The entry of Machu Picchu tours is very different from January 1, 2019. The Machu Picchu new 2021 rules, in addition to the introduction of 3-time slots (shifts) of visiting hours, have added other measures to be taken into account when visiting the Inca city. They are regulated by the "Regulation on Sustainable Use and Tourist Visits for the Conservation of Llaqta of Machu Picchu", approved by the Ministry of Culture in Cusco.
Among them, it is stipulated that to enter Machu Picchu, everyone must be accompanied by a tour guide to help protect the world heritage. Groups may consist of a maximum of 16 people per guide. Re-entry to the complex is prohibited. On the other hand, a guided tour duration, which is currently about 1 hour, has been determined, which helps free up space, avoid chaos and protect the Inca "llaqta" (city) because there is more fluency during the visit.
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In total, 5,940 visitors are allowed to purchase Machu Picchu tickets 2021 every day.
a) A "Machu Picchu Ticket" only enables entry in these 3-time slots (also called "shifts" below):
b) A "Machu Picchu Ticket + Huayna Picchu" allows entry to the Inca city from 6 am. The total daily capacity of 400 people is divided into two groups (200 persons each):
c) A "Machu Picchu Ticket + Mountain" enables access to Machu Picchu from 6 am. The total daily capacity is of 400 people is divided into two groups (200 persons each):
d) A "Machu Picchu Ticket + Museum" allows access to the Site Museum at the following times:
Entrance: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
MACHU PICCHU & HUAYNA PICCHU TICKETS2021! |
We recommend you to choose a schedule that is framed in red.
While there is currently a free time limit for tourists during two daily time slots (shifts), the new Machu Picchu rules determine that tourists are strictly limited to four-hour stays. Indeed, most visitors do not take more than four hours on average to explore this archaeological complex. Officials must exercise greater control over the amount of traffic at any given time in order to maintain the Inca sanctuary.
MACHU PICCHU TICKETS |
The maximum time to visit the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is 4 hours! Such a measure allows the entry to be made with a greater order; that is, we say goodbye to long queues and perpetual congestion of access roads.
One of the most significant changes given by the "Regulation on Sustainable Use and Tourist Visits for the Conservation of Llaqta of Machu Picchu" is that from 1 January 2019, re-entry into Machu Picchu Citadel has not been allowed!
Please pay special attention to this information because we would like to warn you that there are no toilets in the historic area, the last ones are in front of the gateway! If you have to leave due to this inconvenience, you will not be able to return! You need to take precautions.
We also share other rules that you should consider during your visit:
Since 2019, the price of tickets to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has changed according to time slots (shifts). There are a few specifics: Tourists, who buy tickets in the second time slot (shift) (9 am to 12 pm), have free entry to the Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum (below referred as "Museum"). While those, who purchase tickets for the third time slot (12 pm to 2 pm), have free admission to the Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum (below referred as "Museum") and the Raqchi Archaeological Complex (outside of Machu Picchu and Cusco).
Machu Picchu 2020 Ticket Prices | Adult | Student | Child |
Machu Picchu Only |
USD 50 |
USD 25 | USD 23 |
Machu Picchu Ticket + Huayna Picchu | USD 65 | USD 40 | USD 37 |
Machu Picchu Ticket + Mountain | USD 65 | USD 40 | USD 37 |
Machu Picchu Ticket + Museum | USD 7 | USD 4 | USD 3 |
To enter Machu Picchu, you must hold an entry ticket, an official ID* and be accompanied by a Tour Guide. Machu Picchu staff may request your ticket and/or ID at any time during your stay here.
* If you are a foreigner, a valid identity card is your passport, immigration card or diplomatic identity card. In the case of the Andean Community (CAN) or Mercosur citizens, the identification document is a valid DNI.
If you are a foreign student, you must present a valid ISIC card. If you are a Peruvian student, present your university card.
New circuits have been established through the "Regulation of Sustainable Use and Tourist Visits for the Conservation of Llaqta of Machu Picchu". According to the regulation, circuits must be followed and respected by every visitor to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
Failure to comply with the prohibitions at Machu Picchu will result in the exclusion of the visitor without the right to a refund of the ticket. Given the gravity of the infringement, the competent authorities shall take appropriate legal action. In some cases, the authorities may restrict the visitor's entry for life. Attempts against the integrity of other people, and/or the Wonder of the World, are cases that are exemplary punished!! Another case is an attack on morality and decent behaviour.
Inside Machu Picchu, there are high-definition video cameras and security guards! If necessary, they can take action against a tourist who does not respect local rules!
There are over 1.5 million Machu Picchu visitors per year! It means an average of around 2,500 per day. In past, it used to be much more! For that reason, the Peruvian government had to limit the number to protect the site for the next generations.
Drones are prohibited inside Machu Picchu! However, you can use it in the city of Cusco, in the town of Aguas Calientes and in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
No, you cannot enter the Inca citadel with hiking poles (walking sticks)! The use of walking sticks is allowed only for the elderly or disabled people, while a walking stick must end with a rubber tip!
Pets are prohibited in this historic sanctuary! Sorry! But there are hotels that take care of them in Cusco or Aguas Calientes.
Baby carriages disrupt the smooth movement at the Inca city and are therefore prohibited. However, baby carriers (kangaroo-style) are allowed.
No, selfie sticks are not allowed! It is because it might cause an inconvenience to other Machu Picchu visitours.
It is mandatory to enter the Wonder of the World with a Tour Guide! If you do not have any, there are guides offering their services at the gateway.
It is not necessary to do the tour accompanied by a guide if you already did it on the previous day. To do this, you only must show the previous ticket and state the name of the guide with whom you made the tour.
Guided entry to Huayna Picchu is not mandatory. However, if the visitor wishes, a guide may accompany him/her. However, a visit to the Inca city is necessarily guided.
No, as mentioned above, under the new rules, it is not possible to leave and re-enter the Inca citadel. Only one entry is allowed! Therefore, we advise visiting the cafe and lavatories (bathrooms) in front of the gateway before starting a tour.
At the Machu Picchu gateway, there is a place where tourists can leave their things. If anybody is not allowed to visiting Machu Picchu because of some prohibited objects, they can leave their belongings there.
Tripods are not allowed at the Inca city! The reason is that they disrupt free movement and could damage the subsoil of the Inca site.
One cannot take disposable plastics such as bags, straws and polystyrene foam containers. Plastic water bottles are not allowed since they are harmful to the environment. Water canteens are fine. Snacks are normally allowed if kept in original packaging; however, eating and drinking at the historic citadel is temporarily prohibited due to Covid-19 restrictions!
No way!! Smoking is not allowed on Machu Picchu, as a regular or electronic cigarette can damage the Inca city ecosystem!