Are you talking about tickets to visit Machu Picchu or entance tickets for the Inca Trail? If it’s the former then there isn’t a limit on daily visitor numbers yet so you would be able to take your reservation code into the tourist office in Cusco and issue your tickets in September when you arrive.

It sounds like you have bought Inca Trail permits though as they are limited to 500 a day. These permits really shouldn’t be available for you to buy as a private individual. As well as a permit for you, you need a guide, porters, etc all of whom need permits too. You are not permitted to hike the Inca Trail without a registered guide.

For this reason you should really just book an Inca Trail package though an authorised agency or tour operator.

If you have the reservation code already then all I can suggest is that you see if you can hand that code over to any agency that you book with – they may be able to take over control of that permit for you.

I hope this helps.

I see it’s not working at the moment, that happens periodically. It’s frustrating but not untypical. More importantly, yes you can buy those tickets in Cusco or up in Aguas Calientes. I would suggest that you at least do it in Cusco to avoid standing in line once you get up to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu. These systems are all new and one never really knows how they are going to work in reality until a few months have passed. Whatever the case, you’ll get in to see Machu Picchu so I hope you enjoy your visit and do let us know if your experience once there is smooth.

Thanks!

If this isn’t working, don’t worry you can pay over the counter at any Banco de la Nacion in Peru, just go in and give them your reservation code.

Alternatively, you can pay in Cusco. There are two main places which take cash or VISA. First is the Direccion Regional de la Cultura Cusco, Avenida de la Cultura 238, Cusco (opposite the university) open from 07:30-16:00 weekdays and 07:30-12:00 on Saturdays. The second is the Centro de la Cultura de Machupicchu open from 05:00-22:00 every day, just take in your reservation code.

Please note that you may well find that you could simply have turned up at Machu Picchu and paid. However, the new system of reservations and payment is in place and could be mandatory at any moment. On this basis you may prefer to be safe rather than sorry. At very least you should avoid some waiting in line at the citadel.

I have just had a look at the site and it seems to be behaving for me. Click on the ‘cantidad’ cell on the ‘Categoria Extranjeros’ row. Adjust ‘cantidad’ to the number of visitors. Once done, click ‘Paso 2′ at the bottom of the screen. Once there put in name (nombre), surname (apellido) then country (pais), gender, passport numbers. Once done, click on ‘paso 3′ at the bottom. Here you put in your email address (direccion) and then finally click the ‘Generar Reserva’ button.

As for whether or not it is necessary to do this right now. It probably isn’t in the short term but one just never knows with the Peruvian Ministry of Culture!

I’m going to reply to another post about payment methods.

We already have a train ticket to Aguas Calientes on April 19, 2011. Mentioned in the comment from Pura: “There are no limits on the numbers visiting the site by train at the moment so you could sensibly buy your tickets once you arrive in Cusco if that’s easier.”

Do we really need to purchase/reserve tickets online? I tried it but I don’t know if I got through. Mentioned in the note below is that I will be notified by email but I didn’t even put my email address. Is it fine to just buy a ticket in Aguas Calientes on the day itself or the online reservation is the only option?

Thanks,
Manuel

Thank you for checking in. We do not provide just entrance tickets for Machu Picchu I’m afraid. However, you can get the tickets online on the official Peruvian Ministry of Tourism site at http://boletajevirtual.drc-cusco.gob.pe/

It’s not the easiest site to navigate but if you make sure the left hand elements are filled in (archeological centre = MachuPicchu, entry route = MAPI, then your visit date) then the right hand side with your details and you should be set.

There are no limits on the numbers visiting the site by train at the moment so you could sensibly buy your tickets once you arrive in Cusco if that’s easier.

I hope this helps!