The Directorate of Decentralization of Culture and the Directorate of Machu Picchu Historic Reserve said in a statement the day before that tourists with a ticket for January 21 or later can claim refunds for up to one month after the protests end.
Inca fortress Machu Picchu is seen in Cusco, Peru, in this December 2, 2014 photo.
Enrique Castro Mendeville/Reuters
According to Andina, parts of the Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu railway lines were damaged during the anti-government protests on Thursday, leading to the suspension of train services until further notice. The funicular service has left 417 people – including 300 foreigners – stranded in the Machu Picchu region.
And according to Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Luis Hilgero, at least 300 of these tourists are foreigners.
“People are still trapped in Machu Picchu,” Helgheru said. “417 tourists cannot leave the city and more than 300 foreigners.”
Helgero said authorities were assessing the damage and repairing it so that tourists could be evacuated. Some tourists were evacuated on foot, but the journey, Helgheru said, took at least six to seven hours.
PeruRail said Thursday that it has suspended services to and from Machu Picchu, among other destinations, due to closed and damaged tracks in various places.
“We regret the inconvenience this causes to our passengers, but due to a situation beyond the airline’s control due to the protests in Cuzco,” the statement said.
