Looking over Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu peak

Economical Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets Now to Be Offered in Shifts

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Impressive stonework at Machu Picchu Archeological Site

Relaxing in a stone doorway at Machu Picchu site

Agricultural terraces at Machu Picchu archeological site

Amazing stonework at Machu Picchu archeological site

Exploring Machu Picchu archeological site

Mini. Exploring Machu Picchu archeological site.

Machu Picchu is the Peru's main tourist destination, attracting 2,700 to 3,000 visitors each day. 90% of these enter around 6am and leave by midday, while only 10% visit in the afternoon and stay until 4:30pm- a disparity that accelerates the wear and tear on the site, which is literally sinking under the weight. To incentivize afternoon visits, from this month onwards tickets will be sold in shifts (8am-1pm; 1pm-8pm), with 2nd shift tickets being cheaper.

Machu Picchu is the Peru's main tourist destination and a mainstay on bucket lists worldwide. A requisite stop for seasoned travelers, it received more than 1,170,000 visitors last year, more than 2 out of 3 of which were foreigners.

This popularity translates to 2,700 to 3,000 visitors each day; 90% of which enter around 6am and leave by midday, while only 10% visit in the afternoon and stay until 4:30pm. This disparity accelerates the wear and tear on the site, which is literally sinking under the weight.

Currently, admission is US$45 and the ticket is good from 6am to 4:30pm, with minors paying about half-price.

In order to incentivize afternoon visits, Fernando Astete, the director of Machu Picchu Archeological Park, has announced that from this month onwards tickets will be sold in shifts from 8am to 1pm and from 1pm to 8pm. Tickets for the second shift will be cheaper. The exact date of the change hasn't been decided, but it's expected to be around July 15^th. The hope is that half or more of visitors will choose to visit the sanctuaries in the afternoon.

Machu Picchu is the Peru's main tourist destination, attracting 2,700 to 3,000 visitors each day. 90% of these enter around 6am and leave by midday, while only 10% visit in the afternoon and stay until 4:30pm- a disparity that accelerates the wear and tear on the site, which is literally sinking under the weight. To incentivize afternoon visits, from this month onwards tickets will be sold in shifts (8am-1pm; 1pm-8pm), with 2nd shift tickets being cheaper.

Machu Picchu is the Peru's main tourist destination and a mainstay on bucket lists worldwide. A requisite stop for seasoned travelers, it received more than 1,170,000 visitors last year, more than 2 out of 3 of which were foreigners.

This popularity translates to 2,700 to 3,000 visitors each day; 90% of which enter around 6am and leave by midday, while only 10% visit in the afternoon and stay until 4:30pm. This disparity accelerates the wear and tear on the site, which is literally sinking under the weight.

Currently, admission is US$45 and the ticket is good from 6am to 4:30pm, with minors paying about half-price.

In order to incentivize afternoon visits, Fernando Astete, the director of Machu Picchu Archeological Park, has announced that from this month onwards tickets will be sold in shifts from 8am to 1pm and from 1pm to 8pm. Tickets for the second shift will be cheaper. The exact date of the change hasn't been decided, but it's expected to be around July 15^th. The hope is that half or more of visitors will choose to visit the sanctuaries in the afternoon.

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Folk dance troupes during the patronal festival of Doctor Pa

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Just 11 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas, the historic district of San Jerónimo celebrates its patron saint every late September: 5 days of processions, 26+ dance troupes, a food fair, and a 16th-century church built on an Inca huaca. In 2016, it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Most tourists don't know it exists; many young locals don't either. This year it starts on Monday, September 28, with the main day on Wednesday 30.

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48 km on foot: How to reach the Señor de Huanca in Cusco

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Circuit	Ideal for...	Clasic photo	Difficulty
Circuit 1 (Panoramic)	High views and photo posts	Yes	Low
Circuit 2 (Andean)	Complete circuit through the ruins	Yes	Medium
Circuit 3 (Reality)	Persons or reduced movement	No	Very low

Explore the best of our land

Explore the breathtaking diversity of the Central Andes. From ancient archaeological wonders and surreal high-altitude landscapes to world-class gastronomy and Amazonian adventures, our updated 2026 guides showcase the very best of this premier global destination.