Peru authorities have indefinitely closed popular tourist sites Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail as anti-government protests cause chaos in the South American nation. Rail services to the area have also been suspended.
The Culture Ministry said it had closed Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail that leads to the world-famous ancient site “to protect the safety of tourists and the population in general”, ABC News reported.
Protests and demonstrations have been taking place across Peru following the change of government on 7 December 2022, including in the tourist hubs of Cusco, Puno and Arequipa.
Peru declared a nationwide 30-day state of emergency in December following protests after the arrest of the country’s president after elections.
Around 800 tourists were left stranded in Machu Picchu with little supplies as the top tourist site was officially closed until further notice.
The current closure came as protesters swarmed the capital, Lima, to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.
Until recently, the protests had been concentrated in the country’s south after then-President Pedro Castillo, Peru’s first leader with a rural Andean background, was impeached and imprisoned for trying to dissolve Congress.
There were currently 417 tourists left in limbo at Machu Picchu after the latest announcement who cannot get out.
The Australian Government advises travellers to reconsider the need to travel to Cusco, Puno, Arequipa and Ayacucho due to the ongoing civil unrest. The current advice for Peru is to exercise a high degree of caution.
For the latest travel info, visit smartraveller.gov.au
