News about Machu Picchu

NEWS FLASH
OPERATIONAL PLAN ON THE WAY TO MACHU PICCHU
AS OF MARCH 29^th 2010

PERURAIL is pleased to reconfirm that as of March 29th, 2010 will be restarting its operations into two stages described below:

Stage I:
From March 29th, 2010

– The operation is effected only with cars such AUTOVAGON. At the beginning of the operations, it will not be possible to run locomotives, so the Backpacker train services will not be available.

This restriction has been defined by the rail concessionaire, Ferrrocarril Transandino S.A., due to many parts of the railroad had to be re-built, consequently the first weeks of operation it will only be authorized the operation by using AUTOVAGON because of it is weight (AUTOVAGON has 28 tons as weight and locomotive has 90 tons).

– PERURAIL will contact the travel agents and tour operators in order to relocate the Backpacker and Backpacker Cerrojo bookings to available seats on AUTOVAGON services at the price that corresponds to the time available.
– Bimodal services (bus + train) from Cusco and Ollantaytambo with transfer in Piscacucho (km 82), according to the schedule attached as an Excel file.
– Prices are listed in the appropriate file and include the transfer to/ from Cusco and / or Ollantaytambo
– The Hiram Bingham service will not be available during this time.

– At this stage PeruRail will operate service as AUTOVAGON and regular carriages pulled by locomotives (including Backpackers).

– Bimodal services (bus + train) from Cusco and Ollantaytambo with transfer in Piscacucho (km 82), according to the schedule attached as an Excel file.

In the following days, PERURAIL will be defining the possibility to set up a especial service which can be used as an alternative to luxury train, during Stage II of this plan.

PERURAIL remains that all changes and relocations will be managed by PERURAIL Reservations team and will be made in co-ordination with the travel agents and/or tour operators.

Please find also attached a map of the route which PERURAIL will be operating.

IMPORTANT: As known, even the trains will be operating from March 29th, the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (local institution in charge of the custody of Machu Picchu), has announced that the admission to Machu Picchu will only be possible from April 1st.

For your inquiries, we remain at your disposal.

PERU EXPLORER by PeruForLess TEAM.