Machu Picchu reopens April 1st & Train Services Restored Yesterday

Dear Guest,

We are glad to report that we stand less than 48 hours from the reopening of Machu Picchu, on April 1st 2010. Likewise, we can report that Peru Rail has restored train services to Aguas Calientes (or Machu Picchu Town) starting yesterday. Things are coming back to normal and even renowned guests like Susan Sarandon and Anthony Hopkins have jumped on the opportunity to visit us now. In fact, Mrs. Susan Sarandon will be part of the official reopening ceremony, together with high Peruvian Government officials this Thursday.

Here are a few important related things which we would like to bring to your attention, so that you can better prepare for your trip and know what to expect.

All scheduled MLP trips will run as programmed. Only in some cases (which will be detailed below) will there be very slight variations to the itinerary.

During the months of April and May 2010, Peru Rail will run its train service to/from Machu Picchu under partial and limited conditions.

The train tracks have only been repaired between the town of Piscacucho (also known as “Km 82”; one of the entry points to the Inca Trail) and Machu Picchu (or Aguas Calientes). This means that guests will only be able to board the train to Machu Picchu at this provisionary station (Piscacucho) and, correspondingly, disembark at this station when returning from Machu Picchu back to Cusco. There will be a permanent bus service, free of charge, between Piscacucho and the original train station located in Ollantaytambo.

When returning from Machu Picchu to Cusco, MLP guests will be taken by their guide to the train station at Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) 30 minutes prior to departure time. Upon arrival at Piscacucho, there is a 10-minute walk (approximately 200m or 0.1 miles) between where the train stops and the provisionary train station in this town. MLP guests will be accompanied by their guide the whole time. After this short walk (approximately 10 minutes), guests will be led to the buses (all operated by Peru Rail as well) that will take them to the Ollantaytambo train station (approximately 1 hour ride). There, guests will transfer to an MLP private vehicle for their journey back to Cusco (approximately 1hr 20m), as is stated in the original itinerary.

Due to the shorter train track portion available during this time (April/May 2010) Peru Rail is not able to operate all of their wagons, thus limiting their seating capacity in the train service to approximately 30% of its regular capacity. This has caused for a large amount of forced cancellations on previously confirmed seats and necessary departure-time rescheduling. We are glad to inform you that we have secured confirmed seats on all train services for all MLP guests on their original departure date (return date from Machu Picchu back to Cusco). However, we have had to accept time-departure rescheduling for some of our groups; sometimes resulting in mid-morning or late-night departure times from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu). Our regular train departure time is in the afternoon around 3pm or 4pm.

In observation of this, we have had to plan as follows (this only applies to groups that have return dates from Machu Picchu in April; May schedule is still in process of confirmation):

1) Groups with mid-morning departures (9:56am or 10:37am): in order to allow a full 3 ½ hour visit to Machu Picchu, as a minimum, we kindly ask that you adhere to an early morning visit. This entails you being ready to depart your hotel at 5:10am in order to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu. After the visit and return journey by train/vehicle, guests will have lunch in the town of Ollantaytambo and also have a chance to visit the Ollantaytambo archeological site in the afternoon, before returning to Cusco at approximately 6pm.
Groups (departure date from Cusco in parenthesis): MLP-213 (26 March), ROAM-201 (06 April), MLP-313 (08 April), MLP-215 (09 April), MLP-288 (10 April; only guests with return date to Cusco on 17 April), MLP-321 (13 April), MLP-286 (15 April), MLP-216 (16 April; only guests with return date to Cusco on 23 April), MLP-290 (22 April).

2) Groups with regular afternoon or early evening departure (3:20pm or 5:50pm): your guide will coordinate visit times to the site as is regularly done. Lunch will be taken in Aguas Calientes according to the original itinerary and the group will return to Cusco at approximately 6pm. (Groups with departure time at 5:50pm will be back in Cusco at approximately 8:30pm).
Groups (departure date from Cusco in parenthesis): MLP-214 (02 April), MLP-289 (03 April), MLP-216 (16 April; only guests with return date to Cusco on 23 April).

3) Groups with late-night departure (9:30pm): you may coordinate with the guide and enjoy a morning half-day visit to Machu Picchu to later enjoy your hotel’s amenities, activities and services in the afternoon; or you may choose to do a full-day visit to Machu Picchu. Lunch and dinner are taken in Aguas Calientes and are included. Your arrival time back in Cusco is approximately 12:30am.
Groups (departure date from Cusco in parenthesis): MLP-304 (05 April), MLP-288 (10 April; only guests with return date to Cusco on 16 April), STEPPES-201 (19 April), MLP-217 (23 April).

Note. - As stated above, the plan presented does not show groups with return date from Machu Picchu in May 2010.

We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences that these changes in the train schedule may suppose. We are committed to continue in our efforts to achieve more convenient schedules.

During this time, Peru Rail will strictly enforce a luggage policy which is detailed within the attached document (English translation is located right after the text in Spanish). In summary, Peru Rail will only allow 1 piece of luggage per guest (bag or backpack), with a maximum weight of 05kg or 11lbs and maximum dimensions (width + height + length) of 62 inches or 157cm.

In consideration of this, MLP asks guests to kindly adhere to this policy by taking the following actions:

Before departing Lucma Lodge (on Day 6 of the itinerary), MLP will offer guests provisional duffel bags(if needed) in order for guests to pack only enough clothing and personal items to sustain their 2-day experience at Machu Picchu. Please consider packing lightly and adhering to the Peru Rail specifications mentioned above and in the document attached. These duffel bags will accompany guests throughout the rest of the experience.

MLP will take custody of our guests’ main luggage and transport it back to Cusco in a private vehicle via an alternative route (known as the “Santa Teresa Route”). This luggage will be waiting in custody at the guests’ hotels upon their return.

Since March 5th, we have already hosted close to 100 guests this season and all groups have reported having had a fantastic time. We truly look forward to your visit and hope to lead you through a trip of a lifetime.

Warm regards and see you soon,

The Mountain Lodges of Peru Family