9-day/8-night tour of Peru, May 28-June 5, 2010, includes volunteer project in a Sacred Valley village. Highlights: visit ruins, markets in Sacred Valley/camp at Aruraycocha Lake/weaving demonstrations/hot springs/train to Machu Picchu. Land only, $2,640. PLAY it Forward Adventures (St. Paul, MN; 651/493-8817, www.pifadventures.com).
In response to consistent requests for expanded coverage in ITN, we asked our readers if they wanted the magazine to also cover Mexico and the Caribbean.
Here is a small sampling (in the order received) of the answers. Then follows the prizes awarded.
The repairs to the railway covered by landslides between Cuzco and Machu Picchu have been completed and full train service has resumed, including that of Orient Express’ luxury train Hiram Bingham,, leaving Cuzco daily at 9:10 a.m. and arriving at Machu Picchu station at 1:09 p.m. Return is at 6:07 p.m., arriving Cuzco at 9:59.
For a one-day pass to Jordan’s Petra Archaeological Park, the entry fee rose by 50% on March 1 and will jump another 50% on Nov. 1, 2010 — a rise from JD40 on Jan. 1 to JD90 (near $127) at year’s end.
Fees may be paid only in Jordanian dinars, with no credit cards accepted. Fees for overnight visitors also go up in November (ex., from JD33 for one night to JD50).
Fees include a horse ride from the visitor center to the Siq plus guide service, maps and brochures. Visit www.go2jordan.info.
After floods and landslides wiped out access to Machu Picchu in January-February, repairs allowed Peru Rail to begin limited train service on April 1. It was expected that by May, repairs would support heavier locomotives and full trains.
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, strictly limited, can be purchased only in Cusco. Visitors travel from Cusco by bus or car (about three hours) or from Ollantaytambo to the Piscacucho station and board the train there. Rail repairs between Cusco and Piscacucho may not be completed until June.
In Peru, heavy rains in late January caused flooding of the Urubamba River and massive destruction in the Sacred Valley, sweeping away bridges and roads that will take months to repair.
Up to 40 landslides were triggered in the Cuzco and Machu Picchu areas, blocking the only railway connection between the ruins and Cuzco. Nearly 2,000 tourists and residents were stranded in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) with limited supplies. The Peruvian government declared a 60-day state of emergency on Jan. 25, and military helicopters began airlifting those stranded.
Projects Abroad (New York, NY; 888/839-3535) offers two-week learning vacations in 24 countries. There are projects in conservation, archaeology, language classes, coaching children’s sports, medical aid and care giving. While most volunteers are between 18 and 25 years old, projects are open to those 16 through 75.
14 days/13 nights in PERU includes six-day, seven-night river cruise. Highlights: Aboard river boat, in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve see caimans, monkeys, dolphins, birds/fish for piranha/disembark; Sacsayhuaman/Pisac Indian market/Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu. For one traveler, land and cruise for $4,943-$5,633, depending on hotel; cheaper with more travelers. Single supp., $699-$988.
GreenTracks (Bayfield, CO; 970/884-6107).
12 days/11 nights includes four days of hiking. Highlights: Arrive Lima/Cusco city tour/Sacsayhuamán Inca fortress/in Sacred Valley, Pisac and Ollantaytambo/ruins of Tarawasi/hike toward Mt. Salkantay to 15,000 feet/descend into cloud forest/Llactapata Inca Trail/Machu Picchu/return via train to Cusco. Land, $4,160.
Vaya Adventures (Berkeley, CA; 800/342-1796).
