Inca Trail New Rules to Visit in 2025

Inka Trail Rules

Through a resolution published last Friday in the official newspaper El Peruano, the National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp) approved the new Regulation for Sustainable Tourism Use of the Inca Trail Network of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which has been valid since last Saturday, December 31.

The Sernanp regulation states that What had updated the rule after eleven years and complied with the Master Plan of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, 2015-2021.

Inca Trail New Rules to Visit in 2025

“The Tourist Use Regulations of the Inca Trail Network of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and its Buffer Zone remained in force for 11 years, and today, Machu Picchu has clashed with different norms of a higher hierarchical order. In addition to procedures, administrative and operational aspects of the tourist dynamics currently carried out in the Inca Road Network”, explains the document.

Sernanp also indicates that the new regulation was impliedly designed after a long process of consultations with representatives of the public and private sectors linked to the management and use of the Inca Roads network. In this regard, he instructed the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary Headquarters to implement the new regulations properly.

Inca Trail New Rules to Visit in 2025

The rules for visiting Machu Picchu evolve each year to preserve its beauty and cultural significance. Established by the Peruvian government and the Ministry of Culture, these regulations aim to safeguard the site while managing the growing number of visitors. The 2025 updates emphasize sustainability, visitor flow, and preservation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. With designated circuits, stricter time limits, and mandatory guides, the focus remains on protecting Machu Picchu’s legacy for future generations.

Key Updates to Machu Picchu Tickets and Circuits

In 2025, entry tickets are structured around three main circuits, each tailored to provide unique experiences. These circuits also help manage the daily flow of tourists, with limits on visit durations ranging between 2 to 7 hours. The high season (April to August) offers 5,650 daily tickets, while the low season (January to March and September to December) reduces availability to 4,600 tickets. Tickets can be booked online via the Ministry of Culture, and travelers are encouraged to plan ahead to secure their preferred circuit.

Important Visitor Guidelines for Machu Picchu

1. Mandatory Guides

All visitors must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide, and group sizes are limited to 10 people. Guided tours ensure a structured and respectful exploration of the site.

2. Entry Restrictions

Reentry to the citadel is prohibited once you exit. Be prepared before entering, as there are no bathrooms within the archaeological area.

3. Prohibited Items

Visitors are not allowed to bring tripods, selfie sticks, plastic bottles, or hiking poles (unless for medical reasons). Baby carriers are permitted, but baby strollers are not.

4. Sustainable Practices

To minimize environmental impact, visitors are encouraged to use reusable water bottles and avoid single-use plastics. Additionally, staying on designated paths is crucial to prevent damage.

Machu Picchu Circuits Breakdown

Circuit 1: Offers short visits with access to the Guardian House, Inca Bridge, and Sun Gate. Limited tickets are available per hour.
Circuit 2: The most popular route, allowing visitors to explore the entire citadel over approximately 3 hours.
Circuit 3: Focuses on the lower part of the site and includes add-ons like Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, and the Great Cavern. Availability varies by season.

Inca Trail New Rules to Visit in 2025

Tips for a Smooth Visit

• Book Early: High demand means tickets sell out quickly, especially during the high season.
• Plan Ahead: Choose your circuit wisely and adhere to your assigned schedule.
• Respect the Rules: Follow guidelines to ensure the site’s preservation and avoid fines or penalties.
• Use a Guide: Guides enrich your experience by sharing historical and cultural insights.

Machu Picchu remains a place of awe and wonder. By following these rules, travelers help preserve its magic for generations to come. For more details, check the updated regulations and book your tickets early!

Recommendations to follow:

• The entry of free tourists or service providers without the respective authorization
• Displacement by rail or unauthorized routes
• The entry of minors is not listed in the annex, nor are relatives of guides or support staff.
• Alter or contaminate the natural or cultural landscape and archaeological monuments.
• Camping or spending the night outside the assigned camp, except in situations of force majeure upon the park’s or caretaker staff’s determination
• Enter or use elements that threaten the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and the assets of public use.
• They make bonfires in the Inca Trail Network, archaeological monuments, or surrounding natural environment areas.
• Climb the walls; make strokes on the floors of earth or scratches on the archaeological monuments.
• Make any graffiti.
• Disturb or affect species of flora and fauna.
• Fly over or use airspace without prior authorization from DDC-CUSCO and JSHM-SERNANP.
• The food intake inside the archaeological monuments
• Place political and commercial ads on the Inca Trail Network.
• Transit and work in an ethyl state or under the effects of other narcotics (drugs, among others).
• Entry and transit of motor vehicles
• Make transfers of tourists from one group to another.
• The abandonment of the group of tourists by the tour guide
• Obscene acts are contrary to morality and good manners.
• Many hikers support the philosophy of Leaving No Trace

INCA TRAIL HIKING PROTOCOL

The Inca Trail tourist guide has a solid experience and understanding of the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu in winter, summer, throughout the year, and during the rainy season conditions.

DEFINITIONS
Trekking around the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is an outdoor activity involving walking in natural environments that the Incas left in time, often on longer trails than a simple walk and generally in the land where they required hiking boots.

A DAY HIKE
Refers to a walk that can be completed in a single day, such as the short Inca Trail, often applied to mountain excursions or a summit, but does not require a night camp, in which case the term BACKPACK does use.

LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS, or long-distance routes, are the longest right-of-way recreational routes, mainly through rural and natural areas used for non-motorized recreational trips (walking, backpacking). The most outstanding are the classic Inca Trail, Ancascocha, Chancachuco, Socma, Salkantay, Camicancha, Lares, and Huchuy Qosqo trails.

TRAIL IDENTIFICATION
Any route named “Inca Trail” will probably be marked or identified on a map but will generally only be described as “long-distance” if the average user takes more than a day to hike from one end to the other. A “long-distance” trail will be at least 45 km / 23 miles.

The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu—Inca Trail

The Inca Trail ranges from strolls to challenging climbs with panoramic views of the Andes and jungles.

Help the Inca Trail Network of the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu to protect this significant landscape. Remember that you are hiking in a protected wilderness environment.

Hikers often look for beautiful natural surroundings in which to walk. These environments are usually fragile, and hikers can accidentally destroy the environment they enjoy. While the action of an individual may not strongly affect the environment, the massive effect of many hikers may degrade the environment.

Inca Trail New Rules to Visit in 2025

WE URGE YOU TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING HIKER PROTOCOL:

• Collecting or disturbing plants, animals, rocks, or cultural artifacts is illegal.
• Destruction or removal of plants, animals, and historical, prehistoric, or geological sites are prohibited.
• Wildflowers and other natural objects are beautiful indeed. Leave them intact for others to enjoy.
• What may not gather twigs, branches, bark, or deadwood for firewood
• Always stay on designated boardwalks and trails to reduce damage to soil and plants and protect fragile vegetation, particularly vegetation marked as in the rehabilitation process. Trailblazing is strictly forbidden.
• Although rugged and wild, this area can be fragile and easily damaged. Some plants can take up to 25 years to flower for the first time, and one hiker’s bootprint can destroy that plant forever. Therefore, avoid putting your hands and feet anywhere you cannot see.
  Setting up cooking devices or starting fires is illegal unless done so in designated areas. Do not approach, disturb, chase or harass wildlife. Enticing wildlife is unlawful.
• Do not feed wildlife. Feeding wildlife is unlawful.
• Put your food and garbage away. What may attract baboons and other animals to your food?

WE URGE YOU TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING HIKER ETIQUETTE:

• Use common sense and courtesy while on the trails.
• When passing someone on the trails, announce your intentions and slow your pace. Remember the 3 C’s: Courtesy, Communication, and Common Sense.

HIKING TECHNIQUE

• Trek slowly and evenly, swinging your arms to maintain momentum and balance and naturally allowing your legs to turn forward.
• Hiking as a group must be at the pace of the slowest member and requires planning and organization. The group members’ medical conditions or physical impairments must be considered.
• Try to maintain an even, steady pace that everybody in the group can keep for extended periods without getting out of breath or hurting themselves.
• When hiking over rugged or more challenging terrain, it is in the group’s interest to assist struggling members in helping one another. To avoid injuries, you must adapt your hiking style to the terrain.
• On very steep slopes, joining hands can help any member who slips or feels unsure.
• Inca Trail hiking uphill:
  • Shorten your stride length when going uphill, keeping the same rhythm, leaning forward, and placing your feet flat on the ground.
• Inca Trail hiking downhill:
  • Open your stride and lean back slightly. Do not try to go too fast. Descending can be hard on your knees, especially when carrying weight, such as a backpack.

BEING PREPARED is the key to having a safe and enjoyable experience on your next Machu Picchu vacation.

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