Electric storm in the midst of Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano eruption in Chile. Photo by Daniel Basualto/EPA

UPDATE June 9, 2011: Flights on LAN and Aerolineas Argentinas are experiences ongoing delays and cancellations. For the most recent statement released from LAN Airlines, click here. For the most recent statement released from Aerolineas Argentinas click here. American Airlines just released the following statement:

More changes are, of course, in store as ash moves throughout the atmosphere and the eruption subsides.

Ashes from the eruption of Chile’s Puyehue Volcano over the weekend have put a hold on flights into Argentina’s Patagonia region. The eruptions of the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex — a ridge just west of the Chilean-Argentine border — started on Saturday. Winds quickly took the massive ash cloud east, covering places like Argentina’s popular Bariloche region, in dust. As a safety measure, airlines, LAN and Aerolineas Argentinas, have temporarily suspended flights from Buenos Aires to Patagonia. At this time, Chile’s in-country flights have not been disrupted as strong westerly winds continue to push ash over Argentina. While cancellations are subject to change, current details are as follows:

Aerolineas Argentinas
Cancelled until June 12th: All flights between Buenos Aires and Bariloche, Chapelco and Esquel
Cancelled until June 7th: All flights between Buenos Aires and Trelew, Neuquen, Viedma, Rio Gallegos, El Calafate, Ushuaia, Rio Grande and Comodoro Rivadavia

LAN Argentina
Cancelled until June 8th: All flights to Bariloche, Neuquen, Bahia, Blanca, Comodoro Rivadavia and Rio Gallegos.

Chile has over 3,000 volcanoes; 500 of which are considered active — 60 eruptions have occurred in the last 450 years. Puyehue Volcano last major eruption was in 1960. If you have any questions on how the eruption might affect your Argentina, Chile or Patagonia travel, please contact Adventure Life.

The dining room of the Finch Bay hotel is cleaned after the flood. The hotel was flooded by the equivalent of various very high tides – not waves. Finch Bay re-opened to visitors on March 15, 2011

Fortunately, no lives were lost. And tortoises (including Lonesome George) from the Park’s Tortoise Captive Breeding Center on Santa Cruz were temporarily relocated to higher ground.

There are some sensationalized reports of emergency supplies sent from the mainland to Ecuador and how hotels were destroyed. And while some hotels were flooded, no hotel was destroyed. The Finch Bay hotel which was one of the hardest hit reopened yesterday. The Red Mangrove’s lodge in Puerto Ayora will be back and operational by April 1. The amount of emergency supplies that the Ecuador military sent out is 6 tons. To put it in perspective, that is about six pick-up truck loads. Supplies were sent to assist those whose businesses and homes where impacted by the flooding.

Flights were canceled on Friday, but were operating once again by Saturday and all reports from Galapagos yachts state operations are back to normal.

Currently, the Charles Darwin Center is closed, but we will keep you posted as to its re-opening, which we are optimistic will be soon. If you have any specific questions on the impact of the tsunami in the Galapagos, or how it might impact your visit to the islands, do not hesitate to contact us at 1-800-344-6118.

The Galapagos Islands take precautions as a tsunami is anticipated to arrive sometime today around 4:30 pm

We woke with news this morning of an earthquake that struck Japan measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale. Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this natural disaster. As a result of this earthquake, tsunami alerts have been issued for islands and coastal regions hugging the Pacific Ocean.

The tsunami is expected to arrive in Galapagos later this afternoon (March 11, 2011), around 4:30 pm local Galapagos time (5:30pm mainland Ecuador). Ecuador President Rafael Correa has ordered evacuation of the Galapagos Islands. Thankfully, effects of the tsunami are not expected to be severe in the Galapagos or in Latin America in general. Nonetheless, all necessary precautions are already in affect and with the advanced notice, time to seek safe ground is sufficient.

Along with the evacuation order, flights to Galapagos today have been canceled. All tour yachts are required to leave port and be at least five miles offshore to safe waters. Travelers are staying on board. The local populations are seeking higher ground to the highlands and mid sections of the Islands by noon today. Obviously, all visits today have been canceled.

Weather experts in Ecuador expect a similar situation to the one witnessed in Hawaii earlier today in the Galapagos. The higher than usual waves, which arrived about every 15 minutes to the Hawaiian coast caused minimal damage on the shores and ports of the islands. A very similar scenario is expected in the Galapagos today.

Among those evacuating to higher ground is the islands’ famous inhabitant, Lonesome George, as reported by the Galapagos Conservancy.

All international flights into Quito and Guayaquil are operating normally and no delays or cancellations are expected. We are optimistic that flights to and from the Galapagos will be resuming tomorrow. Congestion is inevitable – airports in Galapagos will see an increase in flights to normalize the situation of those passengers stranded in mainland Ecuador today.

Tsunami alerts and alarms in Latin America have also been issued for Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile. In general, coast regions in these countries are advising coastal populations to be on alert and in some cases seek higher ground.

We are in constant contact with our partners in Galapagos and throughout Latin America and will keep you updated on developments.

Machu Picchu reopens April 1, after January downpours washed away access.

Access to Machu Picchu is very limited — the rail is the only practical way to the ruins, other than your own two feet on the Inca Trail. When downpours in January washed out portions of the railway, access to the ruins and the nearby town was virtually impossible. The open of the railway and Machu Picchu is celebrated by Peruvians and Peru travelers alike!

There are still portions of the rail that are not in operation. So travelers will use a combined method of train and vehicle transport.

Travelers will take a car or bus from Ollantaytambo to Piscaycucho (50 min.); then board the train at Piscaycucho to Machu Picchu Town and the ruins (70 min.). If things continue to go as scheduled, the entire rail is estimated to be running as usual within the next two to three weeks.

Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are not only visually stunning, their history, cultural importance, architectural mastery, and spiritual significance have graduated this region into legendary status.

Map of Chile Earthquake - from BBC News

Over the weekend an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Chile. Our thoughts are with our friends and partners in Chile.

All of our travelers are safe; some have run into issues because of flight cancellations, but we are hopeful that flights will resume shortly so our travelers can head home. LAN Airlines is working on contingencies to get people on international flights over the  next few days – but there are not a lot of details at this point. It is hopeful that Santiago airport will be ready for commercial use by March 4, but we are cautiously optimistic about this date; delays are possible.

Thank you, to all of you who expressed concern and well-wishes for our friends in Chile. All of our affiliates in Santiago and the Lakes District regions are fine. But as you can imagine, it will take time for everyone to recover from this – the earthquake has affected all Chileans either directly or indirectly.

As always, we are on top of things. Our travelers’ safety is our top priority, and we will continue to post updates as we receive new information.

For travelers scheduled to arrive to Santiago within the next few days, alternative plans are being made to visit other areas. For travelers arriving in a week or so, we will have options ready in case the Santiago airport does not open up as soon as we expect. The Atacama and the Patagonia region, including the Lakes District and Torres del Paine, were not affected by the earthquake – but access has been disrupted due to Santiago airport closure. Alternative routes are being arranged until the Santiago airport reopens.

The Earthquake
The majority of the damage is in the city of Concepcion, 70 miles northeast of the earthquake’s epicenter, and on coastal cities in the south-center region of the country. Chile’s capital city, Santiago, is 202 miles from the epicenter. Following a devastating earthquake that hit Chile in 1960, many building codes were updated in the event of future quakes. Most of the buildings that suffered extreme damage were of older design – including historic structures. In Santiago, our partners tell us that while some portions of the city were damaged more than others, most of the city came out relatively unscathed and is quickly returning to its daily operations.

Tsunami after-effects, flooded areas of the Chilean coast, but caused little impact to other Pacific Ocean coastal regions (such as Japan, Hawaii and Galapagos) as originally predicted.

We are in continuous communication with our local Chilean partners and will keep you informed about travel to Chile. But, certainly, if you have any questions, ask us.

Machu Picchu ruins in Peru - Photo by John Keller

The short version:
The damage on the lengthy, “backroad route” was greater than originally predicted, and the anticipated Feb. 22 re-open date of Machu Picchu came, went and we now look toward a new date: April 1st. By April 1st, Minister of Transportation (Secretary of Transportation), Mr. Enrique Cornejo, has confirmed there will be access to Machu Picchu through a combined train and vehicle transport.

Travelers will take a car or bus from Ollantaytambo to Piscaycucho (50 min.); then board the train at Piscaycucho to Machu Picchu Town and the ruins (70 min.).

This delay will also affect Inca Trail trekkers. The trail is wrapping up its annual maintenance, preparing for its adventurous hikers — but once trekkers reach Machu Picchu there is not a return route available until April 1st.

The long version:
The heavy rainfall that hit southern Peru at the end of January, flooded the Vilcanota and Urumbama river and caused mudslides that made headlines for damaging the railroad to Machu Picchu and limiting access in and out of the region.

Just like you, we are disappointed that the original re-open date has been delayed. But the good news is, there is definitely progress underway. Repairs to the main rail are going well. Originally, reports from the Peru Tourism Board and railway operator, FTSA, anticipated that access would be available starting Feb. 22 by taking a train ride from Machu Picchu Town to the Hydroelectric station in Santa Teresa (about a 45 min. trip), and from there to take a car back to Cusco (roughly 6 to 7 hour trip). Not ideal, but at least it was an option. But while repairs to the rail are following schedule, there was more significant damage to this road than originally estimated. The initial time frame to open the road by Feb 22 was not possible.

The original schedule of the re-opening was designed as a three step process — three routes opening up over the next few months. The April 1st deadline is right in line with the original schedule — however it was supposed to be the second access option, not the first. But from all the conversations and information we’ve received from our local affiliates, the Peru tourism board and Peruvian transportation department — we remain very optimistic that the April 1st date will bring with it Machu Picchu’s grand re-opening!

Please note, these are of course subject to change, but we remain confident that FTSA and the Peruvian government will stick to the April 1st date as closely as possible. And pressure to do so, is great.

I know, I know; this whole “schedule” and “re-opening” thing sounds a little messy… But things are already settling down, shaping up, and moving forward.

And remember, if you have any questions on how this might affect your trip — ask us! We can help you find an alternative itinerary, customized to some of Peru’s best kept secrets you may not have originally considered.

The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, hidden in the Peruvian Andes

Many of you are familiar with the heavy rainfall that hit southern Peru at the end of January. Peru is no stranger to such downpours, but this season the rainfall that hit the region, flooded the Vilcanota and Urumbama river and caused mudslides that made headlines for damaging the railroad to Machu Picchu and limiting access in and out of the region. Machu Picchu was built by the Inca empire, strategically hid away in the Andean mountains; the train has been essentially the only way in and out of the region — other than by your own two-feet on the classic Inca Trail trek.

The weather and rainfall has returned to normal, activities in surrounding areas such as the Sacred Valley and Cusco are operating as usual. Machu Picchu itself was not damaged by the mudslides — thanks almost entirely to the master Inca engineers who originally built the structure, which includes an impressive drainage system to filter water away from the city and off the mountains. If you happened to see the feature on NOVA “Ghosts of Machu Picchu” you know what I’m talking about. Like I said, Peru is no stranger to downpours…

But while the main rail is damaged, and access limited, there are a few changes travelers should know regarding a visit to Machu Picchu in the next few months.

As of today, here is the most recent and reliable information we have. In order to reestablish access to the ruins and Machu Picchu Town (also called Aguas Calientes) the railway operator, Ferrocarril Transandio S.A. or FTSA, has outlined the following schedule.

1. Hydroelectric to Machu Picchu Town: In roughly two weeks (by Feb. 22), visitors and residents will be able to use bimodal transportation to get back to Cusco from Machu Picchu town. This means a train ride from Machu Picchu town to the Hydroelectric station in Santa Teresa (about a 45 min. trip), and from there to take a car back to Cusco (roughly 6 to 7 hour trip).

2. Piscaycucho to Machu Picchu Town: In roughly 6 weeks, visitors will again be able to reach the ruins by combined means of train and car, but in a lot less transport time than the first option. Here, visitors can take a train from Machu Picchu Town to Piscaycucho (1 and 1/2 hour trip), and from here, take a car back to Cusco (another 1 and 1/2 hour trip).

3. Ollantaytambo to Piscayucho: This is the final leg of the common rail route, that is hoped to be complete within 7 weeks. This means, it is estimated that regular rail operation to and from Cusco to Machu Picchu Town will return to normal within 7 weeks.

Please note, these are of course subject to change, but we remain confident that FTSA and the Peruvian government will stick to this schedule as closely as possible. And pressure to do so, is great.

Regarding Inca Trail Trekkers:
Each year, the Classic Inca Trail is closed in February for normal maintenance. As of now, it is scheduled to reopen as usual. However, once trekkers reach Machu Picchu, they may encounter difficulties returning to Cusco. If trekking within the next 7 weeks, travelers will need to utilize one of the three options listed above to return to Cusco.

Rest assured, everyone, from the Peruvian government to the local infrastructures, residents of Machu Picchu Town and the Peruvian Tourism Board are working as hard as possible to re-open access to Machu Picchu and its nearby community.

If you are at all concerned about how this will affect your itinerary, ask us! We are in constant communication with our local Peru affiliates and receive consistent updates from the Peru Tourism Board.

And keep in mind, while Machu Picchu is an unforgettable place to visit, Peru offers nearly unlimited historical sites and activities – many of which rival the legendary Machu Picchu. The Nazca Lines, Ollantaytambo, the Amazon, Colca Canyon, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca… not to mention Cusco and the Sacred Valley, which along with fascinating culture and ruins, include awesome multisport activities. There are many other hiking circuits in the Andes to explore as well – many sought after by the world’s best trekkers. Want to know other hidden-treasures Peru has to offer? Again, ask us! A handful of our staff has lived, worked, visited or study in Peru and love to share our experiences. Myself included!

Volunteering:
If you’d like to lend a hand to some of the people who have been affected by the flooding, we have received a request from our local affiliates to encourage our travelers to participate in needed activities in the Cachiccata community. Such activities include house and school restoration, healthy meals for kids, community cleaning or a handful of other service projects to consider.

I’ll keep you posted if there are any additional changes to the rail route and access to Machu Picchu.

La Cumbre Volcano as seen from space

Metropolitan Touring recently sent us the following update about the volcanic eruption in Galapagos. For more incredible images of the volcanoe, check these links:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=4514
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=2690
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=14945

Personnel of the Galápagos National Park who over flew the volcano at Fernandina Island, inform that the activity continues, but with less intensity.

This eruption has not affected the itinerary of visits of Metropolitan’s vessels: MV SANTA CRUZ and Yachts LA PINTA and ISABELA II; guests have been able to have a close look at the mighty forces of nature – an incomparable experience!

Damage after earthquake in Costa Rica

Searchers in Costa Rica after Earthquake

The Costa Rican people have touched the lives of our staff and our travelers over the years, and we are saddened by the recent earthquake. In the afternoon of Jan 8, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Costa Rica with an epicenter about 20 miles northwest of San Jose, killing at least 23 people and destroying more than 400 homes and damaging over 600. Three weeks after this terrible disaster, more than 2,800 people have been forced into tent camps and temporary shelters as tremors and landslides triggered by the earthquake destroyed and damaged homes.

Over the past few weeks, Adventure Life has been contacted by our alumni travelers asking how they can help by donating to the relief efforts. There are a few options to consider:

- Donate online to the Costa Rican Red Cross who is leading the relief operations by sheltering and providing vital supplies to displaced families. Donations can be made online to the Costa Rican Red Cross’s website (click here)

- Adventure Life’s affiliates based in San Jose are running a fundraising campaign to purchase provisions directly from wholesalers in San Jose to stimulate the local economy and then donating the transportation to deliver essential food supplies to the relief centers. Our travelers can feel confident that 100% of their donations are used for purchasing rice, beans, cooking oil, and sugar and delivered directly to the families that need this vital assistance. Donations can be sent by check to the Adventure Life office in Missoula to: Adventure Life Costa Rica Relief, 1655 South Third Street West, Missoula, MT 59801.

We have also been contacted by future travelers with concerns about their trips to Costa Rica. No major tourism attraction was seriously damaged by the earthquake other than the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Safe drinking water and electricity have been returned to all the areas that we visit, and there are not any reported problems with the roads and bridges that are used during our itineraries. Since the earthquake, our trips have continued with great success, and travelers are returning from Costa Rica having experienced wonderful trips and feeling safe and taken care of by their Costa Rican hosts. Tourism is vital to the economy, and the sooner that visitors return to this beautiful country, the sooner Costa Rica will recover from this earthquake.

The La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a popular destination that is near the earthquake’s epicenter, did not suffer major structural damage, but it is closed for the next three months to restore the grounds, trails, and other infrastructure that was damaged. We are offering alternative excursions for travelers originally planning to visit this area over the next few months.

Please contact Adventure Life with any questions about future travel and the current situation in Costa Rica and donating to assist the displaced families.