If you were planning on hiking the Inca Trail in the next month, you may have to rethink your plans. Normally, the Inca Trail is closed during the month of February for maintenance, but unusually heavy rainfall this season has caused flooding in the area. As a result, the trail will remain closed to hikers until April.
The agency that manages the Inca Trail, the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INC), will be refunding the hiking permits purchased for the month of March. For those dead-set on climbing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu next month, you’ll have to wait. However, there are plenty of alternative treks in the area.
Last month, massive flooding destroyed part of the railway that brings tourists to the ancient Incan site, stranding 1300 people. Landslides prevented tourists from being evacuated quickly. The site has been difficult to reach, but clean-up has begun and the railway is slated to open in about three weeks. Plus, an alternative roadway is being opened to allow tourists to reach Machu Picchu (however, you’ll have to endure a 5-hour car ride).
Of course, hiking to the ancient site is probably more preferable for many, but at least there will be alternatives if you are in the region already.
-via The Adventure Blog.
