Machu Picchu Entry Requirements 2026: Documents, Tickets, Banned Items and Rules

To enter Machu Picchu you need two things: a ticket bought in advance in your name and the original identity document you used to buy it. Everything else is about how you use the site: arrive at your time, follow the route on your ticket, leave banned items behind and respect the monument. A tour guide is not mandatory: the regulation only recommends one. In this guide we go through the official rules of Peru's Ministry of Culture: which documents are valid, what applies to students, children and Andean Community citizens, how entry times and the grace period work, what you can carry in your backpack and what is banned, plus some advice on altitude and the famous passport stamp.

Requirements at a glance

Requirement	What the rules say
Ticket	Bought before you go, on tuboleto.cultura.pe or at the authorized DDC Cusco offices; issued in your name and valid only for its date, time, circuit and holder
Document	Original: passport, foreigner ID card (carné de extranjería), diplomatic ID or national ID card for CAN and MERCOSUR citizens; DNI for Peruvians
Matching	The document must be the same one the ticket was issued with; you show it when buying and when entering
Discounts	Students: valid original student card or certificate; minors: a document proving their age
Entry time	The one on your ticket, with a 30-minute grace period (45 in the busiest months)
Time inside	Maximum 2 h 30 min in the llaqta, except on mountain routes
Re-entry	Not allowed, except in cases of force majeure
Backpack	Maximum 40 x 35 x 20 cm
Guide	Recommended, not mandatory (article 17.1 of the regulation)
Foreign adult price	S/163 on a standard route and S/211 on a mountain route, SERNANP fee included

Mandatory documents

Article 17.1 of the Regulation for the sustainable use and tourist visit of the Llaqta of Machupicchu (amended by RM 528-2023-MC and, in September 2026, by RM 000334-2026-MC) is clear: to enter you need your ticket and an official identity document. Staff of the Archaeological Park can also ask for both inside the llaqta, so keep them on you throughout the visit.

Which document is valid for your nationality

Foreign visitors: valid passport, foreigner ID card (carné de extranjería) or diplomatic ID.
Andean Community (CAN) and MERCOSUR citizens: can use their national ID card instead of a passport.
Peruvians: original DNI.

RM 000334-2026-MC adds that the document must be shown in original, both when buying and when entering. A photocopy or a photo on your phone is not a substitute.

The document must match the ticket

Since the September 2026 reform, tickets are issued in the visitor's name, with their full name and document number. At the gate the ticket is checked against your document, so bring exactly the same one you bought with. If you have dual nationality or renewed your passport after buying, this is where most problems arise.

You cannot change the holder's name or the date. In the case of an obvious clerical error, the rules only allow the passport number to be corrected once.

If your document is lost or stolen

RM 000334-2026-MC covers this case: if the document is lost, stolen or taken in a robbery, the corresponding police report is accepted. If it happens during your trip, go to a police station to get one before heading to Machu Picchu.

Students

The student rate is for students in university or technical higher education. According to the regulation, foreign students up to undergraduate level must identify themselves with their valid original student card or certificate, together with their passport or the corresponding visa. Peruvian students show their valid card issued by SUNEDU or the Ministry of Education.

The rules do not expressly mention the international ISIC card or set a maximum age, so bring the card from your own university or institute and, if in doubt, check before buying. If you cannot prove your student status at the checkpoint, you may be refused entry with that ticket.

Children and minors

Minors aged 3 to 17: pay the minor rate and need their own ticket and their own document (a passport for foreigners), because the original-document rule applies to all visitors.
Children under 3: according to the fare information released by the Ministry of Culture, they enter free when accompanied by an adult. Check on Tu Boleto whether you still need to generate a free ticket in their name.
Strollers: are banned inside the llaqta. For the little ones, use a baby carrier.

If you are travelling with minors and want a mountain route, read what we explain about age in our guide to Huayna Picchu tickets.

Andean Community and MERCOSUR citizens

Citizens of Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador (CAN countries) can enter with their national ID card and also get the reduced rates in the Ministry of Culture's fare schedule, like Peruvians. MERCOSUR citizens can also use their national ID card to enter, but that does not give them a reduced rate: they pay the general foreigner rate. You will find the full prices in our guide to Machu Picchu tickets.

The ticket: rules you need to know

Buy it before you go

No tickets are sold at the llaqta gate. Under RM 000334-2026-MC, tickets are purchased exclusively directly and personally, with full payment, on the tuboleto.cultura.pe platform or in person at the authorized DDC Cusco offices. Travel agencies registered with the DDC Cusco can also buy them, always in each visitor's name. Sales through any other channel are prohibited.

Since 22 September 2026, with the trial run of the new direct sales system, there is no longer a prior reservation: according to the Ministry of Culture, you initially have 15 minutes to pay and, if you don't, the place is released.

If you could not get a ticket online, the ticket office in Machupicchu Pueblo sells up to 1,000 tickets a day for entry the following day. We explain how in our guide to buying tickets in person.

Prices in 2026

Foreign visitor	Standard route	Mountain route
Adult	S/152 + S/11 SERNANP = S/163	S/200 + S/11 SERNANP = S/211
University or technical student	S/77 + S/11 = S/88	S/125 + S/11 = S/136
Minor (3 to 17 years)	S/70 + SERNANP minor rate	S/118 + SERNANP minor rate

The SERNANP fee (S/11 for foreign visitors) has been charged since 1 May 2026 for entry to the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. We have not been able to confirm in an official source the SERNANP amount for foreign minors, so check the total before paying.

Fixed date, time, circuit and route

Each ticket is valid only for the date, time, circuit and holder shown on it. Since 2024, the visit has been organized into 3 circuits with 10 routes, and each ticket corresponds to a single route:

Circuit 1 (Panoramic): routes 1-A Machupicchu Mountain, 1-B Upper Terrace and, in high season, 1-C Intipunku Gate and 1-D Inca Bridge.
Circuit 2 (Classic Machupicchu): routes 2-A Designed Route and 2-B Lower Terrace.
Circuit 3 (Royalty): routes 3-A Waynapicchu Mountain, 3-B Designed Route and, in high season, 3-C Great Cavern and 3-D Huchuypicchu.

Inside the llaqta you must follow the route on your ticket. The regulation (article 10) prohibits entering circuits you did not select or restricted areas, and doing so means being removed from the site. If you still don't know which route to choose, start with our guide to Machu Picchu circuits, the 2-A vs 2-B comparison or the Circuit 3 guide.

Entry time and grace period

Tickets are sold by entry time, from 6:00 to 15:00. The time on the ticket is the time you enter through the main gate of the llaqta, and the Ministry of Culture publishes these grace periods:

Period	Grace period at the main gate
Months of regular demand	Up to 30 minutes after your time
Busiest months (1 June to 15 October and 30 and 31 December)	Up to 45 minutes after your time
Checkpoints for Machupicchu, Waynapicchu and Huchuypicchu mountains	No grace period

After that window you may be refused entry, and an unused ticket loses its validity with no rescheduling or refund, except in duly proven cases of unforeseeable circumstances or force majeure.

Time allowed inside

Under article 16 of the regulation, you can stay in the llaqta for a maximum of 2 hours and 30 minutes from entry. Those entering at 14:00 or 15:00 can stay until 17:30 at the latest. Mountain routes have their own time limits: with Huayna Picchu (slots at 7:00 and 10:00) the maximum is 5 hours and 30 minutes, and with Machupicchu Mountain (slots at 7:00 and 9:00) 6 hours and 30 minutes. Staying longer than allowed means immediate removal.

One entry only: no re-entry

The ticket allows a single entry. The regulation does not allow re-entry to the llaqta, except for reasons of force majeure. Since the toilets are outside the site, go before entering.

What you can bring and what is banned

Backpack and luggage

Only backpacks, bags or handbags up to 40 x 35 x 20 cm (16 x 14 x 8 inches) are allowed. If you have large luggage, leave it at your hotel in Aguas Calientes or in Cusco. For the visit, a sensible choice is a small backpack with:

Your ticket (on your phone and, better still, printed) and your original document.
Water in a reusable bottle.
Sunscreen cream (aerosols are banned), a cap or hat and insect repellent that is not an aerosol.
A poncho or waterproof jacket: umbrellas are banned.
Comfortable shoes with good grip.

Banned items according to the official list

The Ministry of Culture's official list of conduct rules prohibits entering with:

Category	Banned items
Luggage	Backpacks, bags or handbags larger than 40 x 35 x 20 cm
Food	Food and tableware
Alcohol and drugs	Alcoholic drinks, illegal substances or being under their influence
Photo and video	Tripods, mounts or extensions for cameras and phones (selfie sticks) and any other stabilizer
Drones	Flights with drones, paragliders or any small aircraft
Supports	Walking sticks, umbrellas, sunshades and portable seats
Animals	Pets, except guide dogs
Footwear	High heels or hard-soled shoes
Babies	Strollers
Other	Aerosols, musical instruments, megaphones or speakers, sharp objects and weapons
Advertising	Banners, posters, signs, costumes or clothing for advertising purposes

The official list makes no exceptions for walking sticks. If you need one because of reduced mobility, check with the DDC Cusco beforehand.

Single-use plastics

Machu Picchu is also a protected natural area, the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. Applying Supreme Decree 013-2018-MINAM, SERNANP restricts plastic bags, straws and polystyrene containers from entering the sanctuary and recommends using canteens or reusable bottles and cloth bags.

Can you bring water and food?

Food, no: the official list prohibits entering with food. Water is not on the list of banned items, so you can bring it, ideally in a reusable bottle. Plan to eat before going in or after coming out.

Rules of conduct inside the llaqta

Besides items, the official list prohibits a number of behaviours:

Climbing or leaning on walls and structures, and touching, moving or removing stones.
Making loud or disturbing noise: clapping, shouting, whistling or singing.
Jumping, lying down, running, undressing or causing disorder.
Feeding animals, domestic or wild, and disturbing, collecting or removing plants or wildlife.
Graffiti or throwing litter of any kind.
Smoking, vaping or lighting fires.
Using apps on your phone in narrow passageways.
Fashion shows, dances, social celebrations or any act that distorts the sacred character of the site, as well as filming or photography for advertising purposes.
Not following the established circuits and routes.

Breaking these rules or entering with banned items means immediate expulsion with no refund, plus any applicable legal action. Inside the monument, the authorities are the Ministry of Culture park rangers and the National Police.

Is a guide mandatory?

No. Article 17.1 of the regulation, both in the wording of RM 528-2023-MC and in the current wording of RM 000334-2026-MC, says that to enter you need your ticket and an official identity document, and that it is "recommended" to be accompanied by a tour guide to help conserve the heritage and keep the visit orderly. You can go in on your own.

Even so, an official guide is worth it: the routes are one-way, with little interpretive signage, and the history of each sector is much easier to understand with someone telling it. If you hire one, check that they are an accredited official tour guide.

Health and altitude

The llaqta stands at about 2,430 metres above sea level, according to UNESCO: lower than the city of Cusco, which is over 3,000 metres. If you arrive from Cusco, you will usually feel better at Machu Picchu, but it is wise to acclimatize for a day or two before doing a lot of walking.
Mountain routes are demanding. The regulation states that they are voluntary and that you must be in good physical condition. There are steep stone stairways and exposed sections.
Sun and rain change quickly. Bring sun protection, water and waterproof clothing.
No health requirements for entry. The visitor regulation only requires a ticket and a document; it does not ask for vaccination or health certificates to enter the llaqta. If you have a medical condition or heart or breathing problems, consult your doctor before travelling.
The toilets are outside. Use them before entering, because there is no re-entry.

The Machu Picchu passport stamp

For years, visitors have been offered a commemorative Machu Picchu stamp for their passport in the entrance area of the llaqta. Be clear that it is not an immigration stamp: it is not applied by Migraciones (Peru's immigration authority), it has no legal value and it is not a requirement for anything.

It can also cause you trouble. Only immigration authorities should stamp a passport, and there have been reported cases of travellers having problems at airports or with visa applications because of unofficial tourist stamps, as some authorities and airlines consider them an alteration of the document. Our advice: if you want the souvenir, stamp it in a notebook, on a separate sheet or on your printed ticket, never in your passport.

Visitors arriving via the Inca Trail

If you arrive on foot via the Inca Trail network (Red de Caminos Inka), your access to the llaqta is via Route 3-B, with daily places reserved for these visitors, paid in advance through authorized travel agencies (article 15-B of the regulation, as worded by RM 000334-2026-MC). The same document requirements and rules of conduct apply to you too.

Daily capacity in 2026

For 2026, RM 000285-2025-MC sets a maximum capacity of 5,600 visitors a day in high season (1 January, 2 to 5 April, 19 June to 2 November and 30 and 31 December) and 4,500 the rest of the year. That is why tickets sell out, especially in high season and on mountain routes: Huayna Picchu, for example, only has two slots, at 7:00 and 10:00.

Checklist before you go

Ticket bought on tuboleto.cultura.pe or through an official channel, with your name and document number correct.
Original document, the same one you bought with (and one for each child).
Valid original student card, if you bought at the student rate.
Entry time noted down, with enough margin for the bus or the walk up from Aguas Calientes.
Backpack no larger than 40 x 35 x 20 cm, with no food, no tripod, no selfie stick, no umbrella and no drone.
Reusable bottle, sunscreen cream, rain poncho and shoes with good grip.
A stop at the toilets beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to enter Machu Picchu?: Your ticket and the original identity document you bought it with: passport, foreigner ID card or diplomatic ID for foreigners, DNI for Peruvians and national ID card for CAN and MERCOSUR citizens.
Can I enter with a photocopy of my passport?: No. The rules require the original document, both for buying and for entering. Only in the case of loss or theft is a police report accepted.
Is hiring a guide mandatory?: No. Article 17.1 of the regulation only recommends going with a tour guide.
What happens if I arrive late?: You have a 30-minute grace period at the main gate (45 in the busiest months). There is no grace period at the mountain checkpoints. If you arrive after the window, you may be refused entry with no refund.
Can I leave and come back in?: No. Re-entry is not allowed, except in cases of force majeure.
Can I bring food to Machu Picchu?: No, the official list prohibits entering with food. You can bring water, preferably in a reusable bottle.
What is the maximum backpack size?: 40 x 35 x 20 cm (16 x 14 x 8 inches).
Are drones, tripods or selfie sticks allowed?: No. Drones and any tripod, mount or extension for cameras and phones are banned.
Do children need a passport?: Yes. Each minor needs their own ticket and document. Children under 3 enter free with an adult, according to the Ministry of Culture's fare information.
Is the Machu Picchu passport stamp official?: No. It is a souvenir with no legal value and can cause problems with some authorities or airlines. Better to put it on another piece of paper.

Summary

The requirements to enter Machu Picchu are few but strict: a named ticket bought in advance and the original document that matches it. From there, arrive at your time, follow your route, travel with a small backpack without food or banned items and respect the rules of conduct. A guide is recommended, not mandatory. Check everything at home before leaving, because at the gate there is no way to fix a forgotten document or the wrong ticket.

Sources

Ministerial Resolution 000334-2026-MC (direct and named sales, documents, guide and entry): https://transparencia.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/transparencia/2026/09/resoluciones-ministeriales/rm-334-2026-mc.pdf
Ministerial Resolution 528-2023-MC (circuits, restricted areas, alternative routes, time allowed, re-entry and guide): https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/5627334/4985976-resolucion-ministerial-n-000528-2023-mc.pdf
Ministry of Culture, rules of conduct at Machupicchu: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/normas-de-conducta/
Ministry of Culture, entry times and grace periods: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HORARIOS-DE-INGRESO.pdf
Ministry of Culture, visitor circuits and routes: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/circuitos-y-rutas-de-visita/
Tu Boleto, availability for the llaqta of Machupicchu: https://tuboleto.cultura.pe/disponibilidad/llaqta_machupicchu
Ministry of Culture, trial run of direct sales on Tu Boleto (22 September 2026): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/noticias/1447550-ministerio-de-cultura-inicio-hoy-marcha-blanca-del-mecanismo-de-venta-directa-de-boletos-para-machupicchu-y-la-red-de-caminos-inka
Ministerial Resolution 000285-2025-MC (2026 capacity): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/normas-legales/7355929-285-2025-mc
Ministerial Resolution 000317-2025-MC (fares): https://transparencia.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/transparencia/2025/11/resoluciones-ministeriales/rm000317-2025-mc.pdf
SERNANP, regulation of single-use plastics in the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu: https://www.gob.pe/institucion/sernanp/noticias/77794-sector-ambiente-capacitara-a-operadores-turisticos-sobre-regulacion-del-uso-del-plastico-en-el-santuario-historico-de-machupicchu
UNESCO, Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/274
SERNANP fee from 1 May 2026, according to Infobae: https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/02/09/suben-tarifas-de-ingreso-a-machu-picchu-desde-cuando-rige-y-cuanto-costara-entrar-en-2026/

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