Tourist Bus Disputes Keep Machu Picchu Visitors Stranded

Mon Nov 24 2025 13:31:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Disagreements over bus services to Machu Picchu leave 1,400 tourists stranded, sparking conflict among local communities and bus companies.

A recent dispute involving the bus services that transport tourists to Machu Picchu has resulted in chaos as approximately 1,400 visitors found themselves stranded after protestors blocked access. Tensions between local communities and the bus company Consettur arose due to licensing issues that could see a rival company take over operations. Tourists express frustration over high costs and complex ticketing processes, calling for improvements in local services and a fairer distribution of revenue from tourism. Efforts to address these challenges continue amidst ongoing legal disputes.

Machu Picchu, the remains of a 15th Century Inca city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is under scrutiny as disputes over tourist transport escalate. More than 1,400 tourists recently became stranded at the iconic site due to confrontations about bus services that historically ferry visitors from the nearby town of Aguas Calientes.

Head of operations for the bus company Consettur, Cristian Alberto Caballero Chacón, acknowledges the ongoing conflicts among various local communities in light of losing exclusive rights to transport tourists to Machu Picchu. For years, Consettur has transported 4,500 tourists daily across a 20-minute journey. However, without a viable alternative transport option, tourists are left reliant on bus services—unless they wish to trek for two strenuous hours.

Recent protests have disrupted access to the area and sparked legal disputes involving Consettur, which has yet to relinquish its operations despite alerting authorities and local stakeholders. Moreover, concerns vary among local populations regarding securing a stake in profits generated from tourism.

Local activist and mayor of Aguas Calientes, Elvis La Torre, questions ticketing practices, asserting that only a fraction of ticket revenue remains in the area, which severely inhibits community development efforts. Tourists report the combined costs for train and bus services leading to frustrations about miscommunication and dissatisfaction over the economic impact of tourism on local economies.

Strategies for future tourist management at Machu Picchu are discussed, including calls for more equitable revenue sharing, improved community services, and opportunities for diverse visitor experiences. With ongoing negotiations and potential changes on the horizon, the future of tourism at Machu Picchu remains uncertain.