Peru Entry Requirements and Machu Picchu Visitor Guide

Who this guide is for

This guide covers the practical entry requirements and trip-planning points for US, Canadian, UK and EU tourists visiting Peru — Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Arequipa. It is based on official UK and US government guidance and publicly stated Machu Picchu permit rules.

---

Visa-free entry

US, Canadian, UK and most EU citizens do not need a visa to visit Peru as tourists. Entry is permitted on arrival at Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport or other entry points for stays of up to 90 days, with possible extension to 183 days in some cases.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from Peru.

---

The Machu Picchu permit: book before anything else

This is the most common planning mistake for Peru tourists. Machu Picchu entry requires a pre-purchased permit tied to a specific date and entry time slot. You cannot buy a permit on the day at the gate.

Key facts:

• Permits are sold through the official Peruvian government portal.
• There are daily visitor limits across multiple time slots.
• Permits sell out weeks to months in advance in peak season (June–August) and around Peruvian public holidays.
• If you want to hike the Inca Trail, those permits sell out months further in advance — sometimes up to a year for peak periods.

Action: Before booking flights and hotels, check permit availability for your intended dates on the official portal. Build your whole itinerary around confirmed permits, not the other way around.

---

Getting there: Lima → Cusco → Machu Picchu

Lima → Cusco: Daily flights (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes). Do not take the overnight bus as your first Cusco experience if you are concerned about altitude — flying from Lima (sea level) to Cusco (3,400m) in under 2 hours is already a significant altitude change.

Cusco → Aguas Calientes: Train via Ollantaytambo or directly from Cusco. Operated by Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Book train tickets in advance, particularly in high season.

Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu gate: Bus (approximately 25 minutes, runs frequently from before dawn) or a steep 1.5–2 hour walk up. The bus lets you reach the gate early — important as early slots are significantly less crowded.

---

Altitude sickness: the practical approach

Cusco is at approximately 3,400 metres above sea level — higher than most European ski resorts. Altitude sickness is common and can be severe.

Effective acclimatisation plan:

1. Fly into Lima (sea level) and spend at least one night before flying to Cusco.
2. On your first day in Cusco, rest. Do not plan strenuous activities.
3. Stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol for the first 24–48 hours.
4. Eat light meals. Coca tea (available everywhere in Cusco) is a traditional local remedy.
5. Diamox (acetazolamide) can help — speak to a doctor before travel about whether it is appropriate for you.
6. If symptoms are severe (extreme headache, confusion, difficulty breathing), descend immediately and seek medical help.

Machu Picchu itself is at approximately 2,430 metres — lower than Cusco — which means some visitors actually feel better at the site than in Cusco.

---

Regional risk areas

The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to certain regions of Peru including areas near some borders and coca-growing zones. Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the main tourist circuit are not in those categories. Always verify the current position on GOV.UK Peru regional risks before finalising your itinerary.

---

Sources

Checked on 25 July 2026.

• GOV.UK: Peru entry requirements
• GOV.UK: Peru regional risks
• US State Dept: Peru Travel Advisory