Under pressure of increasing numbers of visitors and a UNESCO warning that the site might go on the endangered heritage list, Peru’s government has drawn up new rules for visiting the ancient Inca site high in the Andes.
Starting July 1, visitors will only be able to enter with a licensed guide, in groups no larger than 16. Tickets will be assigned to either a morning tour or an afternoon tour, and groups will have to follow the prescribed routes on-site, not just wander.
Visitor numbers to the extremely remote site have spiked in recent years, hitting over 1.4 million last year. Ticket prices will stay the same, about $40 for adults, but visitors who want to spend the whole day on site will need to buy two tickets.
Photo: Martin St-Amant/Wikimedia
