Peru’s Ministry of Culture raised Machu Picchu’s daily visitor cap to 5,600 people on June 19, 2026, the official start of the high season at the site. The higher quota remains in effect until November 2, at which point the cap returns to the standard 4,500 daily limit.
The change was authorised by a ministerial resolution issued in October 2025, which set the elevated capacity for specific high-demand periods in 2026. Those dates are January 1, April 2–5, June 19–November 2, and December 30–31.
How the 5,600 tickets are distributed
Under the 2026 allocation system, 3,600 tickets per day are available through the government’s centralised online booking platform at machupicchu.gob.pe. The remaining 1,000 tickets are reserved exclusively for in-person purchase at the ticket office in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), the town at the base of the mountain.
Advance booking remains essential, particularly for June through August when demand is at its peak. Availability on the online platform can run out weeks ahead for popular morning circuits. We strongly recommend using our Machu Picchu tickets guide to understand the different circuits, entry times, and current pricing before you buy.
Circuits and add-on hikes
The five circuits cover different parts of the citadel — from the classic postcard viewpoint (Circuit 1) to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) on Circuit 5. The Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain hikes require separate add-on tickets and are limited to 400 and 800 visitors per day respectively. Both tend to sell out further in advance than the main citadel entry, so book them first if either is a priority. Many visitors find it easier to book through Machu Picchu tour operators, who bundle entry, transfers, and licensed guides into a single booking.
Booking tips for peak season
Despite the raised cap, prime morning entry slots (6:00–7:00 and 7:00–8:00) continue to sell out weeks in advance through August and September. The additional 600 daily places are spread across late-morning and afternoon circuits (from 10:00 onwards), where demand is easier to meet. If you are booking late, check afternoon availability on Circuit 4 (mountain circuit) — mist typically lifts by mid-morning and crowds thin later in the day.
For the lowest demand, aim for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday visit — weekends and Mondays consistently see the highest booking pressure during peak season.
Our Machu Picchu tours guide covers the full range of options from half-day entry to combined Sacred Valley itineraries. Aguas Calientes is well-equipped with restaurants and accommodation for all budgets.
Preservation concerns
The capacity increase has been welcomed by tour operators who handle demand during the Andean dry season - the most popular months for trekking and visiting the region around Cusco. However, the international organisation New 7 Wonders has flagged ongoing infrastructure concerns at the site, and some conservationists argue that expanding access rather than reducing it moves in the wrong direction for long-term preservation.
For now, the Peruvian authorities’ position is that 5,600 per day with strict circuit adherence remains manageable. Visitors are assigned to specific circuits and entry times - you cannot simply wander at will through the entire site.
Planning around Inti Raymi
If your visit coincides with late June, Inti Raymi - the Incan Festival of the Sun - falls on June 24 in Cusco. Tickets for the main ceremony and the city’s surrounding festivities must be booked separately. The combination of Inti Raymi and peak dry-season trekking makes late June one of the busiest periods for the entire region, so book both Machu Picchu tickets and Cusco accommodation well in advance.