Machu Picchu
 So that your trip could be a wonder too

Floods in Cusco

Message due to recent floods

Last update: April 2, 2010

Current situation

Jan. 23: There were heavy rains in the Cusco area, including Machu Picchu, which caused serious floods. Several land accesses were damaged or interrupted, such as roads, bridges and the railroad connecting Aguas Calientes, at the bottom of Machu Picchu, to Cusco. All this has seriously disrupted local and tourist life in the area.

The area is in mourning because 8 people died (1 Argentinean tourist, 1 tour guide and 6 peasants) and 25,000 residents have suffered material damages. Our thoughts go to the victims. 3,500 tourists who were on the spot were blocked and have been evacuated little by little to Cusco in military and civilian helicopters.

Jan. 29: At night all the tourists were evacuated.

Feb. 15: The repair of the section Aguas Calientes-Hydroelectric Central was finished. Even if material damages are important, reconstruction has begun and the government is working to reestablish the accesses. There have been important progresses but complete access has not been reestablished yet. Authorities expect tourist transportation will be fully operational beginning of April.

Mar. 19: The Director of the National Institute of Culture has confirmed the reopening of Machu Picchu for April 1st, as scheduled, despite the circulation during the week of rumors of a sooner reopening.

Mar. 20: The National Institute of Culture has decided to suspend the new reservations for April while this institution and the railroad company evaluate the capacity of operational trains. The final decision will be known on Monday 03/22.

Mar. 23: The National Institute of Culture has reopen reservations for April.

Mar. 26: The public works supervision organism has approved the repair of the railroad Cusco-Aguas Calientes between kilometers 82 and 110. This will allow the transportation of 1500 tourists per day at the beginning, then 2500 as works progress. In consequence, the National Institute of Culture has decided to suspend the new reservations for April and May in order to evaluate the capacity of available trains for the return.

Apr. 2: As expected, Machu Picchu has reopened to the public. The Inca Citadel received 1500 tourists on this first day of reopening, which was marked by the arrival of several national and international personalities and folk shows.

Credit: CBC News

Consequences on our services

In front of this exceptional event, which has had important consequences for the region and tourism, we have done and will do everything to satisfy our customers for the best and we treat each one case by case.

To all tourists willing to do the Machu Picchu Tours in the next months, we inform the following points:

• Our priority is the safety of tourists. So, some changes of routes and access means will be made when we consider that there is any risk for the client. Due to the exceptional condition of the event, we hope you will understand that sometimes we will propose alternate solutions.
• This year, exceptionally, Machu Picchu is currently closed for tourists and it is expected to be open around April 1st.
• The railroad company expects to go back to normal around April 1st, 2010. However, if the service could not be provided, partially or totally, we will offer alternative means of transportation by assuming the cost.
• All Tours already booked and programmed for January, February and March that have been canceled are changed without fees for another date or fully refunded, up to the customer’s choice.
• We will not give any compensation or reduction of the price because of exceptional changes in our services. In the same way, we assume the fees of the possible changes in our services.