Peru to limit Machu Picchu access to prevent ‘deterioration’

Come May 15-28, access to Peru’s Machu Picchu, an iconic tourist attraction in Cusco will be strictly controlled at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the government said. According to AFP, Peru announced on Friday a two-week restriction to three important areas at Machu Picchu to prevent greater degradation to the iconic Inca citadel namely-Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor and Intihuatana Stone.

"These measures are necessary to conserve Machu Picchu, given the evidence of deterioration" on stone surfaces caused by visitors to the three areas, the culture ministry said.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, almost 6,000 visitors a day are permitted onto the 15th century site in two waves until the new plan that will now give tourists just three hours to visit the three emblematic areas.

Authorities will evaluate the impact of the measures before applying new permanent rules from June 1.

Machu Picchu was declared it a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO.