Machu Picchu is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Peru. Every day, visitors from Peru and around the world marvel at the impressive Inca citadel. However, there is also a less visible side to it: the waste generated year after year. Many visitors carry plastic items in their luggage, such as bottles, disposable rain ponchos, and plastic bags, all of which contribute to pollution.
Under the new Machu Picchu regulations, three official visiting circuits have been established within the citadel, along with visitor capacity limits for peak and off-peak seasons. Visitors must be accompanied by a tour guide to enter Machu Picchu in order to support the conservation of this World Heritage Site. Additional measures have been introduced to protect Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, including a plastic-free policy. These rules are detailed in the "Regulation for the Sustainable Use and Tourist Visits for the Conservation of the Llaqta of Machu Picchu," which was approved by the Ministry of Culture in Cusco.
According to these rules, if you are visiting the Inca citadel, it is important to bring a reusable metal water bottle. Do not enter with food or any products that could contaminate the archaeological site.
If you are planning a trip to Machu Picchu, Inca Trail Machu Tour Operator and Responsible People Foundation recommend that you bring the following sustainable products to the citadel: a reusable rain poncho, a metal water bottle or canteen, a bag for snacks, and a daypack. Please do not dispose of any waste in the streets or inside the citadel.
Responsible travel helps protect the site for future generations and allows more travelers to admire this plastic-free architectural wonder.
At Inca Trail Machu, we collaborate with the Responsible People Foundation and SERNANP (the National Service of Protected Natural Areas of Peru) on various projects and training programs that support the protection of the Inca citadel, the Salkantay route, and the Inca Trail. We also run awareness campaigns for local residents and travelers visiting Machu Picchu to promote proper waste management and responsible plastic bottle use.
At Inca Trail Machu, we are working with the Responsible People Foundation for many years to achieve our shared goal of improving the quality of life in Andean communities and supporting mountain restoration by planting queñua trees and other native Andean plants. In partnership with Responsible People, we provide local communities with training on solid waste management and reducing plastic use in daily Andean life.
During our Machu Picchu treks and tours, the Inca Trail Machu staff carefully organizes every departure, including the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Inca Quarry Trek, and Choquequirao. Our trekking cooks and field staff are trained to reduce plastic consumption. Instead of disposable plastic, we use reusable containers and canvas bags. Used cooking oil is stored in recycled bottles and transported back to Cusco, where it is properly treated or handed over to the waste management company.
After each trek, our porters, muleteers, and trekking cooks collect, weigh, and deliver all waste to SERNANP control depots. It is later sent to authorized recycling plants.
We always do our best to protect the environment and trekking areas. At Inca Trail Machu, we depend on these natural landscapes, archaeological sites, and Machu Picchu itself to continue providing meaningful travel experiences. For this reason, we operate with deep respect for local culture and nature. Our principle is clear: We will not destroy nature to make money. In fact, we actively work to protect nature, even when other companies promote responsibility labels but fail to uphold their commitments.
Travel with us and discover Peru’s natural beauty and cultural heritage through responsible travel. Join us on a trekking journey to Machu Picchu and explore with purpose.
RELATED:RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE
+51 84 217 551
+51 997 434 941
Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru 
info@incatrailmachu.com
www.incatrailmachu.com
