The rules of the game have changed! On September 16, the Minister of Culture, Alberto Beingolea, announced a new way to buy Machu Picchu tickets. The measure comes as a result of the fact that for several months, admissions to Machu Picchu remained blocked for extended periods of time; however, tourists were not actually purchasing the tickets. As a result, thousands of tourists were unable to access the Inca citadel.
So that you can purchase your admission tickets with complete confidence, in this guide we explain exactly how the new reservation system works, how to secure your visit, and the best way to plan your trip to Machu Picchu.
Why Is There a New Way to Buy Machu Picchu Tickets?
In recent years, accessing the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu has become a luxury for thousands of tourists because finding available admission tickets was extremely difficult! Tickets appeared as sold out; however, there were travel agencies that had tickets available and resold them at excessively high prices, and large tour operators and travel agencies had Machu Picchu tickets even though they were sold out on the official website!
This problem created a parallel market for Machu Picchu ticket sales that prevented independent travelers from visiting the Inca citadel even though they had planned their trip in advance. For this reason, the Ministry of Culture, the entity responsible for the administration of Machu Picchu, decided to change the Machu Picchu ticket sales system.
These are the main changes to the new way of buying Machu Picchu tickets:
| Before | Now |
|---|---|
| You could reserve a ticket, and the reservation remained available for 3 hours. | You can reserve the ticket, and the reservation is available for a maximum of 15 minutes. |
| At the time of making the reservation, you had several additional hours to pay for the reserved ticket. | Reservation made, reservation paid. If you do not make the payment within 15 minutes, your reservation will be canceled and will become available to another tourist. |
| Some admissions were “released” by the Ministry of Culture and appeared as available on the virtual platform. | The number of admissions is expected to be reduced, so there would no longer be “released” admission tickets. |
| Even though some dates were sold out, tickets could be purchased through travel agencies. However, there was a high risk that the admissions would not be valid. | Tickets must be purchased directly through the TuBoleto website, at authorized offices or authorized travel agencies, as long as the dates appear as available on the official website. If you purchase them through unauthorized agencies and for dates that officially appear as sold out, you face a greater risk of having the ticket invalidated at the time of your visit. |
Things to Consider Before Buying Machu Picchu Tickets
- You need to have already decided which circuit you are going to visit.
- You must have your ID card or passport ready when you enter the website to make the reservation.
- It is important to have your card ready to make the payment immediately.
Steps to Reserve Your Machu Picchu Admission Ticket
- To begin with the new way to buy Machu Picchu tickets, search for and enter the Tu Boleto Cultura website.
- Under destination, select “Llaqta Machupicchu”.
- Read the information regarding the circuits. If you have not yet decided which circuit to choose, you can review the description of each one, view the audiovisual material, as well as the map, before selecting a circuit.
- After deciding which circuit and date to purchase, click the “Buy” button.
- A tab will open where you can first choose which circuit to visit, then you can choose the route as well as the visit date on a calendar with dates showing real-time availability.
- After selecting the above, the number of available tickets and the time slot will appear. Choose the most convenient time slot.
- Next, select your place of origin. Remember that Peruvians, foreigners from CAN (Andean Community) countries, and citizens of Cusco have different rates compared to foreigners.
- Choose the number of tickets you wish to purchase and click “Add to cart”.
- Then click continue. You will be redirected to the account creation page. Register and then make the payment for your ticket.
- Once your payment is confirmed, the system will automatically assign and issue a ticket for you.
- Remember that after the purchase has been made, it is not possible to make modifications.
Will the Current Circuit System Change?
No. The official changes will only concern the reduction of the payment time when purchasing the Machu Picchu admission ticket. The tickets and circuits remain the same.
High season: 5,600 visitors are allowed per day.
- January 1
- April 2–5
- June 19 to November 2
- December 30 and 31
Regular season: up to 4,500 visitors are allowed per day.
Choosing the circuit is one of the most important steps when visiting the Inca citadel, as each area offers different experiences. If you do not know which circuit to choose, contact us and receive personalized advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which circuit should I choose for Machu Picchu?
There are three main circuits for visiting the Inca citadel. of Machu Picchu. Below, you can check the routes available in each circuit.
| Circuit 1 – Panoramic |
1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain Route
1-B: Upper Terrace Route
1-C: Intipunku Gate Route (available only during high season)
1-D: Inka Bridge Route (available only during high season)
|
| Circuit 2 – Classic Circuit |
2-A: Designed Route
2-B: Lower Terrace Route
|
| Circuit 3 – Machu Picchu Royalty |
3-A: Waynapicchu Mountain Route
3-B: Designed Route
3-C: Great Cavern Route (available only during high season)
3-D: Huchuypicchu Route (available only during high season)
|
2. Why book with an authorized travel agency?
The new requirements mean that purchasing a Machu Picchu admission ticket requires some familiarity with the website, since a single error in the name, date, or circuit can completely change your trip.
3. How far in advance should I book?
If you only want to visit the Machu Picchu citadel, it is recommended to book at least 4 months in advance. If you also want to visit Huayna Picchu, it is recommended to book at least 5 months in advance because there are only 350 tickets available per day.
4. Can I buy a Machu Picchu ticket on the same day as my visit?
It is possible, but very risky. In-person ticket sales are limited and usually sell out quickly, especially during high season. The safest option is to book in advance through TuBoleto or an authorized agency.
5. Can I change my name or ID or passport number if I made a mistake when purchasing the ticket?
No. Currently, it is not possible to change the holder’s name, and the passport number can only be corrected once when there is an obvious clerical error. Therefore, it is essential to carefully verify the information when making the purchase.
6. Can I resell or transfer my ticket to someone else if I cannot travel?
No. Selling a Machu Picchu admission ticket to a third party is completely prohibited. Currently, the ticket is issued in the holder’s name and can only be used by the registered person on the specified date, time, and circuit.
If someone offers you a “ticket transfer,” you run the risk of becoming a victim of a scam.
