Conflict Erupts Over Tourist Buses to Machu Picchu Amidst Stranded Tourists

Tue Nov 25 2025 20:29:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A dispute over the licensing of bus services transporting tourists to Machu Picchu has led to a crisis, with 1,400 tourists stranded and local operators in contention over their transport licenses.

Machu Picchu is facing significant operational challenges as a dispute over the licensing of bus services escalates, leaving many tourists stranded. Local bus company Consettur has seen conflicts due to the loss of its license to a rival firm. Instead of seamless transport, tourists have faced difficulties with transfers and ticket prices, raising tensions in the Aguas Calientes community. As locals voice concerns about the distribution of tourism revenue and service quality, the future of transport to this world-renowned site remains uncertain.

Machu Picchu, the remains of a 15th Century Inca city, is Peru's most popular tourist destination, and a Unesco world heritage site. Yet a continuing dispute over the buses that take visitors up to the mountain-top site recently saw some 1,400 stranded tourists needing to be evacuated.

Cristian Alberto Caballero Chacón is head of operations for bus company Consettur, which for the past 30 years has transported some 4,500 people every day to Machu Picchu from the local town of Aguas Calientes.

It is a 20-minute journey, and the only alternative is an arduous, steep, two-hour walk.

He admits that in the past few months there have been some conflicts between people from different communities here.

This conflict revolves around Consettur losing its licence to a rival bus firm in this remote part of Peru, where, unless you want to hike over Andes mountains, the only access is by public transport.

To get to Machu Picchu without walking, tourists must first take a train to Aguas Calientes, which takes from two to three and a half hours. And then transfer to a bus for the final leg.

Back in September, local protestors angry that Consettur was being replaced following what they saw as an insufficiently open bidding process, blocked the railway line to Aguas Calientes with rocks.

This resulted in Peruvian authorities having to clear the tracks and evacuate tourists on special train services.

A number of local people, who didn't want to go on the record, say the protestors were unhappy that Consettur had a monopoly on the lucrative bus service, and that its position as sole provider was simply due to be transferred to new company San Antonio de Torontoy.

Although Consettur's licence ran out in September, it is continuing to run its buses. And due to legal challenges, San Antonio de Torontoy has yet to start.

As the row and legal dispute over the buses rumbles on, Australian tourist Annalise Jaksic complains about the cost of the trains to Aguas Calientes. The cheapest round-trip ticket is $140 while luxury options can reach up to $2,000. Mayor of Aguas Calientes, Elvis La Torre, emphasizes the need for more local revenue from ticket sales to improve community services.

Outside, local vendors like Dina Huillca stress that the community needs basic services and infrastructure improvements. Leaders in tourism are advocating for better oversight and management of transport systems, aiming for a unified approach to enhance Peru’s competitive positioning as a travel destination.