New Machu Picchu tourist restrictions, part of conservation effort.
The new regulations, which started to come effective as of July 1, 2017, respond to compliance with the “Regulation on Sustainable Use and Tourist Visit for the Conservation of the Llaqta or Inca City of Machupicchu” approved by the Ministry of Culture, in order to ensure the adequate flow of tourist visits to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. These new rules have been implemented to control how visitors and guides access the site, in order to maintain the integrity of the site and its legacy for future visitors.
When Machu Picchu was first given the UNESCO World Heritage in 1983, it has been fairly unknown to the world. Since then, tourism has grown significantly; general entrance tickets were limited to 2,500 per day. However, before these new rules, the real the amount of people visiting Machu Picchu per day was actually around 3,800 entrances, when you consider the various combinations of ticket types available.
Two entry periods have been established for the visits to Machu Picchu: the first one will run from 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the second, from 12:00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Visitors must leave the site within the time frame stated, and cannot re-enter once visitors have left the site. In case visitors who want to stay all day, they will need to purchase tickets for both entry periods.
The use of an official tour guide will be mandatory. The guides will be able to attend a maximum of groups of 16 people. The guides will deliver a ticket that will serve tourists who wish to re-enter Machu Picchu the next day to be shown at the entrance of the citadel, as in this case tourist are free to visit the site on their own the next day. Guides need to sign in and sign out all visitors in his/her group. The guides will also be responsible for informing visitors of the regulations of the park.
The new rules also prohibit re-entrance to Machu Picchu, meaning once you enter, if you leave you are not allowed to return.The only exception is for the use of toilets, which are located on the outside of the park.
The new rules define 3 circuits or routes which visitors to Machu Picchu must take. The route that you take will be defined when purchasing the ticket. This is the part that is least defined. Each route takes an average 2h 30 mins to 3 hours to complete. To understand the exact route you will take, you need to have a fairly good understanding of the layout of Machu Picchu.
The alternative circuits or routes, known as Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain, rules will remain unchanged as of now. In both cases, entrance is permitted in two distinct entrance windows. Visitors must sign in and out of the trek at the control post, at the start of the trail head.
Most of the rules about visitor conduct are carry-overs from the previous regulations, even if they weren’t always strictly enforced. There will be no tolerance anymore for flagrant conduct, such as unfurling giant political banners or stripping naked for a photo or to streak across the sanctuary’s main esplanade. Smoking or vaping is also out, as is running or hopping, or clapping, screaming, whistling or singing.
Visitors to Machu Picchu will not be allowed to:
- Carry backpacks, bags or handbags larger than 16 x 14 x 8 inches (40 x 35 x 20 cm
- Enter with food and/or utensils.
- Enter with any illegal substances or under the influence of any illegal drugs.
- Enter with any type of alcoholic beverage or in a state of inebriation.
- Carry umbrellas or parasols. (Caps, hats, and raincoats are allowed.)
- Carry tripods, monopods or extensions for cameras, cell phones or any other stabilizing equipment. Enter with animals, except for guide dogs when strictly necessary.
- Enter with any type of aerosols, musical instrument, megaphone or speakers.
- Use virtual applications with cell phones or mobile devices along any narrow arteries, trails, and points of congestion (the use of such technology is allowed only in large open spaces and designated explanation areas).
- Enter with heels or hard-sole shoes (entrance is allowed only with shoes or sneakers that have soft or rubber sole).
- Enter with baby carriages or strollers (only baby backpack carriers with non-metal frames are allowed).
- Enter with sharp instruments and/or weapons of any kind.
- Enter with banners, posters and/or placards, among other objects of this type.
- Enter with clothing intended for advertising purposes.
- Climbing or leaning on walls and/or structures.
- Touch, move or extract lithic elements.
- Perform any type of graffiti.
- Disturb, collect or extract native flora or fauna and/or cultural elements.
- Carry out activities that distort the sacred character of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
- Enter with portable stools or seats, among others.
- Enter with trekking poles with metallic or hard tips (Canes and poles are allowed for use by elderly people or people with obvious physical handicaps, and in general as long as they have rubber tips).
- Carry out any type of activity that implies the impairment or deterioration of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, its natural environment and/or facilities.
- Obscene acts contrary to morality and good manners.
- Undress, wear costumes, lie down, run and/or jump.
- Smoking or vaping.
- Make loud or annoying noises such as clapping, screaming, whistling, singing, among other similar actions.
- Make any kind of fire, dispose of waste of any kind or disrespect the established circuits and routes.
- Feed the domestic and wild animals of Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
