Starting June 1, 2024, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will receive up to 5,600 visitors daily during the high season (this runs from June to October and December). This measure, implemented by the Ministry of Culture of Peru, seeks to reactivate tourism in this important archaeological site, which is still 60% below the levels prior to the 2019 pandemic.
The increase in daily capacity, which represents 24% more compared to the regular season, is part of a comprehensive plan for the sustainable management of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This plan, in addition to the increase in visitors, contemplates the implementation of new measures, such as:
- New visiting circuits: In order to improve the visitor experience and distribute the tourist flow more uniformly, new tour circuits, known as the Machu Picchu Circuit, have been designed within the citadel.
- Digital ticket sales: To optimize the ticket acquisition process and avoid resale, a digital sales system has been implemented through a transparent and efficient platform.
- Conservation and protection measures: Conservation and protection measures for the archaeological site have been reinforced, including controlling access to fragile areas and implementing responsible tourism practices.
It is important to highlight that the increase in daily capacity does not mean that the protection of historical heritage is neglected. On the contrary, the sustainable management of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu implies a balance between the economic viability of tourism and the preservation of this invaluable cultural legacy. Therefore, to achieve this balance, specific requirements have been established for alternate routes:
- New entry times: New entry times to the citadel have been established to distribute the flow of visitors throughout the day and avoid crowding at certain times.
- Limited visit time: A maximum visit time has been established for each route, in order to ensure that all visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the citadel without exceeding the carrying capacity of the site.
On the other hand, in the first quarter of 2024, the influx of visitors to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu showed a growth of 70% compared to the same period in 2023; However, it is still 60% below the levels reached in previous years. Therefore, the measures implemented by the Ministry of Culture seek to recover pre-pandemic tourism levels, but in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Machu Picchu New Circuits
Please note that the visitor routes available up to May 31, 2024 only partially correspond to some of the routes implemented since June 1, 2024.
| Equivalences of tourist visit circuits | |
| Current circuits (until May 31, 2024) | Incoming Circuits (from June 1, 2024) |
| Circuit 1 or 2
Llaqta of Machupicchu |
You can choose, according to the available capacity, between the following two circuits:
|
| Circuit 3
Llaqta of Machupicchu and |
You can choose, according to the available capacity, between the following two circuits:
|
| Circuit 4
Llaqta of Machupicchu |
You can choose any of the following routes, depending on the available capacity:
|
Greater Control of Entry Times to Machu Picchu
Starting June 1, 2024, stricter measures will be implemented to control entry times to the Inca citadel.
What does this mean?
If your ticket indicates an entry time between 9:00 and 10:00 AM, you will have a maximum of 45 additional minutes to access the venue. So, after this time, entry will not be allowed, unless there are reasons of force majeure or duly proven fortuitous events.
Therefore, it is recommended to follow the following instructions to make the most of your visit:
- Plan your visit in advance: Buy your tickets in good time and choose the time that best fits your itinerary.
- Arrive with enough time: Take into account the maximum additional entry time (45 minutes) and possible delays that may arise along the way.
- Respect the rules: Comply with established schedules and collaborate with the personnel in charge of access control.