Tourist Bus Dispute Strands Hundreds at Machu Picchu

Mon Nov 24 2025 16:35:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A licensing conflict over the tourist bus service to Machu Picchu leaves 1,400 visitors stranded, raising concerns about the impact on local tourism and community welfare.

The popular Inca site of Machu Picchu faces significant operational challenges due to a dispute over the bus service that transports visitors from Aguas Calientes. The current operator, Consettur, is embroiled in a licensing tug-of-war which resulted in 1,400 tourists being trapped after local protests blocked transport routes. As the legal quagmire continues, locals are questioning the distribution of tourism revenues and advocating for better community services.

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 the head of operations for bus company Consettur, which for the past 30 years has transported approximately 4,500 people daily to Machu Picchu from the local town of Aguas Calientes. It is a 20-minute journey, and the only alternative is a steep walk taking two hours.

In recent months, there have been conflicts between different communities related to Consettur losing its license to a rival bus firm in this remote region of Peru, where public transport is the only means to access the iconic site.

To visit Machu Picchu without walking, tourists must first take a train to Aguas Calientes, a journey that can take from two to three and a half hours, before transferring to a bus for the final leg.

Last September, local protestors blocked the railway line to Aguas Calientes, demanding a more transparent bidding process, which led to the evacuation of tourists by special train services. This unrest revolves around allegations of a monopoly on the bus service as Consettur's license came to an end in September, but due to ongoing legal challenges, the rival company San Antonio de Torontoy has yet to commence operations.

Aguas Calientes Mayor Elvis La Torre expressed discontent over the inequitable distribution of ticket revenues, with only 10% remaining in the region. He advocates for a larger share to support local tourism projects and community infrastructure.

Tourists themselves are also vocal about their experiences with high ticket prices and poor access to information when visiting Machu Picchu. Many, including Australian tourist Annalise Jaksic, expressed a desire for more inclusive travel options that could assist in both logistics and costs.

As the local government pushes for reforms and proper management of tourism resources, the community’s drive for better services like healthcare and education remains unmet. With the future of the tourist bus services still uncertain, both Consettur and the new operator seem ready to co-exist to ensure continued access to one of the world's most treasured historical sites.