This World-Famous Destination Is Breaking Visitor Records Despite Traveler Alert

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Did you know one of the 7 wonders of the world wasn’t brought to the global stage until the 20th century?

One of Latin America’s most epic bucket-list destinations has only been brought to the masses in the last 100 years or so, which explains why it’s such a trek to reach.

Found deep in the staggering Andes, and commonly reached by train so visitors can rest up before putting their hiking shoes to work, it’s hard to fathom that this stone marvel lay forgotten for lifetimes before being revealed to the modern world.

Yes, we’re talking about world-famous Machu Picchu, Peru’s most notable destination beyond the bustling city of Lima and an array of timeless towns squeezed into the rugged highlands.

A visit to Peru without planning a Machu Picchu excursion is like visiting Cancun and going back to your room without a single sandy crevice to show for it.

The numbers back it up as the iconic Incan citadel had a record-breaking October, welcoming roughly 150,000 tourists — but those who’ve been planning a Machu Picchu trip in recent months have surely caught wind of a U.S. Embassy alert triggered amid a cluster of chaos that left tourists stranded.

Additionally, Peru as a whole was issued a separate security alert weeks later.

Tourists Were Left Stranded: Is Machu Picchu Safe To Visit?

If there’s one thing none of us here at Travel Off Path ever hope to use, it’s travel insurance.

For me, personally, I’ve made it to nearly 40 countries and back unscathed without having to file a claim.

Though those who visited Machu Picchu in recent months may have fared differently….

It’s one thing to be stuck at an airport, or maybe Mom forgot to pick you up from school one day, like what happened to me in my childhood…because that’s totally normal, right?

But it’s another thing entirely to be stranded in an isolated destination like Machu Picchu, where you’re unlikely to find a volleyball to befriend.

So, what happened?

According to the U.S. Embassy, large-scale protests in the region blocked the very popular rail line serving Machu Picchu.

Contractual disputes between various transit operators ultimately resulted in a reported 900+ tourists being left behind by this blockade.

The good news is this was a unicorn scenario. While every traveler comes home from Machu Picchu with nothing but glowing memories on an ordinary trip, this was an unforeseen circumstance.

Train operator PeruRail recently made an announcement on their website that these issues have since been alleviated, so it seems to be business as usual again.

Still Surging Despite Safety Concerns

Ironically, shortly after the U.S. Embassy issued a travel alert, Machu Picchu set a new monthly visitor record for the month of October.

Whether it’s due to a backlog of tourists forging their way here or just a classic coincidence remains to be seen, but if there’s one thing for certain, it’s that Machu Picchu is as popular as ever.

We know tourists don’t have to worry about being stranded right now, but what about that other (even more recent) Peru advisory we covered?

Well, that’s a different story, yet not entirely unrelated to Machu Picchu…

You see, most travelers enter Peru through Lima. The main airport is located in Callao, a region singled out by the U.S. Embassy as a crime-ridden area.

In fact, the Peruvian government issued a state of emergency on October 22nd, which is still in effect right now. It’s expected to wrap up on November 21st, unless there’s a yet-to-be announced extension due to unprecedented levels of crime.

Travelers venturing off to Machu Picchu will want to mind their P’s and Q’s in Lima if it’s a pit stop on your adventure before flying to Cusco, the most feasible entry point to this UNESCO-protected sanctuary of the Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu’s New Ticketing System

Peruvian reports are boasting about a new ticketing/entry control system that’s said to be a major driver for Machu Picchu tourism.

This system was implemented on August 1st, roughly a month before things went south with ensuing chaos that left tourists stranded.

Decentralized Directorate of Culture in Cusco (DDC Cusco) now emphasizes a safer, smoother experience without the hassle of overcrowding that visitors experienced in the past.

There are now more ways to pay, including debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets, but the easiest way to ensure you get to bear witness to a true world wonder is by booking ahead through the official platform found here.