OVERVIEW
Machu Picchu and the surrounding protected area are governed by a framework of regulations that has become increasingly specific over the past decade as the Peruvian government and heritage organizations have worked to balance visitor access with the long-term preservation of one of the world’s most significant archaeological and natural sites. Understanding these regulations before you arrive eliminates confusion at the gate and ensures that your visit contributes to the preservation of the site rather than its gradual erosion.
- MACHU PICCHU ENTRANCE TICKETS
Machu Picchu entrance tickets are required for all visitors without exception. Tickets are sold exclusively online through the official government platform and must be purchased in advance. There is no ticket purchase available at the entrance gate.
Each ticket is registered to a specific passport number and cannot be transferred. The name and passport number on the ticket must match the document presented at the entrance gate exactly. Rangers are instructed to refuse entry to anyone whose documents do not match their ticket, and this rule is enforced consistently regardless of circumstances.
Tickets are organized by circuit number, entry time slot, and date. Once a ticket is purchased for a specific circuit and time slot it cannot be changed, and the government platform does not offer refunds. This is why we coordinate ticket selection carefully at the time of booking and why we ask for your passport information as part of the booking process.
- DAILY VISITOR LIMITS
Machu Picchu operates a daily visitor cap that limits the total number of people admitted each day across all circuits and time slots. When the daily limit is reached, no additional tickets are sold for that date. During peak season this limit is reached weeks in advance for the most popular circuits and time slots.
The practical implication for Inca Jungle travelers is that your Machu Picchu visit must be planned and ticketed at the time of booking your trek, not in the days before your arrival in Aguas Calientes. We manage this process as part of your booking but require your passport information to do so.
- RULES INSIDE THE CITADEL
Stay on the marked visitor paths at all times. The paths define the areas of the site that are open to visitors and protect the surrounding structures and terrain from the cumulative damage of millions of footsteps per year. Rangers are present throughout the site and will redirect visitors who leave the paths.
No food or drink is permitted inside the citadel except water in reusable containers. Pack snacks in your bag before entering and eat them at the entrance area or in Aguas Calientes before and after your visit.
Single-use plastic bottles are not permitted on site. Reusable water bottles are the required alternative and are available for purchase in Aguas Calientes if you do not have one.
Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted. The restriction on tripods is enforced to keep visitor movement flowing and to prevent the blocking of paths and viewpoints. A standard camera or phone is not affected by this rule.
Large backpacks over 40 liters are not permitted inside the citadel and must be left in the storage facility at the entrance gate. Plan your daypack accordingly.
Drones are strictly prohibited throughout the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. This includes all areas of the trek route within the sanctuary boundaries, not only the citadel itself. The penalty for drone use in the sanctuary is significant and enforcement is active.
- THE INCA JUNGLE TRAIL AND PERMITS
Unlike the classic Inca Trail, which requires a government-issued permit that must be purchased months in advance and is subject to strict daily limits, the Inca Jungle route does not require a separate trail permit. The route uses public roads and trails that are not subject to the same permit system as the protected Inca Trail corridor.
The only permit required for the Inca Jungle route is the Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which we purchase on your behalf as part of the booking process.
- ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
The Inca Jungle route passes through the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected natural area. Regulations within the sanctuary prohibit the removal of plants, animals, rocks, or any natural or archaeological material. Littering is prohibited throughout the sanctuary and waste must be carried out by all visitors and operators.
We provide reusable water bottles and ask all travelers to avoid single-use plastic packaging throughout the trek. Our guides carry waste bags and collect any material left on the trail. We ask that all travelers in our groups follow the same practice.
Campfires are not permitted anywhere within the sanctuary. Accommodation on the route uses gas or electric cooking facilities.
