Travelers hoping to secure a Machu Picchu admission ticket online will now need to wait until mid-August, as all virtual Machu Picchu ticket options have been snapped up due to overwhelming demand.
According to Maro Moya, director of the Cusco Regional Culture Directorate, the only remaining way to visit the iconic site before then is to queue for one of the 1,000 Machu Picchu 2a tickets released daily in person in Aguas Calientes. This limited in-person sales option has created significant challenges for tourists, including long predawn lines, confusion, and increasing frustration.
Each morning, crowds of international visitors, backpacks in hand and hopes high, fill the streets of Aguas Calientes, hoping to secure one of the few remaining Machu Picchu 2a tickets. Many are forced to adjust their plans or cancel visits entirely. The surge in demand, while anticipated by the Ministry of Culture, has outpaced projections and overwhelmed the current ticketing infrastructure. Moya emphasized that the situation reflects a demand-capacity mismatch rather than a failure in logistics or oversight. “This is not about poor management, it’s about the overwhelming volume of visitors,” he explained.
While virtual sales of the Machu Picchu admission ticket have been fully exhausted for weeks, the alternative in-person ticketing system has drawn sharp criticism. Complaints have poured in about ticket scalping, disorganized queues, and the activity of unregulated intermediaries offering to secure tickets for a fee. Many travelers, after making their way to Aguas Calientes with hopes of visiting the historic citadel, end up leaving empty-handed due to a lack of ticket availability.
The municipality will strengthen control over ticket sales to Machu Picchu
Municipal authorities are now being urged to take a more active role in regulating in-person sales and streamlining the process. Tourists report arriving before dawn only to face hours-long waits with no guarantee of success. Despite the mounting tension, there are currently no official plans to increase Machu Picchu ticket availability or adjust the current sales model. The Ministry of Culture continues to stress the importance of advance planning for anyone hoping to visit.
“We appreciate the effort to spread awareness about this situation,” Moya concluded, highlighting the importance of media in helping travelers navigate this challenging moment.
Take note
But Peru is much more than birds and bird diversity. The Andean country is also quality service and extraordinary experiences for travelers. Vote for us in the 2025 World Travel Awards!
