Comments on: Machu Picchu after the Floods: Update and Outlook

By: Matthew Barker

Matthew Barker — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:35:42 +0000

Hi Judy,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I doubt you’ll be able to stick to your original plans. Your tour company is probably waiting for their local operator to confirm access, but at best you’ll be taking a long and bumpy road journey to the hydroelectric plant before catching an onward train to Aguas Calientes.
I know that most tour operators are still not taking any bookings for travel to Machu Picchu for March, but your tour company really should be giving you some information. If you have travel insurance on your tickets it shouldn’t be a problem to switch your trip to Machu Picchu to any of the other fascinating places in the Cusco and Sacred Valley region.
Good luck..
Matthew

By: Judy Stevens

Judy Stevens — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:32:48 +0000

Have a tour booked for March 11 – 13 to M.P. No word from tour company whether they are able to confirm that access is available through Cusco. We are two senior women cruising to Lima with a side excursion to M.P. Can you provide information if the tour will take place based on repairs in progress.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:21:35 +0000

We were in Aguas Calientes last June so it is heartbreaking to see those photos. I can only imagine what is happening to the people we met as guides and trail crew. Jason is right about the draw of Machu Picchu, despite how important the other sites in the Sacred Valley are.

By: Jason of Two Backpackers

Jason of Two Backpackers — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:13:47 +0000

The devastation caused by these rains canceled our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, but will still found plenty to do while visiting Cuzco. During some of our day trips to other Inca ruins we witnessed the many displaced people with their clay homes and crops washed away. We had arrived to Cuzco before the storm and experienced the busy commerce that goes on there. Comparing that to the traffic of tourists this past week is disheartening. Some suggest to stop focusing on the opening of Machu Picchu, but they might not realize the impact Machu Picchu has on the economy there. Machu Picchu visitors drive that entire town and surrounding towns. Not only does Machu Picchu attract it’s own visitors, it attracts traffic to all the other surrounding ruins and towns. I hope it opens quickly and at the same time I hope the government finds successful solutions to the displaced people.