Machu Picchu reopens for visitors after protests

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is now open again for tourists, after entry was suspended in December and January amid social unrest in Peru.

The Cultural Ministry issued a statement stating that the decision reflects the joint commitment of the institutions that make up the Machu Picchu Management Unit, the municipal authorities of Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo, directors of the Chamber of Commerce and leaders of social organisations, to ensure the safety of the monument and transport services so that visitors can enjoy their visit.

Revealing more about this development, the Ministry added that 38 domestic tourists and 45 foreigners were the first to enter, while 700 visitors went into the sanctuary over the course of the day.

As reported earlier, protests broke out after the ouster and jailing of former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo in December, which left travellers stranded in the Andes. This led the authorities to evacuate Machu Picchu, and also halt the trains that run between the site and the city of Cusco.

Although the protests are focused in the south of Peru, and are still ongoing, if reports are to go by, there has been a relative calm in recent days.

Built in the 15th century likely for an Incan emperor, the mountain citadel of Machu Picchu was abandoned around the time of the Spanish conquest, and later, rediscovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham.

Do note that travellers are required to obtain a permit to visit Machu Picchu, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.