Machu Picchu Closed Due To Protests In Peru: Tourists Who Have Purchased Tickets Can Be USED After The Demo Ends Or Refund

Illustration of Manchu Picchu. (Wikimedia Commons/Elena live Chis)

JAKARTA - The Peru government has closed a well-known tourist site from the civilization of Inca Machu Picchu indefinitely, due to protests that have been ongoing since the end of last year.

Pemerintah mengatakan telah menutup situs tersebut, dan jalur asik Inca yang mengarah ke sana, untuk melindungi turis dan warga negara.

The train service to Machu Picchu was discontinued on Thursday last week, after several railroad lines were damaged, allegedly by protesters.

That left 418 displaced people at the site last Saturday, Tourism Minister Luis Fernando Helguero told a news conference, reported by the BBC January 27.

In the evening, the Ministry of Tourism announced that all 148 foreigners and 270 Peruvians had safely been evacuated by train and bus.

Being at the height of the Andean Mountains, Machu Picchu is considered to be one of the seven NEW world wonders. This is very popular among tourists, with about one million people visiting each year.

Several visitors arrived at Machu Picchu via Inca Trail, which is a well-known climb of several days.

In a statement, Peru's Ministry of Culture said those who had purchased tickets for the site could use them for one month after the demonstration ended, or get a refund.

Separately, tour operators like Manuel Sanchez-Palacios, expect the closure to last about two weeks. However, the side effects of political instability will last longer. Unfortunately, this will affect tourism for the next few months and everyone involved," he told The National News.

"This includes everyone from local craftsmen who depend on selling handmade goods to tourists, to tour guides and then larger agents like us. Anyone operating in Peru will feel the impact, especially after the temporary closure of Machu Picchu," he said.

Sanchez-Palacios advises tourists planning to travel to Peru, or visit Machu Picchu, to save their tickets and travel dates.

"If you order with agents, ask for their delay policy, and if the worst gets worse, you can always postpone or transfer your travel credit," he suggested.

"If you don't order with agents, follow recommendations from who issued your tickets."

Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century as a place of religious protection for the Inca tribe at an altitude of 2,490 meters. In 2018, it attracted 1.5 million visitors. Last summer, its capacity reached 4,044 visitors per day, steadily increasing since the UNESCO World Heritage reopened in October 2020. The UN described it as "possibly the most amazing city creation of the Inca Empire at its peak".

"Tourism is always recovering in Peru, whatever the conditions are. We have experienced much worse, including the pandemic, so I will stick to the current travel date except in the next two weeks," explained Sanchez-Palacios.

In the end, he believes the unrest will ease soon. "And once that happens, I hope travelers will visit without hesitation," he added.

"I will ask all travelers who are considering traveling here to keep Peru in their hearts," he concluded.

It is known that protests broke out in Peru after President Pedro Castillo was impeached for trying to illegally close the Congress. Vice President Dina Bouarte was later appointed to replace him.

Castillo, who was later charged with insurgency and corruption, is currently in detention.

Anti-government protests immediately broke out in the capital Lima and other major cities, leaving more than 50 people dead.