Dozens of Israeli Tourists Trapped at Machu Picchu Amid Fierce Local Protest

Hundreds of tourists, including dozens of Israeli travelers, have been left stranded at Peru's renowned Machu Picchu site due to a local protest that has completely halted all transport services. The Peruvian government has managed to evacuate approximately 1,400 tourists so far, but around 900 others remain stuck.

The protests were organized by residents of the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the base of the ancient Inca citadel. They are demanding a new company to operate the bus service to the site, alleging that the current operator's 30-year contract was not renewed in a transparent or fair manner. The protesters claim that this lack of fairness prevents local businesses from participating in the tourism industry. The demonstrations began last week after the bus company's contract expired, but residents escalated their actions after the company continued to provide services despite their objections. Protest organizers have blocked the railway and bus routes with large rocks and tree trunks, bringing all travel to a standstill. The bus company claims that "third parties also dug up a portion of the railway route," further slowing down the evacuation efforts.

Peruvian Minister of Tourism, Desilú León, confirmed that train services have been suspended and that officials are working to find a solution to the protesters' complaints. An Israeli search and rescue company, Magnus Search and Rescue, has confirmed that dozens of Israeli travelers are in the area, but no requests for a rescue have been received.

This is not the first time the historic site has been impacted by local disputes. In January 2024, approximately 1,200 tourists had to be evacuated from the area due to local political unrest. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu typically welcomes thousands of visitors daily, making these disruptions especially impactful.