Machu Picchu Faces Travel Chaos as Bus Dispute Strands Tourists in Peru, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on November 24, 2025

Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and is Peru’s top and most recognizable travel destination, but there is an active crisis right now where hundreds of tourists are stuck and held in the remote town of Aguas Caliente which is at the foot of the Inca Citadel. There’s been a dispute of controlling the shuttle buses that move people from that town to the peak of the Inca Citadel, which is now leading to a protest and blockage of the movement of tourists to the world renowned tourist site.

Recently, this dispute has intensified, and increased the number of tourist stuck to approximately 1400. This has caused the authorities to dispatch a special type of train for the emergency evacuation of the tourists. This situation is indicative of the ongoing issues and problems in the tourism sector, and a new strategy/framework is required for the successful coordination and management of an attraction which is one of the world’s top and most prestigious tourist site.

The Bus Service Disruption: What’s Behind the Chaos?

For over 30 years, Consettur, the company responsible for operating the shuttle bus route from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, has been a critical part of the transportation network. The bus ride, which takes approximately 20 minutes, is the only practical means of reaching Machu Picchu, as the alternative — a steep two-hour hike — is simply not feasible for most visitors.

However, Consettur’s longstanding license expired in September 2025, opening the door for San Antonio de Torontoy, a rival operator, to potentially take over the route. This change sparked widespread backlash from local groups and businesses, who raised concerns over the transparency of the bidding process. Tensions over the transition quickly escalated into protests, which included blockades of the train tracks that lead into Aguas Calientes, further stranding travelers.

Cristian Alberto Caballero Chacon, the head of operations at Consettur, acknowledged the tensions, explaining that conflicts had arisen between various local communities, each vying for control over the lucrative bus service. As a result of these protests, the flow of tourists to Machu Picchu was severely disrupted, causing significant distress for those who were already in Aguas Calientes.

The Impact on Tourists: A Nightmare for Travelers

For tourists who had planned their visit to Machu Picchu, the disruption was nothing short of a nightmare. Travelers were left stranded in Aguas Calientes, unable to access the citadel, and with limited transportation options. Many of those affected had traveled long distances to visit the site, only to find themselves stuck in the remote town without a clear way to proceed.

For some international tourists, the incident was compounded by confusion over transport logistics. Australian tourist Annalise Jaksic and her friend Todd Carland shared their frustration, noting the difficulty they had in securing entry tickets and navigating the complex transportation situation. For travelers unfamiliar with the region, the lack of a clear and consistent transportation network only added to the chaos.

With the bus service suspended due to the standoff, authorities were forced to activate emergency evacuation trains to bring travelers safely out of Aguas Calientes. These trains, typically used for evacuations in emergency situations, became the only option for those who were stranded due to the disruption.

Machu Picchu’s Long-Standing Transportation Issues

The issue surrounding the bus service in Machu Picchu is not a new one. Machu Picchu has long been under pressure due to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a top global tourist destination. In recent years, the site has struggled with overcrowding, high costs for visitors, and local disputes over the distribution of tourism revenue.

For instance, tickets for the bus ride to Machu Picchu cost approximately $24 for foreign tourists and $15 for Peruvians, adding to the financial burden of visiting the site. Additionally, the train tickets to Aguas Calientes, which range from $140 to $2,000, also contribute significantly to the cost of the trip. This makes visiting Machu Picchu an expensive endeavor for many travelers, further exacerbating the dissatisfaction among tourists who are affected by the disruptions.

Local Communities and Power Struggles

At the heart of the controversy is a dispute over control of the transportation network that links Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Many local residents and business owners argue that Consettur has enjoyed a de facto monopoly on the shuttle service for decades, while others contend that the decision to award the concession to San Antonio de Torontoy is simply a shift in power from one operator to another.

Despite the tensions, Caballero of Consettur insists that the company is open to collaborating with the new operator if it is granted final approval. However, with protests continuing and negotiations stalled, it remains unclear when a resolution will be reached.

Local officials, such as Aguas Calientes Mayor Elvis La Torre, also point to the broader issues facing the region. Only 10 percent of the revenue generated from entrance tickets to Machu Picchu stays in the region, with much of the funds going to the national government. This has led to calls for greater investment in local infrastructure and services, which are increasingly strained by the high number of visitors to the area.

A Broader Crisis for Machu Picchu’s Reputation

The ongoing standoff over the bus service and the disruption to tourism at Machu Picchu come at a time when the site’s global reputation is already under scrutiny. The New 7 Wonders of the World organization has warned that the continued mismanagement of the site risks damaging its credibility as a world wonder. As Jean-Paul de la Fuente, the organization’s director, pointed out, the situation has been brewing for years, with little progress made to address the underlying issues.

The tensions surrounding the bus service are a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Machu Picchu, including overcrowding, environmental pressures, and the unequal distribution of tourism revenue. These issues have long plagued the region, but the recent disruptions have brought them into sharp focus.

Tourism and Sustainability: The Need for Change

The current situation in Machu Picchu highlights the need for a more equitable and balanced method when it comes to when and how tourism is implemented in the region. The ancient homes and citadels are among the most visited tourist areas in the world. Because of the conflicting interests of the local stakeholders and the absent of a well organized and coordinated plan, the citadel will likely be unable to harness the potential of a sustained tourism driven economy.

Visitors to the site expect to be able to easily access and enjoy the many offerings, including the many local tours, yet negative impacts from prior tourist management and a severly inadequate crudely coordinated laser basket system makes the local expereince extremely difificult. In the future some form of integrated and coordinated management system for stakeholders and tourism will need to be implemented to protect the culture and the local environment from being destroyed by mass tourism.

Demand for tourism is buoyant, but for Machu Picchu to succeed, the digital infrastructure should be improved, local regulatory frameworks need to be developed, and cooperative relationships need to be built from the ground up. By doing so, Machu Picchu will be able to maintain itself not only as a world cultural site, but more importantly, a site that will be able to maintain the privilege of world tourism.