Landslides in Peru

Updated March 19

Peru Rail has announced the reinstatement of limited rail service between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, effective March 29th. This will coincide with the imminent re-opening of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail to tourists, which has been announced by the governing bodies of the inca Trail to take place on April 1st. The days of train service before Machu Picchu opens (March 29th to the 31st) will give the residents of the town of Aguas Calientes the chance to return to their homes, transport supplies, and prepare to resume business once tourists start arriving.

Gap Adventures will make every effort possible to run itineraries on schedule that are due to visit Machu Picchu and the inca Trail after April 1st, however due to the limited train service offered by Peru Rail there may be slight itinerary modifications necessary in getting people in and out of Aguas Calientes due to the spaces available and timetables offered by the train service. Groups scheduled to visit Machu Picchu prior to the reopening date of April 1st will not be rescheduled unless already existing time in Cusco allows. This will be determined in conjunction with our Cusco operations team and the tour leader.

We continue to stay on top of this situation and will report any and all developments as they arise so please check back for updates.

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Updated February 23

All Gap Adventures tours to Peru will continue to operate.

At this stage, Machu Picchu and The Inca Trail are closed, and the INC (governing body of the Inca Trail) has temporarily suspended the sale of Inca Trail permits for the month of March only. Further information as to when this permit sale suspension will be lifted is as of now unknown, but our Cusco operations team is on top of the situation and we will report any and all developments as they arise. Infrastructure repair to the train tracks is estimated to take between 1-2 months however we are looking at other accessibility options to get into Machu Picchu as they develop. Any such options will have to be deemed safe and viable, as well as approved by the local authorities before any such action will be taken.

Gap Adventures is operating the Lares trek as usual, but with an alternate itinerary before and after as Machu Picchu remains closed.

Tours will be impacted differently by the inaccessibility of Machu Picchu and The Inca Trail. We have taken an approach of looking at your scheduled date of visitation to Machu Picchu (rather than tour start date). Please see below for how your tour will be affected and your available options:

Tours with a visit scheduled to start the Inca Trail or if not hiking the Inca Trail then visiting Machu Picchu 22 February – 31 March 2010

Tours focused on Machu Picchu
The Inca Trial (SPIT)
Inca Discovery (PID)
Galapagos & Ina Discovery (ED07P)
Islands gto Andes Expereince (ED10P)
Inca Discovery Plus (PIM)
Inca Discovery Plus (Air Canada Vacations) (PIMC)
Discover Machu Picchu by Inca Trail (TSPDIC)
Discover Machu Picchu by Inca Trail (TSPDIS)
Discover Machu Picchu by Train (TSPDTC)
Independent Inca Discovery (TSPIDN)
Independent Lares Trek (TSPILN)
Salkantay Lodge Trek (TSPMLC)
Cuzco Multi Sport (TSPMSC)
Machu Picchu by Train (TSPMTC)
Machu Picchu by Train (TSPMTN)
Machu Picchu by Train (TSPMTS)
Independent Lares Trek (TSPILN)
Inca Discovery – Lares (PIL)
Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu by Train (TSPTTC)
Peru in Style (SPSS)
Amazon to the Andes (PAA)
Amazon to the Andes (Air Canada Vacations) (PAAC)
The Inca Journey (PIJ)
Wildlife & Inca Encompassed (EW06P)
Amazon to the Andes – Lares (PAL)

Amendment options:
• Continue travelling and alternate arrangements will be made locally as conditions allow. Gap Adventures is operating the Lares trek as usual, but with an alternate itinerary before and after as Machu Picchu remains closed. Any Tours scheduled to hike the Inca Trail will hike the Lares Trek should the Inca Trail remain closed.
• Post-pone travel to a later date with Gap Adventures (with no ammendment fee for land services booked through Gap Adventures).
• Make alternate arrangements on another Gap Adventure (with no amendment fee for land services booked through Gap Adventures). If the alternate tour is less cost than the tour originally booked, a refund of the balance will be provided. Likewise, if the alternate tour is more expensive the balance will need to be paid.
• Gap Adventures is not accountable or responsible for costs associated with other providers.

Cancellation options:
• Normal cancelation penalties will apply.
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Tours with a visit scheduled to start the Inca Trail or if not hiking the Inca Trail then visiting Machu Picchu 22 February – 31 March 2010

Highlands and Amazon Adventure (PHML)
Andean Discovery (JML)
Peru Panorama (PPP)
Inca Heartland (PXML)
Inca Heartland (BXLM)
Highlands and Amazon Adventure (BHLM)
Andean Adventure (JLM)
Absolute Peru (PHPT)
Galapagos & Peru Encompassed (EA06P)
Galapagos & Peru Encompassed (EA06A)
Absolute Peru (Air Canada Vacations) (PHPTC)
Quest of the Gods (PQG)
Quest of the Gods (Air Canada Vacations) (PQGC)
In the Shadow of Machu Picchu (PSM)
Peru Hike, Bike & Raft (PHB)
Peru Panorama Plus (PPB)
Classic Peru (PPC)
Peru on a Shoestring (SPPS)
Peru and Bolivia Experience (SPPB)
Inca Empire (BILM)
Inca Empire (PIML)
South America Overland - Lima to La Paz (SLML)
South America Overland - La Paz to Lima (SLLM)
South America Overland - Quito to La Paz (SLQL)
South America Overland - La Paz to Quito (SLLQ)
South America Overland - Quito to Rio (SLQR)
South America Overland - Rio to Quito (SLRQ)
Amazon and Incan Adventure (SPMCD)
Ancient Incas of Peru (SPPAD)
Inca Heartland (BJLM)
Inca Heartland (PJML)
Great South American Journey - Buenos Aires to Lima (JBM)
Great South American Journey - Lima to Buenos Aires (JMB)
Andean Empire - La Paz to Quito (JLQ)
Andean Empire - Quito to La Paz (JQL)
Great South American Journey - Lima to Rio de Janeiro (JMR)
Great South American Journey - Rio de Janeiro to Lima (JRM)
Great South American Journey - Lima to Santiago (JMS)
Great South American Journey - Santiago to Lima (JSM)
Great South American Journey - Quito to Rio de Janeiro (JQR)
Great South American Journey - Rio de Janeiro to Quito (JRQ)
Great South American Journey - Quito to Santiago (JQS)
Great South American Journey - Santiago to Quito (JSQ)
Amazon to the Andes and Galapagos (PA07A)
Inca Panorama and Galapagos (PP06A)
Inca and Darwin Experience (PP10A)
Quest of the Gods and Galapagos (PQ06G)
Altiplano and Amazon (SJLM)
Altiplano and Amazon (SJML)
Southern Cross and Amazon (SJMR)
Southern Cross and Amazon (SJRM)
Southern Cross (SXMR)
Southern Cross (SXRM)
Altiplano Expeditions (SXLM)
Altiplano Expedition (SXML)
Bolivia Crossing - Lima to Buenos Aires (SXMB)
Bolivia Crossing - Buenos Aires to Lima (SXBM)

Amendment options:
• Continue travelling. Gap Adventures is operating the Lares trek as usual, but with an alternate itinerary before and after as Machu Picchu remains closed. Any Tours scheduled to hike the Inca Trail will hike the Lares Trek should the Inca Trail remain closed.
• Post-pone travel to a later date with Gap Adventures (with no amendment fee for land services booked through Gap Adventures).
• Make alternate arrangements on another Gap Adventure (with no amendment fee for land services booked through Gap Adventures). If the alternate tour is less cost than the tour originally booked, a refund of the balance will be provided. Likewise, if the alternate tour is more expensive the balance will need to be paid.
• Gap Adventures is not accountable or responsible for costs associated with other providers.

Cancellation options:
• Normal cancelation penalties will apply.

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Tours visiting Machu Picchu 22 February – 31 March 2010
Highlights of Peru (PHP)
Highlights of Peru (Air Canada Vacations) (PHPC)
Essence of Peru (PEE)
Taste of Peru (PET)
Bolivia on a Shoestring (SBBS)
Peru Essentials (SPPE)
Inca Explorer (PEI)
Peru Explorer (SPLC)
Culinary Peru (SPGP)
Amazon Riverboat Adventure and the Inca Sacred Empire (PFIIT)
Southern Divide (SMS)
Southern Divide (Air Canada Vacations) (SMSC)

Amendment Options:
• If Machu Picchu is inaccessible at the time the tour is scheduled to travel there, these tours will remain in Cusco or the Sacred Valley and receive accommodation provided by Gap Adventures.
• Post-pone travel to a later date with Gap Adventures (with no amendment fee for land services booked through Gap Adventures).
• Make alternate arrangements on another Gap Adventure (with no amendment fee for land services booked through Gap Adventures). If the alternate tour is less cost than the tour originally booked, a refund of the balance will be provided. Likewise, if the alternate tour is more expensive the balance will need to be paid.
• Gap Adventures is not accountable or responsible for costs associated with other providers.

Cancellation options:
• Normal cancelation penalties will apply.

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All tours with a visit scheduled to Machu Picchu 01 April, 2010 and beyond
At this point, normal cancellation penalties will apply. We are monitoring the situation, and will update on an on-going basis.

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Updated February 1

As stated below, all Gap Adventures travellers and staff have been successfully evacuated from Aguas Calietes. Machu Picchu is still currently inaccessible and plans now are being put into place by the Peruvian authorities and governing bodies of that region for infrastructure repair, which is as of yet unknown. As of today there has been no amendment to the below policy of how we are handling future bookings, and an updated policy for both current trips and forward departures will be released on Wednesday, February 3rd.

Should further inquiries be desired, please contact our Sales department at travel@gap.ca, or by phone at +1 416 260 0999.
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Updated January 29

Good weather has facilitated the ongoing helicopter evacuations today and as of approximately midday EST we are happy to report that all Gap Adventures travellers and staff have been successfully evacuated out of Aguas Calientes and to Cusco. All evacuees are being cared for and were greeted upon arrival in Cusco by our teams of Tour Leaders and office staff in order to assist with anything necessary.

At this stage, Machu Picchu, The Inca Trail and the Lares Trek are closed.

All Gap Adventures tours to Peru will continue to operate.

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Updated January 28

Helicopter evacuations have continued with better progress today as the weather has improved, and there have already been multiple trips today with travellers evacuated out of Aguas Calientes to Cusco. Evacuees are being organized by the military by age for the evacuation priority and we hope that the weather stays cooperative to facilitate further progress as the day goes on.

As previously reported, all Gap Adventures travellers are safe and accounted for, being cared for and supported by our guides and tour leaders on the scene. We are holding regular briefings in order to communicate better to everyone there and to keep people as up-to-date as possible. At last count, Gap Adventures had 84 people left to evacuate, including trek staff and guides. Reports have also told us that the river level has lowered, meaning the clearance and repair to the railroad tracks could be feasible in the very near future.

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and will report any developments as they arise.

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Updated January 27

Gap Adventures is doing all possible to assist our passengers and staff as a result of the continued heavy rain and mudslides in Peru. Logistics are proving difficult and we are in regular contact with all our suppliers and local contacts in the area.

Our first priority has been to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff in the area. We are pleased to report all our passengers are safe and accounted for.

Our next priority is to consider the logistics for groups that are currently on the ground.

Peruvian authorities have closed the Inca Trail. Only one bridge remains open into and out of the Sacred Valley area. Our alternate Inca Trail, The Lares Trek is located in the Sacred Valley. Because river levels remain at an extremely high level, there is a real risk the one remaining bridge may become impassable. Based on this, we have taken the prudent decision to not allow any groups to cross the bridge into the Sacred Valley.

As of yesterday, flights have resumed between Cusco and Lima easing some of the congestion and providing some solutions for some travellers. Also, the Peruvian Government is using helicopters to evacuate people from isolated areas.

We are hopeful more infrastructures will be repaired in coming days and will allow more alternatives for transport and accommodation.

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Updated January 25
Due to heavy rains in the Cusco area in the past few weeks, there have been a series of landslides between the city of Cusco and Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu. These landslides have affected the train service for travellers coming back to Cusco, meaning we have a handful of groups who are currently stuck in Aguas Calientes. All travellers are safe and accounted for, and we have expert staff and guides on the ground in Aguas Calientes to assist.

All passengers currently on the Inca Trail are safe and are hiking as normal, arriving to Aguas Calientes on their scheduled days, however the issue right now is getting everyone back to Cusco.

As the way out of Aguas Calientes is at this point uncertain, the entrance to the Inca Trail at km 82 has been closed and all hikers will be offered alternatives, either trekking Lares or staying in Cusco.

Our team in Cusco has been working on this with our guides in Aguas Calientes through the night and we are looking for solutions for the people stuck currently. We will advise with more information as soon as we have it regarding any further developments and updates as they arise.

Travel to Tibet

The Chinese government suddenly announced that effective immediately no permits for foreigners will be issued to enter into Tibet and any permits that have already been issued will be cancelled.
Because of these restrictions on entry into Tibet, we have no option but to cancel the Tibetan Adventure (ACTA) scheduled to depart on March 14th and 21st, 2010.
The High Road to Tibet tour (ANRT) scheduled to depart on March 21st has not been canceled, but instead re-routed.
If you are scheduled to travel on either of these tours, please contact your booking agent right away for further information.

Trips Affected

Boat aground in Galapagos, Gap Adventures not involved

This it to inform that the boat named "Alta" ran aground last night just in front of the main port of Puerto Ayora, and all clients on board were uninjured and successfully evacuated. This is NOT a boat that Gap Adventures uses, and all 6 of our vessels are operating safely and on schedule.

Reciprocal Fee Implemented for Canadian, US and Australian Citizens

As of December 20, 2009 Australian, Canadian and US Citizens will be charged a reciprocal fee upon arrival at Ezeiza airport in Argentina. This is not a visa and does not have to be applied for in advance but simply a fee paid upon entry. The values to be charged are as follows and are based on the passport that you carry.
Australian - USD 100
Canadian - USD 70
US - USD 131

This fee can be paid for in cash, by credit card or with travellers' cheques and permits multiple entries for a 10 year period. These fees are set by the Argentine government and are subject to change at any moment.

Countries Affected: Argentina

Small Plane Crash in Nazca

On February 25th a small plane carrying 6 tourists to crashed killing all of the passengers. No Gap Adventures passengers were involved in this crash nor do we use the airline that was involved.

Earthquake in Central Chile

Update March 11, 2010

There were two aftershocks today in the Central Chile area. At this point, there has been no news of any additional damage to local infrastructure due to these events. As such all of our tours operating out of or travelling into Chile are running as per schedule. The only difference to any itineraries is that for those travelling on the Southern Sojourn between Santiago and Buenos Aires or the reverse direction, the travel between Santiago and Pucon will now be done during the day and not as a night bus until further notice.

Update March 5, 2010

The coastal area of Chile in and around Concepcion has suffered the most damage, however, other areas
and infrastructure have been damaged to varying degrees. Chile’s main airport has reopened however is not yet working at full capacity.

In light of the immediate difficulties of getting to Santiago for this weekend, we have taken the following action on the following tours:

* Southern Discovery (SSB) 07 March. This tour has been cancelled. The options are:
1) Postpone travel with Gap Adventures to a later date, or
2) Receive a refund of land services booked through Gap Adventures.

* The Atacama Crossing - Santiago to La Paz (JSL) 06 March. This tour is operating. The options are:
1) To travel as intended, or
2) Postpone travel with Gap Adventures to a later date, or
3) Receive a refund of land services booked through Gap Adventures.

* Southern Explorer (SSR) 07 March. The first portion of this tours has been cancelled (SSB). The options are:
1) Travel to Buenos Aires where the tour will start on March 13th. Gap Adventures will provide a refund for the unused travel Santiago to Buenos Aires, or
2) Postpone travel with Gap Adventures to a later date, or
3) Receive a refund of land services booked through Gap Adventures.

* Southern Sojourn - Buenos Aires to Santiago (JBS) 05 March. This tour is operating.
This tour is scheduled to travel from Pucon to Santiago on Day 11/12. If the state of the roads to not allow safe passage, flights will need to be purchased at travellers individual expense.

* Chile & Argentina Culinary Adventure (CAG) 07 March. This tour is operating on an amended itinerary. The options are:
1) Travel to Mendoza, where the tour will start on 09 March. Gap Adventures will provide a pro-rated refund for the shortened tour of 2 days, or
2) Postpone travel with Gap Adventures to a later date, or
3) Receive a refund of land services booked through Gap Adventures.

*Southern Sojourn (JSB) 11 March.
Your upcoming tour “Southern Sojourn – Santiago to Buenos Aires” (JSB) does travel through some of the impacted areas along journey south between Santiago and Pucon. Typically this journey is undertaken at night, however, as an extra-added safety precaution this journey will take place during the day. We have had groups travel this road already, and although conditions are far from ideal – it is serviceable and safe.

For tours beginning beyond 11 March we will be in further contact as the situation unfolds.

Suspension of Mali Dogon Discovery Tour

Due to on-going government travel warnings, and the uncertainty these warnings are producing in regards to travel and safety to parts of Mali, Gap Adventures has suspended all departures of the ‘Mali Dogon Discovery’ for the immediate future. At Gap Adventures we pride ourselves on facilitating the highest quality, and safest, group adventure tours and we don’t believe we can guarantee that with the above adventure at this moment.

Countries Affected: Mali