024!
Machu Picchu Closing: All You Need to Know This 2024!

Is Machu Picchu Open?

Yes, Machu Picchu is indeed open during 2024 according to the Ministry of Culture and It is operating at 100% capacity. However, we highly recommend booking your tickets well in advance due to the high demand. As of now, tickets are sold out until the middle of September. Please note that the popular circuits 1 and 2 are already sold out, with only circuit 3 and 4 currently available. This circuits are the mountains.

 

Machu Picchu on February

 

Is Machu Picchu closed in February?

The short answer to all of these questions is NO. Machu Picchu is currently open to the public, and it will remain open throughout the year. The closure of Machu Picchu reflects only the fact that at some point a natural event occurs that threatens its infrastructure. It is only the Inca Trail that will be temporarily closed in February

 

Nevertheless, Machu Picchu is going through a lot of changes. For example, do you know that the schedules to visit this beautiful citadel has changed from 2021 2024? In total, 4,500 people will be able to purchase Machu Picchu tickets every day divided into 3 time slots and 4 circuits (from 6 am to 9 am, from 9 am to 12 pm and from 12 pm to 2 pm). These New Machu Picchu Restrictions 2024 have changed the way people get to visit Machu Picchu forcing tour operators to change the way they used to operate tours.

 

Machu Picchu tickets 2024

 

Inca Trail Opening 2024

On October 15th, 2022: Inca Trail 2024 was reopened, all tour operators and Inca Trail Machu operators can book it. We recommend booking in advance, there are only 500 spaces available everyday for 2024, in these spaces divided between the trekkers, professional guide, chef and porters. Also the 500 spots available will be divided on the Inca Trail Tours such as 3 day Inca Trail, 4 day Inca Trail, 5 day Inca Trail and Salkantay trek to Inca Trail. The short Inca Trail have 250 spaces available and it is separately system booking of the classic trail.

 

Some people have misunderstood these changes which have led to a bunch of misleading information on the Internet. That is why, it is essential to understand why this happened and what to do about it.

machu picchu closing

 

Why is Inca Trail closed in February?

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is closed during February. Since 2001, The Machu Picchu restrictions regarding the management and preservation of the Inca Trail demand its temporary closure for the whole month of February due to safety matters and harsh weather conditions. Heavy rains and landslides occur during this time while the sanctuary officials carry out works of maintenance of trails, renovation of bridges and improvement of toilets and campsites.

 

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu closing

 

Here are a few examples:

  • The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was closed in February 2020 and reopened in 2021. This closing was made to the problem of the pandemic. Also, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu were closed for the strike or any internal problems in Peru.
  • Since 2001, The Machu Picchu restrictions regarding the management and preservation of the Inca Trail demand its temporary closure for the whole month of February, due to safety matters and harsh weather conditions. Heavy rains and landslides occur during this time while the sanctuary officials carry out works of maintenance of trails, renovation of bridges, and improvement of toilets and campsites.
  • However, the closure of the Inca Trail on February 2024 does not mean that Machu Picchu will be closed too! Machu Picchu has its own schedule which is available from Monday to Sunday from 6 am to 5 pm, including holidays. Only the Inca Trail closes temporarily while Machu Picchu remains open all year round. We do not recommend anyone to hike to Machu Picchu by any else alternative trek due to safety issues.
  • Sometimes, unexpected changes can occur, but this do not mean that Machu Picchu closing is for forever. The last extended closure occurred in the end of January 2010 when landslides damaged the railway connecting Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu) with the rest of the country, being the only access road. Without trains to Machu Picchu, one is not able to access the Inca city. It was also closed due to pandemic problems and strikes in Peru on 2023 (January to February 2023).

 

So, How Can I Get to Machu Picchu When Inca Trail Closes?

If you like to book the Inca Trail in 2024, you should obviously avoid February or choose an alternative route of climbing Machu Picchu. On the other hand, if you like to go directly to Machu Picchu, February is still a viable month to visit it as long as you are not bothered by rain.

 

Remember that, February is one of the months of the low season in Machu Picchu. One of the reasons for the low number of visitors is the rainy season from December to March. Rain can make the stone paths becoming a bit slippery and fog is a constant problem. On the other hand, you could see the Machu Picchu landscape with only few clouds and most likely with a rainbow during days with only light rain which make it an unforgettable scene!

 

Trips to Machu Picchu

If you only have 1 spare day to visit Machu Picchu, you might get there by train - a 2-hour trip taking you through the breathtaking Sacred Valley.

Machu Picchu Day Tour

MACHU PICCHU DAY TOUR

Travel by train through the Sacred Valley to the city of Aguas Calientes. Then, take a bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour and then spare time to take pictures and tour the ancient city on your own. In the afternoon, board a train back to the Cusco City. Another option is to reach Machu Picchu via an alternative route around the Hydroelectric Plant. This way is longer (it takes about 7 hours in total), but it offers more adventures.

Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu

SACRED VALLEY & MACHU PICCHU TOUR

Also, you can choose one of the train trips to Machu Picchu and enjoy the New Wonder of the Modern World in a different way. The options are: a trip to Machu Picchu in a full day or the Sacred Valley 2 Day Tour to Machu Picchu with overnight in the town of Aguas Calientes. The latter takes you through impressive landscapes of the Sacred Valley marked by small adobe villages with traditionally dressed native Quechua inhabitants, small farms and agricultural terraces.

 

Alternatives to Climbing Machu Picchu in February:

Even if the Inca Trail is closed in February, there are other incredible routes for climbing Machu Picchu:

 

machu picchu closed

 

INCA JUNGLE TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS

The Inca Jungle offers one of the most adventurous route of climbing Machu Picchu. It combines downhill cycling, rafting, zip-line and hiking.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days

SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 5 DAYS

This alternative trek lasts 5 days. Cross the imposing snowy Salkantay at 4,650 metres until you reach Machu Picchu passing through Aguas Calientes.

 

Lares trek 4 days

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS

This trek has many variations. Its starting point is situated in the village of Lares. After 4 days of walking, you arrive at Machu Picchu.

 

What is the Future of Visiting Machu Picchu?

You can expect more drastic changes in the future. Plans to further limit the freedom of visitors at the site have already been drawn up. This will confine a visit to a more controlled route throughout the site, as opposed to the free-roaming exploration we are currently allowed.

 

If such plans are implemented, there will undoubtedly be pros and cons for all visitors to Machu Picchu. But for the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, it means a crucial step in ensuring the future preservation of the site. Which, in the long run, protects against the real threat of Machu Picchu closing for a longer period of time.

 

Is it safe to travel to Peru? Machu Picchu Travel Advisory

 

Machu Picchu and Inca Trail Update (28 June 2021)

Machu Picchu and Inca Trail reopened on June 4 2021 with new safety protocols, we recommend  booking your Machu Picchu ticket in advance.

      • Tourists will be able to enter Peru by showing their molecular test (PCR). Upon arrival in Peru, visitors will be able to take an antigen test. A negative result will eliminate the mandatory 14-day quarantine. The cost of the test shall be borne by the passenger.
      • There are only 900 spots available per day for Machu Picchu
      • Short Inca Trail has only 100 spaces available.
      • Classic Inca Trail is reopening on July 2021. There are only 250 spaces available each day. 
      • The use of mask to move throughout the country is mandatory and the population is reminded of hand washing and social distancing constantly.

Machu Picchu Safety Peru Travel

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The Responsible People foundation is registered under the Peruvian Non-Profit Organization Act. With an annual contribution from Inca Trail Machu, we support our operating costs as well as a significant portion of project development costs.
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