MACHU PICCHU: WHAT ARE THE NEW RULES FOR TRAVELLERS VISITING THE 15TH CENTURY SITE?

Tourists can finally visit the ancient Incan city, Machu Picchu, after it closed during the pandemic. However, visitors must adhere to Peru’s list of strict new rules in a bid to keep Covid-19 at bay.

Peru‘s new Covid guidelines, which came into force at the beginning of May, includes the use of face masks which are now optional in outdoor spaces. Some archaeological sites are asking visitors to wear face coverings when they enter and remove them once inside.

Travellers are still expected to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test when using PeruRail train services which runs between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Meanwhile face coverings are no longer required.

Machu Picchu is open every day in 2022 and tickets must be purchased in advance online or in person from Cusco. All visitors are advised to hire a private tour guide to avoid confusion over circuits and tickets. Several changes have also been made to the official Machu Picchu website including a new landing page with a dedicated page for each circuit.

Information about each individual trail is provided via the official government website.

Passengers aged 12 and above will only be allowed to board domestic flights if they can show proof that they are fully vaccinated either in Peru or abroad. While over 40s in Peru will need to show proof of a booster dose or a negative Covid test up to 48 hours before boarding.

May is touted as one of the best months to visit the ancient site, when the rainy season has passed and the mountains are an emerald green and not as crowded as July and August.