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Machu Picchu limits visitors to 2,500 per day

Jul 252011

Machu Picchu limits visitors to 2,500 per day

Quieter times ahead for the Llamas as visitor numbers to Machu Picchu are restricted.

Hard on the heels of restrictions on the climbing of Huayna Picchu comes the news that visitor numbers to the site itself are to be limited to 2,500 per day.

This is significantly more than the 917 a day (no more than 385 at any one time) advocated by UNESCO. The Peruvian government was pushing for a figure of around 3,400 a day. With commitments made to UNESCO to invest in stabilising the site, a compromise figure of 2,500 visitors a day was reached back in 2008.

The news that the limits are actually being imposed comes rather suddenly though as is the way with announcements relating to Machu Picchu, it’s never entirely clear if there is a concrete implementation date. What we are being told is that tickets cannot be bought at the site or in Aguas Calientes. They must be bough ahead of time online at www.machupicchu.gob.pe

Apparently this is now a market for re-sale tickets and counterfeits in Aguas Calientes just below Machu Picchu. It’s that sort of place. Of course these tickets might get you in, they might not.

In terms of current numbers, 2,500 per day is about what we would expect in a busy month, say June. It is fewer than the number of people currently visiting in July or August so expect to see some scrabbling around to get people into Machu Picchu.

Of course, anyone traveling on Pura’s holidays to Peru can rest assured that we will buy any and all relevant permits. It really does make it more difficult for people on more flexible, backpacking type holidays to simply turn up and see what they want to see, when they want to see it.

Looking at the numbers for this year, July shows a total of 80,981 visitors coming to Machu Picchu. For the same month the nearby site of Choquequirao shows 10. That’s ten.

That’s just by way of a reminder to say that there are many spectacular hikes and sites in Peru, not least of which is the hike from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu.

Find out more about our Peru holidays or call us on 01273 676 712 for advice.

Inca Trail Holiday Collage

Peru Holidays Comments Off

Dec 112009

From the crusted wizened hands of the old lady in Cusco town to the newly spun red yarn jacket at Pisac market; from the poor flutist trying to earn some money at Sacsayhuaman ruins to the beauty of the imposing Lima sunset; from the exertion of climbing the steps on the Trail to the proud satisfaction at reaching the top of Dead Woman’s pass; from the gentle Alpaca’s feeding on grass to the austere rocks on the trail ridges; from the simple solitude of the rain forest orchid to the complex and mysterious culmination of the Trail that is Machu Picchu: these memories of the Inca Trail represent one of the very best experiences we have ever had and one that we cannot recommend more highly to anyone that reads this blog.

But, spectacular as it was, the scenery alone cannot make for a memorable holiday. To do this requires the highest level of support and organisation. On our holiday we were fortunate to have received the best. No, better than the best. Pura were sensational. From the clever and unique way they staggered the start of the Trail walk such that we enjoyed almost all of the walk without others around us, to the quality of the food, the comfort of the equipment and the excellence of the guides who in Pepe and Gaby were the best two tour guides we have ever had, Pura and their staff were great and we cannot thank them enough.

Ed: erm, gosh. Thank you Nigel. If a blog could blush….it would be a blog blush but that’s for another day. Wonderful images, thank you. Also the first good picture of Lima I’ve ever seen. Congratulations.

For anyone who hasn’t seen Nigel Payne’s previous post, this is an unedited guest posting from a Pura Aventura client who was on the Inca Trail in October 2009.

You can read more client opinions of Pura Aventura holidays or see our full range of holidays to Peru or read our holiday guide to Peru. You could even pick up the phone – 01273 676712.

The Inca Trail in Peru

Peru Holidays Comments Off

Dec 112009

This picture was taken early in the afternoon whilst hiking through the rainforest of the Inca Trail in late October 2009. The slightly diffused light permeating through the misty rain forest created an almost “fairy land” feel and was typical of the beautiful scenery we encountered throughout this fantastic walk.

The trail is Peru’s best known hike, being a mountainous jungle hike leading to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. Our trek was covered in 4 days, and combined a stunning mix of Inca ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest and rich subtropical jungle.

To me this photo captures the essence of everything about the Trail: it displays an element of solitude and mystery whilst at the same time showing incredible majesty and beauty. It somehow manages to capture both the age of the trail and the culture of its former inhabitants but also teases you with the physical challenge that is over 5,000 steps.

Somehow it seems to just capture what the trail is all about.

Ed: Thank you to Nigel for this guest post and his beautiful photo. He becomes the first of hopefully many Pura Aventura customers to write about their own holiday experiences – uncut. Read more customer opinions and reviews of Pura Aventura.

In this case, Nigel was on our Inca Trail walking holiday

If you would like to read more about our holidays to Peru or our travel guide to Peru