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Discovering A Machu Picchu Tour Package

By Michael Moore


While there are specific areas of interest, the country of Peru is a natural and cultural tourist destination. Discovered in 1911, millions of tourists have visited Machu Picchu and other areas of the country as part of a Machu Picchu Tour Package. In fact, in 2017 alone, 1,411,279 tourists toured this historic heritage site whether through independent travel or as part of a group.

While once plans were in place for a cable car, those plans were canceled. In 2018, the plans were restarted in an effort to encourage Peruvians as well as tourists to visit the area to boost tourism as well as the economy. While this is the case, there is still a restricted flight zone above the area. As such, UNESCO is considering placing the site on the list of World Heritage sites in danger.

Why there have been attempts to institute tourist helicopter flights in the area, any licenses which have been granted have been rescinded almost immediately and long before any such flights took place. In fact, even after a company moved a rock to create a helicopter landing pad, the company went out of business due to a new no fly zone. For, in addition to instituting the no fly zone above the area, the Peru government also prohibited helicopter take offs and landings.

The reasons for these cancellations and restrictions are all related to safety concerns. For, in the past there have been a number of tourist deaths whether due to hiking, altitude sickness or floods. In fact, UNESCO and other organizations have been criticized for allowing individuals to visit Machu Picchu due to the high risk of injuries from falling rocks, earthquakes and landslides.

In January 2010, heavy flooding caused the misplacement of over 2,000 locals and tourists whom could not return to the area for over three months. In fact, homes, hotels, railways and roads were washed away. As such, those whom were trapped had to be airlifted to safety of which the cost put a great deal of stress on the economy of the country.

While nudists have recently found an affinity for the area, the Peruvian officials are dismayed. In fact, several individuals have been detained for streaking and shooting nude photography in different areas of the site. The acts have since been denounced these acts for threatening the cultural heritage of the country. Recently, there have been surveillance cameras installed in an effort to cut down on crime as well as nudity in the area.

In 2011, the country introduced tougher entrance guidelines when it came to visiting the Citadel Machu Picchu. The new rules were an effort to reduce the negative effects of tourism on the site. At that time, the entrance was restricted to twenty five hundred or fewer visitors a day. Whereas, the entrance to Huayna Picchu within the Citadel was restricted to only four hundred per day.

As of 2018, there have been additional limits placed on the entrances. In fact, there will be three phases of restrictions in all to help manage the flow of tourists and reduce damage and degradation to the site. During each phase, the number of visitors allowed through each entrance will diminish. As such, those wishing to visit the site may want to do so sooner rather than later.




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