6 July 2010: Trains to Machu Picchu slowly returning to normal
Tucan Travel has been advised that trains on the journey between Cuzco and Machu Picchu have been reinstated at Poroy station, 30 minutes outside of Cuzco.
We hope this change will shorten the journey between Machu Picchu and Cuzco, day visits to Machu Picchu and journeys between Ollantaytambo and Cuzco.
30 March 2010: Machu Picchu Reopening 1 April
Tucan Travel has been advised that the reopening of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail Trek will take place as scheduled on 1 April 2010. The train tracks between Chilca (Km82) and Aguas Calientes have been repaired however Perurail will be offering a limited number of carriages and an alternative timetable. The journey between Cuzco and Km82 will be made by road until further notice, please note that disruption and delays are to be expected on both the train and road journeys between Cuzco and Aguas Calientes.
All Tucan Travel train bookings for April have been confirmed by Perurail however many of the schedules have been altered with some groups departing Aguas Calientes for the return journey as late as 9.30pm. In addition to changing scheduled and ticketed departure times Perurail is increasing the cost of the train tickets. Tucan Travel is making every effort to absorb the additional costs, however when we receive the final notification from Perurail of the cost of the train tickets it may be necessary for us to pass on a small supplement to our clients.
Unfortunately Perurail are setting all train departure times and prices and we have little or no control over this, therefore we would like to ask you for your patience and understanding during this period and to ensure you that we are doing everything necessary to ensure as little inconvenience to our clients as possible.
As soon as we have more details we will inform you.
10 Mar 2010: INC confirms Machu Picchu will reopen 1 April
Good news for travellers looking forward to trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in April. Fertransa who are responsible for repairing the railway tracks to Machu Picchu have confirmed that they will have work completed by 29 March. The INC has also confirmed that Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail will reopen on 1 April.
Inca Trail permits are nearly sold out in April with limited numbers available. Permits are completely sold out for May and the first few days in June. Please contact us and book as early as possible if you would like to trek the Inca Trail in the peak season of June to September when places are at an absolute premium. For further information about bookings please visit the Inca Trail & Machu Picchu page.
18 February 2010: Machu Picchu expected to reopen 1 April
Peruvian Minister of Tourism Martín Pérez announced this week that Machu Picchu was likely to be reopened for visitors from 1 April. The minister emphasised that the reopening of the site depended on the progress of the repairs to the tracks and said he expected to be able to announce a firm date in a few days.
Mr Pérez told Peruvian media: “Esperamos que a partir del 1 de abril empecemos a recibir a los millones de turistas que siempre han venido.” English translation: “We hope that from 1 April we will be able to receive the millions of tourists who have always come.”
Fetransa, the company in charge of rail routes to Machu Picchu, has also released a statement. The company is working on the restoration of the railway along the traditional route that connects Cuzco or the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes train station) and expects to have the railway ready between the town of Piscacucho (Km.82) and Machu Picchu (Km.110) by early April. This would allow visitors access Machu Picchu on a bus-train combination consisting of a road journey from Cuzco to the Sacred Valley followed by a 50 minute bus ride from Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo station) up to Piscacucho (Km.82) followed by a 80 minute train ride to Machu Picchu. This work is expected to be completed by 1 April but a specific target date of completion will be announced in a few days. Please note that Km 82 is the starting point for the 4 day Inca Trail Trek which culminates in a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Although the citadel itself was not damaged by the heavy rains which blocked access to the site in January, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail have been officially closed by the Peruvian INC (National Institute of Culture) until safety checks can be carried out. The attractions are expected to remain closed during March and reopen around the same time as the repaired rail access route in early April.
In the event that the traditional route to Machu Picchu is not opened by 1 April as expected, various companies may offer trips to Machu Picchu via alternative rail and road routes. However, having considered the options available, we will not be offering this to our clients due to the very lengthy, uncomfortable and potentially unsafe nature of the journey. A round trip to Machu Picchu from Cuzco by alternative road and ‘back door’ rail routes would consist of at least a 24 hour round trip. Please see our previous news update (3 February) for further information about alternative excursions we are offering at the moment.
We would like to remind all travellers to Peru that the Inca capital of Cuzco and Inca sites in the Sacred Valley have not been damaged by the floods and remain open to visitors. The weather in the area has improved considerably and access is open to all areas. There are several intriguing attractions to explore in Cuzco including Koricancha, Cathedral, Pre Columbian Art Museum, San Blas artisan district, La Almudena cemetery, San Pedro market, San Francisco church, La Merced church and the Inca Museum. There are also several fascinating Inca ruins near Cuzco, including Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay.
3 February 2010: Machu Picchu, Inca Trail & Lares Trek Update Heavy rains in the Cuzco and Sacred Valley area in late January have caused mudslides and flooding which have unfortunately blocked access to Machu Picchu and surrounding areas. Perurail has suspended all train services to Aguas Calientes, the village nearest Machu Picchu until further notice due to general damage, mudslides and water on the rails. There is no other safe access route to Machu Picchu and travellers are therefore unable to visit the site until further notice.
It is not yet clear how long it will take to clear the railway or when exactly Machu Picchu will be open again to the public. Perurail has given us an initial estimate that repair work to the rail tracks will take approximately 8 weeks. Unfortunately this means that you will be unable to visit Machu Picchu during your tour. Instead, you will have additional free time in the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco, where there are many fine museums, cathedrals and monasteries to explore. Please speak to your tour leader regarding the optional activities available in Cuzco or visit your tour page on our website to read the optional excursions guide.
All clients currently on group tours who are due to hike the Inca Trail Trek or the Lares Trek between 5 February and 31 March
You will be given an alternative Lares Trek and refunded an amount for the missed Machu Picchu portion of the trek, as below. The refund will be made to you locally as a discount on your local payment. Information about the alternative trekking itinerary can be found on our website at: http://www.tucantravel.com/displaytourdoc.php?iddoc=23.
All clients who have not yet joined their group tour
You can reschedule your tour departure date without penalty, however if you decide to cancel, full cancellation fees will apply, as per our booking conditions. If you decide to continue as planned, all clients who are due to hike the Inca Trail Trek or the Lares Trek between 5 February and 31 March will be given an alternative Lares Trek and refunded an amount for the missed Machu Picchu portion of the trek, as below. The refund will be made to you locally as a discount on your local payment. Information about the alternative trekking itinerary can be found on our website at: http://www.tucantravel.com/displaytourdoc.php?iddoc=23.
Independent travellers on stopovers and packages
RPMPS1, 2 or 3 - RPMMP1 or 2 - RPITM1 or 2 - RPITL1 or 2.
You can reschedule your package departure date without penalty, or cancel for a full refund. However if you decide to continue as planned, all clients who are due to hike the Inca Trail Trek or the Lares Trek between 5 February and 31 March will be given an alternative Lares Trek and refunded an amount for the missed Machu Picchu portion of the trek, as below. Information about the alternative trekking itinerary can be found on our website at: http://www.tucantravel.com/displaytourdoc.php?iddoc=23.
If you were booked on the 4 day/3 night Inca Trail Trek
You will be refunded the amount of US$200, which is the total cost of the Inca Trail Trek permit, the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, your share of the cost of the Machu Picchu guide, the cost of the portion of the transport from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes return and the cost of the return bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
If you were booked on the 4 day/3 night Lares Trek
You will be refunded the amount of US$115, which is the total cost of the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, your share of the cost of the Machu Picchu guide, the cost of the portion of the transport from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes return and the cost of the return bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
If you were booked on the 1 day or overnight train excursion to Machu Picchu
You will be refunded the amount of US$160, which is the total cost of the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, your share of the cost of the Machu Picchu guide, the cost of the return train from Aguas Calientes to Cuzco and the cost of the return bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The refund will be made to you locally as a discount on your local payment.
If your group tour also includes a visit to the Sacred Valley, this will only be done as a day trip and you will return to Cuzco. The Sacred Valley tour is slightly longer than usual as road blockages are causing delays on the route.
We understand that this itinerary change may come as a disappointment to you; however unfortunately in this situation we have very few options available to us. Further information about changes as a result of natural disasters and adverse weather conditions can be found in section 3b of the booking conditions, which are in the back of our current 2010-11 brochure and on our website at this link: http://www.tucantravel.com//upload/Booking%20Conditions.pdf
The Tucan Travel office in Cuzco is in regular contact with Peruvian authorities and Perurail. If the situation changes and we are able to visit Machu Picchu again, we will contact you and post an update in this latest news page on our website.
Please make immediate contact with your travel consultant or contact us to confirm that you have received this update, so that we will know you are aware of the change and your decision.
ARCHIVE
Inca Trail & Machu Picchu Closed Due to Rain & Landslides
Friday 29 January, 2pm
All Tucan Travel clients who were affected by the access issues to Aguas Calientes have safely made it back to Cuzco to continue their travels.
It is estimated that around 1400 people have been rescued from the Machu Picchu village of Aguas Calientes. A further 800 people are still awaiting awaiting helicopter rescue.
Thursday 28 January, 5:20pm
Around 7-800 people are estimated to have been airlifted from Machu Picchu Pueblo/Aguas Calientes by Peruvian authorities. A further 1400 people are awaiting helicopter rescue.
No Tucan Travel tours have been cancelled as a result of access issues to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley or the Inca Trail. We are closely monitoring developments and if the situation changes, further updates will be posted here.
Wednesday 27 January, 5:20pm
Due to the heavy rain and access difficulties in the Sacred Valley caused by mud and landslides, some sites have been closed and we are unable to visit Ollantaytambo and Pisac Market. Any included excursions to these attractions will be replaced by visits to other Inca sites near Cuzco such as Sacsayhuamán, and possibly an alpaca/llama farm. Tour leaders will advise clients of alternative itineraries as and when necessary.
Tuesday 26 January 3:30pm
Following 72 hours of heavy rain in Peru, land, rock and mudslides and floods have blocked access to the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Authorities have called a state of emergency in the south eastern region of Peru.
Tucan Travel's Cuzco office is in close contact with all groups in the area and has established that all clients are safe.
The route between Cuzco and Machu Picchu has been disrupted by several landslides. At the moment, Perurail has suspended all train services between between Poroy and Aguas Calientes until further notice due to mudslides and water on the rails.
There are currently around 2,000 tourists stranded at Aguas Calientes. Peruvian authorities have begun an airlift rescue operation to take elderly and ill tourists back to Cuzco.
Due to safety concerns, INC, the governing body of the Inca Trail has announced that it will not allow travellers to hike the Inca Trail Trek, which normally concludes with a visit to Machu Picchu, until further notice. Machu Picchu is also closed to day visits.
The Inca Trail is officially closed in February for an annual clean up and it is hoped that the necessary repairs will take place during this period, however it is not yet certain how long Machu Picchu will be closed.
As soon as we have any further information, updates will be placed in this Latest News article.
For further information, please see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8480013.stm