Embracing Sustainable Tourism: New Visitor Circuits at Machu Picchu

The world's unique and important heritage sites face numerous challenges, including the pressures of tourism. We support initiatives that reduce the impact on these precious places. As you may have heard, Machu Picchu's capacity has been increased during the peak season, from June 1 to October 15, to 5,600 visitors per day. This increased capacity will be managed through a new, thoughtful approach.

Machu Picchu's popularity has put it at risk from overtourism. Heavy foot traffic causes physical wear on the ancient structures and can accelerate erosion, making preservation and proper flow of visitors crucial. To preserve this sacred site for future generations, it is essential to implement sustainable tourism practices. Therefore, the Ministry of Culture has implemented a new circuit system to manage tourism flow effectively.

To fully understand these changes, our operations team, along with our Machu Picchu Guardians, took a trial tour of all three circuits with Park Rangers to ensure that the visitor experience will be as amazing as always. We feel confident that these new measures will help preserve this sacred site and allow us to share it with the world in a respectful and well-planned way.

Each circuit is unique and special, allowing guests to experience the one-of-a-kind beauty of Machu Picchu and immerse themselves in its storied history. The three circuits are:

1. Circuit 1 (Panoramic Circuit): This circuit allows visitors to absorb the classic Machu Picchu view from the upper terrace and explore the citadel from above. It includes four sub-circuits offering access to attractions such as the Inca Bridge, the main entrance Sun Gate (Inti Punku), and Machu Picchu Mountain.
2. Circuit 2 (Classic Circuit): This circuit allows for a deeper exploration of the site. Visitors will have access to various locations, including the Main Plaza, Sacred Rock, and Temple of the Three Windows. It includes two similar sub-circuits.
3. Circuit 3 (Royal Circuit): This circuit offers visitors the chance to explore the lower part of the complex, including the Condor Temple and Inca House. It also provides access to two favorite treks: Huayna Picchu Mountain and Huchuy Picchu Mountain. It includes four sub-circuits.

Please note that access to the Intihuatana (Solar Clock) will be unavailable during the high season. Tickets for the Inca Trail will maintain their traditional circuit. For the 2-day Inca Trail, the registration stamp at the entrance on the first day will be required to enter Machu Picchu on the second day with no exceptions.

We have prepared a detailed document with maps and photos, which you can access on our agents resource centers. Given the increasing demand, we now encourage purchasing Machu Picchu permits upon reservation as a non-refundable item, ensuring access to the Inca citadel. As soon as the entrance is purchased, our team will inform you of the available circuit. Specific circuits cannot be booked in advance – availability is determined upon permit issuance. Each circuit is unique and offers an incredible experience.

We are here to bring the citadel to life for your travelers. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to walk through the circuits together and answer any questions you may have.

Together, let's embrace sustainable tourism and ensure that Machu Picchu remains a source of wonder and inspiration for generations to come.

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