New Machu Picchu airport

[Mattg]

Construction has reportedly started on Chinchero International Airport, a brand new airport in Peru's Sacred Valley which is very close to Machu Picchu. This would make it easier for people to get to Machu Picchu, as it's currently necessary to fly to Cuzco and then take a series of buses and trains.

There have been many protests, however, with conservationists claiming the airport could destroy ancient artefacts. Some are also worried that an influx of tourists to Machu Picchu could slowly destroy it beyond repair. Machu Picchu already has a daily visitor limit of 2,500 people but this is totally ignored and almost triple this number of tourists already visit each day during the peak period.

What do you think - is building a large international airport next to Machu Picchu a good idea?

Peru is building a new international airport near Machu Picchu – and archaeologists are worried | World Economic Forum

 

[kpc]

At 4000 meters, passengers arriving from sea level almost certainly will start to feel the effects of altitude sickness on arrival! Cusco itself is an interesting place to visit! Even when we visited MP in non peak season back in October 2012, it was very crowded. I'm glad we have ticked that one off the bucket list! I guess all decisions made are driven by the tourist $$. 5 million passengers a year equates to more than 13000 passengers a day!!

 

[dajop]

Construction has reportedly started on Chinchero International Airport, a brand new airport in Peru's Sacred Valley which is very close to Machu Picchu. This would make it easier for people to get to Machu Picchu, as it's currently necessary to fly to Cuzco and then take a series of buses and trains.

I certainly didn't consider it a burden to take "a series of buses and trains". From memory, we took a transfer to Sacred Valley, stayed there for two nights, (during which took the train and then the bus to the ruins) before spending some time in Cuzco. It was all part of the experience. In any event Cuzco is a must see as well as much of the Sacred Valley, in addition to Machu Picchu.

 

[amaroo]

We thought the Scared Valley and Cuzco were probably the better package than MP ... definitely worth seeing it all. The train ride is a wonder in its own right IMO.

 

[RooFlyer]

As far as I can make out, the new airport is not that much closer to MP than Cusco (which is virtually at Aguas Calientes, north-west of the red pin). If I have the location right, you'll still need to take a bus to Ollantaytambo, and then a train to reach MP. Always the train, as there is no road into Agua Calientes.

 

[tgh]

Another great example of Peruvian conservation , but still trumped by the removal of a megalith at MP so the French presidents helicopter could land.

 

[Mattg]

Another great example of Peruvian conservation , but still trumped by the removal of a megalith at MP so the French presidents helicopter could land.

I thought that was the Spanish queen's helicopter?

 

[tgh]

Perhaps, our guide was telling the story, my ankle was like a football and my attention was wandering…...

 

[docjames]

Seems somewhat pointless unless you want to encourage day trips (surely not - stay and spend money!), or it’s a default way of relocating CUZ further out of town.......

 

[Melburnian1]

I visited MP many years ago and also went further on the train line to Quillabamba, an extension that was only open between 1978 and 1998. My memory is that MP was not busy then. That's what my photos show.

Part of the attraction of visiting MP is the scenic and interesting rail journey, even if the new airport is really not that far from Cusco.

There's a lot to be said for NOT locating airports super close to major World Heritage sites as it sorts the wheat from the chaff, and ensures that if we want to visit, we have to make an effort by some form of surface transport. I can think of one nationality that would discourage...

 

[Eirinoula]

Oh, I feel for the people of Cusco who will miss out on tourist income. They rely on this and they handle tourism in such a good way. No blatant signage, no hawkers, just a respect for their town. The train ride up was spectacular. Why miss out on that also? Not sure if it has been thought through correctly.

 

[Bindibuys]

Loved MP, and so glad now it was before the noise of any aircraft trying to land/take-off is going on in the valley.

 

[amaroo]

As far as I can make out, the new airport is not that much closer to MP than Cusco (which is virtually at Aguas Calientes, north-west of the red pin). If I have the location right, you'll still need to take a bus to Ollantaytambo, and then a train to reach MP. Always the train, as there is no road into Agua Calientes.

View attachment 166487

We visited Chinchero - it's just under 400m high than Cuzco. Beautiful scenery.

I suppose the location might encourage more people to spend more time and money in the Sacred Valley... must be some power money and interest in Chinchero to get this over the line. Cusco looks to be the loser out of this.....

 

[kpc]

Ahh brings back good memories…Macchu Picchu was my #1 absolute bucket list destination which we ticked off in 2012…A view of Macchu Picchu not usually seen, taken from Huayna Picchu. The modern looking building in the background is the most expensive hotel we have ever stayed in @ USD$1000 for 1 night…a birthday present from +1

 

[jastel]

Was in MP last week, guides and others I spoke to were not happy with the plan.
The main reason tours take a few days to get you there is for you to acclimatise to the altitude, that is why they do Cusco and the Sacred Valley first for a few days...you will know by then if you should do the hike or how altitude will affect you. I had no real dramas luckily but was still breathless after any exertion.
If you fly in from INT and get off in the new airport you will be a fish out of water I think...gasping for breath.
I did the one day hike to MP numbers limited to 500 per section so that was not noticeably crowded...we arrived into MP late in the afternoon so numbers were quieter then also.
Next morning went back up to MP for the normal tour...was a zoo crowd wise...though others said if you go in off season you can still have the place to yourself...

 

[dajop]

Was in MP last week, guides and others I spoke to were not happy with the plan.
The main reason tours take a few days to get you there is for you to acclimatise to the altitude, that is why they do Cusco and the Sacred Valley first for a few days...you will know by then if you should do the hike or how altitude will affect you. I had no real dramas luckily but was still breathless after any exertion.

There are the hikes and there are the day visitors. For day visitors, way to acclimatise it go straight to MP (2400m) or Sacred Valley (2900m), which are both lower than Cuzco (3400m). It seems the new airport will be higher than all three though.

 

[RooFlyer]

The main reason tours take a few days to get you there is for you to acclimatise to the altitude, that is why they do Cusco and the Sacred Valley first for a few days...you will know by then if you should do the hike or how altitude will affect you

I don't think that's right. Cusco is the highest point of a typical MP visit ( in not talking about treks). Usually when you land at Cusco they take you straight down to the Sacred Valley ( lowest), do MP ( in between) and then you see Cusco ( highest).

If you fly in from INT and get off in the new airport you will be a fish out of water I think...gasping for breath.

If you were to fly into the new airport you'd be at the lowest point in the area, so the best spot to start, really.

That's not to say I like the idea of the new Airport, but health wise it would probably be better.

 

[RooFlyer]

. It seems the new airport will be higher than all three though.

I can't see how it could be higher than Cusco or MP?

 

[dajop]

I can't see how it could be higher than Cusco or MP?

MP is lower than Sacred Valley, believe it or not. Wikipedia suggests Chinchero district is at 3700m vs Cuzco at 3400m.

 

[amaroo]

As mentioned above, we've been to Chinchero. The only major town in the district is indeed higher than Cusco - just under 400mm higher. Walking around the town and Inca ruins we could feel it.

There's not a hell of a lot to do in Chinchero, although we did pick up some excellent Alpaca apparel and blankets.

The greater area around the town appears to be farmland.... strange place to plonk an Int airport IMO.

One has to remember that Peru has its fair share of problems with politicians and funny money.... only 6 weeks ago a two term President killed himself as the coppers arrived at his house to arrest him for alleged bribery.