Peru to assess Machu Picchu visitor limits and sustainability plan

The Peruvian government has awarded a technical study, costing about US$880,000 and slated for completion in 190 days, to determine the exact carrying capacity of Machu Picchu. The contract is expected to be signed in the coming weeks. Officials say the assessment will provide precise limits for the iconic citadel, which has been receiving an average of 5,600 visitors per day since the high‑season start on June 19, leading to long queues and concerns about site preservation.

At the same time, authorities, businesses and local communities are rolling out waste‑management and carbon‑reduction initiatives aimed at making Machu Picchu a carbon‑neutral tourist destination. The combined efforts target pollution, climate‑change impacts and overall environmental sustainability of the world‑heritage site.