Routes 1, 2, and 3 of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will remain closed from Tuesday, August 18, to Saturday, August 22, due to heavy rainfall recorded in recent days. This is in order to safeguard the integrity of passengers and guides.
The Ministry of the Environment, in collaboration with the National Service for State Protected Natural Areas (SERNANP), and the Ministry of Culture, through the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco (DDCC), have announced the closure of Routes 1, 2, and 3 of the Inca Trail network. These routes will be closed from Tuesday, August 18, to Saturday, August 22.
The measure aims to protect visitors, tourists, administrative staff, and tourism workers in the area, ensuring safe conditions across different sections of the trail network.
The decision comes in response to the heavy rainfall that has been affecting the area since the night of Monday, August 17. This severe weather has resulted in extensive damage, including collapsed restroom facilities, rising streams, damaged footbridges, soil erosion, and landslides along several sections of the trails. Additionally, flooding has occurred at various campsites, such as Llulluchapampa, Ayapata, Paqaymayu Alto, Soqtacocha, Yuncachimpa, Qonchamarka, Wayllabamba, Pawkarcancha, Cusichaka, Phuyupatamarka, and Wiñaywayna.
The announcement was made by Maritza Rosa Candia, the Director of Culture. She also ordered the return of tourists who had entered the Inca Trail early on the morning of Tuesday, August 18. Additionally, she stated that staff from SERNANP and the DDCC are continuously monitoring the routes affected by the rain. Their goal is to assess the safety and conditions of the trails before reopening them.
DANA and Heavy Rain in August
An Isolated High Level Depression, commonly referred to by its Spanish acronym DANA, is an unusual cold atmospheric system that forms at altitudes between 5 and 10 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. It typically moves in from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly from Antarctica.
When this cold system interacts with warmer clouds over the Amazon, southern Peru, and northern Chile, it transports moisture from the Amazon toward the Andes. This leads to cloudy skies, heavy rainfall, and even snowfall during a time of year that is not usually associated with these weather conditions.
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Rescheduling and Refunds for Inca Trail Permits
The DDCC will accept travelers rescheduling their dates or requesting refunds for Inca Trail permits purchased for the affected period.
Remember, Inca Trail permits can only be obtained through authorized travel agencies. Therefore, all requests for rescheduling and refunds must be handled by these tour operators.
Inca Trail Route 5 – Chachabamba Will Remain Open
There is some good news regarding the Inca Trail. Route 5 – Chachabamba will remain open for hikers starting from Km 104 and Km 106, as long as safety measures and regulations for each route are followed.
This route is frequently used for the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2 days, allowing travelers to continue hiking this popular trail during the affected dates.
Tourists are encouraged to contact their travel agencies to discuss options for rescheduling, refunds, or alternative trekking routes.
Is the Inca Trail closed?
TreXperience recommends another fantastic trekking route: the 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
