Basic DO’s and DON’Ts when visiting Machu Picchu

Since 1911 when Machu Picchu was found, the number of tourists were increasing dramatically! Now with the government restrictions 2,500 people enter the gates of Machu Picchu every day, and they all there for one reason – experience the mystery of ‘Lost City’ – Machu Picchu, many people call it once in a life time experience.

Not without a reason Machu Picchu became one of the world’s star attraction. The place is rewarded of beauty, awe and magic, the mountains all around, tranquillity and the feeling of literally touching the clouds is well deserved status.

Because of a big number of tourists every day it is very important to understand and follow local etiquette and basic DO’s and DON’Ts surrounding Machu Picchu.

It’s also important to pass it to other generations, because number of visitors are not going to decrease, and for this reason it is extremely important to understand that saving Machu Picchu starts with you!

 Saving Machu Picchu starts with you!

Here below are basic DO’s and DON’Ts which are very easy to follow and make a big difference for Machu Picchu environment:

 

DO stay on the trail of Machu Picchu

As mentioned protecting the ruins for future generations is very important for every and each visitor of Machu Picchu. The trail that goes through the ruins not only protects the ruins, but also the people who are visiting Machu Picchu. At more than five centuries old, many of the structure is worn, cracked and deteriorating fast.

Getting lost off along random trails will not only damage the walls and flooring, but also lead to a visitor hurting themselves due to falling debris.

After all the citadel is built on a side of the mountain paths which leads out onto nothing – just a long drop down.

 

DON’T bring food into Machu Picchu Citadel

Very important DON’T of the list to help protect the site and wildlife that lives around. A very strict policy exists of no food and beverages within Machu Picchu. Everyone’s back packs will be scanned by the entrance, so don’t try to sneak in and waste food. Don’t panic if you didn’t know about this restriction and packed bunch of food for the picnic, you can leave all that outside the entrance gate and pick it up on your leave.

 

DON’T touch the ruins

At first it may sound a bit like it doesn’t make sense, ‘’so touch a rock, so what?’’, but imagine that all those 2.500 people per day think same, or number of tourists per year? Unfortunately touching rocks it is a bad idea. Lotion, sunscreen, bug spray, fake tan and any other chemical you can think of damages the stone along the citadel’s surfaces.

DON’T get naked

Normally is quite easy to understand that get naked in any public place is not right and most important not respectful for the environment and for people who are around you. In recent years a certain trend or ‘fad’ has become popular to strip at touristic destinations. It may make a good story at some point, but reality is that you can get in a serious trouble. Especially in Peru, the government is cracking down hard on exposed cracks and naked tourists, few years ago a couple of stripped tourists ended up detainment and evicted from Cusco.

DO keep distance from llamas

Everyone gets to see llamas in Peru, and everyone probably would say they are cute and cuddly looking animals, however llamas are used for people, they can be dangerous. Llamas at Machu Picchu have been known to spit, charge and bite tourists when they feel threatened.

Llamas are also not the cleanest animals and will often carry fleas, mites and diseases. Llamas at Machu Picchu are very friendly and not adverse danger or disease, but keep in mind that this place is home for them and DO respect llamas privacy what so ever. If you would like to know more about llamas and alpacas and posibly differences they have, read here.

DO respect local habitants

Don’t just run straight to colourful dressed people and take pictures of them as this is normal. Do respect lcal’s privacy, maybe not all of them are in a mood to get in a unknown person shot. Even it’s very normal in Peru take pictures with locals, always better if you will ask first. And this goes for any local Peruvian, including officers, guards and policeman. This is also a religion issue, Peruvians are generally Catholics or Pachamama (Mother Earth) or combination of both. Locals celebrating in a traditional clothes, so it may be not a good time take pictures without asking. If you have interest to meet and know more about local people lives take a Sacred Valley 1 Day tour, where you will have posibility to visit local markets and towns, talk to local people, try food and get some traditional handmade suvenirs.

DON’T pollute and litter

At first it may seem very similar, well at some point it is, but mentioning pollution we mean noise pollution. It not only disturbs the plant and animal life, but also the experience for the other travelers who maybe came all this way to experience Machu Picchu and not a noise.

By saying don’t litter this goes not only items like plastic bottles and wrappers, but also fruit and vegetable waste, same as cigarette butts and chewing gum. As food and beverage is not allowed at Machu Picchu, you won’t find bins either, so don’t throw anything on the ground.

DO keep the entrance ticket with you

As long as food and beverage is strictly forbidden at the ruins, luckily there are clean restrooms and few restaurants outside the gates. You need to keep your ticket to ensure your return to Machu Picchu.

DO tip your guides and porters

Those people working hard every day to make your adventure special and unforgettable. So before saying goodbye tip the staff you were traveling all the way. The reasonable tip per person is  10-20 Peruvian Soles/, but of course it depends on you and your budget.

---

Tour in Peru is always here if you need any further assistance to book tours, and provide you more information, contact our team and we will be more than happy to help!