PERU UPDATE MP, Cusco, Inca Trail
Feb 2nd, 2010, 10:48 AM
#41
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I see using insuremytrip.com that both Travelex and TruTravel policies are both issued by Nationwide Insurance. Coverage appears to be about the same, except TruTravel does not offer the cancel for any reason coverage option. Both cover delays/interruptions due to natural disasters.
Feb 2nd, 2010, 12:30 PM
#42
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Thanks, susiesan. IIRC, I was looking for a million in medical evacuation/medical coverage and that is why I went w/the Trutravel high option. Since we planned to go to the rain forest and the lodge was 4 hrs by boat upriver from Puerto Maldanado, I wanted a lot of evacuation coverage and medical. But I didn't even realize that the Travelex had "cancel for any reason." After this thread and what has happened, I think I will get a policy with the "cancel for any reason" option next time and try to balance that against the high medical/evacuation coverage.
Feb 2nd, 2010, 01:33 PM
#43
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<i>From emd3: After this thread and what has happened, I think I will get a policy with the "cancel for any reason" option next time and try to balance that against the high medical/evacuation coverage.</i>
Hi emd3. I don't think you will have to balance anything in your analysis. I bought the Travelex Max policy which automatically includes $1 million for evacuation and, most importantly, evacuation to a facility of MY choice (as opposed to evacuation to the closest "adequate" facility which most plans offer unless you specifically upgrade). As I mentioned above, "cancel for any reason" is a 50% premium of your insurance base cost. If you have around a $300 policy, you pay an additional $150 for "cancel for any reason". If you cancel, you get back 80% of your non refundable costs. So for $450 you have cancel for any reason, $1 million in evacuation and the ability to name the facility of your choice to be taken to.
I'm sure that other companies offer similar plans, but this time around I switched from CSA back to Travelex because of their offerings and cost were superior.
Hi emd3. I don't think you will have to balance anything in your analysis. I bought the Travelex Max policy which automatically includes $1 million for evacuation and, most importantly, evacuation to a facility of MY choice (as opposed to evacuation to the closest "adequate" facility which most plans offer unless you specifically upgrade). As I mentioned above, "cancel for any reason" is a 50% premium of your insurance base cost. If you have around a $300 policy, you pay an additional $150 for "cancel for any reason". If you cancel, you get back 80% of your non refundable costs. So for $450 you have cancel for any reason, $1 million in evacuation and the ability to name the facility of your choice to be taken to.
I'm sure that other companies offer similar plans, but this time around I switched from CSA back to Travelex because of their offerings and cost were superior.
Feb 3rd, 2010, 05:05 AM
#44
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if i understand correctly, cusco is operating normally? I am supposed to leave with my daughter on Feb 15th, mostly to help out, but want to be sure it is safe, and enough bottled water and food.any suggestions what to bring for the people there?
dried food,medicine,
dried food,medicine,
Feb 3rd, 2010, 08:27 AM
#45
Akasha, even without the floods, local tourism operators ask for donations of extra clothing and also medications. My understanding is that they ALWAYs need waterproof jackets.
Here is something that isn't specific to the flooding appeal.
http://www.perutreks.com/projects-clothes.html
You might find similar lists on other trekking company websites.
Here is something that isn't specific to the flooding appeal.
http://www.perutreks.com/projects-clothes.html
You might find similar lists on other trekking company websites.
Feb 5th, 2010, 05:10 AM
#47
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I received this Peru Tourism Newsletter in my email today and thought I would pass it along as it appears to be quite good news for anyone headed to visit Machu Picchu in the near future!
Dear Friends
Let us share with you our joy for this information:
Machu Picchu will be open to public in 15 days!
The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has not suffered any damage as a result of unusual rain for 10 days ago. This situation demostrate the astonishing hydraulic ingenuity of the Incas that allows drain heavy rains without receiving as little damage to buildings.
To date, the rains have returned to their normal frequency at this time of the year, which has enabled to start the work of reahabilitación of the access routes to Machu Picchu. The joint report by Peru Rail, the concession of the train to Machu Picchu, and the Peruvian Government have confirmed that in the next 13 days tourist may get to Machu Picchu in an alternate route that combines road and rail. This means that from February 17 we would have again access to Machu Picchu!
This alternate route begins in the Sacred Valley, whose hotels in the most do not have suffered damage because of their location to greater height that the flooding caused by rains. From the Sacred Valley will travel by road for six hours (a scenic tour with a beautiful landscape of jungle) until you reach the train station "La Hidroeléctrica" in the village of Santa Teresa from where it is connected to train for 40 minutes to the village of Machu Picchu at the base of the Sanctuary.
The cost of this 6 hours Road-Rail route will be similar to conventional train Cusco-Machu Picchu cost. The restoration of the conventional route will take some weeks more.
As for the Inca Trail, as you know, all the years during the month of February this path closes for maintenance. Therefore from March 1, this trail will be fully available
since it has not suffered damage caused by the heavy rains.
Miguel A. Lahura
President of Pentagrama Group
[email protected]
Dear Friends
Let us share with you our joy for this information:
Machu Picchu will be open to public in 15 days!
The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has not suffered any damage as a result of unusual rain for 10 days ago. This situation demostrate the astonishing hydraulic ingenuity of the Incas that allows drain heavy rains without receiving as little damage to buildings.
To date, the rains have returned to their normal frequency at this time of the year, which has enabled to start the work of reahabilitación of the access routes to Machu Picchu. The joint report by Peru Rail, the concession of the train to Machu Picchu, and the Peruvian Government have confirmed that in the next 13 days tourist may get to Machu Picchu in an alternate route that combines road and rail. This means that from February 17 we would have again access to Machu Picchu!
This alternate route begins in the Sacred Valley, whose hotels in the most do not have suffered damage because of their location to greater height that the flooding caused by rains. From the Sacred Valley will travel by road for six hours (a scenic tour with a beautiful landscape of jungle) until you reach the train station "La Hidroeléctrica" in the village of Santa Teresa from where it is connected to train for 40 minutes to the village of Machu Picchu at the base of the Sanctuary.
The cost of this 6 hours Road-Rail route will be similar to conventional train Cusco-Machu Picchu cost. The restoration of the conventional route will take some weeks more.
As for the Inca Trail, as you know, all the years during the month of February this path closes for maintenance. Therefore from March 1, this trail will be fully available
since it has not suffered damage caused by the heavy rains.
Miguel A. Lahura
President of Pentagrama Group
[email protected]
Feb 5th, 2010, 06:53 AM
#48
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Great news. Thanks for posting.
If you get any updated news on when Peru Rail will be up and running from the Sacred Valley, will you please post. I am scheduled to go to Machu Pichu on May 23, and I am hoping to do it via rail from the Sacred Valley. But it is nice to know that there is an alternative if the rails are not repaired by then.
If you get any updated news on when Peru Rail will be up and running from the Sacred Valley, will you please post. I am scheduled to go to Machu Pichu on May 23, and I am hoping to do it via rail from the Sacred Valley. But it is nice to know that there is an alternative if the rails are not repaired by then.
Feb 5th, 2010, 01:04 PM
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Here is a news release as of 1PM ET Feb 5th. Good news!
<b>Machu Picchu to reopen earlier than expected after storms</b>
<i>The Machu Picchu ruins, closed after storms cut railway access, are expected to open in three weeks, says Peru's transport minister
Peru's renowned ruins of Machu Picchu will reopen to the public sooner than expected — in three weeks — the country's transportation minister said Friday.
Torrential rainstorms in late January washed out rail lines, the only access to the historic Inca citadel besides days-long hiking.
Minister of Transport Enrique Cornejo told the Peruvian news service Andina that Machu Picchu will be opened in three weeks, not the eight weeks forecast earlier this week. Temporary bridges are being installed in some spots where train tracks were washed out to restore part of the train service.
Machu Picchu was not damaged by the storms, but flooding and mudslides have left thousands homeless in the Cusco region and damaged agricultural areas. About 4,000 tourists and locals were evacuated by helicopter in late January after being stranded near Machu Picchu.</i>
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...webperu05.html
I'm there in May eariler than you and I'm absolutely going. Wouldn't miss it.
<b>Machu Picchu to reopen earlier than expected after storms</b>
<i>The Machu Picchu ruins, closed after storms cut railway access, are expected to open in three weeks, says Peru's transport minister
Peru's renowned ruins of Machu Picchu will reopen to the public sooner than expected — in three weeks — the country's transportation minister said Friday.
Torrential rainstorms in late January washed out rail lines, the only access to the historic Inca citadel besides days-long hiking.
Minister of Transport Enrique Cornejo told the Peruvian news service Andina that Machu Picchu will be opened in three weeks, not the eight weeks forecast earlier this week. Temporary bridges are being installed in some spots where train tracks were washed out to restore part of the train service.
Machu Picchu was not damaged by the storms, but flooding and mudslides have left thousands homeless in the Cusco region and damaged agricultural areas. About 4,000 tourists and locals were evacuated by helicopter in late January after being stranded near Machu Picchu.</i>
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...webperu05.html
I'm there in May eariler than you and I'm absolutely going. Wouldn't miss it.
Feb 16th, 2010, 04:02 AM
#51
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The Institute of Culture announced that the Inca trail will remain closed until April 1, and it is refunding the ticket price to those that booked for hiking prior to that date. Also, as of Feb. 12, the rail from the Sacred Valley to Machu Pichu is scheduled to open on April 1.
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