Machu Picchu closure: How will travellers to Peru be affected?

Machu Picchu, Peru’s most-loved historic attraction, has closed “indefinitely” to protect both the landmark and tourists from potential protests.

The network of Inca trails leading up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site have also been shut off, and train services suspended.

Travellers who were reported to be left stranded at its foothills on Saturday (21 January) after its sudden closure were safely evacuated via trains and bus.

The ancient citadel attracts around half-a-million visitors per year – pre-covid – with a maximum of 2,500 people permitted to enter the site every day. It’s famous for its multi-day hike via the Inca Trail, but can also be reached by train and bus. However, the closure of Machu Picchu now leaves travellers uncertain whether to continue their planned travels to Peru.

Person photographing the historic site (Shutterstock)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently have no advisories against travelling to Peru, but have acknowledged the protests can impact travel and be dangerous. They have stated travellers should take particular care to avoid all areas of protests and monitor local and social media.

Martin Johnson, co-founder of specialist tour operator Latin Routes, said they are monitoring the situation carefully. “Despite the protests, it has been possible for many clients to continue their travels in Peru. Because the protests are normally in particular locations, scheduled in advance and any closure of key sites has tended to only be on a cautionary level, and for a short period of time.”

“For upcoming departures in February, we are talking to clients about any potential implications to their travels and offering a free of charge option to defer their trips, particularly where we feel there will be a significant impact to their plans.”

He added: “Despite this, a number of clients are still choosing to travel and take advantage of seeing Peru’s amazing sites, at this much quieter time of year.”

With prime time for Peru bookings approaching, Martin said enquires are anticipated to decline to around 25% compared to normal volumes.

It’s difficult to predict when Machu Picchu will reopen. Travel company Amazonas Explorer have said in a post on their website: “It does not mean that Machu Picchu is going to be closed for months. The most recent indefinite closure was in December with the start of the protests. This lasted for just one week before everything was running smoothly again.”

Peru’s government has announced that if visitors cannot use their entry tickets to Machu Picchu on their chosen date of travel, the ticket will still be valid for up to one month after travel resumes. Those who booked with tour operators can also apply for a refund for the ticket on behalf of the traveller, although it may take a little while to process.

A person walks the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu (Shutterstock)

“If you have a trip to Peru organised for the coming months that you wish to cancel or postpone, refunds become a little trickier,” the Amazonas Explorer post continued. “You will only be able to get a refund of your entrances and/or permits if on the day you are due to travel Machu Picchu, or the Inca Trail is closed. If either are open but you choose not to travel, then no refund will be available.”

It is recommended the best chance to receive a refund will be through travel insurance.

It’s also worth noting, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail usually close for a period during February anyway, due to the month’s wet and unpleasant weather.

The Amazonas Explorer post signed off with, “we are hopeful that come the start of the main tourist season, which is from Easter onwards (and hopefully many weeks before that), it will be business as normal and your trip to Machu Picchu or the Inca trail can run as normal”.