Machu Picchu and Health Guidelines 2023

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There are more than 100 tourist destinations in Peru, for instance: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Rainbow mountain, Titicaca Lake, Nazca lines, Kuelap, Chachapoyas, Choquequirao, Huacachina, Northern beaches, The Moche route, The Amazon river, Manu national park, etc.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) enacted a regulation on 28 September 2020 about “Health Guidelines for COVID-19 for Tourist Destination”. In this way, the Peruvian government keeps preparing for the total resumption of activities. The health protocols enacted are eight and were published by Mincetur.

It is important to mention that the Mincetur has been working on a tourist seal of approval (safe travels), which seeks to certify Peru tourist destinations as safe areas, guaranteeing compliance with the protocols and biosafety measures which include: the compulsory wearing of masks, a maximum of eight people per group of tourists and one guide, use of alcohol, social distancing, etc.

On Inca Trail tours 2023, All trekkers are not obligated to use masks, face shields, and alcohol: The tour operators are obligated to provide alcohol at each campsite.

On trains from Cusco to Machu Picchu, it is compulsory to wear masks.

The new regulation says that all tourists are not necessary to show their covid vaccine carnet

Peru Travel Advisory 2023

The Peruvian Government by the Supreme Decree N° 130-2022-PCM announces the repeal of the Covid-19 State of Emergency, therefore:

On entering the country: it will not be necessary to present a vaccination card or a negative molecular test when entering or leaving the country.
About the use of masks: the use of masks is optional in opened spaces and/or closed spaces.
Finally, national, regional and local authorities will continue to monitor and promote healthy practices regarding the health emergency, such as vaccination against COVID-19.

If you have any query, contact the service of INCA TRAIL MACHU TRAVEL

GUIDELINES FOR TOURIST DESTINATIONS 2022

With the enactment of the "Health Guidelines for COVID-19 for Tourist Destinations", a great regulatory framework is established that will allow organizing and managing the resumption of activities in the various tourist destinations of Peru. This is in accordance with the measures issued by the Ministry of Health and the protocols approved by the sector.

“With this regulation, we give the general guidelines to monitor, prevent, and control COVID-19, in the process of resuming activities in tourist destinations. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism will deploy actions so that these guidelines are applied by public and private participants. The total resumption of tourism will only be possible with the support of all ”, explained the Mincetur.

To see the complete guidelines in Spanish, please click here.

HEALTH PREVENTIVE MEASURES 2022

Travel agencies and tour operators must implement the preventive health and operational measures established in the protocols according to their particular conditions.

Machu Picchu and Health Guidelines 2022

Cleaning and Disinfection

1. Before the tour starts

An agency/operator must ensure the location of handwashing points (e.g. a sink, pipe with connection to drinking water, liquid soap or antibacterial soap and paper towels) and alcohol-based disinfectants (gel or liquid) for free use of staff. All cleaning and disinfection products must be properly stored and labeled.
One of the washing points or alcohol dispenser should be located at the entrance of the agency, establishing handwashing or disinfection prior to the start of their work activities, as far as possible with mechanisms that avoid the contact of hands with taps or handles (Please note: the handwashing point must have liquid soap, paper towels, and a solid waste container.).
Install means of disinfection of footwear (sole). Implement the frequency of the disinfection of the workplaces, the daily cleaning of the workplace, the protection measures for the workers, and the necessary training for the personnel who carry out the cleaning and disinfection of the environments and work surfaces. Also, the availability of the substances to be used for this purpose, according to the characteristics of the workplace and the type of activity carried out, must be determined by the person in charge of the workers' health and safety service or whoever takes their place.
Clean and disinfect all busy environments and surfaces that come into contact with hands (of staff or clients) as often as possible (Please note: if the cleaning and disinfection service is outsourced, the supplier must present its proof of registration of resumption of activities, which must be verified.).
Disinfect work areas, equipment, materials, and other necessary accessories, before, during, and at the end of the beginning of all activities (Note: the measures of Annex No. 8 can be taken as a reference for the cleaning and disinfection of living and inert surfaces.).
Prepare an exclusive area for cleaning and disinfection of cleaning tools or other materials. All must be kept in good condition, operational and hygienic.
Prepare a reception area for products and belongings of passengers. All the surfaces of the equipment and materials must be disinfected.

2. During the tour service

Each Tour Guide must ensure that his/her passengers wear appropriate personal protective equipment and use it correctly. The guide must verify that passengers wash their hands with soap and water or disinfect their hands at each embarkation and according to given third party protocols (tourist transport, tourist sites, others).
The guide must verify that the passengers disinfect their footwear (sole) at the beginning of the service and according to given third party protocols (tourist transport, tourist sites, others).
Request the guide to take and record the body temperature of the passengers and driver at each boarding, and according to the protocol of the scheduled tourist transport services.
Monitor the operation and record any incident.
Have emergency numbers at hand to report suspected cases of Covid-19 and provide timely assistance.
Please take a note of the emergency number 113 and other institutions at the discretion of the agency.
The guide must remind passengers about the health prevention protocols of the third parties scheduled in the program.
Coordinate with the guide the timely management of suspected cases of Covid-19 during the tourist service. To do so, the guide must act as follows:

a) In case when passengers show Covid-19 symptoms:

Use the personal protective equipment provided by the agency. Isolate the suspected case, implement a physical barrier, or apply a distance of at least 2 meters as far as possible.
Also, apply the Symptom Sheet to the passenger (see Annex No. 7) and keep with the agency's protocol regarding the actions to be taken in the event of a suspected case of infection.

b) In case the guide shows the Covid-19 symptoms:

Keep with the agency's protocol regarding the actions to be taken in the event of a suspected case of infection.
Avoid manipulation or exchange of objects and physical contact during the handling of passenger complaints and claims (the tour guide and/or agency personnel who are present at the service).

3. After the tour service

Request the tour guide to record your body temperature and health condition on the evaluation form (see Annex No. 6).
Process payments and reports brought by the guide through digital channels. Disinfect and dispose of all the material, documentation, or others related to the travel group that has been physically returned by the guide.

Monitoring and Inspection

The Mincetur called on regional and local authorities to monitor compliance of the regulations given by the protocols. It is important to mention that both, the regional and local authorities, according to their powers, are responsible for making checks and inspections. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, through its "Safe Tourism" initiative, will provide support to the inspection work.

As it is recalled, the activities that take place in the urban areas of Arequipa, Ica, Junín, Huánuco, San Martín, Madre de Dios, and Áncash have been exempted from the implementation of the third phase of economic reactivation.

Machu Picchu - Best destination for you

During your visit to Machu Picchu, you can choose between a variety of tours. These range from a full-day excursion to Inca Trail through the Urubamba Valley of the Cusco region. The multi-day tours can be combined with climbing of the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, but you can also walk along the Urubamba Riverside, follow in the footsteps of the Inca Trail 4 days on their original paths, visit other archeological sites such as Llactapata, Sacsaymarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñay Wayna and combine them with the Rainbow mountain tour. A trek through the Andes villages with living traditions. If the 4 days Inca Trail is sold out, the best hiking option is the short Inca Trail, this trail is part of the Classic Inca Trail and alternative treks to Machu Picchu, such as Salkantay Trek. This trail is the best hiking alternative to the lost city of the Incas. There are no limits to your thirst for adventure around Machu Picchu!

On the day trips, you travel by train and make your way from Aguas Calientes to the paths that lead you through Machu Picchu.

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The Responsible People foundation is registered under the Peruvian Non-Profit Organization Act. With an annual contribution from Inca Trail Machu, we support our operating costs as well as a significant portion of project development costs.