Luxury Hotel Resort Opens, Adds to Great Week for Peru

The year didn’t start so well for Peru as the country was pummeled with heavy rains that caused a series of landslides, forcing Machu Picchu to close to tourists back in late January.

But with the famous site opening back up to tourists Thursday and the country's first luxury hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas opening Wednesday, the country seems to be forging ahead to September when it will host TravelMart Latin America, arguably Central and South America’s biggest trade show of the year.

Peru capped off a solid week with news on Friday that the much-anticipated Tambo del Inka, which we first told you about in October, opened its doors. The 128-room luxury resort is one of several Starwood Hotels & Resorts that have either opened recently or that will open in Peru before the show kicks off at the end of the year in Lima.

On Tuesday, Abercrombie & Kent confirmed that the Vistadome rail service to Aguas Caliente resumed and Machu Picchu reopened on Thursday. The day was celebrated with a traditional “Payment to the Earth” ceremony in Cusco on the Esplanade of the Koricancha Temple.

Musicians and dancers will participate in the tribute to Pachamama Raymi, or "Mother Earth," followed by fireworks and music.

Visit www.visitperu.com and www.starwoodhotels.com.