The deluxe class Evolution yacht sailing the Galapagos Islands
Discounts for a Galapagos cruise on board Evolution don’t come along often but when they do, they are very, very attractive. How does a 44% discount sound? Put another way, a price reduction of us$4,355.
If you can set sail for 7 nights on the 27th August, 10th September or 24th September 2011 then you are in for a treat. Evolution is one of the most comfortable small ship cruises in the Galapagos. Carrying just 32 passengers in some style, she also has one of the most comprehensive itineraries around the islands, taking in the real highlights of the Galapagos over the course of her 7 night journey.
Normally, for two people the cruise plus National Park entrances and flight to and from the mainland would cost a total of us$9,848.
For the departures above, if you move fast, you can pay as little as us$5,493 for two of you. That is to say, a 44% discount!
For up to the minute availability, please call us on +44 (0)1273 676 712 or drop us an email to info@ pura-aventura.com
Quieter times ahead for the Llamas as visitor numbers to Machu Picchu are restricted.
Hard on the heels of restrictions on the climbing of Huayna Picchu comes the news that visitor numbers to the site itself are to be limited to 2,500 per day.
This is significantly more than the 917 a day (no more than 385 at any one time) advocated by UNESCO. The Peruvian government was pushing for a figure of around 3,400 a day. With commitments made to UNESCO to invest in stabilising the site, a compromise figure of 2,500 visitors a day was reached back in 2008.
The news that the limits are actually being imposed comes rather suddenly though as is the way with announcements relating to Machu Picchu, it’s never entirely clear if there is a concrete implementation date. What we are being told is that tickets cannot be bought at the site or in Aguas Calientes. They must be bough ahead of time online at www.machupicchu.gob.pe
Apparently this is now a market for re-sale tickets and counterfeits in Aguas Calientes just below Machu Picchu. It’s that sort of place. Of course these tickets might get you in, they might not.
In terms of current numbers, 2,500 per day is about what we would expect in a busy month, say June. It is fewer than the number of people currently visiting in July or August so expect to see some scrabbling around to get people into Machu Picchu.
Of course, anyone traveling on Pura’s holidays to Peru can rest assured that we will buy any and all relevant permits. It really does make it more difficult for people on more flexible, backpacking type holidays to simply turn up and see what they want to see, when they want to see it.
Looking at the numbers for this year, July shows a total of 80,981 visitors coming to Machu Picchu. For the same month the nearby site of Choquequirao shows 10. That’s ten.
That’s just by way of a reminder to say that there are many spectacular hikes and sites in Peru, not least of which is the hike from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu.
Find out more about our Peru holidays or call us on 01273 676 712 for advice.
The peak of Huayna Picchu dominating the citadel of Machu Picchu
Today we have been informed that as from the 15th of July , in order to climb Huayna Picchu (the big sugar loaf mountain behind Machu Picchu) the following new rules (in blue) are now in place, not only limiting the number but also adding a surcharge for those wishing to attempt this climb:
1: Entrance times are:
Group 1 (G1): 0700 – 0800
Group 2 (G2): 1000 – 1100
2: The max capacity per group is 200 people
3: Permits to climb Huayna Picchu can only be made through www.machupicchu.gob.pe or in the Cusco office of the Direction Regional of Cusco.
They cannot be purchased on arrival in Machu Picchu nor in Aguas Calientes. Once sold out, that’s it. You can find availability at the website above.
4: The prices for entrances to Huayna Picchu are different to the standard entrance tickets to Machu Picchu whose price remains the same. It is not possible to swap standard entrance tickets to include Huayna Picchu.
5: Prices for Machu Picchu – Huayna Picchu – Moon Temple which come into effect as of 15th July (includes entrance to Machu Picchu) are
Adults S/150 which equals around us$55.
Students with Valid ISIC cards only S/75
In future any clients wishing to climb Huayna Picchu, we will need to know as far in advance as possible, and will then purchase the permits on their behalf and will have to surcharge as below:
For those just doing a day trip, with enough warning, we can add Huayna Picchu to their standard day trip price for £10 extra
For those coming in on the Inca Trail (Km 104 or longer) we will have to pre -purchase a complete new entrance at £38
For this year we will do this at cost price when available, but note we need the maximum warning possible to be able to confirm these permits – The system has only just gone live and already permits are selling out fast – We anticipate it being similar to the Inca Trail permits shortly.
It is worth mentioning there are still some great hikes to do in and around Machu Picchu that are not yet restricted: climb Machu Picchu Mountain for a truly impressive view of Machu Picchu as the condors see it, hike back along the Inca Trail to the Sun gate to see Machu Picchu as those on the Inca Trail see it, hike out to the Inca Bridge for more amazing views.
Find out more about our group holidays to Peru.