PERU UPDATE MP, Cusco, Inca Trail
Jan 31st, 2010, 09:53 AM
#21
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emd3-
Which company did you buy your travel insurance from? I had used AIG Travelguard for a trip to SE Asia Nov. 2008 and filed a claim resulting from being stranded in Thailand for 6 days when BKK was shut down by the protesters. I had to fight like heck and eventually get my state Attorney General involved to get my claim paid.For my trip to Peru this Sept. I ghave not bought the insurance yet and want to use a good company that takes care of its' customers.
Which company did you buy your travel insurance from? I had used AIG Travelguard for a trip to SE Asia Nov. 2008 and filed a claim resulting from being stranded in Thailand for 6 days when BKK was shut down by the protesters. I had to fight like heck and eventually get my state Attorney General involved to get my claim paid.For my trip to Peru this Sept. I ghave not bought the insurance yet and want to use a good company that takes care of its' customers.
Jan 31st, 2010, 12:32 PM
#25
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I hate to say this but it's hard to imagine insurance would reimburse you because one tourist site is closed, even a sight at popular as MP. It might be different if the entire country were uninhabitable, such as Haiti. But I could be wrong so please do let me know what they say. Good luck to all of you.
Jan 31st, 2010, 12:44 PM
#26
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P_M:
You should have 10 days to cancel the Travelguard policy and get another one with a reputable company. You'll note AIG has removed their name in large print from the Travelguard product, but AIG does own Travelguard and that's who you are supporting by buying your insurance. The policy I bought to cover our trip back to SE Asia to visit Cambodia this time (which we did not make it to in Nov. 2008) on Feb. 25 is from Travelex. I called them with a hypothetical about Peru and was told natural disasters are covered, but only the portion of expenses related to the interruption/delay of the entire trip in not being able to go to Machu Pichhu if this flooding would have happened while you were on your trip. I was told you would have coverage to get to the next place on your itinerary. Your credit card would cover a refund for prepaid train tickets and hotels.
You should have 10 days to cancel the Travelguard policy and get another one with a reputable company. You'll note AIG has removed their name in large print from the Travelguard product, but AIG does own Travelguard and that's who you are supporting by buying your insurance. The policy I bought to cover our trip back to SE Asia to visit Cambodia this time (which we did not make it to in Nov. 2008) on Feb. 25 is from Travelex. I called them with a hypothetical about Peru and was told natural disasters are covered, but only the portion of expenses related to the interruption/delay of the entire trip in not being able to go to Machu Pichhu if this flooding would have happened while you were on your trip. I was told you would have coverage to get to the next place on your itinerary. Your credit card would cover a refund for prepaid train tickets and hotels.
Jan 31st, 2010, 12:56 PM
#27
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Hi susiesan, thanks for your info. I'm actually not planning a trip to Peru at this time, the insurance I was referring to is for a different trip. I will definitely look at Travelex for my next trip.
Jan 31st, 2010, 01:31 PM
#28
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I have Travelex insurance and it covers delays and partial coverage for natural disasters, but it doesn't seem to cover a total trip. I have fortunately never had to use trip insurance, but wouldn't travel without it. If you buy Travelex within 21 days of an initial deposit you can get "cancel for any reason", which, with Travelex is 80% of your non refundable cost. After 21 days the option is not available. Other companies are even stricter, you have to buy within 15 days of initial deposit. With Travelex, you pay 50% premium for the "cancel at will" policy. So, if your policy without "cancel for any reason" is $300, your cost for adding that option is $150 for a total of $450. You can cancel up to 48 hours before the trip.
Note: I have nothing to do with Travelex. I just travel all the time. I've used Travelguard, CSA and Travelex. Never had to use any of them, so I only know that they cash the check. : )
Note: I have nothing to do with Travelex. I just travel all the time. I've used Travelguard, CSA and Travelex. Never had to use any of them, so I only know that they cash the check. : )
Jan 31st, 2010, 03:53 PM
#29
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We continue to monitor the situation in Peru by posting all relevant stories at:
http://www.latinamericatraveler.com/...chu_Region.htm
http://www.lanewsupdate.com
http://www.latinamericatraveler.com/...chu_Region.htm
http://www.lanewsupdate.com
Feb 1st, 2010, 05:05 AM
#31
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This morning's <i>Peruvian Times</i> has a featured article on MP and President García's pledge:
<b> President García pledges support for flood-devastated Cusco; estimates Machu Picchu train repairs could take less than 2 months</b>
<i>President Alan García called for public calm on Friday after flying over areas devastated by torrential rains, mudslides and floods in Peru’s southern Cusco department. García said the government will guarantee the reconstruction of the regions infrastructure and relief aid for some 25,000 people left homeless by the floods, daily El Comercio reported.
“The government is going to guarantee what is necessary to re-establish highways, railways and, in second place, electrical connections, which have been damaged in various places and can be re-established,” said García. He said the reconstruction could be done in less than two months.</i>
For the full article: http://news-url.com/MP
So, I'm staying optimistic for May. According to this story, the railroad is British owned, which is good news--more than Peru will be interested in getting things going and certainly a British company has access to resources and expertise.
<b> President García pledges support for flood-devastated Cusco; estimates Machu Picchu train repairs could take less than 2 months</b>
<i>President Alan García called for public calm on Friday after flying over areas devastated by torrential rains, mudslides and floods in Peru’s southern Cusco department. García said the government will guarantee the reconstruction of the regions infrastructure and relief aid for some 25,000 people left homeless by the floods, daily El Comercio reported.
“The government is going to guarantee what is necessary to re-establish highways, railways and, in second place, electrical connections, which have been damaged in various places and can be re-established,” said García. He said the reconstruction could be done in less than two months.</i>
For the full article: http://news-url.com/MP
So, I'm staying optimistic for May. According to this story, the railroad is British owned, which is good news--more than Peru will be interested in getting things going and certainly a British company has access to resources and expertise.
Feb 1st, 2010, 05:41 AM
#32
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I checked my trip insurance policy and it is much broader than I thought it would be for trip cancellation, although it still would not cover my trip in May.
It will cover trip cancellation/inerruption for-"Natural disaster at the site of your destination which renders your destination accomodations uninhabitable".
It also would be covered for "Mandatory evacuation ordered by local authorities at your destination due to ...natural disaster. You must have 50% or less of your trip remaining at the time the mandatory evacuation ends in order for the benefit to be payable."
None of this applies to my trip, so I am going regardless of whether we can get to MP or not. Even if my trip was covered by the trip cancellation provision of the policy, I would still probably go as Peru and its people will need all the monetary help they can get in order to recover and I am happy to helping out in this way.
It will cover trip cancellation/inerruption for-"Natural disaster at the site of your destination which renders your destination accomodations uninhabitable".
It also would be covered for "Mandatory evacuation ordered by local authorities at your destination due to ...natural disaster. You must have 50% or less of your trip remaining at the time the mandatory evacuation ends in order for the benefit to be payable."
None of this applies to my trip, so I am going regardless of whether we can get to MP or not. Even if my trip was covered by the trip cancellation provision of the policy, I would still probably go as Peru and its people will need all the monetary help they can get in order to recover and I am happy to helping out in this way.
Feb 1st, 2010, 05:52 AM
#34
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emd3-Most trip insurance policies will pay for trip cancellation/interruption due to illness, as in your case. Cancellations due to natural disasters are a much grayer area.
I read the Peruvian Times article alluded to by Boston Harbor. it said that Peru is losing a million dollars a day because of cancellations. Therefore, I am sure that they will try to fix the problem as soon as possible, but the weather will have to cooperate.
I read the Peruvian Times article alluded to by Boston Harbor. it said that Peru is losing a million dollars a day because of cancellations. Therefore, I am sure that they will try to fix the problem as soon as possible, but the weather will have to cooperate.
Feb 1st, 2010, 12:42 PM
#35
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Some encouraging news.
A press release sent out today by Fetransa (the partially Orient Express owned company that leases and operates the railway infrastructure between Cuzco Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu) outlines a <b>specific schedule, with dates, for repair to the MP/Sacred Valley railways.</b>
<i>Hidroelerica – Machu Picchu: The work will last three weeks service should be restored by approximately February 20th.
Piscacucho – Machu Picchu: The work will last seven weeks – service should be restored by approximately March 20th.
Ollantaytambo – Piscacucho: The work will last eight weeks –service should be restored by approximately April 01st.
(snip)
It is important to mention that all working plans are subject to weather conditions, although the fact that we are in rainy season has been taken into account to make the above-mentioned estimates.</i>
http://intitravel.wordpress.com/2010...picchu-update/
At a million $/day loss in tourism, there is great incentive to get the railway back and running. Orient Express is a New York listed public company (OEH), so it also has the shareholder (if not us ; ) incentive to make sure the rails are safe. They will also be able to access cash without waiting for insurance funds.
It looks like things will be begining to work, albeit not as easily the end of Feb and should be in pretty good shape by April.
A press release sent out today by Fetransa (the partially Orient Express owned company that leases and operates the railway infrastructure between Cuzco Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu) outlines a <b>specific schedule, with dates, for repair to the MP/Sacred Valley railways.</b>
<i>Hidroelerica – Machu Picchu: The work will last three weeks service should be restored by approximately February 20th.
Piscacucho – Machu Picchu: The work will last seven weeks – service should be restored by approximately March 20th.
Ollantaytambo – Piscacucho: The work will last eight weeks –service should be restored by approximately April 01st.
(snip)
It is important to mention that all working plans are subject to weather conditions, although the fact that we are in rainy season has been taken into account to make the above-mentioned estimates.</i>
http://intitravel.wordpress.com/2010...picchu-update/
At a million $/day loss in tourism, there is great incentive to get the railway back and running. Orient Express is a New York listed public company (OEH), so it also has the shareholder (if not us ; ) incentive to make sure the rails are safe. They will also be able to access cash without waiting for insurance funds.
It looks like things will be begining to work, albeit not as easily the end of Feb and should be in pretty good shape by April.
Feb 1st, 2010, 01:44 PM
#36
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Why did my posting regarding the travel insurance co. I used get deleted? I was not advertising it. I was asked directly by another poster what company I used. I did not make any representations on this type of natural disaster situation - I only described how travel insurance had worked in my situation.
Feb 1st, 2010, 02:47 PM
#38
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Here is an email I received from an adventure travel outfitter with an update about how the situation will affect tourism:
February 1st, 2010. Last Friday, the massive airlift operation to evacuate over four thousand stranded tourists from Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) successfully concluded. Also, the height of the Vilcanota river that runs parallel to the train tracks has decreased by more than 16 feet (5 meters), allowing reconstruction and fortification work in the area and along the train route.
As reported earlier, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and the rest of destinations in Peru are totally accessible and operating normally. Hotels and attractions at the Sacred Valley are not damaged, and most tours and outdoor activities are available. Also, the Machu Picchu citadel remains intact, however accessing it by train from Cusco city or the Sacred Valley will not be possible until around the last week of March when the reconstruction concludes.
In the meantime, according to information that we continue to gather, another access route to Machu Picchu may become available earlier: The backdoor entrance to Machu Picchu town will be set up by PeruRail and should be opened by the last week of February. Via this route, a trip to Machu Picchu will require a 6 hour bus drive from Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) to the train station of Hidroelectrica, followed by a 30 min train ride from Hidroelectrica to Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes train station). Through this unconventional and time consuming route, that has been used by backpackers for sometime, a visit to Machu Picchu will require at least one night stay in Machu Picchu.
Even when Machu Picchu is typically identified as the highlight of a trip to Peru, we believe that this unfortunate natural event represents a great opportunity to show that Peru is much more than just Machu Picchu. Also, it is a great opportunity to show support for the more than 40,000 families affected by the rain and floodings throughout the area.
February 1st, 2010. Last Friday, the massive airlift operation to evacuate over four thousand stranded tourists from Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) successfully concluded. Also, the height of the Vilcanota river that runs parallel to the train tracks has decreased by more than 16 feet (5 meters), allowing reconstruction and fortification work in the area and along the train route.
As reported earlier, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and the rest of destinations in Peru are totally accessible and operating normally. Hotels and attractions at the Sacred Valley are not damaged, and most tours and outdoor activities are available. Also, the Machu Picchu citadel remains intact, however accessing it by train from Cusco city or the Sacred Valley will not be possible until around the last week of March when the reconstruction concludes.
In the meantime, according to information that we continue to gather, another access route to Machu Picchu may become available earlier: The backdoor entrance to Machu Picchu town will be set up by PeruRail and should be opened by the last week of February. Via this route, a trip to Machu Picchu will require a 6 hour bus drive from Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) to the train station of Hidroelectrica, followed by a 30 min train ride from Hidroelectrica to Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes train station). Through this unconventional and time consuming route, that has been used by backpackers for sometime, a visit to Machu Picchu will require at least one night stay in Machu Picchu.
Even when Machu Picchu is typically identified as the highlight of a trip to Peru, we believe that this unfortunate natural event represents a great opportunity to show that Peru is much more than just Machu Picchu. Also, it is a great opportunity to show support for the more than 40,000 families affected by the rain and floodings throughout the area.
Feb 2nd, 2010, 05:48 AM
#39
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Inka Trai providers booking for 3/1/10
http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/...ta-teresa.html
Route via Santa Maria/Teresa to open in 2-3 weeks...
http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/...ta-teresa.html
Route via Santa Maria/Teresa to open in 2-3 weeks...
Feb 2nd, 2010, 05:50 AM
#40
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from www.perurail.com
Hidroeléctrica - Machupicchu town: The work will last three weeks, to allow the visitors and residents to use bimodal transportation between the area. In order to achieve this objective it will be necessary to restore the road between Santa Teresa and Hidroeléctrica.
Hidroeléctrica - Machupicchu town: The work will last three weeks, to allow the visitors and residents to use bimodal transportation between the area. In order to achieve this objective it will be necessary to restore the road between Santa Teresa and Hidroeléctrica.
