The Ministry of Culture has decreed that as of July 1st, 2017, entry to Machu Picchu citadel will split into two separate time shifts:
Morning Shift: 06:00-12:00
Afternoon Shift: 12:00-17:30
Visitors are allotted 4 hours of maximum time under the new agreement. Visitation to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain is unchanged and is due to remain the same.
The implementation of this new regulation will go through a 4-month transition period, during which authorities will act accordingly with discretionary flexibility until gradually enforcing the totality of the new ruling.
Today 70% of daily visitors stay between 06:00 to 10:00, while only 11% visit during 12:00 to 16:30. The adjustments will ensure a better flow and experience for tourist visits and ultimately greater conservation of the Incan ruins.
The new tickets sales commenced on May 29, 2017.
AWR Notes on this new decree:
- All group guided tours will now take place during the morning
- Guided visits in the afternoon must be on private basis
- If guests wish to stay for part of the noon, they need to buy another entrance ticket. However, it IS permitted to do a guided tour in the morning and then climb Huayna Picchu or hike to IntiPunku, and run over the "noon deadline" for the time being.
- We are highly encouraging our travelers to extend their Machu Picchu visit to two days now so that they have one day to get there and have the second day with a full morning at Machu Picchu.
- Inca Trail Trek schedules are not affected
Want to plan your next adventure to Machu Picchu? Contact us!
Your friendly Peru experts,
Gretchen and Barb