Peru-Cusco & South

UPDATE ON ACCESS TO MACHU PICCHU

Friday Jan 29th Dear SAE members and visitors –

Current information from Ferrocarril Transandino S.A. (owners of the rail line between Cusco and Machu Picchu) sent out a press release in which they estimate that the repairs of this rail line will take approximately 8 weeks from today. They are also working on the repair of the trail that can be hiked from the Hidroelectic plant south of Santa Teresa, and estimate that this will be operational in about 3 weeks. The city of Cusco itself is in normal condition; you can visit all of the Inca sites here and the immediate surroundings (Sacsayhuaman, etc.). Parts of the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, etc.) are still putting things in order but are reachable with some possible detours.

BACKGROUND - As you may have heard, due to heavy rains over a period of several days, the Cusco area and surrounding regions have experienced flooding, mudslides and bridge outages that have severely affected transportation in several sectors. Services/travel affected include the trains to Machu Picchu, which are not currently running due to damage to the rails, hikes to Machu Picchu are out of the question, tho you may be able to do alternate treks in Lares, Choquekirao for ex. Some areas of the Sacred Valley (ie the road to Pisaq) are also unpassable though alternate routes have been opened. Flooding had been reported on the road out of Cusco at Urcos heading towards the Puno direction. However, we´re told that travel to and from Puno and Arequipa is still possible.

Within the city of Cusco, services are in normal operation (with exception of flights suspended or delayed during heavy rains). Mudslides have been experienced in some of the steeper, surrounding hills. Check back with us for further updates.

Both Pisac and Ollantaytambo are still open for visit however take into account that there are some detours and through this some delays upon arrival. It's possible to visit the ruins in Pisac although it may be a bit difficult to visit the one in Ollantaytambo because they are across the river.

Travel to and from La Paz is still possible, as highland Bolivia has not been affected as much as the Cusco area. The lowland of Bolivia, including the Amazonas, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz and Trinidad areas are experiencing some disruptions so check for updates before trave

Southern Peru has much to offer as a destination: Cusco, famed as the “Archaeological capital of the Americas”, Arequipa, the “White City”, nestled inside a fierry ring of volcanoes, and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. But it doesn´t stop there, Southern Peru also contains a large section of the Peruvian Jungle. The Manu Biosphere reserve and Tambopata-Candamo Reserve are both famed for their diverse flora and fauna and possibilities for spotting jungle wildlife.

Cusco

The Cusco area has had a rich and interesting history; it was inhabited hundreds of years before the Incas made it their colonial capital, and nearby sites made by the Wari culture stand testimony to this.

Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and was also an important city during colonial times as the Spanish conquistadors found golden treasure beyond their wildest dreams. One chronicle recounts that the interior of the Qoricancha was completely covered with gold plating. The Spanish built many colonial buildings which often balance upon Inca stonework foundations.

Today, Cusco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America, attracting visitors from all over the world. Many come to see the impressive lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, however this is just one of the jewels in Cusco´s crown. As well as many other interesting less-explored archaeological sites, the natural beauty surrounding Cusco in its snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes and varied plant and bird life is worthy of a visit in itself. Cusco is also an excellent place to learn about Andean culture, with many indigenous communities living nearby, wearing traditional dress and continuing age old customs.

Another benefit for the weary traveler or holidaymaker hoping to get the most out of their time abroad is the incredible range of services available in Cusco. People flock to this city for language lessons, amazing trekking and adventure sports, volunteer work, as a base for jungle trips, or for its gastronomy and famous nightlife.

Whether it is the rich history and culture of Peru that attracts you, or the chance to raft through deep canyons or mountain bike around the Sacred Valley, climb an Andean peak or learn Spanish and salsa with the locals – here at the Cusco Clubhouse we are always on hand with helpful tips and advice as well as all the SAE resources you would expect!

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

The city of Arequipa offers the visitor a mix of colonial charm and all the services of a modern city. Visit the Santa Catalina Monastery and step back in time as you wander through colonial courtyards, and don´t miss the fascinating Santuarios Andinos Museum which houses the famous Juanita and other well preserved mummies believed to have been human sacrifices made by the Incas. Arequipa is also the jumping off point for trips into the Colca and Cotahuasi Canyons. Some of the deepest in the world they offer great opportunities for spotting Condors, visiting communities, trekking and other adventure sports.

Puno & Lake Titicaca

The modern city of Puno is the best place to take trips out to the islands on Lake Titicaca. From here you can visit the unusual and fascinating Uros Floating Islands, made from reeds, the timeless island of Amantani, and the intriguing Taquille, all inhabited by indigenous people for generations.

Manu Biosphere Reserve

The Manu reserve is rapidly gaining worldwide fame as one of the most biodiverse places on earth. The park is divided into 3 zones; the cultural zone, where indigenous people have lived for centuries and continue to do so, the reserve zone, which is accessible to tourists only with a registered guide, and the intangible zone, for which permission is occasionally granted for research only. Fly in or travel by road to appreciate the startling change in scenery from the desertic high puna, to the rich, lush jungle.

Tambopata-Candamo Reserve

The Tambopata-Candamo Reserve is easily reached from the buzzing jungle town of Puerto Maldonado, a one hour flight or 2 – 7 day bus ride from Cusco (depending on how many times the bus breaks down along the way). Many companies in Cusco offer a stay in a comfortable jungle lodge for 3 days, with optional add-ons to choose from. Highlights include “Monkey Island”, night-time boat rides to spot caimans, a canopy lookout and the fact that it is much cheaper than the neighbouring Manu reserve.