New rules and routes have been announced for Peru’s most famous visitor site – Machu Picchu. And, most people probably aren’t going to like them!
Find out what this means for tourism at the World Wonder and your future trip…
What Are the New Rules for Machu Picchu?
– An increase to 5600 visitors per day between June to mid-October, as well as the 30 and 31 December 2024.
– 3 routes rather than the current 4 (and only one includes the famous viewpoint)
– Stricter monitoring of entry times
Increased Visitor Numbers
Visitor numbers have been growing year on year. In 2023, there were 4500 tickets available each day.
Now, this will be 5600 in the high season from 1 June to 15 October 2024, as well as 30 and 31 December.
One thing’s certain, Machu Picchu will be busier than ever this summer!
New Routes
It wasn’t that long ago that routes around the ruins of the Inca site were introduced. And with them, a one-way system that’s been pretty strictly enforced.
But now, it’s all change. 3 routes will replace the current 4 routes (2 around the upper part and 2 around the lower part).
And if it wasn’t already bad enough that only 2 routes gave you the postcard-perfect viewpoint from the superior platform over the ruins below. Now only 1 will…
The new routes are:
- Circuit 1, Panoramic Route (Upper terraces ONLY)
- Circuit 2, Classic Machu Picchu Route (Certain parts of the upper terraces and most lower sections)
- Circuit 3, Royals Route (Lower terraces ONLY)
There’s more information on the maps and exact routing of the circuits below.
Changes for Existing Ticket Holders
What’s more, if you have a ticket from 1 June 2024 onwards (excludes Inca Trail), you’ll need to choose a new route according to availability! That’s just 2.5 weeks’ notice for some people…
Here’s what options you’ll have:
| Old circuit | New circuit |
| Circuit 1 or 2 (including Inca Bridge tickets) | Either, Circuit 2A (designed route) or 2B (lower terrace route), or, Circuit 3 (3B only, designed route) |
| Circuit 3 (including Machu Picchu Mountain tickets) | Either: Circuit 1 (or 1A for the Machu Picchu Mountain route), or, Circuit 3 (3B only, designed route) |
| Circuit 4 (including Wayna Picchu tickets) | Circuit 3A (circuit 3 plus access to Wayna Picchu) |
| Circuit 4 (including Huchuy Picchu tickets) | Either, Circuit 3B (designed route), or, Circuit 3D (with access to Huchuy Picchu) |
Looking for the most incredible view of Machu Picchu? Then you have to climb Machu Picchu Mountain – the view is sensational!
Enforcing Entry Times
Monitoring of entry times is currently pretty relaxed. But not anymore…
Now, you’ll have to enter the site within 30 minutes during the low season and within 45 minutes during the high season.
Based on the dates above for increased visitor numbers, we assume high season dates are 1 June to 15 October and 30-31 December 2024. 16 October to 29 December is low season.
Will this make some people question whether to take the steps up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu? The only other option is a 12 USD each-way bus…
Either way, it’s never been more important to make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Could you imagine missing out on a world wonder because you overslept or service was slow in a restaurant?!
When do the New Rules Come Into Effect?
These rules are set to come into force on 1 June 2024, once they’ve been ratified by the authorities.
With the exception of those who have tickets any time in 2024 for the Inca Trail. Those people will still get the same route as is on their ticket currently.
What About 2025 and Beyond?
Well isn’t that the question on everyone’s mind! This news has been quite a shock – although unsurprising – to many. Particularly as it’s been announced on 13 May, giving just 18 days notice.
The amendments to the laws of Machu Picchu are only for 2024 – currently. Permanent changes or those that carry through 2025 are, ultimately, likely to follow soon.
NEW CIRCUITS (1, 2 and 3)
This is without a doubt, the biggest of the changes. You might be left bitterly disappointed if you don’t check before buying what your route your ticket is for.
Previously, there were 4 routes to choose from – with a 5th for those doing the Inca Trail (see them visualised on the official website).
- OLD route 1: Superior or inferior upper terrace viewing platform, half of the lower ruins
- OLD route 2: Superior or inferior upper terrace viewing platform, all of the lower ruins
- OLD route 3: Half of the lower ruins only
- OLD route 4: All of the lower ruins
It’s not easy to draw parallels to the new options, as they’re quite different:
- NEW route 1: Superior upper terrace viewing platform ONLY
- NEW route 2: Inferior upper terrace viewing platform, most of the lower ruins
- NEW route 3: Certain parts of the lower ruins ONLY
Each of the new routes is detailed on the official website and you’ll see there’s quite some difference in what you’ll experience! And yet despite, this, all 3 cost the same for the standard route (152 Soles).
Also listed are slight variations of these routes for people visiting Machu Picchu Mountain, Wayna Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu and the Inca Gate. But these are pretty much just the new routes plus access to one of the above.
What Route Should you Pick?
The new route 2 is now the best route – you’ll get access to a viewing platform and get to see the ruins.
While it isn’t the superior viewing platform (which is better in my opinion), you’ll still get postcard-worthy snaps from the inferior platform. And you can’t miss out on exploring the ruins, it’s literally why you’ve travelled so far and spent so much!
Honestly, I can’t believe the new route 1 exists.
Imagine travelling all the way to Cusco via land and air, taking a train, bus or multi-day hike plus a steep uphill climb or overpriced bus – only to just see it from the viewing platform without getting to visit the ruins. The whole visit will take about 30 minutes – and still costs 40 USD!
Does the Peruvian Ministry of Culture think all tourists want to spend thousands of dollars just to take a photo for social media and leave? Well it seems like they do!
Comparing the view of Machu Picchu from Each route
Now, don’t get me wrong. Machu Picchu is magical and no viewpoint or lack of viewpoint is either going to make or break your trip.
But, it’s not cheap to Machu Picchu and if you’ve spent years dreaming of the postcard-perfect view in the morning golden hour, you’re perfectly within your rights to want that still! You shouldn’t have to choose between the best view and seeing the ruins.
So, here’s what to expect…
From the superior viewing platform on the upper terrace (new route 1):
View from the inferior viewing platform on the upper terrace (new route 2):
From the lower terrace/ruins (new route 3):
What do The New Machu Picchu Rules Mean for Tourism?
Quite frankly, this will make visitors’ experiences worse. But it’ll make more money.
Not Seeing the Viewpoint Takes Away Some Machu Picchu Magic
People who visit Machu Picchu generally want to see the whole site, including the best view. And they don’t want it overcrowded with queues of people snaking around the site.
But now, two-thirds of visitors won’t get to take in the magnificent sight from the main viewpoint. And it’s going to be busier than ever. As there’ll be fewer routes that people get split across.
6 am Slots will be the Golden Ticket
It’s never been more important to book a ticket with an early entrance time. 6 or 7 am is the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
This is because there’s only so many tickets per hour. So at 6 am, 435 people enter. Then at 7 am, another 935 people enter – taking the total to almost 1400. Then another 500 at 8 am and another 1000 at 9 am…
Generally, people only spend 3 or 4 hours in the site, so it plateaus off. But visiting at 6 am means 434 other guests versus possibly 2899 other visitors after 9 am.
You can see the number of tickets available for each hour slot here.
Can the Infrastructure Handle the Visitors?
It’s already hard enough to get to Machu Picchu since there’s no roads in or out. And now, with an extra 1000 ticket holders making that journey each day, getting a seat on a train or a bus will be more challenging.
Even at the current capacity, train and bus tickets sell out in advance. It remains to be seen whether more trains from Cusco to Machu Picchu or buses to Hidroelectrica will be run.
But quite frankly, the authorities will need to do something. Because how else will ticket holders get there?
Yet the problem isn’t just in getting tourists there. Capacity of the buses from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu will need to increase. And demand for hotel rooms may exceed the current capacity.
Expect Out of Date Information For a While
Websites, travel books, leaflets and even tour agencies and travel agents will need time to catch up on the changes. Some still haven’t been updated to reflect the introduction of hourly slots in 2021.
The Peruvian authorities are launching a new website where you’ll be able to buy tickets for Machu Picchu – and I assume find other important information. But it’s not yet live [editor’s note: will add once available].
For now, tickets are available for the new routes throughout the 2024 high season on the current website.
It’s not all Doom and Gloom
Yes, these changes aren’t great. And we’d probably all prefer to see changes that protect the precarious environment in jeopardy from over-tourism.
But, Machu Picchu is still one of the most majestic places in the world. It’s not a World Wonder for nothing.
You’ll walk in the footsteps of Incas, people who not that many centuries ago carried and laid all this stone to create an astounding mountain-top city and routes around it.
Stay overnight. Book the 6 am ticket. You won’t regret it.
How have people taken the News?
The news has only just been released and there’s not much coverage outside of travel agencies in Peru spreading the news. But, looking at social media, the Machu Picchu rule changes are pretty unpopular. And confusion is rife amongst current ticket holders as to what their Machu Picchu experience is going to entail.
We’ll add more reaction as we get it.
SOURCE: gob.pe (Spanish)
Information is correct as of May 2024 but is subject to change in future.
Read More About Peru…
→ How to Get from Lima to Machu Picchu (All Routes)
→ How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu (via Aguas Calientes)
→ Palcoyo Mountain (Peru’s Alternative Rainbow Mountain): Ultimate Guide