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.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.