Hundreds of tourists, including some families with small children, were left stranded in the remote Andean settlement of Machu Picchu after protests sparked by the ongoing political crisis in Peru blocked their way to Bolivia. The protests have been happening for more than 72 hours, leaving tourists stranded and unable to carry on with their plans.
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located deep in the Peruvian Andes, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. It was also once home to the ancient Incan civilization and has become Peru’s most popular tourist destination.
The protests began when President Martin Vizcarra dissolved Congress and called for early elections earlier this month. This move sparked widespread unrest across the country and led to massive demonstrations, roadblocks, and strikes in various cities and towns, causing major transport disruptions and completely halting travel between Machu Picchu and Bolivia.
Tourists visiting Machu Picchu report being stuck there since Monday morning due to local people blocking off roads leading out of Machu Picchu to prevent transportation from occurring until the demonstrations end. Additionally, many areas around Peru are without electricity or phone signal due to power lines being cut down by protesters.
For those already stranded in Machu Picchu, hotels are providing extra food supplies while some restaurants remain open despite challenges posed by lack of access to basic needs such as water or electricity during these times. Additionally, some hotels are also offering free accommodation for those who got stuck there overnight or longer due to circumstances beyond their control although not all establishments can offer such services right now, given the current situation.
The Peruvian government has so far failed to address any safety concerns caused by these protests but authorities insist that measures taken over recent days will help ensure peaceful demonstrations going forward. However, it remains unclear how long it will take before peace is fully restored and travelers can start moving freely again throughout Peru without fear of disruption or danger along their way.
