Check out our important list of prohibited items at Machu Picchu and follow the new rules on this UNESCO heritage site.
Machu Picchu stands as an awe-inspiring marvel, captivating visitors with its blend of beauty and rich history. It ranks high on the bucket list of many travelers. If you're dreaming of exploring this Inca citadel, be aware of recent updates to the visitation rules and not permitted activities in machu picchu.
Discover the essential items and What not to bring to Machu Picchu when embarking on your journey to this ancient wonder.
Prohibited items at Machu Picchu include:
READ: Machu Picchu the new Rules for visitors
- 1. Extension element for filming
- 2. Selfie sticks
- 3. Umbrellas
- 4. Big Backpacks that exceed 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters
- 5. Food
- 6. Illegal substances
- 7. Alcoholic drinks
- 8. Animals (except guide dogs)
- 9. Aerosols
- 10. Musical instruments, megaphones, or speakers
- 11. Heels or hard sole
- 12. Baby carriages
- 13. Sharp objects or weapons
- 14. Flags, posters or placards
- 15. Clothing intended for advertising purposes
- 16. Metal-tipped canes - Hiking poles
- 17. Drones
Please be mindful that Machu Picchu is a sacred site. As such, any indecent behavior or disruptive noises are strictly prohibited within the Inca city. Visitors are also required to respect the flow of other tourists' visits and refrain from interrupting their experience. Additionally, please refrain from using umbrellas and baby strollers that may impede the normal flow of traffic.
Stabilization or extension Tools for filming.
- Professional audiovisual filming in Machu Picchu is strictly prohibited without permission from the Puzzled Directorate of Culture Cusco (DDC).
- Professional recording equipment like stabilizers or filming extensions are prohibited for this purpose.
- To secure recording permission, applicants are required to apply via email to the relevant authorities at the DDC.
- Recording family moments and capturing personal photos is permitted only in designated areas.
2. Any type of selfie stick
- Machu Picchu welcomes over 1.5 million tourists annually, leading to congestion at certain spots. Selfie sticks are banned to prevent further crowding, particularly in specific areas.
- Selfies are permitted at Machu Picchu but only in designated areas with minimal visitor congestion. One such spot is the 'Casa del Guardián' where visitors capture the iconic postcard view of Machu Picchu.
Backpacks or bags larger than 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters are not permitted.
- Backpacks are essential at Machu Picchu as they enable you to carry personal belongings and have both hands free while navigating the mountains and challenging areas of the ancient Inca city.
- To prevent hindering tourist flow, it is advisable to use compact and lightweight backpacks. The dimensions should ideally not surpass 40 x 35 x 20 centimeters.
- Should the dimensions surpass these limits, lockers are available at the entrance of Machu Picchu for storing any unnecessary items during your visit.
- If security personnel observe a tourist carrying a backpack hindering the passage of other visitors during the walk, they will kindly suggest leaving the backpack in the provided lockers to proceed with their exploration of the Inca city.
Food, excluding snacks and drinks.
- Machu Picchu is revered as a sacred site requiring preservation. To safeguard its sanctity, authorities have enforced a ban on consuming food that could pollute the area. Visitors are not permitted to dine at the marvel of the Incas; this is a place of wonder, not for picnicking.
- Currently, only beverages and snacks like cookies are permitted within Machu Picchu. Visitors are required to retain their waste and discard it upon leaving the Inca city, as there are no trash receptacles within the site.
Illegal drugs or substances, or when under their influence
- In line with the sanctity of a World Heritage Site, visitors to Machu Picchu are expected to respect the site's rules. To enhance the visitor experience, individuals found in possession of drugs or under their influence will be promptly removed from the archaeological site and denied re-entry.
- It's noteworthy that there have been instances of visitors entering Machu Picchu while under the influence of drugs, leading to altercations and disgraceful incidents within the Inca citadel.
- At the Machu Picchu entrance gate, security personnel diligently inspect the well-being of each visitor.
Consume alcoholic beverages or engage in smoking.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited within Machu Picchu, as is the entry of intoxicated individuals. If either situation is identified, visitors will be escorted out of the archaeological site with no opportunity for reentry.
- Similarly, both smoking and vaping are prohibited within the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Cigarette embers pose a fire hazard, while the smoke may disturb other visitors.
Animals (Guide Dogs are included)
- To preserve the sanctity of Machu Picchu, guests are kindly asked not to bring any pets or animals, domestic or wild, into the ancient Inca city during their visit.
- The only exception pertains to individuals who require a guide dog for their everyday commute, making these instances truly exceptional.
- Within the natural surroundings of Machu Picchu, one can encounter llamas alongside other wild species like vizcachas, birds, and even the renowned spectacled bear.
Aerosol sprays or paints
- Defacing any wall or structure at Machu Picchu is considered a serious offense against Peru's Cultural Heritage. Visitors caught doing so will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
- To preserve the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, entry with aerosols or paints that could lead to graffiti within the Inca archaeological site is strictly forbidden. Security cameras within the site are in place to deter any such malicious acts.
Musical instruments, amplifiers, or speakers.
- At Machu Picchu, it is forbidden to produce any sound that may disrupt the sacred ambiance of the archaeological site. Consequently, entry to the Inca city with musical instruments, megaphones, or speakers is prohibited.
- Jumping, whistling, clapping, or any disruptive noise that disturbs visitors' tranquility is strictly prohibited.
- The security staff at Machu Picchu are authorized to address visitors who violate the rules. If the tourist persists in the misconduct, they will be ejected from Machu Picchu with no chance of returning.
Heels or hard Soles
- Tourist numbers at Machu Picchu rise annually, leading to a soil sink of around 10 to 15 centimeters per year in the Inca citadel due to the influx of visitors.
- To preserve the archaeological site's soil effectively, access for tourists wearing high heels or shoes has been restricted. Only individuals with soft or rubber-soled footwear such as sneakers or sandals are permitted entry.
- Similarly, additional actions were taken, including installing drainage grills at specific locations on the ground of Machu Picchu.
Child Carrier - Instead Child Carrier Backpack for Travel
- Due to the soil composition at Machu Picchu and the high volume of visitors, baby strollers are not permitted within the Inca city. It is advised to use backpack-style carriers as an alternative.
- Near the entrance of the archaeological site, a spot is designated for storing items like strollers. While visiting Machu Picchu with children can be challenging, there are numerous alternatives to make the journey enjoyable.
Prohibit sharp objects or any type of weapon
- To ensure the safety of all visitors, entry to Machu Picchu with sharp objects or firearms is strictly prohibited.
- If security staff identify a visitor in possession of any banned items, those will be confiscated and returned upon exiting the archaeological site.
- Tourists engaging in physical altercations or making threats with sharp objects or firearms will be subject to appropriate legal action.
Banners, flags, or Signs
- Visitors are not permitted to bring banners, posters, or any other forms of propaganda into Machu Picchu.
- The pennants are reserved solely for tour guides overseeing groups of more than 5 visitors.
- If security personnel notice someone using a banner or placard, they will kindly ask them to put it away. If the visitor repeats the offense, the item will be confiscated and returned upon their exit from the archaeological site.
Apparel designed for promotional use.
- Machu Picchu, a renowned global destination, attracts numerous individuals seeking to leverage its iconic imagery for advertising or political campaigns.
- Advertising clothing is not allowed at Machu Picchu. Security personnel can alert visitors if they observe this rule.
- If it is revealed in the future that Machu Picchu was utilized for advertising, the Peruvian authorities will take legal action.
Canes with metal tips
- Metal-tipped canes are banned at Machu Picchu due to their soil-damaging impact on the ancient Inca city. Senior visitors or individuals with physical disabilities are permitted to use rubber-tipped canes instead.
- Security staff are permitted to notify visitors about the prohibition of metal-tipped canes. If a visitor persists in using this forbidden item, it may be confiscated and returned at the exit of the archaeological site after the tour concludes.
Drones or comparable items
- Unauthorized drones or any flying objects are strictly prohibited from entering the airspace of Machu Picchu. Only drones approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture are permitted to fly over the ancient Inca city.
- Tourists flying drones at Machu Picchu will be reported by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture and subjected to legal proceedings.
- The utilization of kites or toys that disrupt the natural ambiance of the visit to Machu Picchu is strictly prohibited.
Conclusion
To ensure a smooth and respectful visit to Machu Picchu, remember to pack light and leave certain items behind. By following these guidelines, you'll help protect this cultural treasure and ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself and other visitors.
Thanks for reading. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below.
