A lot of people are ready to get outside now that we know covid-19 isn't going to magically disappear, and we have developed strategies for learning to live and maybe even travel with it.

Is 2021 a good year to go to Machu Picchu and Peru? For nature lovers, this could be the best year ever, provided you're prepared for the unpredictable and unexpected. 

Good Reasons to Travel to Machu Picchu in 2021:

  • Reduced crowds. 
  • Machu Picchu is outdoors surrouned by fresh air and nature
  • A visit to Machu Picchu is likely to feed your soul on several levels
  • Just getting to Machu Picchu is an adventure
  • Machu Picchu is close to many other outdoor experiences

What Regions in Peru Reopened After Covid-19?

  • The Cusco to Machu Picchu corridor is the "most" open and can be reached by daily flights from Lima.
  • The deserts, jungle and highlands regions are likely to reopen more slowly based on supply and demand. 
  • At least for a while, I would not plan travel to any regions that requires local flights including the Amazon Jungle, Chachapoyas/Kuelap, and Huaraz. I would use Cusco as a hub for doing other outdoor activities
  • Keep your itinerary flexible so you can plan last minute escapes by bus to Lake Titicaca, Huaraz, Nazca or Colca Canyon. If you don't mind traveling by bus for 10  hours or longer. 
  • From Cusco, you can get to several amazing places in one day: Rainbow Mountain, Wakrapukara ruins and Ausangate 7 Lagoons are open for hikers!
  • Here's a link to see a list of all the hikes in Peru that are open and those that are closed.

What you need to know about traveling in Peru  after covid:

  • it's may not be cheap to travel to Machu Picchu because tour operators are not inclined to combine people in groups. This means solo travelers will pay higher rates but they will get lots of individual attention
  • Peru government is reassessing covid restrictsion every 15 days. This means that arrival protocols and restrictions could change literally every 15 days. 
  • As of April 2021, foreigners can arrive in Lima and avoid quarantine by showing proof of neg covid test. We've seen reports that travelers need a neg test to board their flight to Lima and then will be asked to take another covid test upon arrival in Lima. But several travelers claim they did not have to take the covid test again on arrival in Lima. At the very least, you should present your neg covid test from the flight.
  • Having the covid vaccine does not provide any advantage yet. 
  • Clinics are available for covid testing in Cusco and Lima for travelers who need to test before they fly home.  Tip: allow at least 24 hours in Cusco at the end of your trip to allow enough time to get results.
  • Although travel insurance is not required, it is highly recommended to buy a travel insurance policy that covers all your ground expenses as well as the potential for trip interruption in case you test positive for covid.

For people who are interested in traveling in 2021, Peru offers many opportunities for adventure and experiences without the crowds.