Machu Picchu reopens to visitors

Peru's Machu Picchu reopened to visitors this week, two months after torrential rains disrupted access to the famous archaeological site.
Though the Andean citadel itself escaped damage, the January landslides and flooding destroyed the rail line that takes most tourists from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, a town at the base of the ancient Inca stronghold and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The rains also closed the Inca Trail, a four-day trek to Machu Picchu that's considered one of the world's most iconic hiking routes.

While track repairs continue through June, visitors must travel about two hours from Cusco to Piscacucho by bus, then continue by train for another hour and a half to the Aguas Calientes station. (Luggage will be limited to one small bag or backpack per person.)

Hikers can again access the Inca Trail, though they must have a return train ticket and "it will be a little more challenging than usual" because of storm-related debris, says Peru tourism spokeswoman Amalia Meliti.

Machu Picchu, rediscovered by the outside world after U.S. explorer Hiram Bingham's 1911 visit, is one of South America's top tourism attractions. Access is normally limited to 2,500 visitors per day; a maximum of 500 hikers per day can use the Inca Trail. But for an unspecified period, Peru's National Institute of Culture will also ration the number of entrance tickets to the citadel and Inca Trail; reservations for the trail are sold out through May.

For more information and updates, visit Prom Peru (peru.info), the South American Explorers Club (saexplorers.org) or the English-language Peruvian Times