Peru’s ministry of culture has announced a new permit system for tourism visits to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu.

The introduction of permits for one of two daily timeslots will be effective from July to ensure a sustainable flow of visitors to the ancient citadel.

All travellers must make reservations online from the official Machu Picchu visitor website or via a UK or Peru-based tour operator or travel agent.

Reservations can be paid for online using a Visa card and permit e-tickets can then be printed.

The two entry periods have been established as the morning timeslot, from 06:00-12:00, and the afternoon timeslot, from 12:00-17.30.

Every visitor to the site is required to show their ticket and original ID.

In the case that a visitor wishes to visit the citadel throughout the day, two permits must be purchased, one for each timeslot.

The use of an official Machu Picchu tour guide or licensed tour guide will be mandatory for all visits from July 1st.

The tour guides will be able to lead a maximum of group size of 16 people and must present an up-to-date and valid guide identification on entering Machu Picchu.

Guides need to sign in and sign out all visitors in his/her group. The guides will also be responsible for informing visitors of the regulations of the park.

For the first six months of the new permit system, Machu Picchu entry tickets booked and purchased using the old system for visits between July and December 2017 will be honoured and these visitors will not have time restrictions on the entry and exit on the day that their ticket is valid.

The Decentralised Culture Bureau of Cusco is the governmental organisation managing the conservation of cultural sites in Cusco, including Machu Picchu.

Tony Mason, chief executive of the Latin American Travel Association, commented on the decision: “Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s most important tourist sites, attracting millions of visitors every year.

“We anticipate that the new system introduced by the ministry of culture will regulate the flow of travellers entering the site and help to preserve the authenticity of this national treasure. 

“This new system emphasises the importance of tourism to Peru as well as the efforts being made by governments to improve the visitor experience at the destinations’ tourist attractions.”