Yes, Machu Picchu is indeed open during 2024 according to the Ministry of Culture and It is operating at 100% capacity. However, we highly recommend booking your tickets well in advance due to the high demand. As of now, tickets are sold out until the middle of September. Please note that the popular circuits 1 and 2 are already sold out, with only circuit 3 and 4 currently available. This circuits are the mountains.
The short answer to all of these questions is NO. Machu Picchu is currently open to the public, and it will remain open throughout the year. The closure of Machu Picchu reflects only the fact that at some point a natural event occurs that threatens its infrastructure. It is only the Inca Trail that will be temporarily closed in February
Nevertheless, Machu Picchu is going through a lot of changes. For example, do you know that the schedules to visit this beautiful citadel has changed from 2021 2024? In total, 4,500 people will be able to purchase Machu Picchu tickets every day divided into 3 time slots and 4 circuits (from 6 am to 9 am, from 9 am to 12 pm and from 12 pm to 2 pm). These New Machu Picchu Restrictions 2024 have changed the way people get to visit Machu Picchu forcing tour operators to change the way they used to operate tours.
On October 15th, 2022: Inca Trail 2024 was reopened, all tour operators and Inca Trail Machu operators can book it. We recommend booking in advance, there are only 500 spaces available everyday for 2024, in these spaces divided between the trekkers, professional guide, chef and porters. Also the 500 spots available will be divided on the Inca Trail Tours such as 3 day Inca Trail, 4 day Inca Trail, 5 day Inca Trail and Salkantay trek to Inca Trail. The short Inca Trail have 250 spaces available and it is separately system booking of the classic trail.
Some people have misunderstood these changes which have led to a bunch of misleading information on the Internet. That is why, it is essential to understand why this happened and what to do about it.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is closed during February. Since 2001, The Machu Picchu restrictions regarding the management and preservation of the Inca Trail demand its temporary closure for the whole month of February due to safety matters and harsh weather conditions. Heavy rains and landslides occur during this time while the sanctuary officials carry out works of maintenance of trails, renovation of bridges and improvement of toilets and campsites.
Here are a few examples:
If you like to book the Inca Trail in 2024, you should obviously avoid February or choose an alternative route of climbing Machu Picchu. On the other hand, if you like to go directly to Machu Picchu, February is still a viable month to visit it as long as you are not bothered by rain.
Remember that, February is one of the months of the low season in Machu Picchu. One of the reasons for the low number of visitors is the rainy season from December to March. Rain can make the stone paths becoming a bit slippery and fog is a constant problem. On the other hand, you could see the Machu Picchu landscape with only few clouds and most likely with a rainbow during days with only light rain which make it an unforgettable scene!
If you only have 1 spare day to visit Machu Picchu, you might get there by train - a 2-hour trip taking you through the breathtaking Sacred Valley.
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Travel by train through the Sacred Valley to the city of Aguas Calientes. Then, take a bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour and then spare time to take pictures and tour the ancient city on your own. In the afternoon, board a train back to the Cusco City. Another option is to reach Machu Picchu via an alternative route around the Hydroelectric Plant. This way is longer (it takes about 7 hours in total), but it offers more adventures. |
SACRED VALLEY & MACHU PICCHU TOUR
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Also, you can choose one of the train trips to Machu Picchu and enjoy the New Wonder of the Modern World in a different way. The options are: a trip to Machu Picchu in a full day or the Sacred Valley 2 Day Tour to Machu Picchu with overnight in the town of Aguas Calientes. The latter takes you through impressive landscapes of the Sacred Valley marked by small adobe villages with traditionally dressed native Quechua inhabitants, small farms and agricultural terraces. |
Even if the Inca Trail is closed in February, there are other incredible routes for climbing Machu Picchu:
INCA JUNGLE TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS
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The Inca Jungle offers one of the most adventurous route of climbing Machu Picchu. It combines downhill cycling, rafting, zip-line and hiking. |
SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 5 DAYS
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This alternative trek lasts 5 days. Cross the imposing snowy Salkantay at 4,650 metres until you reach Machu Picchu passing through Aguas Calientes. |
LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS
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This trek has many variations. Its starting point is situated in the village of Lares. After 4 days of walking, you arrive at Machu Picchu. |
You can expect more drastic changes in the future. Plans to further limit the freedom of visitors at the site have already been drawn up. This will confine a visit to a more controlled route throughout the site, as opposed to the free-roaming exploration we are currently allowed.
If such plans are implemented, there will undoubtedly be pros and cons for all visitors to Machu Picchu. But for the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, it means a crucial step in ensuring the future preservation of the site. Which, in the long run, protects against the real threat of Machu Picchu closing for a longer period of time.
Machu Picchu and Inca Trail reopened on June 4 2021 with new safety protocols, we recommend booking your Machu Picchu ticket in advance.
