Machu Picchu open until 14:00 hours on July 7

Cusco, Jun. 30 (ANDINA). The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, in Peru’s southern Cusco region, will stay open to visitors until 14:00 hours on July 7, main day of the 100th anniversary celebrations of its scientific discovery, regional director of Culture Juan Garcia said Wednesday.
He told Andina that the monument will receive visitors until the said time, when authorities will close its doors. Those who enter minutes before will be able to stay there for two hours.

“Tourists won’t be allowed to enter after 14:00 hours and those who enter in the last group will be allowed to stay for a maximum of two hours. That’s the regulation,” said Cusco’s official.

He recalled that only 800 tickets have been put on sale for this date (usually, Machu Picchu can hold a maximum of 2,500 people).

Garcia said that for that day alternative routes have been established in the citadel, so that tours do not interfere with the ceremony scheduled for the morning.

HIRAM BINGHAM LISTED AMONG TOP 10 EPIC TRAIN JOURNEYS BY CNN

ANDINA. The Hiram Bingham Orient-Express, which connects Cusco to Machu Picchu, ranked second in the list of the top 10 epic train journeys in the world compiled by CNNGo, a travel television show broadcast by CNN.

The publication highlights the gastronomy that it is offered “during the four hours it takes to climb heavenwards through the spectacular Andes mountains” and adds that “this is the easy way to tackle the Inca Trail.”

In addition, it mentions Hiram Bingham, who was an American historian credited with bringing the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu to world attention.

On the other hand, the travelers are reminded to take their party frock for the cocktail party on the return evening journey. This train boards from Poroy with a cost of US$588 round-trip.

The list of the top epic train journeys also includes the Orient-Express route to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, the legendary Venice-Simplon, which passes through several cities in Europe and the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia, allowing discover of the Russian Arctic and the silk Road from Moscow.

Another train on the list was the Pride of Africa, offering luxurious suites on a train that can be boarded in Cape Town, South Africa, or in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.