In short:

In the event of an unexpected closure of Machu Picchu, request the postponement of your ticket or its official refund, then switch to equivalent regional routes.

• Ticket approach: Free reprogramming the same year or refund by e-mail via ingresos@culturecusco.gob.pe According to the Dirección desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco.
• Express option: The Boleto Turístico Parcial at 70 Pen allows you to explore the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo) over 2 days.
• Trekking option: Access to the majestic site of Choquequirao costs 60 Pen for foreign adults.
• Off the beaten track option: The Waqrapukara Citadel offers completely free access to all visitors.

How to react immediately to an administrative closure of the site?

Faced with a suspension of access decreed by the local authorities, you have strict rights to recover your entrance fees. The foreign adult ticket for the citadel (Circuits 1, 2 or 3) amounts to 152 PEN (approximately 40 USD), plus an environmental conservation tax of 11 PEN collected by SERNANP since May 2026. If you had booked combined access with Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A), the total cost reaches 200 PEN, while foreign students equipped with the ISIC card pay a reduced rate of 77 PEN for base circuits.

The tickets being nominative, non-transferable and purchased directly online without prior reservation option, two legal compensation routes exist:

• Free reprogramming: The Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco (DDC Cusco) guarantees the postponement of your ticket to a later date of the current year in the event of closure authorized by the State.
• Full refund: In the event of final cancellation without possible postponement, the organization reimburses the entry ticket on written request sent by form or e-mail to ingresos@culturecusco.gob.pe.

Regarding transport to the site (Perurail or Inca Rail trains and Consettur shuttles from Daguas Calientes), the steps are taken directly from the counters or customer service of each company, according to their applicable cancellation conditions in the event of force majeure.

What cultural alternatives to include in your first aid route?

When the gates of the historic sanctuary close, the Cuzco region offers top-notch archaeological alternatives, perfectly framed by the Committee of Servicios Integrados Turístico Cultural Cusco (COSITUC).

Option A: The Sacred Valley Full Circuit via BTC General

The Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC General) is the most complete sesame to replace a day trip. At the rate of 130 PEN for foreign adults, this post brings together 16 major regional archaeological and cultural sites. It extends over several days and includes the Dollantaytambo fortresses, the ruins of Pisac, the textile center of Chinchero, the agricultural terraces of Moray as well as the impressive complex of Saqsayhuamán at the gates of Cuzco.

Option B: The Express Loop in the Sacred Valley via the BTC Parcial

If your time on site is running out, choose the Boleto Turístico Parcial (Circuit 3). Sold at the price of 70 pen, this pass is valid for 2 consecutive days. It focuses exclusively on the four flagship sites of the valley: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray. This is the fastest logistics option to organize from Cuzco or Urubamba in private or collective transport.

Comparative table of substitution sites in Cuzco

This table summarizes the access characteristics and rates of the main alternatives validated by the regional tourist authorities.

Site / Pass	Foreign adult rate	Duration / validity	Main inclusions
Boleto Turístico General (BTC)	130 Pen	10 days	16 sites (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Saqsayhuamán…)
Boleto Turístico Parcial (Circuit 3)	70 Pen	2 days	4 sites (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray)
Choquequirao Archaeological Park	60 Pen	Day / Trek access	Twin Inca Citadel, Terraces, Canyon Views
Archaeological site of Waqrapukara	Free (0 Pen)	Free access	Sacred Fortress on Rocky Spur

Which Inca citadels to visit to avoid the crowds?

To rediscover the spectacular grandeur of the Inca architectures without depending on the classic rail network to Aguas Calientes, two physical options are available to autonomous travelers.

Option C: Choquequirao, the twin sister of Machu Picchu

Located above the Lapurímac canyon, Choquequirao shares an architecture and historical importance almost identical to those of Machu Picchu. According to the Dirección desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco, the entry fee is 60 pen for foreign adults. Access requires a 4 to 5-day round trip from Cachora, which guarantees minimal attendance and full immersion.

Option D: Waqrapukara, the sacred fortress of the Andes

Perched over 4,300 meters above sea level above the Lapurímac canyon, Waqrapukara is a spectacular and passable alternative on a day trip from Cuzco. Access to the archaeological site is completely free for all visitors, according to the guidelines of the DDC Cusco. The approach hike takes between 2 and 3 hours from the community of Sangarará or Pitumarca.

frequently asked questions

How do I get the refund for my Machu Picchu ticket in case of closure?

If the site closes by official decision, send a written refund request to the official address ingresos@culturecusco.gob.pe with your purchase credentials. The Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco directly processes the files to return the amount of 152 pen (or 200 pen with option Huayna Picchu).

Is it possible to change the entry date if the site reopens quickly?

Yes I do. The DDC Cusco authorizes the free rescheduling of your nominative entry ticket for a later date in the same calendar year. You must go to the official counters in Cuzco with your original tickets and passports.

What is the most economical alternative price in Cuzco?

The Waqrapukara site is 100% free for all visitors. For the major sites of the Sacred Valley, the Boleto Turístico Parcial costs 70 Pen for 2 days, while the entrance fee to the Citadel of Choquequirao is set at 60 Pen.

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