Summary

SAI Peru conducted an audit of the Inca city of Machu Picchu (Llaqta) in Cusco for the period fr om August 3, 2024 to December 31, 2025. The audit revealed an exceedance of the site's carrying capacity* by 91,836 people which has led to the deterioration of its condition and poses a threat to its conservation and to the loss of its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The auditors identified administrative liability of three public servants of the Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura) who failed to ensure proper accounting and control of the number of visitors to the Llaqta through prior registration on the state platform TuBoleto.cultura.pe and who also approved an internal document stating that the entry of tour guides does not affect the capacity limit. This document lacks technical or legal justification. Furthermore, on the tourist circuits authorised within the Inca city, the auditors recorded wear on the original flooring, loss of surface cover, erosion of the pre-Hispanic terrace floors and deterioration of the stone elements of the stone stairways due to weather conditions and high visitor foot traffic. The report states that at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in May 2025 in Paris, concern was expressed over the current daily admission levels of visitors to the Llaqta and Peru was requested to submit information on progress in its visitor flow policy along with a technical assessment demonstrating compliance with the conditions for increasing the number of visits. SAI recommended that the Minister of Culture take measures to regulate the number of visitors. ___________________________________________ *According to regulations, a maximum lim it of 4,500 visitors per day is set for the low or regular season, and 5,600 visitors per day for the high season.