THE leader of Fenland's Weight Watchers groups is to climb to the historic Machu Picchu mountain ridge in Peru later this year to raise money for the NSPCC. But Kathy Bateman's trip has come a year earlier than planned - she was going to face the challenge for her 60th birthday next year but her son booked a trip for April. Mrs Bateman has now started a training programme in preparation at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March and at the Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech. Mrs Bateman, of March, said: "I wanted to do something adventurous for my 60th birthday next year and I have always wanted to go to Machu Picchu. It is one of the most amazing places in the world. "But in November my son David looked at the trip as well and booked for us to go this year, on April 23." Mrs Bateman and son David, of North Wootton near King's Lynn, will spend 10 days in Peru but about four days climbing. They will also camp for three nights. Mrs Bateman's training programme simulates the high altitude conditions she will face in Peru. She also uses hiking boots rather than trainers and carries weights on her back. She has already raised about £80 through voluntary contributions from Weight Watchers members who gained weight over Christmas. Mrs Bateman said: "I would love to reach £1,000." Machu Picchu is an Inca site about 8,000ft above sea level. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, alongside historic attractions like the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum and the Great Wall of China.

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PERU RESTORES ROAD LINK TO FLOOD STRICKEN MACHU PICCHU TOURIST ATTRACTION

Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) is giving top priority in restoring the road linkages to flood-stricken historic Machu Picchu, through two routes to restore the productive, trade, social and tourist activities.

The route 1 covers a stretch on the highway: Cusco-Chinchero-Urubamba-Ollantaytambo-Abra Malaga-Alfamayo-Santa Maria-Santa Teresa-the hydroelectric rail station and another by train: hydroelectric rail station-Machu Picchu rail station.

While the Route 2 covers the stretch Cusco – Chinchero – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo ? Piscacuchu and by train the stretch Piscacucho-Machu Picchu rail station.

The highways of Route 1 are the only alternate route to get to Machu Picchu since the railroad had been blocked due to landslides.

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International Campaign to promote the return of tourists to Machu Picchu, Peru held

The principal destination in the country had a drop in visitors after the heavy rains that cut off their only means of access.

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Martin Perez, said the international and local campaign conducted jointly with the tourism operators and other industry-linked to avoid cancellations and fulfill the goal of receiving 2.2 million foreign visitors this year.

Last week over 4,000 people were rescued from the town of Aguas Calientes, near Machu Picchu, about 2450 meters over sea level and 1,100 miles southeast of Lima, in an unprecedented operation in the country to evacuate tourists trapped by heavy rains.

Machu Picchu, declared a World Heritage Site and one of the seven new wonders of the world, is the icon of tourism in Peru and a great magnet for the business sector.

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Peru's Machu Picchu area struggling after landslides

Peru's Machu Picchu area is struggling to recover after heavy rains caused landslides that stranded more than 2,000 tourists near the ancient citadel this past week and destroyed houses and crops.

PeruRail said slides severely damaged and eroded railway tracks between Cuzco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the only means of access to the ancient Inca citadel.

Helicopters were being used midweek to evacuate tourists near Machu Picchu, including more than 400 Americans. Food and water were running short in the village near the ruins.

At least five deaths were caused by the days of torrential rain, including an Argentine tourist and her guide who were hiking the historic Inca trail to Machu Picchu.

Get updates at the PeruRail Web site, www.perurail.com (click on "News").