Restrictions to Visit Machu Picchu

During your visit to the Inca city of Machupicchu, the following is prohibited:

Carry backpacks, bags or purses larger than 40x35x20 cm (16x14x8 inches).
Enter with food and utensils.
Entering with any illegal substance or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Entering with any type of alcoholic beverage or while intoxicated.
Carry canes, umbrellas, parasols, portable seats, tripods, supports or extensions for cameras, cell phones or any other stabilization or extension element for filming and/or photography.
Enter with animals, except guide dogs.
Feed domestic and wild animals.
Enter with any type of aerosol.
Make any type of graffiti.
Enter with any type of musical instrument, megaphone or speakers.
Making loud or annoying noises such as clapping, shouting, whistling or singing, among others.
Use mobile applications with cell phones or mobile devices in narrow arteries.
Enter with heels or hard-soled shoes.
Access with baby strollers.
Entering with sharp objects and/or weapons of any type.
Entering with banners, posters, banners, clothing intended for advertising purposes, costumes, among other objects of this type. Make films or photographs for advertising purposes.
Causing a disturbance, jumping, lying down, running, undressing or creating disorder.
Climb or lean on walls and/or structures. Touch, move or extract lithic elements.
Disturb, collect or extract flora or fauna.
Carry out activities that distort the sacred character of the Llaqta of Machu Picchu, such as fashion shows, dances, social commitments, obscene acts contrary to morality and good customs or any type of activity that implies the impairment or deterioration of the monument, its environment. natural and/or facilities.
Smoking, vaping or making any type of fire.
Throwing waste of any kind.
Not respecting established circuits and routes.
Carry out street commerce in the monument and surrounding spaces up to the Ruins Bridge.
Perform overflights with paragliders, drones or any type of smaller craft.

Performing acts or entering with objects prohibited on this list will generate the immediate expulsion of the visitor without the right to a refund and the initiation of the corresponding legal actions. The park rangers of the Ministry of Culture and the agents of the National Police are the authority inside the monument.

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Prohibited objects inside the Inca citadel

If you want to enter Machu Picchu without problems, we recommend not carrying any of the following objects:

Tripods, supports or extensions for cameras or cell phones. It is not allowed to enter with ‘ selfie’ stick ‘.
Backpacks, bags or bags that weigh more than 5 kilos.
Food or luggage.
Illegal substances (drugs or under their influence).
Alcoholic beverages (or under their influence)
Aerosols or paints.
Musical instruments, megaphones or speakers.
Heels with hard sole shoes
Baby strollers (it is preferable to bring a baby carrier).
Sharp objects and/or weapons of any type
Banners, posters and/or posters.
Clothing intended for advertising purposes.
Metal-tipped canes (seniors can carry a rubber-tipped cane).

Prohibited behaviors in Machu Picchu

Generate disturbances, jump or cause disorder at the access and/or at any point in the Inca city.
Climb or lean on walls and/or structures.
Carry out any type of activity that distorts the sacred character of Machu Picchu.
Performing inappropriate obscene acts in a public place that violate morals and good customs, such as undressing, dressing up, lying down or running.
Smoking or vaping electronic cigarettes.
Perform overflights in the local airspace with paragliders, drones or any type of smaller craft.

Other prohibitions inside Machu Picchu

It is prohibited to leave the established circuits or routes.
Feed domestic or wild animals in the Inca city.
Take illegal routes or any path that avoids the established entry and control of Machu Picchu.
Making loud or disruptive noises, such as clapping, shouting, whistling, or singing.
Make any type of fire or throw waste of any kind.
Taking films or photographs for advertising purposes or in high-risk locations.

Rules in Huayna Picchu mountain

Huayna Picchu is the mountain located north of the Inca city. Entry is with the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu entrance. The rules and prohibitions are as follows:

The tourist must register their entry and exit at the checkpoint.
If the tourist wants to visit the Temple of the Moon of Huayna Picchu, they must take a detour from the top of the mountain. This route is closed until further notice. The average time to ascend and descend to Waynapicchu Mountain is 3 hours. If you also visit the Great Cavern or the Temple of the Moon, it takes 4 hours. Entry is only allowed to people over 12 years of age. The visitor cannot carry a backpack that exceeds 40x35x20 centimeters. Tourists should not leave the marked paths. In Huayna Picchu the same prohibitions apply as in Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu mountain is the peak where the Inca city is located. It is accessed with the Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket. The rules for visitors are:

The estimated time to go up and down the mountain is 4 hours.
Tourists must register upon entry and exit at the checkpoint.
People of all ages are allowed to enter.
Visitors must stay on permitted paths.
Parents are responsible for the care of their children.
The prohibitions applicable in Machu Picchu also apply on the mountain.

Huchuy Picchu Mountain

Huchuy Picchu Mountain is a new hiking route close to Huayna Picchu. It is accessed with the Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu ticket. The rules for tourists are:

The estimated time to go up and down is 2 hours.
Tourists must register upon entry and exit at the checkpoint.
People of all ages are allowed to enter.
Visitors must stay on permitted paths.
Parents are responsible for the care of their children.
The prohibitions applicable in Machu Picchu also apply on the mountain.

Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu

The Inca Bridge, one of the limits of Machu Picchu, was built with the trunk of a tree that could be removed in case of invasions. It is accessed with the Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge ticket. The rules for tourists are:

The average tour of the Inca Bridge takes approximately 1 hour.
Visitors must sign in and out at the checkpoint.
People of all ages are allowed to enter.
Visitors must stay on permitted paths and may not cross the bridge.
The prohibitions applicable in Machu Picchu also apply to the Inca Bridge.

Official tourism guides

The official guides in Machu Picchu not only make the visit more enjoyable and educational, but also advise visitors on how to preserve this site. The rules for the guide service are:

The tour of the Inca Citadel with an official guide is mandatory (although in practice it may not be strictly followed).
The guide must accompany the tourists throughout the tour, which must last at least 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Groups must have a maximum of 10 people, all accompanied by an official guide.
Tourists who enter with a guide and wish to return on the next shift or day can do so without the guide, showing the previous ticket and indicating the name of the guide.
For hikes in Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or Huchuy Picchu, the guide service is not mandatory.

Penalties for breaking the rules

Failure to follow the rules at Machu Picchu may result in the expulsion of the visitor without refund of the entry ticket. Depending on the severity of the violation, authorities may take additional legal action.

In serious cases, the visitor may be banned for life.
Attacking the integrity of people, the archaeological site, or carrying out immoral acts contrary to good customs are severely punished.
Machu Picchu has high definition cameras and security guards who can intervene if necessary.