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Heavy rains earlier this year closed Machu Picchu and disrupted many peoples’ travel plans. Fortunately access to the world famous site has been restored, as this account from Emily Tully, an Operations Coordinator at Peru For Less’ Cusco office, reports.
With the trains fired up and shuttling visitors back into the mountains and up to Machu Picchu, things are looking normal again in the Cusco region. The damage from this year’s unusually wet rainy season was a big disappointment to travelers in February and March and a disaster for the small villages and business in the area. However, poco a poco, things are turning around with the reopening of the trains, and smiling faces are filling the streets of this historic city.
Machu Picchu and Cusco Reopen Again
Cusco, which had turned into a virtual ghost-town with the closing of Machu Picchu, has been ferrying visitors back and forth from the ruins in almost-normal fashion and memories of the harsh rainstorms just a few months back are fading from people’s minds.
In fact, the weather has been so stunning this month, it is hard to believe the hard rains ever came at all. These days, bright sunshine and clear blue skies are accompanying most tourists on their journey to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather on our visit to Machu Picchu. Exploring the ruins was such an experience, I feel so fortunate to have visited such an amazing place.” one Peru For Less traveler told me last week.
With the re-opening of Machu Picchu, the famous Inca Trail trekking route has also once again been bearing hikers’ footsteps. Crossing “Dead Woman’s Pass” and snaking through the ruins of Intipata, hikers are passing through the Sun Gate to descend upon Machu Picchu from above, with a sense of accomplishment lightening their steps.
For now, trains are busy running from a small outpost called Piscacucho, also known as Kilometer 82, to Aguas Calientes, the small town just below Machu Picchu. While at the beginning of April the train companies were running five trains a day, the number has quickly jumped to 14 between Peru Rail and Inca Rail, allowing far more flexibility and access to the ruins.
“Things are looking better and better and we are hoping to have trains running the normal route from Ollantaytambo in July. Clients are coming back from Machu Picchu feeling really good about their trip.” said Peru For Less’ Cusco Operations Manager, Caitlin Ham. “Having the trains eventually running from Ollantaytambo will cut out some of the longer bus rides that visitors are currently taking.”
Regardless of the journey, the prize at the end is still the same. Machu Picchu is a remarkable destination that is once again welcoming visitors through its majestic gates and on the journey of a lifetime.
Category: Peru, Travel News
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[...] and returning back to normal, as this eyewitness account from Cusco reports. View original here: Peru Travel Guide: Cusco & Machu Picchu Return to Normalcy | The … Share [...]