Buses at Machu Picchu spark protests as transport row unsettles visitors

Machu Picchu, the iconic 15th‑century Inca city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, draws visitors from around the world. A brewing dispute over the buses that ferry travelers up to the mountaintop site has escalated, leaving about 1,400 tourists stranded and needing evacuation earlier this year.

Cristian Alberto Caballero Chacón runs operations for Consettur, the long‑time local bus company. For three decades it has carried roughly 4,500 passengers daily from Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu.

The typical crossing is about 20 minutes by road; the only alternative is a strenuous two‑hour hike up the mountain.

Caballero acknowledges tensions in recent months among communities here, tied to a loss of license in favor of a rival operator in this remote region, where public transport is the only option aside from hiking.

To reach Machu Picchu without walking, visitors first take a train to Aguas Calientes, then transfer to a bus for the final leg.

In September, protesters opposed to Consettur’s replacement after what they described as an opaque bidding process blocked the railway with rocks. Authorities cleared the tracks and evacuated tourists on special trains.

Locals who spoke off the record said the protestors were unhappy that Consettur’s monopoly on the lucrative bus service was ending and that a new company, San Antonio de Torontoy, was due to take over. A round‑trip bus ticket costs around $24 for foreigners and about $15 for Peruvians.

Although Consettur’s licence expired in September, the firm continues to run buses while San Antonio de Torontoy has yet to begin due to legal challenges.

Caballero insists the business is not a monopoly. He notes Consettur is a group of 12 companies with various local partners, including the district council, which owns about 38% of Consettur.

San Antonio de Torontoy operates from a different part of Urubamba Province.

Australian visitors Annalise Jaksic and Todd Carland said ticket prices for trains to Aguas Calientes were high, with the cheapest round trip around $140 and luxury options up to $2,000. They found buying entry tickets for Machu Picchu challenging when not booked through an expensive tour, with standard adult entry around $57.

Elvis La Torre, the mayor of Aguas Calientes, expressed concern that most revenues do not stay locally; only about 10% remains in the region, with the rest going to the Ministry of Culture to manage other sites and cover wages. He called for more local revenue to fund tourism projects and services. The Ministry of Culture declined to comment.

On a street lined with souvenir stalls, vendor Dina Huillca said more must be done for local communities, noting a lack of basic services such as running water, hospitals, and better schools.

Carlos González, president of the Cusco region’s tourism chamber, urged a state role in coordinating Peru’s travel resources and pushing for a unified national transport policy. He called for updates to the law so a tourism ministry can oversee travel resources and strengthen Peru’s competitiveness as a destination.

González also envisions revised Machu Picchu visits with multiple entrances and zones tailored to different visitor types, from spiritual travelers to younger visitors seeking social content opportunities.

But he cautioned that Peru’s political volatility — six presidents in six years — makes reform difficult. He has spent years meeting ministers and lawmakers without lasting results.

Back in Aguas Calientes, Caballero said he would be happy to see both Consettur and San Antonio de Torontoy operate buses to Machu Picchu, provided they receive final regulatory approval.

As the dispute unfolds, the clash of local interests, licensing rules, and the economics of one of Peru’s most important transit links underscores the need for clearer policy and for more tourism revenue to flow to nearby communities.

Summary: The Machu Picchu bus row highlights the need for a unified transport policy and stronger local benefits for communities around Peru’s flagship heritage site. BBC News

Discover the latest news and current events in World News as of 24-11-2025. The article titled " Buses at Machu Picchu spark protests as transport row unsettles visitors " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the World News field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.

The information in " Buses at Machu Picchu spark protests as transport row unsettles visitors " helps you make better-informed decisions within the World News category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.