Machu Picchu Bus Battle Strands Tourists Amid Andes Adventure

Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city perched high in the mountains of Peru, draws over 1. 6 million visitors every year. It is the country’s most popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, reaching Machu Picchu is not straightforward. Tourists must first take a train to the town of Aguas Calientes, a journey that can last between two and three and a half hours. From there, the only way to reach the site without a long, steep hike is by bus. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes, but the alternative is a tough two-hour walk up the mountain.

Recently, there has been a dispute over which company should operate the buses that carry visitors from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. For the past 30 years, Consettur has been the main bus company, transporting around 4,500 people daily. But now, a new company called San Antonio de Torontoy wants to take over the service. This has caused tension among local communities, some of whom feel that Consettur has had a monopoly for too long. In September, protests erupted when locals blocked the railway line to Aguas Calientes with rocks, upset about how the new bus company was chosen. The authorities had to clear the tracks and arrange special trains to evacuate stranded tourists.

The cost of transportation to Machu Picchu is high. A round-trip bus ticket costs $24 for foreigners and $15 for Peruvians. Train tickets are even more expensive, with the cheapest round-trip ticket costing $140 and luxury first-class tickets reaching $2,000. Many tourists are surprised by these prices and expect that the train and bus rides would be included together. Buying entry tickets to Machu Picchu can also be confusing, especially for those not using guided tours. The standard adult entry fee is $57. The mayor of Aguas Calientes is frustrated because only 10% of ticket sales stay in the region, while the rest goes to the Ministry of Culture to support other archaeological sites and pay wages. He wants more of the money to benefit the local community and improve tourism infrastructure.

Local residents, like Dina Huillca who sells produce on the street, say that more needs to be done for the people living near Machu Picchu. Many lack basic services such as running water, hospitals, and well-maintained schools. Carlos González, president of the regional tourism chamber, believes that the government should oversee public transport more closely and update laws to make tourism more competitive. He also suggests creating different areas at Machu Picchu for various types of visitors, such as those seeking spiritual experiences or those wanting to make social media content. However, frequent changes in Peru’s national government make it difficult to implement new policies. Despite the ongoing legal battles, Consettur says it is willing to work alongside San Antonio de Torontoy if they receive approval. The hope is that better cooperation will improve the experience for tourists and bring more benefits to local communities.