Machu Picchu: Lost Citadel and the Mountain Entry Ticket in Cusco Region

Have you ever dreamed of standing atop the cragged landscape of the Andes Mountains looking out to the panorama of ancient ruins and majestic mountains? If so, a visit to the Lost Citadel of Machu Picchu should be at the absolute top on your bucket list.

One of the most iconic landmarks in the world, Machu Picchu sits atop a ridge in the Andes Mountains and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It’s most likely fewer than 1,000 people lived there during its heyday, but today it’s one of the world’s most visited sites. Any visit to Peru would be incomplete without a visit to the Lost Citadel.

What is the Mountain Entry Ticket and Where Can You Buy It?

You have the option of the Mountain Entry Ticket to access Machu Picchu. This ticket allows visitors to explore the area beyond the walls of the citadel as well as Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. Both of these offer incredible and unique vantage points of this ancient site. In order to visit these areas, one needs to buy a Mountain Entry Ticket in advance. The Mountain Entry Ticket is available for purchase for $66 USD per person from authorized sellers including:

• www.machupicchu.gob.pe – The official website
• GetYourGuide Tour Company – An official tour company and the only one selling any sort of ticket directly.
• Toro Andino Adventure Travel Company

Note that all tickets, including house, as well as all permits, will be bought online and can be printed out or purchased directly from your tour company at time of checkout from their website.

Buying Your Tickets Directly in Peru

Though it’s not recommended, you do have the option of buying your tickets directly in Peru, for both House and Mountain Entry Tickets. Contrary to what has been said elsewhere, it is absolutely possible to buy these tickets at an authorized agency or from a local tour guide in Peru.

However, please understand that buying tickets directly in Peru will require you to pay about an additional 25-30% more for your tickets. This extra cost is due to additional fees that are charged by middlemen who want to take their slice throughout the purchasing process. It’s also much less convenient, as you won’t have definite availability until you arrive, which is especially problematic if you are trying to make plans several months in advance.

What Else Do You Need Before You Can Enter?

Once you have purchased your tickets online or at a physical distributor, you will receive an official receipt that must be printed out before you can enter the premises. You will also need some form of government-issued photo identification in order to prove that you are indeed the ticket holder, as well as the printed out card with your booking details on it for proof of purchase.

No other documents are required in order to enter the premises unless you have bought a special tour or have been granted permission from INAH (the National Institute for Archaeology and History) for research purposes. However, this permission must still be accompanied by your photo ID in order for you to be granted entry into Machu Picchu as well as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

Are All House Tickets Valid For Access To Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

It is important to note that while House Entry Tickets will grant you access to the main area at Machu Picchu, they are not valid for entrance into either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Access to these two sites will require appropriate permits that can only be purchased when combined with a House & Mountain Entry Ticket. Please be sure to keep this potentially important detail in mind if you plan on visiting either view point during your stay in Peru.

Conclusion

The Lost Citadel is easily one of South America’s greatest geological marvels, and visiting Machu Picchu is an experience that no traveler should miss out on. However, if you plan on visiting the area you must be sure to purchase appropriate tickets and permits before hand. Unfortunately, those looking only for House tickets may be disappointed in knowing that access to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain can only be gained with additional permits not available through regular House Tickets alone.

However, with an adequate amount of planning and research, access to any part of Machu Picchu can easily be obtained through purchasing a combination of House & Mountain tickets through any one of the various distributors around Peru or online. Be sure to read through all details closely before making any commitment, then let your vision wander back in time on its own accord as you prepare to visit the majestic spectacle that Machu Picchu has to offer!