Prolonged periods of serious rain have led to severe flooding and landslides in the province of Cusco. Although much of the press has been focused on Machu Picchu, other low lying areas as the Sacred Valley area have also been affected. The city of Cusco is operating as normal – virtually no damage was suffered within the city. All flights to Cusco are operating and most road links too. Key damages in the surrounding areas include all road and rail links with Aguas Calientes, which left 2,000 tourists stranded in the town. All tourists have now been evacuated safely, but Machu Picchu remains accessible only by helicopter. Therefore all train excursions and treks to Machu Picchu are closed until further notice. The Inca Trail will not be open until 1st March at the earliest, and all other tours and treks will open once a transport link between Cusco and Aguas Calientes is established. Please not that all other tours – independent of Machu Picchu – are running as usual.

The weather has now improved considerably and it seems that the worst is over. The focus now is on assessing the damage and estimating a time period for repairs. Peru Rail has begun repairs on the track between Aguas Calientes and Cusco and expects repairs to stretch to the end of March. In the meantime tourism bodies are working with the government to create a temporary alternative route to Machu Picchu. The two leading suggestions:

1. To create an ‘Airbridge’ between Cusco and Aguas Calientes, using helicopters to transport tourists to and from the ruins. w

2. To repair and open one small part of the track first between Hídroelectrica and Aguas Calientes – allowing tourists to travel 6 hours by road to Hídroelectrica, followed by 1 hour by train to reach the ruins at Machu Picchu.

Talks are still in progress about the implementation of these options; but the goal is to have an alternative route in place in around 3 week’s time.