16:34 | Cusco (Cusco region), Jul. 1.
Timed tickets to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu have been officially introduced today, Cusco's Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Dircetur) informed.
The new system of two entry times grants access for a specific time period, either in the morning (from 6:00 AM to noon) or in the afternoon (from noon to 5:30 PM).
From now on, tourists wishing to stay the entire day will require two tickets.
The measure is intended to allow a smooth flow of tourists into one of the world's most famous ancient sites,
Machu Picchu —located in Urubamba province (Cusco region).
Groups or visitors who get the afternoon ticket can enter one hour prior to the general admission start time, in case they get there too early.
Tourists are now obliged to hire a licensed guide to enter the citadel and get to any of the three established routes.
The group size will be limited to 20 people, and users are advised to purchase tickets in advance.
Those wishing to return the following day —permitted without a guide— should keep their ticket, as it must be provided at the entrance, together with the name of the previous day's guide.
Visits to Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu Mountains are permitted without an official guide, too.
The Llaqta may be visited before or after getting into those mountains, upon agreement with the group and guide. The meeting point to visit the Inca citadel will be the Roca Sagrada (Sacred Rock) area.
All Machu Picchu Mountain visitors are allowed to stay 7 hours, which includes the time spent at the Inca citadel, whereas Wayna Picchu Mountain visitors have only 6.
(END) LZD/RMB
Published: 7/1/2017