Tourists Stranded at Machu Picchu as Protesters Block Railway Tracks

Tourists traveling to Peru's UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu were left stranded Tuesday after protesters blocked the railway tracks, prompting a government-organized evacuation of about 1,400 visitors. The roadblock, which began on Monday, was sparked by local residents demanding a new company be chosen to run the buses that ferry visitors from the Aguas Calientes train station to the site itself.

A total of 4,500 visitors on average per day, many of whom are foreigners, are received at the ancient fortified complex each day, according to the tourism ministry. The previous bus firm's contract had come to an end after a 30-year concession, but it has continued to provide services much to the ire of residents. Residents placed logs and rocks on the tracks to make their demands known.

A meeting was planned with local authorities and unions "to find a solution" to the residents' complaints, said Tourism Minister Desilu Leon. The protests were in response to the continuation of services by the previous firm in a way that was not responsive to their interests. The local residents demanded a new company chosen in a fair bidding process to run the buses.

Key Takeaways:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu receives 4,500 visitors on average each day, with a significant number being foreigners.
• Residents placed logs and rocks on the railway tracks to demand a new company to be chosen to run the buses that ferry visitors from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
• Tourism Minister Desilu Leon said about 1,400 tourists were evacuated overnight before a fresh blockade on Tuesday.
• Authorities have not said where the 900 tourists remaining stranded are from.
• 14 police agents were injured in clashes with protesters during Monday night's temporary unblocking of the tracks.
• Tourists stuck at the train station were approached by authorities with a proposal to walk for several hours to catch a train or other means of transport out of the Machu Picchu area.
• The previous bus firm's contract had come to an end after a 30-year concession, but continued to provide services sparking resident demands.

Statistics:

• 4,500: Average number of visitors to Machu Picchu each day.
• 1,400: Number of tourists evacuated overnight.
• 900: Number of tourists remaining stranded on Tuesday.
• 110 kilometers (68 miles): Distance between Aguas Calientes and the city of Cusco.
• 15th century: Time period when Machu Picchu was built.
• 2,500 meters (8,200 feet): Elevation of Machu Picchu above sea level.
• 30 years: Duration of the previous bus firm's concession.

Sources:

• RPP radio
• AFP
• Tourism Ministry of Peru