Between 2024 and 2025, an excess of 91,836 visitors was recorded at the Inca citadel (llaqta) of Machu Picchu, Cusco region, because their entry was not counted as part of the permitted visitor capacity at this world wonder, the
The Office stated that this situation has led to the progressive deterioration of the Historic Sanctuary, posing a threat to its conservation and even the risk of losing its UNESCO World Heritage status.
Alleged parties responsible
Those officials failed to manage or control the number of visitors to the Llaqta through prior registration on the State-run platform TuBoleto.cultura.pe so they could be counted.
Moreover, they approved an internal document stating that the entry of tour guides does not affect visitor capacity, which lacks technical or legal support.
Delegations of Peruvian primary and secondary school students also entered without being registered.
Additionally, visitors from the Inca Trail Network entered the Llaqta without being counted toward the visitor capacity.
They access the Designed Royalty Route (Route 3-B), which covers the most representative sectors of Inca royalty.
Tour guides entered without being counted toward visitor capacity, even though they were registered on the State-run platform.
The audit committee pointed out that the visitor capacity reported by the tuboleto.cultura.pe platform does not represent the total number of visitors to the Llaqta of Machu Picchu.
The Comptroller General's Office detailed that, under the regulations, a maximum of 4,500 visitors per day was established for the low or regular season and 5,600 visitors per day for the high season.
However, there were days when an excess of up to 1,138 visitors (October 20, 2024), 1,040 (April 20, 2025), and 1,031 (October 12, 2025) was recorded.
During an inspection visit to the three tourist circuits operating in the Inca citadel, auditors found wear on the original flooring, loss of surface coverage, and erosion of the pre-Hispanic platform's floor.
Similarly, they found wear on the stone elements of the stairways due to exposure to the elements and heavy visitor traffic.
The report also indicates that, at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France, in May 2025, concern was expressed over the current daily visitor levels to the Llaqta of Machu Picchu.
Peru was asked to provide information on progress in its visitor flow policy and a technical assessment demonstrating compliance with the conditions for increasing visitor numbers.
The findings of the control report, which covered the period from August 3, 2024, to December 31, 2025, were submitted to the Culture Ministry's head so that action can be taken to determine the administrative responsibilities of the public officials involved.