A group of 19 Portuguese tourists found themselves stranded on Tuesday night during a visit to Machu Picchu, Peru, following a protest by local residents that resulted in damage to the railway line—the sole transport link between the historic site and Cusco.
Luís Henriques of the agency Go Discover, who was with the Portuguese tourists, confirmed the situation. He detailed that the return train in Aguas Calientes, the connecting line between Cusco and Machu Picchu, was significantly delayed, raising suspicions. It was later discovered that the delay was due to local unrest and protests.
Henriques recounted receiving reports from an agent accompanying the group about tense interactions with local protesters. However, he noted that police successfully managed the situation and calmed tensions. He assured that the Portuguese tourists “never feared for their safety” despite having no choice but to spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
The group from Viseu consists of individuals aged over 60, making the roughly eight-kilometer trek on foot, over 3,200 meters above sea level, particularly challenging. Henriques further explained that it would have taken the group three to four hours to reach another mode of transport, and attempting the route would have been “irresponsible” due to the “unstable” conditions.
The tourists stayed overnight at a nearby hotel, where they rested and awaited updates on when they could resume their itinerary. Meanwhile, the agency contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which assured that all efforts were being made to ensure the tourists’ well-being and that communication with the European Union was underway. Among the 1,400 tourists stranded at the site, there were hundreds of Europeans.
Authorities eventually restored a portion of the railway, enabling all tourists stranded in Aguas Calientes to reach Cusco and continue their journeys within Peru or to other countries.
The Portuguese group is currently continuing their planned visit in Cusco on Wednesday. Despite the slight delay in their schedule, all members are reportedly well, with no incidents apart from “discomfort” and some “anxiety.” The trip is set to conclude “on the 19th morning [Friday] in Porto” after departing from Cusco on Wednesday night, requiring an additional stopover beyond the initially planned itinerary.
Henriques assured that they would “arrive safe and sound.”
Local protests against the railway service began on Monday, leading to disruptions. A Portuguese tourist reported to CNN that they encountered significant train delays from early morning.
Residents are dissatisfied with the high transport fares and the fact that the operating company, whose 30-year contract has expired, continues to provide service. Locals demand a new operator that offers more affordable transportation solutions for citizens.
During the unrest, “14 police officers were injured after being assaulted with blunt objects,” according to AFP.
