At least 900 tourists were left stranded near Machu Picchu after protestors blocked the train tracks that lead to and from the ancient Inca city. 

As a result of the chaos, the US Embassy has issued a travel warning, urging visitors to avoid the attraction until the conflict is resolved. 

PeruRail, the Latin American country’s leading train operator, said service to and from the Word Wonder was suspended. 

This service halt is a result of demonstrators covering the route in the mountainous Cusco region with rocks and logs. 

The train company also stated ‘third parties’ had dug up part of its rail route, which slowed evacuation operations. 

Residents have been in conflict with officials and bus companies, arguing that there is a lack of transparency in selecting the bus operators servicing the tourist destination.

To visit Machu Picchu, people must take a 68-mile train ride from Cusco, which was the capital of the Inca Empire, to Aguas Calientes.

From Aguas Calientes, visitors typically take a bus to the entrance of the historic sanctuary.  

Over 900 tourists were left stranded near Machu Picchu after demonstrators blocked the railway tracks leading to and from the historic Inca site (pictured: police patrolling tracks on Tuesday).

Tourism Minister Desilu Leon stated on a local radio show that 1,400 tourists, who had been stuck at a train station, were evacuated on Monday evening (pictured: tourists stranded on Tuesday).

To visit Machu Picchu (pictured), people must take a 68-mile train ride from Cusco, which was the capital of the Inca Empire, to Aguas Calientes

Demonstrations erupted last week when the concession of Consettur, the bus company that ferries visitors from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance, ended. 

Another company was granted permission to operate in its place, but protestors in Aguas Calientes hindered it from doing so, according to Reuters.  

Protestors believe this was a disadvantage to local companies, which could have benefited from the tourism market.  

Tourism Minister Desilu Leon announced on a local radio station that 1,400 tourists, who were stranded at a train station, had been evacuated on Monday night.

During this operation, police were able to unblock the tracks temporarily, but 14 agents were injured in altercations with protestors as a result, according to AFP. 

Approximately 900 people remain in Aguas Calientes, the closest town to the cultural site. 

Those stuck in the town claimed authorities told them to trek several hours to catch a train or bus outside of the Machu Picchu region (pictured: tourists walking along the tracks on Tuesday)

Demonstrations erupted last week when the concession of Consettur, the bus company that ferries visitors from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance, ended (pictured: shuttle buses in Aquas Calientes)

Those stuck in the town claimed authorities told them to trek several hours to catch a train or bus outside of the Machu Picchu region. 

‘In my case, I can’t do it because my wife is pregnant,’ Miguel Salas, from Chile, told AFP.

The US Embassy in Peru issued a travel advisory on Tuesday.

‘Local organizations are protesting changes regarding the bus service contract serving the route to the Machu Picchu site, including by placing objects on the rail line tracks connecting Ollantaytambo and Machupicchu Pueblo,’ the warning reads. 

‘Demonstrations in Machu Picchu Pueblo are expected to continue. Rail and road traffic on routes leading to Machu Picchu may be disrupted without prior notice.’

The Embassy said tourists should seek reimbursement or reschedule their trips. They are also urged to consult with guides and ‘adjust plans accordingly.’

Leon said there is a meeting scheduled with local authorities and unions to address locals’ grievances. 

About 1,200 Machu Picchu tourists had to be evacuated in January 2024 due to protests over a new ticket sales system (pictured: police on the tracks during a January 2024 protest)

This service halt is the result of demonstrators covering the route in the mountainous Cusco region with rocks and logs (pictured: a rock placed by rioters on the tracks in 2022)

About 1,200 Machu Picchu tourists had to be evacuated in January 2024 due to protests over a new ticket sales system. 

Residents were worried the new system would benefit a single company over local businesses. 

About year before that, the site was closed for a little less than a month during unrest over the impeachment of the president at the time, Pedro Castillo.