News from Peru and Machu Picchu

UPDATE 17 MAY 2010****

Ferrocarril Transandino (FETRANSA), the orient Express company that leases and operates the railway between Cuzco and Machu Picchu) has issued the following statement:

The railway portion between Cuzco and Ollantaytambo has been fully restored.

The railway portion between Ollantaytambo and Piscacucho (the latter is from where the trains to Machu Picchu are currently departing from) will be finished by June 30th

Train services between Cuzco and Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu will be fully operational by July 01st.

END

Peru Rail has confirmed that the train service to Machu Picchu will start operating as of March 29th.

However, the INC (National Institute of Culture, the government authority in charge of Machu Picchu) has informed that the Machu Picchu itself will only re-open on April 1st.

Travelers will be transferred by bus (45 mins) from Ollantaytambo station to Piscaicucho, where they will board the trains for Machu Picchu.

As mentioned before, Piscaicucho (the starting point of the Inca Trail) is located between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, as you can see from this map.

Expect a short walk of around 200 metres at Piscaicucho between where the buses park and the provisional train station.

Although its not confirmed, there should be Peru Rail staff to help carry the overnight luggage between the buses and trains.

Trains will be running at full capacity so Peru Rail will be very strict about luggage allowances. The size of the luggage that will be allowed on board is basically the same as that of a carry-on allowed by airlines.

The conditions of carriage will be as follows:

EMBARKATION POLICY

• All passengers must be at the station at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

• All passengers (traveling alone or in groups) must board the train showing their ticket and identification card/passport (copy or original).

ON BOARD LUGGAGE POLICY

• 1 bag or backpack weighing 5kg and no more than 157 linear centimetres (length + height + width).

Baggage that exceeds these measurements will not the allowed on board.