Press Release

Friday, June 2, 2017

Goway Launches New Peru Vacation Offer as Country Takes Steps to Ease Machu Picchu Crowds

Goway's newest Peru vacation special coincides with new rules aimed at preserving Machu Picchu.

Goway’s newest Peru vacation special invites Globetrotters to fly into Lima, transferring to Cusco and the Sacred Valley for an ideal introduction to Peru, lasting a total of nine days. Booking this package saves up to $1160 US or $1510 CA per couple, and includes flights from North America, and within Peru.

The offer coincides with the introduction of new regulations for visiting Machu Picchu, unarguably one of the most famous and popular sites in South America and an iconic site within the world of travel. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

But the number of visitors to Machu Picchu each year has grown from the low 100,000s in the 1980s, to a peak of nearly 1.4 million tourists in 2014 – an approximate increase of 700%. In addition, over 70% of daily traffic to Machu Picchu visits between 6am and noon. This increased traffic is slowly wearing away the famed site.

As of July 1st, there will be new admission rules for visiting the citadel. Ticket sales will be divided into a morning ticket (6am to 12 noon) and an afternoon ticket (12 noon to 5pm). Morning entrance fees will remain the same at $55US per person, with afternoon visit ticket prices sold at a reduced rate of $35USD per person. This afternoon reduced rate is expected to be changed in 2018 to match the morning entrance cost.

The first four months of these new procedures will see some leniency in application of the new regulations as, travellers, guides, agents, and other invested parties adjust. With the two distinct entrance periods, visitors will be permitted to stay up to four hours within the ruins. Fine tuning of the new procedures will be ongoing, with the aim of a more sustainable and enjoyable experience for all travellers while easing stress on the fragile site itself.

Goway does not foresee any major interruptions to travellers who have already booked a visit to Machu Picchu from July 1st. The changes will however affect three of the scheduled Explore Peru departures offering a special rate. Passengers departing August 12, October 21, and March 10, 2018 will see the change. Globetrotters must book by June 30, 2017 to take advantage of the discounted rate.

The new fee structure means a little more red tape, but with the greater good in mind, keeping Machu Picchu in great shape and accessible for future travelers. Authorities in Peru have been considering the change for some years, seeing it as both logical and ecofriendly.