Machu Picchu Tourist Bus Dispute Creates Chaos for Visitors

Wed Nov 26 2025 04:43:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A conflict over bus transport to Machu Picchu has left thousands of tourists stranded, highlighting ongoing tensions in Peru's tourism sector.

The iconic tourist site Machu Picchu is embroiled in a significant dispute over the bus services that transport visitors from Aguas Calientes. Over 1,400 tourists were stranded recently due to protests against Consettur, the long-time bus service provider. The conflict centers around the loss of Consettur's operating license to a rival company, leading to local unrest and government intervention. Tourists express frustration over high travel costs and limited local benefits from ticket sales.

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.

The 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 protesters 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.

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. The situation has caused confusion and frustration among tourists, who are already grappling with expensive train tickets to Aguas Calientes. The mayor of Aguas Calientes, Elvis La Torre, has expressed concerns that only 10% of ticket sales stay in the region, with the majority going to the Ministry of Culture.

As protests continue and the legal dispute lingers, both local residents and tourists alike are calling for a resolution that benefits the community and improves the overall experience of visiting one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites.