Is Machu Picchu safe? The protest blocks trains and traps travelers.

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  • The protests at Aguas Calientes have been left behind by hundreds of tourists, leading to the evacuation of more than 1,000 people from Machu Picchu.
  • The US Embassy warns travelers of potential confusion and the need for alternative transport, such as hiking.

More than 1,000 tourists were evacuated this week from Machu Picchu, where hundreds of other people are stuck, due to demonstrations by residents of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Peru’s famous archaeological site.

Perrail was forced to suspend routes into the area on September 14th. There, there are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the most visited attractions in the country, thwarting the railway from “rocks of various sizes and social demonstrations.”

The demonstration began last week after a 30-year concession from tourist bus operator Consetter ended, and services between Aguas Calientes and the former Inca capital were replaced by bus companies in nearby areas, Reuters reported. Protesters have opposed the lack of transparency in the decision-making process, and the move advocates emissions of tourism dollars to businesses other than Aguas Calientes.

According to the Peruvian Tourism Minister, transportation disruptions have caused over 900 tourists to be stuck in Machu Picchu. On September 15, Peruvian authorities evacuated 1,400 tourists from the area.

According to Perrail, train services to Machu Picchu are expected to resume on the afternoon of September 17th. “The decision follows confirmation from relevant authorities that safety and operating conditions along the rail line have been fully restored,” the company said.

Is it safe to travel to Machu Picchu?

The US Embassy in Peru warns Americans with travel plans Seven new wonders of September 16th about the risk of getting stuck. Travelers may have to wear “a combination of 2-3 hours of hiking and bus or other road transport” to leave the area.

“Despite the protests, travelers still looking to visit Machu Picchu during this period should be aware that protests, access to the site and other services may be further restricted without prior notice,” the Alert said. “Such travelers should have all the supplies they need for the entire journey, including ample food, water and medical supplies.”

Protests over Machu Picchu are known to last up to two months, according to Mike Ballard, intelligence director at security firm Global Guardian. In 2023, violent protests from political unrest left over more than 400 travelers on the site, which was also temporarily closed.

“Based on issues at hand, these devastating protests are unlikely to last for a long time, but there’s no chance that they will last another week,” Ballard told USA Today. “Trades planning trips to Machu Picchu during that period should plan confusion and alternative modes of transportation.”

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