Tourists Stranded Near Machu Picchu Amid Protests

Nearly 1,000 tourists found themselves stranded in Aguascalientes, Peru, close to the famous Machu Picchu site. This situation arose after train services were halted due to protests against a newly commissioned bus company, as reported by Reuters.

The protests have been ongoing for almost two weeks, triggered when the contract for Consetter, the company responsible for bus transport from Aguascalientes to the Citadel, expired. Demonstrators claimed that the changes regarding this bus company were neither transparent nor fair. Some protesters even placed various-sized rocks on the railway tracks, highlighting their frustration.

According to Tourism Minister Decil Leon, about 1,400 tourists were evacuated on Monday, although approximately 900 remained stuck in Aguascalientes as of that time.

The U.S. Embassy in Peru is advising American tourists to steer clear of large gatherings and protests. In a statement, they mentioned that Peruvian authorities have been using available land and rail routes to assist tourists in and around Machu Picchu Pueblo/Aguascalientes.

The embassy also provided guidance for those who are trapped and cautioned travelers that visits to Machu Picchu could be further limited due to ongoing protests, without any prior notice. While train services resumed operations two days after the protests began, the situation remains somewhat uncertain.

Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned as a 15th-century Inca Citadel and was designated one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World” in 2007. It sits at an altitude of 7,970 feet above sea level, perched on a mountain ridge.