Machu Picchu chaos as anti-tourist protests trap hundreds at iconic landmark

Hundreds of tourists remain trapped on Machu Picchu after demonstrators tore up railway tracks and dumped large stones onto other sections preventing people from getting close to the iconic location

Machu Picchu has been thrown into chaos as anti-tourist protesters have trapped hundreds at the iconic landmark.

An estimated 900 tourists are tapped close to Peru’s iconic ruins after protesters ripped up train tracks then covered them with logs and rocks. The chaos erupted in the town of Aguas Calientes, which is the last stop tourists would make before heading up to Machu Picchu^[1].

Despite 1,400 tourists^[2] being safely removed from the site, hundreds remain stuck, according to Peru’s Tourism Minister, Desilu Leon. The US Embassy has issued a travel warning for the area and has urged Americans to stay away for the time being.

“Local organizations are protesting changes regarding the bus service contract serving the route to the Machu Picchu site, including by placing objects on the rail line tracks connecting Ollantaytambo and Machupicchu Pueblo,” it warned.

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“Demonstrations in Machu Picchu Pueblo are expected to continue. Rail and road traffic on routes leading to Machu Picchu may be disrupted without prior notice.” Travellers have been asked to seek reimbursement and reschedule trips as a result.

The protests began last week when bus company Consettur saw its concession expire, before a rival firm from a neighbouring area then took over the route popular with tourists. Furious residents in Aguas Calientes have since accused officials of accepting backroom deals to prevent their buses from working the route.

The ongoing drama has seen bus services being halted, trains being trashed and holidaymakers being told they would need to hike for hours through the mountains. Miguel Salas, from Chile, said: “In my case, I can’t do it because my wife is pregnant.”

The unfolding protests have left many tourists wondering if they will be able to see one of the great wonders of the world^[5]. Between May and September visitor numbers are limited to 5,600 a day.

Every year Machu Picchu typically welcomes more than one million people each year, though this is the first year where widespread protests have disrupted holidays. Peruvian officials are now meeting with unions and other groups in the area to prevent further disruptions to Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century by the Inca and has been referred to as a lost city due to gaining greater awareness hundreds of years later. It was named one of the new seven wonders of the world in 2007.