Advice to our passengers according to preferences of access to Machu Picchu -

For the latest update please refer to the following post:

UPDATE (February 2019): Latest changes in Machu Picchu admission

Given the fact that we always suggest our passengers to opt for the Machu Picchu Citadel + Machu Picchu Mountain ticket, this is the analysis we provide after the last regulations that will be enforced from January 1st, 2019.

Tickets for the two sites are available as follows (only morning hours)

Admission from 6 am

Admission from 7 am

Admission from 8 am

* with “from” meaning: beginning of access and not limited to that specific time. As any entrance ticket (no matter the stamped hour) can be used to enter the citadel from that hour and during the whole day. The thing is that this ticket (Machu Picchu citadel + Machu Picchu Mountain) gives access to the mountain and the mountain does have a restricted schedule.

Assuming you got tickets with admission from 6 am or from 7 am, then you have to access the mountain from 7 am to 8 am. But if you got tickets with admission from 8 am, then you have to access the mountain from 9 am to 10 am.

The previous statement gives us a few options, although none are favourite:

1>> To enter 6 am sharp and having a near to 2-hour guidance along the citadel before accessing the mountain (this has to be at 07:59 am at the latest). But of course, this is a very tight situation as entering first thing in the morning is very hard to accomplish and ideally a good tour through the citadel takes two to three hours: not less than two.

2>> To enter 8 am sharp and having a near to 2-hour guidance along the citadel before accessing the mountain (this has to be at 09:59 am as the latest). This seems like a better plan but it won’t allow you to see the sunrise and your tour will still be short.

3>> To enter at 7 am and to go straight to the mountain climb. Considering that the hike will take you four hours, you should be back at 11 am to start a more calmed guided tour along the citadel for 2 to 3 hours. We still believe that taking the citadel tour after the hike is a little exhausting but, on the other hand, there won’t be any pressures to finish it on time because there is a mountain to climb.

Please remember that only during the Citadel tour you will be requested to be in the company of a guide, while the Machu Picchu mountain climb can be done independently.

For the three scenarios, we will provide assistance and/or company to make sure everything happens the best way:

So passengers taking The Coffee Route to Machu Picchu will be briefed the night before, and assisted in the morning to catch the bus while re-confirmation of meeting place with your guide and time will be given (in case you decide to climb first).

Same for passengers that only take a full day to Machu Picchu (spending the previous night in Aguas Calientes or M.P. town).

And finally, the last case will be the one in which passengers arrive by train that same day, in this case, the guide will be waiting in Machu Picchu for your citadel tour after climbing down the mountain (the best option given the time constraints).

Our knowledgeable guides have agreed that to provide the best possible service and achieve the travelers satisfaction, the best schedule would be to enter Machu Picchu at 8 am and to access the mountain by 10 am after guidance. However, as always, at RESPONS you are free to choose whichever option you prefer, to make sure your trip is exactly how you wish it.

Whatever your case is we will be on top of the situation to keep you informed, you will be always in good hands.