Don't go to Peru to live a nightmare!

Planning a trip is always exciting, especially if you are thinking about traveling to see an important and popular place like Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail. However, an error due to lack of knowledge can ruin months of preparation. In 2026, regulations have become stricter at checkpoints.

Here we explain which documents are mandatory and how to avoid the most common mistakes made by travelers.

1. The Golden Rule: 6-Month Validity

To enter Peru as a tourist, your passport must have a minimum validity of 6 months from the moment of your entry into the country.

Important note: If your passport expires in less than 6 months, airlines could deny you boarding and Peru's Immigration (Migraciones) will not allow your entry. Check your expiration date today!

2. Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail: Your Passport is the Key

Simply having the ticket in hand is not enough; the passport is the primary validation document at the checkpoints of the Cusco Decentralized Culture Directorate.

What should you keep in mind?

• Original, not a copy: To enter Machu Picchu and, especially, to start the Inca Trail, it is mandatory to present the original physical passport. A photo on a cell phone or a photocopy is not valid for official entry.
• Exact match: The passport number on your ticket must exactly match the one on your document. If you purchased your entry with one number and then renewed your passport, keep reading, because this point is critical.

3. What happens if I renew my passport after buying the tours?

This is the most frequent dilemma. Considering that permits for the Inca Trail usually sell out 6 months in advance, it is possible—and many tourists do—to book with an old passport.

The official solution: If you renewed your document, you must travel with both passports (the old and the new one). At the entry control, you will show both: the old one to validate the reservation number and the new one as your current identification.

If you book with us: Don't worry about carrying both passports; we have the solution and take care of the paperwork so you can enjoy without worries. Our solution is official and complies with all regulations; it must be processed as soon as you obtain your new passport.

4. Tours that require a Mandatory Passport

In addition to Machu Picchu, other destinations in Peru require the original passport for visitor registration and insurance:

• Inca Trail (Classic and Short): Strict control at km 82.
• Salkantay Trek: Registration at campsites and final control.
• Choquequirao: Although it is less crowded, registration controls request the original document.
• Domestic flights: To board towards Cusco, Juliaca (Puno), or Iquitos.

5. Expert Recommendations for 2026

• Virtual TAM: Forget about filling out forms on the plane. Peru has modernized its system, and now your entry is recorded digitally with the Virtual TAM. This happens automatically when your passport is stamped upon arrival. The best part? This digital record is what allows hotels to waive the 18% sales tax (IGV) on your accommodation. Just make sure they stamp your passport when you enter! We recommend downloading your Certificate of Migratory Movement from the official Immigration website for any internal procedures.
• Machu Picchu Stamp: While it is a great souvenir, the "tourist" Machu Picchu stamp should not be placed on the official pages of your passport if it is running out of space or if you travel to countries with very strict visa regulations. Use it in a travel journal or a "souvenir" passport.
• Security: In Cusco, keep your original passport in the hotel safe and walk around the city with a laminated copy. Only take out the original on the day of your tour to the citadel.