Machu Picchu receives about 1.6 million visitors a year. That is, an average of 4,300 people every day. This number can increase at some times of the year and be less at others. The months and days of high visitor numbers are known as the ‘high tourist season’. These months range from April to October but mainly in May, June, July and August. In addition, the Inca city looks crowded on holidays such as Christmas (December 25) and New Year’s Day (January 1). Learn more about the days and months with the highest number of visitors to Machu Picchu.

• Daily visits in Machu Picchu
• High season and low season of visits in Machu Picchu
• Dynamic capacity in Machu Picchu, what is it?
• How to get tickets to Machu Picchu in high tourist season?
• Other services in Machu Picchu in high tourist season: trains, hotels, etc.
• Questions and answers about Machu Picchu in high tourist season

Tourists at the entrance gate to Machu Picchu

Why is there low availability of tickets to Machu Picchu?
If you haven’t heard of Machu Picchu before, then it has been hidden under a rock since 1911. Machu Picchu tops most travel bucket lists and was chosen in 2007 as one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. This makes in some cases and in certain seasons, getting a ticket to Machu Picchu very difficult and even disappointing. Especially in the months of May, June, July and August, considered high tourist season. The low availability of tickets is due to the prevention of the exaggerated traffic of people that can cause the collapse of the Inca city. In spite of the discomfort due to the few entrances, this guarantees that Machu Picchu can continue to exist in the future.

Daily visits in Machu Picchu

Every day around 4,300 people visit the stone constructions of Machu Picchu. This number of visitors is distributed in three circuits, which can be done through ten types of tickets.

In addition, a daily number of visitors (about 350 on average) access Machu Picchu through the 4-day trekking route known as the Inca Trail6. Due to the large number of people arriving to Machu Picchu this is one of the most photographed tourist destinations in the world.

However, this also causes the danger of collapse of the archaeological site. Therefore, since 2024, the visit to Machu Picchu has been reorganized into different circuits. These are the ten types of entrance tickets to the Inca city:

1. Entrance Machu Picchu Classic Picture
2. Entrance Machu Picchu Classic
3. Entrance Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace
4. Entrance Machu Picchu Lower part temples
5. Entrance Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu
6. Entrance Machu Picchu with Mountain
7. Entrance Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu
8. Entrance Machu Picchu with Intipunku
9. Entrance Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge
10. Entrance Machu Picchu with Grand Cavern

All Machu Picchu circuits

High season and low season of visits in Machu Picchu

Due to the vacation seasons mainly in the United States, Europe and America, the months where most visitors arrive to Machu Picchu are May, June, July and August. These months are known as high tourism season. The rest of the year is known as low tourism season. Learn about the characteristics of both times of the year when visiting the Inca city:

• High season for tourism in Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu is more crowded with visitors, especially in the mornings. This means that access to the trains, buses and the archaeological site requires queues of 5 to 15 minutes. Hotels tend to be busier. The same is true for restaurants. Tickets should be purchased 2 to 3 months in advance (online). May, June, July and August coincide with the dry season, when there is less rain but lower temperatures at night.
• Low tourist season in Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu is less crowded with visitors, especially in the afternoons. Access to trains, buses and the archaeological site is easier. Hotels tend to be more free. The same is true for restaurants. The purchase of tickets should be done 1 to 2 months in advance (online). You can even make last minute purchases. January, February and March coincide with the rainy season, when the landscapes are greener.

Machu Picchu in high season

Dynamic capacity in Machu Picchu, what is it?

Since 2024, Machu Picchu authorities have authorized a dynamic capacity in high and low season. That is, in high season, from June 1 to October 15, the maximum daily visitor capacity is 5,600 people. The same applies to holidays such as Christmas (December 25), New Year’s Day (January 1) and Independence Day (July 28). The rest of the year, from October 16 to May 31, the maximum daily capacity is 4,500 people per day.

Dynamic seating allows more visitors to get their tickets to Machu Picchu on peak days. Due to limited availability, tickets must be purchased online two to three months in advance. Otherwise there is a risk of not finding tickets, especially in the high tourist season months (May, June, July and August).

Tickets are on sale online. Tourists who did not get a ticket can purchase one of the thousand tickets available in person in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village). However, the purchase of these tickets also sells out quickly. Because of this, the ticket is issued for the next day of purchase. This is also more frequent during the high tourist season: May, June, July and August.

Tourists at Machu Picchu’s main temple

How to get tickets to Machu Picchu in high tourist season?

• The high season in Machu Picchu runs from June to August and is characterized by huge amounts of visitors, Machu Picchu tickets sold out (in most cases) and high prices for not booking everything in advance. To get Machu Picchu tickets for high season, you should consider the following: reservation times, train tickets, hotels and other additional services, such as guides and other tours.

Types of tickets and how far in advance you must purchase your ticket:

Other services in Machu Picchu in high tourist season: trains, hotels, etc.

Train tickets during Machu Picchu’s high season

In high season, train tickets to Machu Picchu should be booked 2 or 3 weeks in advance, because if you did not book the Inca Trail 6 months in advance, the only way you will be able to enter Machu Picchu is by train. Failure to book the passes in time could lead to disappointment.

Hotels in high season in Machu Picchu

If you come in high season, you should book your hotel in advance; not only to find a place, but also to avoid the “high season rates”, which in many cases, double or even triple.

PeruRail train service

Questions and answers about Machu Picchu in high tourist season

• 1) When is the time when most tourists visit Machu Picchu?

  The high tourist season is when there are more visitors in Machu Picchu. These months are May, June, July and August. It coincides with the vacations in the main countries of Europe and the United States.

• 2) When does the capacity of visitors increase in Machu Picchu?

  Since 2024, Machu Picchu authorities have authorized a dynamic capacity in high and low season. That is, in high season, from June 1 to October 15, the maximum daily visitor capacity is 5,600 people. The same applies to holidays such as Christmas (December 25), New Year’s Day (January 1) and Independence Day (July 28).

• 3) When is the time when the least number of tourists visit Machu Picchu?

  The months of January, February and March are the days when there are the fewest visitors to Machu Picchu.

• 4) How to buy a ticket to Machu Picchu in high tourist season?

  If you are looking to buy a ticket to Machu Picchu in high tourist season (May, June, July and August) you must buy the ticket online 2 or 3 months in advance.

• 5) How much time before to buy the Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket in high tourist season?

  It is recommended to buy this ticket online two or three months in advance. Otherwise you run the risk of not finding availability.

• 6) Can I buy a ticket to Machu Picchu in person during the high tourist season?

  Tourists who did not get a ticket can purchase one of the thousand tickets available in person in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village). However, the purchase of these tickets also sells out quickly. Because of this, the ticket is issued for the next day of purchase. This is also more frequent during the high tourist season: May, June, July and August.

• 7) What is Machu Picchu like during the high tourist season?

  Machu Picchu is with high traffic of people especially in the mornings. There are more lines to enter the Inca city and board the tourist transports.

• 8) At what time is it best to visit Machu Picchu during the high tourist season?

  In those months of the year (May, June, July and August) it is better to visit Machu Picchu in the afternoon because there is less visitor traffic.

• 9) What is the weather like in Machu Picchu during the high tourist season?

  In high tourist season (May, June, July and August) the weather is dry, with little rain and cold nights, especially in the city of Cusco.

• 10) Should I buy online services to Machu Picchu in high tourist season?

  Yes, as well as the entrance to Machu Picchu, in high tourist season you should buy train tickets, bus tickets and hotel reservations online and one or two months in advance.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Santy G.

“Sacred Place“

“A magical, mystical, very special place, totally worth it. It is best to do it with a “good guide”, who will make you understand all the symbolism, spirituality and history of the place, you will feel the energy for yourself.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, October 30, 2024