Lima.- The entry of visitors to the Inca Trail network of the archaeological citadel of Machu Picchu, in southeastern Peru, was temporarily suspended due to landslides and damage caused by heavy rains in various sectors, the Ministry of Culture reported this Tuesday.
Landslides, river flooding, flooding of campsites, collapse of sanitary facilities, and soil erosion occurred in the sectors of Llulluchapampa, Ayapata, Pagaymayu Alto, Soqtacocha, Yuncachimpa, Qonchamarka, Wayllabamba, Pawkarcancha, Cusichaka, Phuyupatamarka, and Wiñaywayna, as detailed by the Decentralized Directorate of Culture (DDC) of Cusco.
“The surveillance and conservation staff of the Inca Trail Network carries out permanent monitoring of these sectors, in order to timely identify any risk situation and adopt the necessary measures,” declared the head of Conservation of the Inca Trail Network, Francisco Huarcaya.
In that sense, the DDC Cusco ordered the return of visitors who entered the Inca Trail this Tuesday and the suspension of new entries, given the forecasts from the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service of Peru (SENAMHI) regarding the presence of an Isolated Depression at High Levels (DANA) that has especially affected southern Peru.
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For the return of visitors, alternate routes are being evaluated through the kilometer 104 sector, in the town of Chachabamba, and kilometer 106, in Choquesuysuy, which are subject to the evaluation of weather and safety conditions until Saturday, August 22. August.
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In the event that adverse weather conditions persist, procedures will be initiated for the rescheduling of visits and/or the refund of entrance fees, the Peruvian ministry indicated.
For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism indicated, in another statement, that the Tourist Protection Network is permanently monitoring, in coordination with the competent institutions, the necessary actions to safeguard the safety of domestic and foreign travelers.
He recommended that visitors and tour operators inform themselves through the free Tourist Information and Assistance service – IPerú, respect safety regulations, and follow the authorities’ instructions.
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The regulations approved by the authorities in recent years established a maximum limit of 4,500 visitors per day at Machu Picchu in the low or regular season, and 5,600 visitors per day for the high season.
However, a study by the Comptroller General of Peru revealed that Machu Picchu suffered an overload of 91,836 people between 2024 and 2025 due to the uncounted entry of thousands of people and that on certain dates the permitted capacity was exceeded.
For that reason, the Executive branch announced on Monday that the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will have a new Carrying Capacity and Acceptable Limit of Change Study so that local authorities can make decisions based on technical grounds regarding its management, visitor flow, and the conservation of the archaeological heritage.
