Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Discovering A Peru Machu Picchu Tour Package

By Michael Moore


While there are specific areas of interest, the country of Peru is a natural and cultural tourist destination. Discovered in 1911, millions of tourists have visited Machu Picchu and other areas of the country as part of a Machu Picchu Tour Package. In fact, in 2017 alone, 1,411,279 tourists toured this historic heritage site whether through independent travel or as part of a group.

First discovered in 1911, the site has gone through a lot of changes since that time. In fact, the tourist industry and popularity have actually had negative effects on various remains in the area. As a result, UNESCO and local authorities are now considering whether or not Machu Picchu need be placed on a list of World Heritage locations in danger of being destroyed.

Why there have been attempts to institute tourist helicopter flights in the area, any licenses which have been granted have been rescinded almost immediately and long before any such flights took place. In fact, even after a company moved a rock to create a helicopter landing pad, the company went out of business due to a new no fly zone. For, in addition to instituting the no fly zone above the area, the Peru government also prohibited helicopter take offs and landings.

When it comes to restricting helicopter flights and landings, or limiting the number of visitors on a daily basis, all are in relation to safety concerns. For, as there have already been a number of tourists die while touring the site, the government is trying assure future visitors have a safe and fun experience. In fact, UNESCO has been known to criticize Peru for allowing visitors to the site at all due to the high risk for earthquakes, floods and altitude sickness.

In January 2010, thousands of Peruvians and tourists were trapped when roads and railways were destroyed or washed away in a major flood. In fact, over two thousand tourists and locals had to be transported by air to safety. After which, the area remained closed to locals and tourists for over three months before anyone could return to the area.

While nudists have recently found an affinity for the area, the Peruvian officials are dismayed. In fact, several individuals have been detained for streaking and shooting nude photography in different areas of the site. The acts have since been denounced these acts for threatening the cultural heritage of the country. Recently, there have been surveillance cameras installed in an effort to cut down on crime as well as nudity in the area.

In 2011, the country introduced tougher entrance guidelines when it came to visiting the Citadel Machu Picchu. The new rules were an effort to reduce the negative effects of tourism on the site. At that time, the entrance was restricted to twenty five hundred or fewer visitors a day. Whereas, the entrance to Huayna Picchu within the Citadel was restricted to only four hundred per day.

In 2018, the number of visitors allowed to the site has diminished even further due to a three phase process in which the number of tourists allowed per day was reduced over the last decade. While this three phase process is now complete, this does not mean there will not be additional restrictions in the future. In fact, there are some in Peru whom would like to see the site sealed off from tourism in entirety to protect from further degradation and destruction.




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