Machu Picchu is the most visited destination in Peru therefore you have to make a trip in advance so that everything is done according to plan. That is why we have prepared a complete guide on the new regulation to visit Machu Picchu in 2023 if you do have not any problem at the hour of visiting the lost city of the Incas. “Machu Picchu entrance rules 2023, four-hour time limit… What?” Yes, it’s been a long time in coming and now it’s here. To preserve one of the Wonders of the World and ensure a quality experience for visitors from every corner of the globe, Peru’s Ministry of Tourism and External Commerce (Mincetur) announced this week that new rules at Machu Picchu will take effect starting on October 15, 2021. Here’s how the Machu Picchu news will affect tourists moving forward.
These are the rules that govern visits to Machu Picchu. Know that the regulations of Machu Picchu had changed regarding the schedule since 2021. These modifications were made with the conservation of the Wonder of the World in mind.
Machu Picchu Tours 2023
Are there changes in Machu Picchu in 2023?
These are the main changes in Machu Picchu: from January 1, 2022
- The entrance hours to Machu Picchu are: from 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
- It is mandatory to comply with certain prevention measures against Covid 19, such as: temperature measurement, hand disinfection, footwear, distance within the archaeological site, use of masks and mandatory tour with a tour guide.
- The maximum time of stay of the visitor is now 4 hours from the moment of entering the Wonder of the World (this time can be extended if the tourist sees it necessary).
- Another modification to take into account is that re-entry to the Inca city is not allowed, except in the case of the "Machupicchu with Mountain" ticket.
- Free admission is for children under 3 years old.
Basic rules of entry to Machu Picchu
Regarding entry, you can only enter Machu Picchu by presenting your ticket along with your passport or the identity document with which you made your reservation.
Tickets are purchased online or at authorized offices in Cusco. Tickets are not sold at the entrance gate of Machu Picchu.
Book Your Inca Trail Tours 2023
Machu Picchu Entrance Rules 2023
According the Machu Picchu new rules, there are 4500 tickets availability to visit Machu Picchu, in these tickets are included the Inca Trail tours, Machu Picchu Hike 2 days, Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain.
Machu Picchu Tickets 2023
In total 1500 people will be able to purchase entrance tickets every day. The Machu Picchu Ticket only allows entry into 2 schedules:
Machu Picchu entrance
- Morning shift: entry from 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Afternoon shift: entry from 12:00 pm until 17:30 pm
Huayna Picchu + Circuit 4 Tickets
Allows entry to the Inca City from 06:00 am
In total 200 people a day enter the Waynapicchu in 2 schedules or groups.
Machu Picchu Mountain + Circuit 3
allows access to Machu Picchu from 06:00 am
The entrance to the mountain is in two schedules.
Huchuy Picchu Mountain + Circuit 4
allows access to Machu Picchu from 06:00 am
The entrance to the mountain is in two schedules.
Please note that the Machu Picchu Ticket + Museum allows access to the Museum Site at the following times:
Income from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm The entrance to Machu Picchu is in the morning and afternoon shift.
Schedules Machu Picchu 2023
In 2022 there are 4 types of official tickets:
Entrance Machu Picchu Solo
- Schedule 1: Entry from 6 a.m.
- Schedule 2: Entry from 7 a.m.
- Schedule 3: Entry from 8 a.m.
- Schedule 4: Entry from 9 a.m.
- Schedule 5: Entry from 10 a.m.
- Schedule 6: Entry from 11 a.m.
- Schedule 7: Entry from 12 p.m.
- Schedule 8: Entry from 1 p.m.
- Schedule 9: Entry from 2 p.m.
Entrance Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu
- Schedule 1: Entry from 6 a.m. / Entrance to Waynapicchu from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
- Schedule 2: Entry from 8 a.m. / Entrance to Waynapicchu from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Schedule 3: Entry from 10 a.m. / Entrance to Waynapicchu from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Schedule 4: Entry from 12 p.m. / Entrance to Waynapicchu from 12 p.m. at 1 p.m.
Entrance Machu Picchu + Mountain
- Schedule 1: Entry from 6 a.m. / Entrance to the Mountain from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
- Schedule 2: Entry from 8 a.m. / Entrance to the Mountain from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Entrance Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu
- Schedule 1: Entry from 6 a.m. / Entrance to the mountain from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
- Schedule 2: Entry from 7 a.m. / Entrance to the mountain from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- Schedule 3: Entry from 8 a.m. / Entrance to the mountain from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Schedule 4: Entry from 9 a.m. / Entrance to the mountain from 9 a.m. at 10 a.m.
- Schedule 5: Entry from 10 a.m. / Entrance to the mountain from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Schedule 6: Entry from 11 a.m. / Entrance to the mountain from 11 a.m. at 12 p.m.
- Schedule 7: Entry from 12 p.m. / Entrance to the mountain from 12 p.m. at 1 p.m.
- Schedule 8: Entry from 1 p.m. / Entrance to the mountain at 1 p.m. at 2 p.m.
- Schedule 9: Entry from 2 p.m. / Entrance to the mountain at 2 p.m. at 3 p.m.
How long can I stay in Machu Picchu?
While there is currently a loosely enforced time limit for tourist over the course of two daily shifts, the new Machu Picchu rules 2023 dictate that tourists will be strictly limited to four hours stays. Most visitors really don’t spend more than four hours exploring the archaeological site, on average. Officials need to exercise more control over the amount foot traffic at any given time to preserve the Inca sanctuary.
Points to keep in mind before going to Machu Picchu:
It is mandatory to enter with a guide:
If you have seen some bloggers that tell you that you can enter without a guide, or that you can sneak into a group. Let me tell you that this is totally illegal, as well as being totally false information. If you make the trip on your own, it is not enough to buy your ticket to Machu Picchu, you must also hire a guide so that you can enter with him or her. This is mandatory, it will be impossible for you to enter without a guide.
The new entry schedules:
Until last year there were only two entry times, from 6:00 am to 12:00 and from 12:00 to 17:30 pm. That is, you bought your ticket for the morning shift and you had the peace of mind to enter at 10:00 am if you like. But now this is no longer the case, now there are 8 turns. Yes, as you read it, 8 turns are given in the following way.
- 6am, 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12m, 13pm and 2pm.
What does this mean?
It is extremely important that when you buy your ticket to Machu Picchu you have in mind the time of your ticket to be able to complete your itinerary. Later we will tell you in greater detail why it is important to consider this reason.
Time is the best ally:
Travelers, booking in advance is the key to a more economical trip. You can also find space according to what you want to book. Did you know that in order to get to Huayna Picchu, reservations often have to be made up to two months in advance? and the main reason is because the quotas are quickly finished (there are only 500 per day). It is totally false that a train ticket from Cusco to Aguas Calientes will leave you cheaper in the same city of Cusco as the train companies sell the tickets at a cheaper price when they are bought in advance, rather they charge more when you are in the same place because they are limited spaces that are left and that is why a train ticket can cost up to 3 times more than it could cost if bought in advance, even run the risk of not finding a ticket for the what time do you want.
What are the rules in Machu Picchu to stop the advance of the pandemic?
Macchu Picchu
- Since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic in Peru (which occurred in early March 2020), Machu Picchu has opened its doors for the second time. The first occurred in November of the same year. Then, it was closed again until March 1, 2021.
- Currently Machu Picchu remains open to the public.
- To tour the Inca city it is necessary to comply with the use of masks, washing and disinfection of hands, disinfecting footwear, taking temperature and social distancing. The tour with a tour guide is mandatory.
- Likewise, the archaeological site of Machu Picchu maintains a maximum capacity of 40%. That is, only 897 people can visit Machupicchu per day.
- Due to protection measures, the Huayna Picchu mountain and the Machu Picchu mountain remain closed until further notice.
- The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (4 days of hiking) also remains closed to tourists until further notice. However, the short 2-day Inca Trail is open.
The hotels
- The hotels and lodgings of Machu Picchu town comply with all the security measures against Covid 19 such as hand disinfection, footwear, temperature measurement and use of masks. The rooms are clean.
The restaurants
- The few restaurants in Machu Picchu town also comply with all the protection measures against Covid 19.
- Buffet services are canceled. Currently the restaurants have a varied menu.
- The capacity is limited.
The train ride
- The train trip necessary to get to Machu Picchu also has all the security measures. Peru Rail and Inca Rail companies have a capacity of 50%.
- To travel by train, tourists must wear masks, disinfect their hands, footwear as well as the respective temperature measurement.
The bus trip
- The bus trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu also complies with the protection measures against Covid 19 such as the use of a mask, face shield, temperature measurement, disinfection of hands and footwear.
- The capacity is also 50% of the total bus capacity.
- Remember that the final bus trip takes 30 minutes. Tourists can also walk up to Machu Picchu (2 hours on foot).
What documents are needed to visit Machu Picchu?
- To buy the entrance to Machu Picchu, at least one of the following documents is necessary: ​​passport, identity document, university card or immigration card.
- To enter Machu Picchu it is necessary to show the printed entrance to Machu Picchu as well as the document with which you made the purchase.
- To take a tour to Machu Picchu you only need one of the following documents: passport, identity document, university card or immigration card.
The passport
- The passport is the document most used by tourists from around the world to buy the entrance or book a tour to Machu Picchu.
- To travel to Peru, the passport is sufficient in all the countries of South America, the nations of the European Union, the United States, Mexico, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. Few countries do require a Visa to enter Peru and visit Machu Picchu.
The identity document
- The identity document is enough to buy the Machu Picchu ticket in case the tourist does not have his passport. This document is used mostly by visitors from South America: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Paraguay.
- The identity document must have a valid expiration date. This document is also enough to buy a tour to Machu Picchu.
The valid university card
- Currently the valid document to access the discount as a student of the Machu Picchu ticket is the university card. This is the official identification document granted by universities (or institutes of similar rank) to their students.
- The university card must contain the name of the university, the name of the student, the student's photo and the printed date of its validity.
- Remember that the university card must be valid at the time of purchasing the ticket and at the time of entering the Inca City of Machu Picchu.
The immigration card
- People who have an immigration card in the countries of the Andean Community of Nations (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil) can access the discounts offered. Remember that the immigration card must be valid at the time of the visit in Machu Picchu.
- Citizens of the Andean Community only need to present their identity document or passport to access the discounted Machu Picchu ticket.
The Andean Migration Card (TAM)
- Some tourism agencies will request the Andean Migration Card (TAM), after purchasing your tour or entrance to Machu Picchu.
- The TAM is sent by email, after receiving it at the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru.
- The TAM is a document that is always given to tourists who visit the countries of the Andean Community of Nations (Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru). The shipment to tourism agencies is due to a security issue.
The entrance ticket to Machu Picchu printed
- At the entrance door to the Inca City, you will be asked for the printed Machu Picchu ticket as well as the identity document or passport, with which the tourist made the purchase.
- University students must present their entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (with a discount) as well as their valid university card.
- Remember that each Machu Picchu ticket has a different entry time (chosen by the tourist at the time of purchase). Therefore, each visitor must enter Machu Picchu at the established time.
More information about the documents to visit Machu Picchu
- Children under 8 years old do not pay to enter Machu Picchu. However, they must have an identity document or passport that certifies their age.
- Children and adolescents (over 8 and under 18 years old) must enter with their Machu Picchu entrance as well as their identity document or passport. The income is accompanied by their father or mother.
- The ISIC card is not valid for university students at the time of purchasing their Machu Picchu ticket. However, that document still serves to obtain discounts on the Inca Trail, on the Cusco Tourist Ticket, tours and more.
- Citizens of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia have an even greater discount if they are minors or university students.
Prohibited objects inside Machu Picchu:
If you wish to enter Machu Picchu without problems, we recommend you do not carry any of the following objects:
- Tripods, brackets or extensions for cameras or cell phones. It is not allowed to enter with 'selfie stick'.
- Backpacks, bags or bags that exceed 5 kilos of weight.
- Food or luggage.
- Illegal substances (drugs or their effects)
- Alcoholic beverages (or under its effects).
- Sprays or paints.
- Musical instruments, megaphones or speakers.
- Heels with hard-plant shoes.
- Baby cars (it is preferable to carry a baby carrier).
- Sharp objects and / or weapons of any kind.
- Banners, posters and / or posters.
- Clothing intended for advertising purposes.
- Metal-tipped poles (older adults can carry a cane with a rubber tip).
Prohibited behaviors in Machu Picchu:
- Generate tumult, jump or cause disorder in the access and / or any point of the Inca City.
- Climb or lean on the walls and / or structures.
- Do any type of activity that distorts the sacred character of Machu Picchu.
- Do obscene acts inappropriate in a public place and that attempt against morals and good manners such as undressing, disguising, lying down or running.
- Smoking or 'vaping' an electronic cigarette.
- Make flyovers in the airspace of the place with paragliders, drones or any type of smaller ship.
- It is forbidden to leave the circuits or established routes.
- Feed domestic or wild animals in the Inca city.
- Take illegal routes or any that avoid the established entry and control of Machu Picchu.
- Make loud or annoying noises: clap, shout, whistle, sing.
- Perform any kind of fire or throw waste of any kind.
- Enhance filming or photographs for advertising purposes or in places of high risk.
Other prohibitions within Machu Picchu
- It is forbidden to go off the established circuits or routes.
- Feed domestic or wild animals in the Inca city.
- Take illegal routes or any that avoid the established entrance and control of Machu Picchu.
- Make loud or annoying noises: clap, yell, whistle, sing.
- Make any type of fire or throw waste of any kind.
- Enhance filming or photographs for advertising purposes or in high-risk places.
Rules in Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the mountain located north of the Inca city. The entrance is with the entrance Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu. The rules and prohibitions are as follows:
- The tourist must register their entry and exit at the control point.
- In case the tourist wishes to visit the Temple of the Moon of Huayna Picchu, he must take a detour from the top of the mountain. This path is optional.
- The average time of ascent and descent to the Waynapicchu mountain is 3 hours. If you also visit the Great Cavern or the Temple of the Moon, it takes 4 hours.
- Entry is allowed only to people over 12 years old.
- The visitor cannot carry a backpack that exceeds 40 × 35 × 20 centimeters.
- The tourist should not go off the marked paths.
- In Huayna Picchu the same prohibitions apply as in Machu Picchu.
Rules in the Machu Picchu mountain
Machu Picchu mountain is the summit where the Inca city was built. The entrance is with the ticket Machu Picchu + Mountain. These are the rules that the tourist must follow:
- The average time of ascent and descent to Machu Picchu mountain is 4 hours.
- The tourist must register upon entry and exit at the control point.
- Entry is allowed to people of all ages.
- The visitor should not go off the permitted paths.
- Parents are responsible for the care of children.
- In the mountain the same prohibitions apply as in Machu Picchu.
Rules in the Huchuy Picchu mountain
Huchuy Picchu Mountain is the new hiking route in Machu Picchu. It is next to Huayna Picchu. The walk there only takes about 1 hour. The entrance is with the ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu. These are the rules that the tourist must follow:
- The average time of ascent and descent to Machu Picchu mountain is 2 hours.
- The tourist must register upon entry and exit at the control point.
- Entry is allowed to people of all ages.
- The tourist should not go off the beaten track.
- Parents are responsible for the care of children.
- In the mountain the same prohibitions apply as in Machu Picchu.
Rules on entry with an official tour guide
The official tour guides in Machu Picchu not only make the visit pleasant and educational. They are also in charge of advising the visitor on the care that he must take to preserve the Wonder of the World. These are the rules that regulate your service:
- The tour of the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu with an official tour guide is mandatory.
- The official tour guide will have to accompany the tourists during the tour from the beginning to the end with any of the circuits, fulfilling a minimum visit time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Groups must be made up of a maximum number of 16 people, all accompanied by an official tour guide.
- Tourists who entered the Inca citadel accompanied by a guide and who re-enter the Inca site the next shift or the next day, may do so without the tour guide. They will only have to show the previous ticket and indicate the name of the guide who accompanied them.
- For people who make the tour of the mountains: the Huayna Picchu, the Machu Picchu mountain or the Huchuy Picchu mountain, the guide service is not mandatory.
What penalties are there for not complying with the rules in Machu Picchu?
- Failure to comply with the prohibitions in Machu Picchu will determine the expulsion of the visitor, without the right to refund the amount of the entrance ticket. Considering the seriousness of the infraction, the authorities will initiate the corresponding legal actions.
- On some occasions, the authorities may restrict the visitor's entry for life. Attacking the integrity of other people, of the Wonder of the World are cases that are punished in an exemplary manner. Another case is an attempt against morals and good customs in the Inca city.
- Inside Machu Picchu there are high definition cameras and security guards. If necessary, they can intervene tourists who do not comply with the regulations of the place.
4 cases of breach of rules in the Inca site
- In April 2016, Australian tourist Anthony George Katsaros was expelled from the Inca city for photographing himself naked at Puerta del Sol (Intipunku). The authorities indicated that the visitor will never again be able to enter the Wonder of the World.
- In October 2016, 15 South American tourists were expelled from the Inca site and made available to the authorities after entering illegally.
- In February 2018, two Argentine tourists were expelled from Machu Picchu after having entered clandestinely and having spent the night in the enclosure. They were immediately expelled and placed at the disposal of the Peruvian police.
- In March 2018, three European tourists (a German, a Swiss and a Dutchman) were expelled from Machu Picchu for being photographed showing their butt. They were expelled from the Inca site.
Frequently asked questions about the rules in Machu Picchu
1) Can you bring drones?
Drones are prohibited within 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.
2) Can you bring pets?
Pets are prohibited in the Inca city. There are hotels that take care of them in Cusco or in Aguas Calientes.
3) Can you bring baby carriages?
Baby carriages interrupt free movement in the Inca city, which is why they are prohibited. Baby sitters are allowed.
4) Can you take selfie sticks?
Selfie sticks are not allowed. These can cause inconvenience to other tourists who pass through Machu Picchu.
5) Can you visit Machu Picchu without the company of a guide?
The regulations indicate that the tour in the company of a guide is mandatory in the Wonder of the World. However, in practice this is not the case. Visitors can do the tour without the company of a guide. At the entrance door there are guides offering their services.
6) Is a guide needed for the second time you enter Machu Picchu?
It is not necessary to do the tour accompanied by a guide. If you already did it at a previous time or day, you only have to show the previous ticket and indicate the name of the guide with whom you did the previous tour. So you no longer have to hire another tour guide.
7) Can I leave and re-enter Machu Picchu?
Yes, it is possible to leave and re-enter the Inca city. However, this is allowed only with the "Machupicchu with Mountain" ticket. At the entrance door there are restrooms available and a cafeteria.
8) Where can I leave my things?
At the entrance gate to the Inca city there is a place where tourists can leave their things. In case you are not allowed to enter Machu Picchu with some prohibited objects, visitors can leave their things there.
9) Can you bring tripods?
Tripods are not allowed in Machu Picchu. This is because they interrupt free movement and can damage the floor of the Inca site.
10) Can I bring food and water?
You cannot bring large amounts of food to Machu Picchu. Snacks are allowed as long as the wrappers are not thrown away. Plastic water bottles are not allowed because they harm the environment. Canteens with water are allowed.
11) Can you smoke in the Inca city?
Smoking is not allowed in Machu Picchu. A cigarette or electronic cigar can damage the ecosystem of the Inca city.
12) Is it necessary to enter Huayna Picchu with a guide?
Entrance with a guide is not mandatory in Huayna Picchu. If the visitor wishes, he can be accompanied by one. However, the tour of the Inca city is necessarily with a guide.
Machu Picchu Trips:
