FCDO issues travel warning for one of Seven Wonders of the World as Britons risk getting 'stranded'

This includes some areas within 20km south of the Putumayo River and the border between Peru and Colombia.

The FCDO warned that ongoing demonstrations and road blockades near Machu Picchu had left rail services to and from the ancient Incan citadel cancelled.

"Rail and road traffic on routes leading to Machu Picchu may be further disrupted without prior notice," it stated.

Protests began in Peru last week after tourist bus operator Consettur's concession ended.

A neighbouring district commissioned another bus company to provide services in its place, but protesters in Aguas Calientes prevented it from operating.

On Tuesday, at least 900 tourists were left stranded near Machu Picchu after a train service was suspended, as protestors blocked the route with rocks.

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Train operator PeruRail said services had been suspended because the route in Peru's mountainous Cusco region had been blocked by "rocks of various sizes" as local residents clashed with authorities and bus companies.

Protesters say there is a lack of transparency and fairness in the process of replacing tourist bus operator Consettur after its concession expired, paving the way for different local businesses to benefit from the vital industry.

Tourism Minister Desilu Leon told local radio that 1,400 tourists had been evacuated, but some 900 remained stranded in Aguas Calientes, the closest town to the nation's most-visited cultural site.

Meanwhile, PeruRail's local unit said "third parties" had excavated part of its rail route, which affected the track's stability and slowed down the evacuation of tourists.

New7Wonders, a campaign group which highlights global sites of major cultural heritage, said in a statement over the weekend that it had sent a letter to Peru's government warning that if the conflict escalates, Machu Picchu's credibility as one of the new Wonders of the World could be affected.

A global poll organised by the group had in 2007 selected Machu Picchu as a world wonder, alongside the Great Wall of China, India's Taj Mahal and Mexico's Chichen Itza.

The US embassy has also warned against travel to the area amid the protests.

The embassy warned: "Local organisations are continuing protests regarding changes to the bus contract serving the route to the Machu Picchu site.

"Peruvian authorities have been evacuating tourists from Machu Picchu Pueblo/Aguas Calientes using land and rail routes when possible.

"Commercial rail service remains suspended in the Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu route and reports indicate that railway lines remain blocked by demonstrations and rocks of various sizes.

"Peruvian tourism assistance authorities have requested that tourists still stranded in Machu Picchu Pueblo complete a questionnaire to identify who needs evacuation assistance.

"Travellers remaining in Machu Picchu Pueblo should also contact local authorities and guides regarding available options for departure, which may involve two to three hours of hiking combined with bus or other road transport."