Machu Picchu Reopens After 7 Months, Just For This Tourist

Due to the very sudden lockdown across the world, many people have been stranded while holidaying, unable to head home due to flights being stopped everywhere.

One such person, Jesse Takayama, has gone viral for his very special lockdown story. 

Takayama was visiting Peru when the pandemic struck. His itinerary included a visit to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. But the lockdown happened and he got stranded in the remote town of Aguas Calientes, for almost seven months.

But his ordeal paid off when, recently, the government in Peru decided to open Machu Picchu for just Takayama. 

Takayama had actually bought his entry ticket in March, before the lockdown.

According to Peru's Minister of Culture Alejandro Neyra, this was made possible after he submitted a special request and applied for special permits. Takayama entered one of the wonders of the world together with the head of the park so that he could tick this off his itinerary before returning to Japan.

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He visited the more-than-500-year-old ruins of the citadel on October 10, and became the first visitor in seven months to walk through the World Heritage Site.

His original plan had been to spend only a few days in Peru, and to take in Machu Picchu.

Neyra announced that the heritage site will be opened for tourists and foreign visitors from November and only 30 percent of its daily capacity of 675 people will be allowed.