Inca Trail and Machu Picchu News
What changed, and what it means for your trek
Short, sourced updates on the rules that shape a trip to Machu Picchu: trail closures and reopenings, entrance tickets and daily capacity, permits, and park rules elsewhere in South America. Each post links to the official notice or press report it is based on. For the full planning picture, read our Inca Trail guide.
- Inca Trail closures and reopenings
- Machu Picchu tickets and daily capacity
- Inca Trail permit rules
- Park rules elsewhere in South America, such as Galápagos
- Every post cites the official notice or press report behind it
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Colombia’s Tayrona National Park Closes to Visitors October 19 to November 2
Tayrona, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, admits no visitors from 19 October to 2 November 2026. It reopens on 3 November.
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Machu Picchu’s Inca Bridge Route Reopens After Conservation Work
The Inca Bridge route (Route 1-D, Circuit 1) is open to visitors again after DDC Cusco repaired a sinking section of its Inca path.
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Machu Picchu and Inca Trail Tickets Now Must Be Paid Within 15 Minutes
Peru’s Ministry of Culture has ended three-hour unpaid ticket holds for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail network. Buyers now have 15 minutes to pay, and the minister says more than 90,000 entries have been freed up through December.
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Machu Picchu Now Sells In-Person Tickets Up to 3 Days Ahead
When the next day’s in-person Machu Picchu tickets sell out, the Aguas Calientes office sells up to three days ahead. The measure began May 7, 2026.
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Machu Picchu’s 5,600 Daily Visitor Cap Runs Until November 2
Since June 19, 2026, Machu Picchu admits up to 5,600 visitors a day. The high-season cap runs until November 2, and entry is still by timed circuit.
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Galápagos Sets New Visitor Rules: 2 m from Wildlife, Advance Booking for Las Grietas
Galápagos National Park’s new visitor rules, in force since August 12, 2026: 2 m from wildlife, accredited guides and advance booking for Las Grietas.
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Inca Trail Reopens September 5 After August Rain Closure
The Inca Trail reopened on September 5, 2026, after flash floods and landslides closed Routes 1, 2 and 3 in mid-August. Groups again start at Km 82.