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Machu Picchu is scheduled to formally reopen today, April 1^st (no April fooling). This is good news for Peru and the nearby South American countries of Brazil, Chile and Argentina. It seems Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel, is a big draw for travelers to the continent and its closing in January due to landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains, hurt overall tourism to the area. Part of the  rail line–the only access to Machu Picchu (aside from hiking)–reopened earlier this week after the storms damaged tracks and cut off the world-famous archaeological site in Peru which thankfully wasn’t damaged.

 Peru is ready to welcome back visitors with open arms and there will surely be pent up demand for vacations that include this famed site. And while Machu Picchu is like the infamous Hope diamond of travel sites, one must remember that even this large, blue colored beauty believed to be cursed is surrounded by white diamonds. My point…there are plenty of glittering regional gems – experiences that are worth a peek as well. Here are a just a few of the biggies – feel free to tell me your favorites.

1. The sight of thundering Iguazu Falls
2. A cruise to the floating islands of the Uros people of Lake Titicaca
3. A foot and paddle canoe adventure in the Peruvian Amazon Basin
4. Crossing the Andes Mountains in Southern Chile�
   

   Wine tasting in Mendoza

5. Wine tastings in Mendoza, Argentina’s bodegas 

However, because of the existing damage in some railway segments between the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo) and Machu Picchu, access to the site will now require a 50 minute bus ride from the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo station) up to Piscacucho, followed by an 80 minute train ride to Machu Picchu train station (Aguas Calientes). This bus-train combined service will be provided by PeruRail. 

Collette travelers will still have the full experience aboard the famous Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Time spent on the train is only about 15 minutes shorter than when groups could take the train direct from Ollantaytambo. Passengers returning on trains from Machu Picchu back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco will also have to transfer by bus from Piscacucho.

And thanks to the amazing engineering talents of the ancient Incas, the ruins at Machu Picchu were not damaged by the recent floods. The terraces cut into the side of the mountain hundreds of years ago are still doing their job, supporting the lost city and dispersing rain water.

At Collette, the safety and security of our passengers and employees remains our number one priority. Our crack staff continues to closely monitor the situation. We’ll keep you posted on any changes.

Discovering the lost city of Petra (a new wonder of the world), navigating through the Wadi Rum Desert, seeing India’s monument of love, the Taj Mahal at sunset, experiencing the plains of South Africa – travelers are all over these once-in-a-lifetime moments. Exotic travel is topping the charts. 

But… isn’t home where the heart is?

For all those vacationers opting to take one BIG trip every year, there are just as many people taking a couple of vacations instead and staying closer to home. Tours visiting destinations in the United States are also popular.

This year our National Parks tour (always a top choice) celebrated renewed popularity. It seems that Ken Burns’ much talked about PBS documentary struck a chord with many Americans. Travelers are also embarking on rail journeys through California and foliage tours through New England, which offer a great mix of activity and relaxation.

Long or short trips, exotic or domestic, travelers win either way. It’s just about getting out there.

Must-See Exotic Destinations:
New Zealand
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Lhasa, Tibet
Egypt – the Pyramids at Giza
Monteverde Cloud Forest – Costa Rica
Machu Picchu, Peru

Can’t Miss U.S. Destinations:
Colonial Williamsburg
National Parks
Colorado Rockies
New York City
San Francisco
Mackinac Island