This lucky traveler was the only tourist allowed in Machu Picchu since March
When Japanese tourist Jesse Katayama traveled to Peru in mid-March, he'd hoped to see Machu Picchu, the nation's famous Inca citadel. But as the novel coronavirus swept the globe, countries closed their borders and shuttered attractions.
Katayama was stranded in Peru, holding an entry ticket to the UNESCO World Heritage Site for March 16 — the day Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail closed to visitors, according to CNN Travel.
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For seven months, Katayama remained in Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), a small town at the foot of the Andes where most travelers begin their journey to the Lost City of the Incas. He'd hoped to at least explore more of South America, but border restrictions kept him in Peru.
"I thought I would never make it to Machu Picchu," Katayama told CNN, saying he didn't expect the famous attraction to reopen this year. And his money was running out. Soon, Katayama knew he'd be forced to return home to Osaka.
In a last-ditch effort, Katayama submitted a special request to the Ministry of Culture, Reuters reported. Minister of Culture Alejandro Neyra permitted him to enter the ruins on Saturday, Oct. 10, along with two photographers and José Bastante, head of the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park.
“He had come to Peru with the dream of being able to enter,” Neyra said during a virtual press conference two days later. “[He] entered ... with our head of the park so that he can do this before returning to his country.”
In addition to being the first tourist to visit Machu Picchu since its closure in March, Katayama also got to experience the famous — and often over-crowded — attraction like few people ever do: without throngs of other tourists disrupting the view. He was even able to visit at the tail end of the dry season, the best time to visit Machu Picchu for cloud-free skies.
With his dream fulfilled, Katayama told CNN he plans to return to Japan on Oct, 16 — 216 days after arriving in Aguas Calientes.
Related: New, alternative routes to Machu Picchu
Though most of us can only dream of having exclusive access to the 15th-century archaeological site, visiting Machu Picchu this year isn't beyond the realm of possibility.
Minister Neyra said Machu Picchu could reopen to tourists in November, though it will operate at 30% capacity, according to Reuters. That means just over 200 people will be permitted to enter each day.
For U.S. travelers dreaming of seeing Machu Picchu without the crowds, a trip in the near future isn't out of the question. Peru welcomed back international flights on Oct. 5, and flights from the U.S. are expected to restart soon. In an independent search, TPG found flights from Miami (MIA) to Lima, Peru (LIM) beginning Oct. 15.
When will international travel return? Read our country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery.
Still, Peru is expected to remain under a state of emergency — with national quarantine measures and curfews — through at least the end of October. All travelers arriving in Peru must sign a sworn statement agreeing to comply with the mandatory 14-day quarantine and saying they are symptom-free of COVID-19. At this time, travelers must also present a negative molecular COVID-19 test (taken within 72 hours of arrival) to be allowed entry.
Face masks are required in public places and social distancing measures must be respected, but the U.S. Embassy has not received any information from the Peruvian government suggesting U.S. travelers will be denied entry.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.