Machu Picchu has lived its loneliest days after decades receiving thousands of tourists who have accepted the adventure of knowing the Inca lands. It is no mystery to anyone that the emergence and expansion of COVID-19 in the world has changed some of the habits that humans have when interacting. For this reason, the Inca Citadel is prepared so that the experience of visiting this Wonder of the World continues to be magical and safe.

Machu Picchu, the Inca Citadel

After more than 8 long months without receiving visitors, Machu Picchu reopened its doors to international tourism. The rates to enter this historic sanctuary can be purchased through its website.

The Safety and Health against Covid-19 for tourists visiting the Inca city, approved by the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco (DDCC) and the Ministry of Culture, indicates the sanitary measures that the authorities have determined for the entrance to Machu Picchu:

• Use of double surgical mask or a KN95.
• Social distancing of 1 meter.
• Hand disinfection with the supplies provided at the time of entry.
• It is forbidden to consume food during the visit.

In addition to this, remember that the Inca citadel has a capacity of over 4,000 tourists a day at up to nine different times that go from 06:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Machu Picchu Sanitary contingency plan

Prohibitions during your visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu

During your visit to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the following is prohibited, among other things:

• Carry backpacks, bags or purses larger than 40x35x20 cm (16x14x8 inches).
• Enter with food or kitchenware, i.e. plates, cutlery, thermoses, etc.
• Enter with umbrellas, walking sticks, portable chairs, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks or other photography/film stabilization accessories. 
• Enter with animals, except guide dogs. 
• Make loud or disturbing noises (scream, whistle, clap, sing, etc).
• Generate turmoil, undress, lie down, run and/or jump.
• Climb or lean on walls and/or structures. Touch, extract or move lithic elements such as rocks and stonework.
• Disturb, collect or remove flora or fauna.
• Smoke or vape, or start a fire of any kind.
• Litter.

Performing acts or entering with objects prohibited in this list will generate the immediate expulsion of the visitor without reimbursement and the start of legal actions if necessary. The park guards of the Ministry of Culture and the agents of the National Police are the authority within the monument premises.

Machu Picchu Citadel Timetable:

The authorities have also established the schedules in which Machu Picchu will operate for the visit of tourists. The citadel will be available for tourist visits daily from 6:00 a.m., closing at 5:00 p.m. There are 9 time ranges for the entry of visitors, the first being from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and the last from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Currently, the doors are already open to also visit Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu, and in what corresponds to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, there are four circuits divided into short, long, low and high. You can find the details of each one in the following links:

• Circuit 1: It includes the upper part near the Machu Picchu Mountain, followed by the Main Portal, the area of granite chaos, Room of Mirrors and Ceremonial Fountains. Map of this route: https://bit.ly/3AKLbtV
• Circuit 2: It includes the upper part near the Machu Picchu Mountain, followed by the Main Portal, the granite chaos area, the Sacred Main Square, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Room of Mirrors and the Temple of the Condor. Map of this route: https://bit.ly/3ThehYQ
• Circuit 3: It includes the entrance to the Guardian’s House, a walk through the area of the platforms, walk near the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Ceremonial Fountains and the Room of Mirrors. Map of this route: https://bit.ly/3QOtIpY
• Circuit 4: It includes the walk through the area of the platforms, walk near the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca, the Ceremonial Fountains, walk behind the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Room of Mirrors and the Temple of the Condor. Map of this route: https://bit.ly/3pKVpnL
• Circuit 4: It includes the Qolqas, the Agricultural Zone, the Water Canal, the Dry Moat, the complex of the Temple of the Sun, the complex of the House of the Inka, the Water Fountains, the complex of the Three Windows, the Pisonay Main Square and the Archaeological Reserve. Map of this route: https://bit.ly/3KiTobO

Finally, keep in mind that during the tour, the consumption of food or beverages will not be allowed under any circumstances while you are inside the citadel of Machu Picchu.

What foreign tourists will be able to step on Peruvian lands ?

If you are Peruvian, a resident foreigner, or a nonresident foreigner 12 years of age or older, regardless of the country you come from, you must present the COVID-19 vaccination certificate with the full doses, or present a negative molecular test taken no more than 48 hours before your flight in the country of origin. Similarly, consider the mandatory use of a double mask or a KN95 mask at all times during the flight and within the airport facilities. Finally, within 72 hours prior to the trip, you must register in the online form “Affidavit of Health and Geolocation Authorization“.

Machu Picchu awaits for you! Trust us to take you to this magical place.

At PERURAIL, we are Ready:

For PeruRail it is vitally important to provide our passengers with a first-rate experience and service, ensuring the well-being for those who choose us. This is why we implement protocols that keep the safety and health among passengers, our staff and the train services.

Some of the measures we have worked on are:

• We take care of our staff. Our collaborators are trained through a comprehensive training plan and under constant control through symptomatic surveys and regular medical supervision.
• All our collaborators will permanently use adequate protection material with the highest standards of service and attention.
• Our offices and workspaces are now suitable according to the appropriate social distance, in addition to having informative and audiovisual pieces.
• Ticket and on-board service personnel comply with cleaning and disinfection through proper hand washing for 20 seconds and use of hand gel.
• Constant cleaning and disinfection of our trains with highly trained and specialized personnel.
• Our main concern is everyone’s safety. For this reason, we have implemented preventive and informative signage to comply with health and safety protocols throughout the travel experience.
• To contribute to social distancing, we have launched a Mobile Application: PeruRail e-Ticket that will provide greater ease at the time of boarding using the digital ticket.

More information about our Protocolos.

What sanitary measures should you take in Machu Picchu?

The measures delivered by the authorities and PeruRail also depend on the active role you take when making your trip. For this reason, PeruRail will request all passengers to permanently wear a double mask from their arrival at the stations until the end of their trip, to respect the lines and the minimum distance of one meter suggested by the health authorities, and to show their ticket or digital ticket.

For a comfortable and safe trip on our PeruRail Vistadome or PeruRail Expedition trains to Machu Picchu, please remember to follow these protocols and to pay attention to the instructions of our staff in order to take care of your health and those around you.

These measures will allow tourists and our staff members to walk around safely in sanitized spaces that prevent the spread of any type of virus or disease.

If you are thinking about making a magical trip to Machu Picchu after its reopening, keep in mind these health measures provided by the authorities and PeruRail. Thereby, you will make your adventure a safe and unforgettable experience. Check the trains service schedules that PeruRail delivers on your way to the Inca Citadel.

May your new first destination be Machu Picchu. Buy Your Tickets Here!