Peru: Sacred Valley and Incan Cities Meets Thread

[Bobo912]

Earlier today the Consul General at the Embassy in Lima was answering questions on Facebook and she mentioned several times that the Peruvian police had stepped up their presence in Cusco/Machu Picchu in response to the security threat. Then a couple of hours ago they posted that the warning had been lifted. Here's the communication on the State Dept. website:
http://lima.usembassy.gov/warden/eme..._messages.html

We will remain cautious in any event, but I do feel better about the situation.

I did speak to ABD again earlier this week and didn't get a definitive answer on what conditions would lead them to cancel the trip. I was told that their Global Security Team assesses the situation and decides if the trip should be cancelled. So, still don't know if the trip would have been cancelled if the warning were still in place. Luckily, I won't need to find out. Next time, depending on where I'm traveling, I may forego ABD's travel insurance and get insurance that allows me to cancel for any reason, so I'll be the one deciding what level of risk is acceptable to me. The ABD polciy doesn't provide converage if there is only a threat. Here's what it says:

A terrorist act committed by an organized terrorist
group (recognized as such by the U.S. State
Department) that results in property damage, Injury or
loss of life. The incident must take place in a domestic
or foreign city in which You are scheduled to arrive
within 30 days following the incident and Your tour
operator (if applicable) must not have offered a
substitute itinerary.

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by Bobo912

Earlier today the Consul General at the Embassy in Lima was answering questions on Facebook and she mentioned several times that the Peruvian police had stepped up their presence in Cusco/Machu Picchu in response to the security threat. Then a couple of hours ago they posted that the warning had been lifted. Here's the communication on the State Dept. website:
http://lima.usembassy.gov/warden/eme..._messages.html

We will remain cautious in any event, but I do feel better about the situation.

I did speak to ABD again earlier this week and didn't get a definitive answer on what conditions would lead them to cancel the trip. I was told that their Global Security Team assesses the situation and decides if the trip should be cancelled. So, still don't know if the trip would have been cancelled if the warning were still in place. Luckily, I won't need to find out. Next time, depending on where I'm traveling, I may forego ABD's travel insurance and get insurance that allows me to cancel for any reason, so I'll be the one deciding what level of risk is acceptable to me. The ABD polciy doesn't provide converage if there is only a threat. Here's what it says:

Glad the situation looks better!

About the insurance, just thought I'd mention, Cancel for any reason policies almost always only reimburse you for 60-75% of the value of the trip. Better than no refund, but you should know you probably won't get a full refund if the reason is uncovered. And lots of insurance would not otherwise cover you if you're offered an alternative & turn it down (unless you have cancel for any reason coverage).

Sayhello

[Bobo912]

Originally Posted by sayhello

Glad the situation looks better!

About the insurance, just thought I'd mention, Cancel for any reason policies almost always only reimburse you for 60-75% of the value of the trip. Better than no refund, but you should know you probably won't get a full refund if the reason is uncovered. And lots of insurance would not otherwise cover you if you're offered an alternative & turn it down (unless you have cancel for any reason coverage).

Sayhello

If I was worried that I would be kidnapped, I think I'd be happy with 60%.

If I had received more information on what criteria ABD bases their decision to cancel a trip, I would have felt better about it. For instance, if they had told me that they would cancel if the warning was still in effect a week before our departure date, then I would have known they were just waiting to see if the situation changed before making a decision. Or if they had information that the "criminal organization" only targeted individuals and not tour groups, that would have been reassuring. But it was just a big unknown. For all I know, the situation could have gotten worse and the trip still not have been cancelled. I am happy I won't have to find out. For the next trip, I'll probably pick someplace that is typically safer. For now, I'm going to put this out of my mind and get back to being excited about the trip!

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by Bobo912

If I was worried that I would be kidnapped, I think I'd be happy with 60%.

If I had received more information on what criteria ABD bases their decision to cancel a trip, I would have felt better about it. For instance, if they had told me that they would cancel if the warning was still in effect a week before our departure date, then I would have known they were just waiting to see if the situation changed before making a decision. Or if they had information that the "criminal organization" only targeted individuals and not tour groups, that would have been reassuring. But it was just a big unknown. For all I know, the situation could have gotten worse and the trip still not have been cancelled. I am happy I won't have to find out. For the next trip, I'll probably pick someplace that is typically safer. For now, I'm going to put this out of my mind and get back to being excited about the trip!

Sayhello

[queenmother]

Yes, bobo you are on your trip! Can't wait to hear all about it!,

[Bobo912]

Originally Posted by queenmother

Yes, bobo you are on your trip! Can't wait to hear all about it!,

Yes I am. We arrived at Sol y Luna today. Just got back from the welcome dinner. No computer, just the Kindle which is a chore to type with. So details to come when we get home.

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by Bobo912

Yes I am. We arrived at Sol y Luna today. Just got back from the welcome dinner. No computer, just the Kindle which is a chore to type with. So details to come when we get home.

OMG! How did I miss this? I hope you're having a fabulous time! I can't wait to hear about it!

Sayhello

[Bobo912]

Just returned from Machu Picchu. It was awesome!

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by Bobo912

Just returned from Machu Picchu. It was awesome!

Looking forward to hearing all about it!

Sayhello

[Bobo912]

We're back. It was a great trip. I'll post more when I have time. For now, here's a photo of the Insider pin.

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by Bobo912

We're back. It was a great trip. I'll post more when I have time. For now, here's a photo of the Insider pin.

Oooo, cool! Josh D'Amaro was pretty proud of those!

Looking forward to more when you've recovered!

Sayhello

[tufbuf]

We were told they were supposed to send the rest of the number pins back in July.

Josh is now president of AK. The guy who replaced him is Ken Potrock who is also the DVC senior veep.

Looking forward to your trip report, bobo912!!!

[Bobo912]

Originally Posted by tufbuf

We were told they were supposed to send the rest of the number pins back in July.

Josh is now president of AK. The guy who replaced him is Ken Potrock who is also the DVC senior veep.

Looking forward to your trip report, bobo912!!!

We were told that we would receive the other pins in the mail, as well.

[tufbuf]

Originally Posted by Bobo912

We were told that we would receive the other pins in the mail, as well.

That would be great, you know. I even called ABD a few weeks after I got back and they said the same but none of the pins arrived. I guess we just have to wait and see...

Now that there's a new head, I wonder if they will revamp the program. I really like the books and the DVDs, I wonder if those will continue...

I'm glad you are back home and safe. Were your guides concerned about the warning?

[Bobo912]

Originally Posted by tufbuf

That would be great, you know. I even called ABD a few weeks after I got back and they said the same but none of the pins arrived. I guess we just have to wait and see...

Now that there's a new head, I wonder if they will revamp the program. I really like the books and the DVDs, I wonder if those will continue...

I'm glad you are back home and safe. Were your guides concerned about the warning?

The guides didn't mention the warning. They did suggest areas they consider safe for the time on our own, but I imagine they always do that.