Machu Picchu Opens for a single Tourist

Jesse Katayama, a tourist was due to visit Machu Picchu in early March. However due to COVID-19 it closed. Culture Minister was quoted saying Mr Katayama was granted access after submitting a very special request. Machu picchu is a famous ancient Inca citadel. It is Peru’s top tourist attraction. It is expected to re-open soon at reduced capacity next month. An exacr date is yet to be given.

Mr Katayama had planned to spend very few days in Peru. However he became stranded in the town of Aguas Calientes, near Machu Picchu. this happened in mid-March because of coronavirus made travel regulations. Peru has opened the popular Inca ruins of Machu Picchu for the single Japanese tourist. He had waited almost seven months to visit the world heritage site.

Katayama was permitted to enter the popular ruins on Saturday. He went along with the head of the concerned park “so that he can do this before returning to his country”, Mr Neyra said. In a beautiful video recorded at top of Machu Picchu mountain, the tourist celebrated his long-awaited trip. “This tour is truly amazing, thank you,” said Katayama. Peru has reported more than 849,000 coronavirus cases and 33,000 deaths since the pandemic began, according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University.