On Sunday, the Peruvian government closed Machu Picchu indefinitely, allegedly to protect tourists and citizens. Attracting nearly one million visitors each year, the Inca fort is one of the most visited archaeological sites in America. With the Inca Trail again closed, it’s a magnet for travelers from all over the world, from backpackers to luxury seekers.
Rail services to Machu Picchu were suspended on Thursday after train tracks were damaged and 418 people were stranded in the area. But on Saturday night, the tourism ministry said 148 foreigners and 270 Peruvians had been safely evacuated by train and buses.
In previous weeks, roads and airports, including Machu Picchu and Cusco’s, the main hub of the Sacred Valley, had been closed intermittently after riots and violent clashes between police and protesters.
While the Office of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) does not recommend traveling to Peru, it regularly updates its safety and security guide in response to day-to-day events. The capital city of Lima, as well as Cusco, Arequipa and Puno are referred to as hotspots, but FCDO reported that the protests were “spreading to other parts of the country”. These protests are unpredictable and can escalate rapidly and be violent.” It also warns that “travelers to Peru should be aware that it may not be possible to travel to some parts of the country.”
What’s behind the unrest?
While official figures are not available, media reports suggest that more than 50 people have been killed since the protests began in early December 2022 following the overthrow of president Pedro Castillo. Most of the current rallies and marches demand the resignation of his replacement Dino Boluarte and call for new elections. Yesterday, local newspapers reported a “national strike”, with many cities effectively shut down, shops and businesses closed, and major roads closed.
The Cusco chamber of commerce claims that more than 20,000 workers in the tourism industry will lose their jobs in the coming months if the protests continue. For British tour companies specializing in the region, the crisis in Peru is a major blow, as it comes shortly after the lifting of the pandemic measures.
Martin Johnson, director of Latin Routes, said: “We are monitoring the situation in Peru very closely and hope that the Peruvian people will find a friendly solution to the current difficult and complex political situation. Despite the protests, as protests are normally held in certain locations and are pre-planned, many customers are in Peru. able to continue his travels.
“This means that with some flexibility needed to adjust itineraries from time to time, we can ensure that our customers avoid hotspots. For upcoming departures in February, we talk to customers about the potential impacts on their travel and offer a free option to postpone their trip which we think will have a significant impact on their plans. Despite this However, some customers still choose to travel and take advantage of Peru’s wonderful sights at this much calmer time of year.”
He said that now is a very important time for bookings to Peru for the peak summer season. “Initial indications are that inquiries are down about 25 percent compared to normal volumes. However, overall demand for wider Latin America remains very strong, with inquiries increasing 70 percent year-on-year, indicating customers are still receiving information about other Latin American destinations, delayed due to the current protests in Peru. America.”
Sarah Bradley, managing director of Journey Latin America, commented: “Demonstrations are often held away from the main tourist areas, but can inevitably cause disruption and inconvenience. Local travel companies are quite adept at working around them, where travelers are flexible and the itinerary allows.
“Declaring that Machu Picchu is closed ‘indefinitely’ does not mean that it will be closed for a long time, but rather indicates that the restart date has not yet been announced. We expect some clarity on this during the week. Similar suspensions of Machu Picchu train services in recent weeks have seen it restart a few days later.
“Given the uncertainties and the rapidly changing nature of the situation, we deal with all upcoming bookings on an individual, case-by-case basis and liaise with customers on the feasibility of their specific travel plans.”
Can I cancel my Peru vacation?
If FCDO continues to not advise on travel to Peru, normal booking conditions apply. However, if an itinerary is significantly impacted by the turmoil, customers will have good reason for at least a partial refund under the provisions of the Package Travel and Connected Travel Arrangements Regulation 2018.
For independent travelers, the situation is less clear. Regardless of FCDO advice, they are unlikely to get a flight refund unless airlines cancel their flights. Also, accommodation providers will have no obligation to refund any money. Those who want to continue their vacation in the face of an FCDO warning against travel can do so, but see their travel insurance as void.
Danny Callaghan, CEO of the UK-based Latin American Travel Association, said: “While the news from Peru is alarming, it is important to remember that this is a large country where protests are limited to certain areas, so tourism is still perfectly normal for most countries. it is always planned in advance so any tourist who is ready to be a bit flexible and traveling through an operator can still take their vacation and see most, if not all, of the sights.
“While there were temporary closures at airports and areas like Machu Picchu, these were preventative rather than a direct result of the problems. For context, let’s remember, for example, that Lima is almost twice the size of Greater London and that the protests in Westminster will not make all of London a restricted zone.”
Five alternatives to Peru
If travelers think twice about booking a trip to Peru, here are five Latin American alternatives to consider.
1. Northwest Argentina
The provinces of Salta, Jujuy, and Tucuman have pre-conquest archaeological sites like Quilmes, multi-colored mountains in places like Purmamarca, herds of vicuña and llamas, and former Spanish colonial towns. The northwest is seen as a cultural bridge to native South America within Argentina, with the added appeal of a wonderful wine-making oasis in Cafayate.
2. Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
For the Spanish Empire, Alto Perú was a single region comprising present-day Peru and Bolivia. Most of the western half of the latter is taken up by the Andean altiplano (high plain) and shares the majestic Titicaca with Peru. Bolivia, though less developed, is cheaper, and La Paz is probably a more attractive capital city than Lima.
3. Ecuador
This was the northern tip of the Inca empire in the 15th century.pearl and 16pearl centuries; Atahualpa was in Quito before returning to Peru to overthrow his brother Huáscar. In 2014, Unesco registered the Inca road system that stretches all the way to Ecuador – Qhapaq Ñan – as a World Heritage Site. While not a counterpart to Machu Picchu, Ecuador has several small Inca sites and some good museums.
4. Bogota, Colombia
Like Lima, Colombia’s capital was an important Spanish imperial city, and its old city is well preserved. The highlight of the visit is the Gold Museum, a magnificent collection of pre-Hispanic art and crafts. Unlike Lima, Bogotá, like most of Colombia, lies within the Andean system – the mountains are split into three distinct ranges at this latitude, and there are great hiking opportunities around Bucaramanga.
5. Atacama, Chile
This desert region is adjacent to southern Peru and the Andes. At the southern tip of the Inca region are some 5,000 ancient geoglyphs – figures and designs carved into dry plains and mountain slopes, similar to Peru’s Nazca lines.