Machu Picchu is known as the 'Historic Sanctuary of Peru'.
More than a million tourists visited Machu Picchu in 2018, according to the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism. Here is the big dilemma: yes or no to mass tourism?
The answer is not waiting, On January 1, the new conditions to visit and protect the Inca city came into effect , UNESCO World Heritage, built in 1450.
The degradation of this beautiful historical space (37,302 hectares and 60 archaeological monuments) has been the main reason, protecting it -as happens with other great monuments- is a duty that we cannot let go.
Accessible tourism has allowed us to move with greater freedom and to access places that centuries ago were considered remote. But not everything is benefits, our trips take their toll on said natural enclaves . Y Macchu Picchu it is not the only one... we have already told you about the deterioration that the Taj Mahal is experiencing and also that of Boracay beach in the Philippines, closed for months in order to save it from contamination due to mass tourism.
How will we visit Machu Picchu in 2019.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT IT FROM NOW
If you are going to make a trip to this architectural jewel soon, you should know that now ** your entrance is regulated by a few purchase tickets (like any tourist attraction) **. It was already tested in the spring of 2018, and given its good performance, it has ended up being effective.
You can buy these tickets in advance on the website of the Ministry of Tourism of Peru and they work by hours and different circuits. There are currently three tickets available: that of the Llaqta of Machu Picchu, that of Wayna Picchu and that of the Machu Picchu Mountain.
In the case of the third, only 800 visitors per day , 400 in the 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. shifts, and another 400, between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. This route ascends progressively to the top of the mountain from where you get an impressive view of the Llaqta of Machu Picchu and the Vilcanota River that surrounds it.
The travel time of this alternate route is approximately four hours but it varies depending on the visitor. Total residence time for the route of the alternate route and one of the circuits it is six hours.
Important: You will have to bring the ticket, your identity document and have registered manually in the registration booklet, both on entry and exit.
As for the prices, for example if you want to visit the Inca city and the mountain of Machu Picchu you will have to prepare some 200 soles (approximately 52 euros).