COVID – 19  Machu Picchu Biosafety protocols

Machu Picchu´s latest change appears to be the same as what was already announced in November 2020. The fact is that Machu Picchu reopened on March 1, 2021, with 40 % of its capacity, which marks the difference.

Everyone visiting Machu Picchu must follow the indications below:

• Only 897 tourists will be admitted per day.
• Tour groups are limited to 8 people including the guide.
• Visitors, guides, and employees must maintain 6 foot / 1.8 meters distance at all times. 
• Tour groups must maintain 65 feet / 20 meters of distance at all times.
• Anyone with a temperature above 100 ° F / 38 ° C can not enter  Machu Picchu. 
• There will be four one-way circuits and a stop-go system so groups don’t mix. 
• Mask must be used at all times.
• All visitors must show an affidavit indicating that they are free of Covid-19 symptoms.
• The alternative hikes in Machu Picchu such as Inca bridge, and the sun gate remain closed until further notice. 

see more about protocols by clicking on Biosafety Protocols

Where is located?

It is nestled at 68 M / 110 KM northwest of the Cusco city, in the scenic Vilcabamba mountain range, Cusco Perú.

 Elevation

 The elevation of Machu Picchu park is adjusted to 8000 ft / 2450 masl. Compared to Cusco city elevation, it is One K much lower. For any similar questions check out our Machu Picchu FAQs.

MACHU PICCHU TICKET TYPES AND PRICING (Only for Adult Foreigners)

• MACHU PICCHU ONLY / US $ 42 
• MACHU PICCHU + HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN / US $ 65
• MACHU PICCHU + MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN / US $ 65
• MACHU PICCHU + MUSEUM / US $ 53

How to get to Machu Picchu?

Everyone visiting Machu Picchu should get first the Jorge Chavez international airport, in Lima the capital. 

Lima.- What most tourists do is, take the 01h 20m Lima – Cusco domestic flight. The current flight companies to get to Cusco are Latam Airlines, Avianca, LC Peru, and Star Peru. While there are bus companies from Lima to Cusco, It is a time-consuming journey of 24 hours, although, this might be good for a bit of cold acclimatization.

Cusco.- Cusco is the jumping-off point of the journey. Once here, to get to the gateway town of Aguas Calientes direct and easily is by combining a 2 hours car drive and 01h 30m train ride. Although there are alternatives such as hiking, cycling, and amongst other ways. See more about how to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes.- It is called Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu pueblo, the town where some tourists make their afternoon arrival before the Machu Picchu hike day. Whether by train or by the Inca trail, everyone meets there, in a relatively small town with over 4000 citizens. Aguas Calientes offers a nice plaza and its peculiar streets filled with restaurants, hotels, and hot springs.  It is a base town for tourist´s ultimate arrival to Mach Picchu and of course, its economy is based around tourism. 

How to get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes 

Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.- It is a 25-minute shuttle bus ride through switchback road, Tickets are priced at $ 12 one way and  $ 24 round trip. It varies for children to $ 12 round trip. It is included in almost all tours, if it is not the case purchase them in advance. It wouldn’t be nice to wait long queues only for tickets, and another to board the bus especially in high season. More about bus tickets.

Hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.- Before starting the hike, it is an 08 KM walk over stone steps which usually takes 02 hours. Think about saving some energy to walk in Machu Picchu. But if that feels fine, do the hike, and good luck. From Aguas Calientes head to a place called  Puente Ruinas, there the hike goes up up up.

Machu Picchu Differents routes

It is important to know whether to take a short route or the entire route.  Elderly people and people with disabilities may do the easy route. Otherwise have a look at these Machu Picchu guide lines

Extra hikes at Machu Picchu

Going to Machu Picchu doesn’t only mean walking around one specific spot. Visitors with a bit of thirst for exploration or extra mile hikers have two more places to hike for free. The Inca bridge and the sun gate plus there are two additional hikes to mountain viewpoints with permits. See below places you may add while at Machu Picchu.

• Inca bridge.– It is stunningly out of the world to see a path built  in a sheer cliff beyond the Inca bridge
• Inti Punku.- Walk on the Inca trail that leads to the sun gate and have the same view such as the four-day Inca trail hikers.
• Machu Picchu mountain.- Don´t overlook another Machu Picchu´s nice spot. Go  for the Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Huayna Picchu mountain.- Huayna Picchu is the peak overlooking the Inca citadel, mostly seen in classic photographs. Situated on the north side. More about Huayna Picchu.

General regulations still in force

In the previous years, incidents like people posing nude for pictures have been reported in Machu Picchu. Another disgraceful incident was the illegal entry of backpackers to the national sanctuary recently in 2020. So, to prevent more episodes of that kind that goes contrary to the good morals and customs, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture reinforced the laws. Besides those horrendous incidents which of course need an exemplary punishment, there could also be some non-compliance to the simple rules which have to be fulfilled as well.

Take a look at objects and behaviors not allowed in Machu Picchu

It is not allowed to enter or carry the following objects:

• Food and kitchenware.
• Animals.
• Aerosol sprays.
• Portable seats.
• Banners, or posters.
• Alcoholic beverages, drugs, or illegal substances.
• Baby cars. (Baby carriers are allowed without metal frames).
• Umbrellas.
• Sharps objects and weapons of any kind.
• Heels or shoes with a hard sole. (Only allowed soft sole or soft-soled sports shoes).
• Clothing intended for advertising purposes.

It is not allowed any of these behaviors:

• Entering on to not established circuits or routes.
• Undressing, posing naked for pictures. 
• Throwing trash of any kind.
• Causing riots, or triggering the disorder.
• It is not allowed to enter hiking poles with a metal or hard tip. (it is only allowed rubber-tipped sticks for elderly people and disabled people).
• It is forbidden to carry heavy tripods, stands, or extensions to cameras or cell phones, except in authorized cases.
• There won´t be re-entry, except for reasons of force majeure or unforeseeable circumstances.
• Backpacks exceeding 40x35x20 cm. are not allowed. In any case, there is a locker by the entrance where you can store the big backpack. It usually charges a couple of Peruvian soles.
• Making any type of fire, it is not allowed to smoke too.
• Climbing on walls or structures and extract lithic elements.
• Not allowed to use virtual applications in crowded passages.
• Not to carry out any type of graffiti or any activity that involves the deterioration of the sanctuary.
• Not allowed ambulatory commerce within the sanctuary and surrounding spaces up to the Puente Ruinas.
• It is not allowed to carry out Filming, or photographs for promotional purposes.
• Not allowed to make loud or annoying noises such as clapping, shout, whistle, sing, among others that disturb the calmness and the sacred character of the sanctuary.
• It is not allowed to drive overflights with paragliders, drones, or any type of minor ship.

The rules detailed above, apply to every single person in Machu Picchu. Including tour guides, national sanctuary staff, and tourists.

Penalties for the rule-breakers?

Depending on the severity of the infringement, the guards and staff can come down on the rule-breakers. Some of the rules may go unnoticed but if that goes further, the staff will be obligated to drag the lawbreaker without the right to refund the ticket price. Ultimately, if the incident turns out unmanageable, the public ministry and the tourism police will intervene. The judge can issue a fine which is to pay a great deal of money also it can order the deportation of the country.  It is not always the case, because most of the tourists behave well when visiting Machu Picchu.

Get your souvenir Machu Picchu stamp

Passport stampings usually take a few minutes. Firstly,  It is mandatory to present passports with the Machu Picchu ticket to get in but that is not where the sealer is. Just Keep in mind that at the exit of the park, will be a small table with the seal on, there may be other tourists stamping one after the other.

Machu Picchu is calling, will you go for it?

Not for nothing, it is slated the world´s wonder, it deserves to be visited and everyone deserves a lifetime experience. Surely there will be more than just Machu Picchu, it wouldn´t be that in a country of wonderland.