The story that Machu Picch is closing for maintenance in April 2016 is not true.  The original story written in Spanish was published on August 11, 2015 in Andina Agencia Peruana de Noticias and announced that Huayna Picchu Mountain would be closed for maintenance from April 1-15, 2016 and Machu Picchu Mountain would be closed for maintenance from April 16-30, 2016.

The story was rewritten in English and republished in Peru This Week National News with one minor translation error.  Machu Picchu Mountain is NOT the same as Machu Picchu ruins.  The word "mountain" is very important in this case.  Machu Picchu Mountain is one of 2 ticketed hikes from the ruins.

I confirmed this with Adios co-founder Vidal in Cusco, who is a native speaker of Spanish.  We both agreed that it appears to be a translation error and a case of not understanding that there is a hike called, "Machu Picchu Mountain."

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are side hikes to the tops of two mountains behind Machu Picchu ruins. Both hikes require tickets which can be purchased on the official government website.  There is a limit to the number of tickets that are sold and this controls the number of visitors on the hikes.

If you analyze the story closely, it doesn't make sense that Huayna Picchu would be open while Machu Picchu ruins would be closed. You have to go through Machu Picchu ruins to get to Huayna Picchu.  It does make sense that the two ticketed hikes are going to take turns being closed for maintenance in April.  

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