Chile Earthquake

EarthQuake Airline update from LAN click for the 12/03/10 update
Santiago Airport national and international flights operating:
The airport has started national and international flights again already last Wednesday and is gradually increasing its operations. Special procedures are in place at the moment and travelers are asked to report to the airport 3 hours ahead of their departure flights.
Our transfer services are working as usual with assistance of our guides provided to all clients.
The Airport highway to Santiago as well as the roads of Santiago and surroundings are in good condition.
The country:
Chile is a Country which stretches over 4300 km. It has been divided into 15 regions and only 2 of those (region XII and region XIII) have suffered damages. These areas happen not to be any tourist destinations.
Tourist areas operating as usual:
The popular Atacama Desert in the North of Chile had not been affected by the earthquake at all and all programs are being offered as usual.
Same counts for the pristine Easter Island, which lies 2,300 miles from the coast as well as for the exciting area of the Lake region, North and South Patagonia with the famous “Torres del Paine National Park”.
Santiago back to normal:
Throughout last week we have been in contact with our main partners (Hotels and Restaurants) and we are happy to share with you that they have not suffered any major damage.
At times small paint jobs and repair works were needed which have either been completed already or in some cases are still underway. Hence we can absolutely continue to offer our services and realize bookings.
City tours of Santiago and to Valparaiso are being offered as usual.
Again we would like to mention that Santiago itself has hardly been affected as the capital is located 330km (205miles) SW of the epicenter.
Please beware that some charming vineyards had to be closed for renovation in the areas of the “Colchagua” and “Maipo Valley” . However please rest assured that we have alternatives on offer.
08/03/10 - Condor Team

Machu Picchu Update

Machu Picchu citadel will be open to tourism on April 1.

Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and UNESCO Natural and Cultural Heritage, will be open again to the public very soon, with a safe and secure railway and roads.
PERURAIL is pleased to reconfirm that as of April 1st, 2010 will be restarting its operations into two stages described below:
Stage I:
From April 1st , 2010
- The operation is effected only with cars such AUTOVAGON. At the beginning of the operations, it will not be possible to run locomotives, so the Backpacker train services will not be available.
This restriction has been defined by the rail concessionaire, Ferrrocarril Transandino S.A., due to many parts of the railroad had to be re-built, consequently the first weeks of operation it will only be authorized the operation by using AUTOVAGON because of it is weight (AUTOVAGON has 28 tons as weight and locomotive has 90 tons).
- PERURAIL will contact the travel agents and tour operators in order to relocate the Backpacker and Backpacker Cerrojo bookings to available seats on AUTOVAGON services at the price that corresponds to the time available.
- Bimodal services (bus + train) from Cusco and Ollantaytambo with transfer in Piscacucho (km 82) .
- The Hiram Bingham service will not be available during this time.
Stage II:
From May 01st (to be re-confirmed)
- At this stage PeruRail will operate service as AUTOVAGON and regular carriages pulled by locomotives (including Backpackers).
- Bimodal services (bus + train) from Cusco and Ollantaytambo with transfer in Piscacucho (km 82) .
In the following days, PERURAIL will be defining the possibility to set up a especial service which can be used as an alternative to luxury train, during Stage II of this plan.
PERURAIL remains that all changes and relocations will be managed by PERURAIL Reservations team and will be made in co-ordination with the travel agents and/or tour operators.
Please find attached a map of the route which PERURAIL will be operating.

IMPORTANT: As known, the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (local institution in charge of the custody of Machu Picchu), has announced that the admission to Machu Picchu will only be possible from April 1st.
With best regards,
The Condor Travel Team 17/03/10

Contours Travel

Chile Earthquake

Machu Picchu Update