Possible Strike In Cusco and Machu Picchu
 

I'm posting this to share info about a possible strike in Cusco that would also impact Machu Picchu. (I searched and it doesn't seem to have been discussed yet. Sorry if I'm repeating any other threads.)

My husband and I are booked for a trip in March to Cusco and Machu Picchu. I registered our trip with the US Dept of State (http://travel.state.gov) and started getting occasional emails from the US Embassy in Lima. On Friday Feb 15 they emailed saying there is a "possiblity of a strike in Cusco in the upcoming days or weeks." It "could begin as early as the morning of Saturday February 16, 2008. There is no exact timeframe for when a strike might occur or how long it might last." And "in the event of a general strike, shops and tourist attractions, including Machu Picchu, would be closed. There would be no flights to or from the airport, no public transportation and no taxi services. There would be no trains to Machu Picchu, and the monuments would be closed."

The Feb 17 Chicago Tribune said "Protestors burned tires and blocked roads around Cusco in a 24-hour strike February 7 that also shut down rail transport to Machu Picchu. The demonstrators were protesting two laws that would expand private development around Cusco and the Sacred Valley." Interestingly the email from the US Embassy doesn't mention anything about this Feb 7 event.

Does anyone know anything more than what these two sources are saying? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that nothing more happens and that none of our fellow Fodorites are impacted.

We are planning a trip to Peru in June so I have been monitoring this situation as well. There was a protest today where farmers blocked the train tracks going to MP. According to the article, the trains had to turn back and the tourists were unable to get to MP. Check out this link to the article:

http://livinginperu.com/news-5766-ag...u-train-tracks

Ooooh, that's not good. We are also going in March (Easter weekend). 22 of us from work are going, and we are booked onto the Hiram Bingham.

I do hope this will all be settled soon! I really want to see MP, etc.!

takingthekids, thanks so much for the link to the Living in Peru site. This seems to be a much better source than the US Embassy for keeping up to date with what is really happening.

Does this mean it's over?

http://www.livinginperu.com/news-578...olent-protests

I'm going March 7th. Hope so.

This latest news certainly looks encouraging!

We'll be in Cusco/Sacred Valley/MP March 12 to March 16, then going to Quito and the Galapagos Islands from there, so we have lots of flights -- I was dreading the thought of attempting to change our reservations due to a strike!

uh oh, just one more thing to worry about...

we're leaving Friday Feb 29 for 9 nights.

fingers are crossed!

So from what I've read (latest stories at http://news.google.ca/news?hl=en&ned...cuzco+protests), it looks like the cuzco airport and trains through the sacred valley were shut down on thursday and friday. There was also some comments posted about issues with the protestors flattening tires and smashing windows in buses/vans trying to get tourists around, and that tourists in Cuzco couldnt walk around without police escort. However, it was only supposed to be a 2 day strike (ending friday night), and this poster (http://www.livinginperu.com/news/5801#c6480) indicates the cuzco airport is back open today, and the trains are running. Hopefully it calms down soon.

Jeff

I'm not going until June but Toronto Jeff's post is frightening!! Let's hope and pray this is over soon for everyone's sake.

Dammit! I'm supposed to fly out March 7th and hoped the 2 day strike was the end of it. Here we go again. I'm hoping this doesn't happen otherwise my trip is unlikely going to happen. Argh.

http://www.livinginperu.com/news-582...strike-protest

Of course, as usual, the awesome Canadian Government is delayed, and has just removed their travel warning for cuzco because the 1st 2-day strike has ended.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-...country=238000

Question: Anyone been there during a strike? A quick search of the news shows this is not a one-time event, wondering how 'violent' it really is. I'm no stranger to tear gas, and am wondering if this is all the hype it's built up to.

Jeff
Toronto

Better news today from "Living in Peru".

The latest article says: "In a meeting in Cusco that brought together 60 mayors from various districts and provinces, authorities from one of Peru's most touristic regions agreed to stop protests and strikes and speak to the central government to find a solution for new tourism laws."

And "It was reported that the mayors had agreed to travel to Lima on Sunday to hold a meeting the following day with President Alan Garcia" and "Over 100 mayors will travel to the nation's capital and request that Cusco be excluded from new tourism promotion laws."

And "Aside from the meeting that is to take place in Lima next week, mayors, the region's president and advisors as well as five congressional representatives from Cusco and members of the regional assembly have been called to meet on Friday March 7." And "Mayor Samanez affirmed that Cusco was set on improving its reputation after acts of violence and instability lead to the region being considered unfit for APEC tourism meetings."

So keep your fingers crossed these meetings will go well! My guess (just a guess) is no more strikes will happen until after the meetings and then only if there is a feeling the meetings did not get the desired results.

I'm hopeful and will not cancel our trip (we're on our way March 11) but I'm really glad I bought trip insurance before this mess started and I REALLY hope I don't need to use it!

Just got back, thought I'd report on this: Cusco was very peaceful, no signs of anything related to discussion above. Had a wonderful time in Peru, loved the people and the scenery. Pics if you are interested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1489165...7604126594901/

OMG Jeff, is Peru as magical as it looks in these pics? Thanks for posting these, I can't wait my trip in June!! :-)

Yeah, it was great. Read my other post/report - I mean, it was the trip of a lifetime, but it isn't for uninitiated; ie. I spent a day puking out some bug I caught, the weather is irratic and can pour rain a lot (particularly in the rainy season of which we were on the tail of), and if you come from North America, everyone around you makes roughly 1/10th or less of your income, with the associated caution required for personal safety, etc. I spent time to read and prepare, and therefore I had absolutely no incidents that ruined my trip, so yes, it was magical!

Jeff, I can so relate to some of what you said about Peru. I recently visited Egypt where I battled the bug and had to deal with people who make even less than 1/10 of N. Americans. All in all it was a great trip, but we must be prepared for such things. I'll make sure to get Cipro for the Peru trip.

There is a thread on tripadvisor regarding a strike happening today in Cuzco adn Sacred Valley. A poster who lives in Cuzco says that the trains to Aquas Caliente are not running today. Schools are closed and buses are not running. Protestors are mobilizing. I tis a one day strike.

But it scares me. What happens if you are planning a Peru trip and have your time at Machu Picchu planned and then a strike like this happens. I am planning an April trip. I feel badly for people who missed out on Machu Picchu today.

emd - that and the weather in January when we were there caused me to have two clear nights at AC/MP to take into account unexpected things......as it happened there was a short strike in Ollanta while we were trying to leave it to explore Moray, etc. We sat in David's (very comfortable) van for about 15 minutes (the road was blocked with giant boulders protesting a hike in taxi fares) - all the while he was on his cell phone arranging for his son to arrive at the other side of the road block with another vehicle (we could have easily walked to the other side). It turned out we didn't need it but it was very reassuring.

Thanks for that story, Elizabeth! Boy, I am feeling more and more secure having a local guide working for us, esp. since it is David.