MACHU PICCHU CUSCO PERU NEWS

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Machu Picchu - Cusco - Peru News

Fri Feb 26

Machu Picchu to reopen in second half of March

Cusco, Feb. 26.- The governor of Peru's Cusco region, Hugo Gonzales Sayan, announced today that the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will reopen in the second half of March.

Gonzales Sayan on Friday met with authorities of the Machu Picchu and Santa Teresa towns and they agreed to speed up the repair of rail tracks and roads.

The meeting was called following a request by Machu Picchu and Santa Teresa residents whose livelihoods depend on tourism. On Thursday, over 500 people marched from the Machu Picchu and Santa Teresa towns to Cusco city in support of repairing access roads to Peru's top attraction.

Gonzales explained that from Ollantaytambo to Piscacucho, visitors can go by car, and from Piscacucho to Aguas Calientes they would take the train.

He also mentioned that a pedestrian bridge would be rebuilt between Santa Rosa and the local hydro power station, since the last one collapsed amid heavy rains and flooding.

Source:

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=eUTXuf+nmDw=

Machu Picchu - Cusco - Peru News

Thu Feb 25

Nasca Lines remain intact after plane crash

Ica, Feb. 25 (ANDINA).- Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC) director in Ica reported that the Nasca Lines have not been affected after a light aircraft crashed in the area.

INC told Andina that the aircraft plunged some 150 meters away from the The Spider figure and some 300 meters from the Panamericana Sur highway at kilometer 424.

The accident occurred near The Viewpoint, where the surveillance staff was and who reported what had happened to assist the passengers immediately.

The Cessna light aircraft belongs to the Nazca Airlines company which offers the service to fly over the mythic Nasca Lines.

Source:

http://www.andina.com.pe/ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=4GTnmUXMo3A=

Machu Picchu - Cusco - Peru News

Wen Feb 24

Inca Rail, Andean Railways to reopen railway to Machu Picchu in June

Lima, Feb. 24.- The new operators Inca Rail and Andean Railways reported Wednesday that the total reopening of Cusco-Machu Picchu railway is scheduled for next June, which may coincide with the beginning of high season in this tourist area.

It should be noted that the concessionaire of the railway, Ferrocarril Trasandino (Fetransa), reported that the access of tourists to Machu Picchu by train would be available before April 1 due to the progress of restoration works.

This way there are only 10 kilometers left to be repaired in order to start operations in Aguas Calientes-Piscacucho stretch, which is part of the second phase of the programmed works.

When this stretch is finished, tourists can reach Machu Picchu Town by train, from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Piscacucho by bus and from there to Aguas Calientes by train.

The third phase of the restoration works includes the Ollantaytambo – Piscacucho stretch.

Source:

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=UefCPKYnUog=

Wen Feb 24

Tourist access to Machu Picchu by train to be ready before April 1

Cusco, Feb. 24 .- Tourist access to Machu Picchu by train would be ready before April 1 thanks to the progress on restoration works of the damages caused by the overflow of the Vilcanota river, the company Ferrocarril Transandino (FTSA), concessionary of the route, reported Tuesday.

Only 10 kilometers remain to be restored so that the stretch Aguas Calientes (kilometer 110) – Piscacucho (kilometer 82) can be ready, which is part of the second stage of programmed works.

The development of the works and its completion will be subjected to favorable climatic conditions.

As soon as that stretch is finished, tourists will be able to get to the town of Machu Picchu by train using the bimodal service (from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Piscacucho by bus and from there to Aguas Calientes by train).

The track line has been enabled from kilometer 82, in Piscacucho, to the kilometer 90; the track line was moved several meters towards the hill in some stretches. Also, the embankment has been repaired and some walls of stone and gabions are being built.

Source:

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=JHGQpj/lGk8=

Mon Feb 22

Tourism in Cusco likely to return to normal levels in May

Cusco, Feb. 22 (ANDINA).- Tourism activity in Cusco department is likely to return to normal levels in May, as rehabilitation of roads continue progressing, reported the Cusco Chamber of Commerce (CCC).

The manager of the CCC, Orlando Andrade, said that even though the reopening of the rail line to Machu Picchu is scheduled for April 1, visitors may gradually return to the site.

“Tourism is a very sensitive activity, in situations like this a whole process is needed to regain confidence of foreign visitors,” he said.

Tourism can be completely recovered in May, which will be positive considering that the traditional fest Inti Raymi is celebrated in June.

“This date will be an important opportunity to further promote tourism and show that we overcame problems due to rains,” he added.

Source:

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=Pb7AymXG0dM=

Sat Feb 20

Over 10,000 tourists visited archaeological sites, alternative museums in Cusco

Cusco, Feb. 20 .- Over 10,000 tourists visited different alternative archaeological sites after the temporary closure of Machu Picchu and after launching “Cusco Pone” campaign aimed to attract visitors by offering 50% discount on accommodation and air airline tickets, reported the president of Cusco’s Committee of Tourist Integrated Services (Cosituc) Orlando Olivera. “Only in the four past days, 3,086 visitors went to Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Tipon, Pikillaqta, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Moray y Chinchero; as well as the museums of Contemporary Art, Regional Historical, Popular Art, Koricancha, Centre Qosqo of Native Art and the Pachacuec monument”, he pointed out.

However, only 50 percent of tourists -compared to 2009- visited the sites. Most tourists come from Europe, Latin America and the US. Local tourists also arrive since they are attracted by discounts on air tickets and tourist services.

According to Olivera, there are three circuits currently being offered to tourists according to the geography: Sacsayhuaman -Q’enqo -Puka Pukara-Tambomachay is the first circuit and is located 2.8 kilometers away from the city of Cusco.

The second circuit includes museums of Contemporary Art, Regional Historical, Popular Art, Site Museum of Koricancha, Centre Qosqo of Native Art and the Pachacuec monument, located in the city’s downtown and at El Sol avenue, and the archaeological park of Tipon with Pikkillaqta located 20 and 30 kilometers away from the imperial city.

While the third one includes the archaeological parks of Ollantaytambo, Moray and Chinchero, located between the kilometers 32 and 78 from the city of Cusco by taking the Cusco-Quillabamba way since the Cusco-Pisac one is temporary closed.

Source:Andina

http://www.andina.com.pe/Ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=hdwjEUEjG/M=

Tue Feb 16

Peru says Machu Picchu site to reopen in April

LIMA - The famed Incan citadel Machu Picchu is expected to reopen in April after being shut last month when torrential rains cut off most access to the ancient site, the Peruvian government said on Tuesday.

The heavy rains triggered mudslides that washed away parts of the only railroad that connects the mountaintop ruins with the nearby city of Cusco.

Apart from the train, the only ways to reach Machu Picchu -- the impressively intact remains of an Incan city shrouded by thick jungle -- are to trek some 28 miles through steep mountain passes, or fly by helicopter.

The Peruvian government airlifted some 4,000 travelers from the site in January after the heaviest rains in the region in 15 years stranded them and killed five people.

"The citadel is intact and we expect to open Machu Picchu on April 1," Martin Perez, Peru's trade and tourism minister, told reporters in Lima.

Machu Picchu, which was built in the mid-15th century and lies some 680 miles southeast of Lima, is a World Heritage Site. About a million people a year visit the ruins, which lie 7,874 feet above sea-level.

Ferrocarril Transandino, the company in charge of operating the railway, said repairs were moving forward.

The company is a unit of Orient-Express Hotels, whose shares on the New York Stock Exchange rose some 2.4 percent on Tuesday to close near $11.55.

"If the weather continues to cooperate, the railway will be finished by early April," Ferrocarril Transandino said.

The government has estimated economic losses stemming from the drop in tourism at some $160 million.

(Reporting by Teresa Cespedes and Dana Ford; Editing by Eric Walsh)

Source: (Reuters)

ca.news.yahoo.com