Should I Wait for the New Cusco Airport Before Traveling?

• 14 de September de 2026
• Parwa seo_bot

The question every traveler asks before booking

In recent years, one question keeps coming up in travel groups and tourism forums: “Should I wait for the new Cusco airport before planning my trip?” The short answer is no. The long answer is what you’ll find in this article.

Cusco, the ancient capital of the Tawantinsuyu, welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world every year. Getting here has always meant landing at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, located just a few kilometers from the historic city center at 3,399 meters above sea level. And for now, that hasn’t changed.

What is the new Cusco airport and where will it be?

The project everyone is talking about is the Chinchero International Airport, currently under construction in the district of Chinchero, in the province of Urubamba, within the Sacred Valley. It will sit at approximately 3,760 meters above sea level, which would make it one of the highest commercial airports in the world.

The location was no accident. Chinchero is a strategic hub in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, about 28 kilometers from the city of Cusco by road. The project aims to relieve pressure on the current airport — which operates right in the middle of the city — and expand capacity for both domestic and long-haul international flights.

The project has been in the works for years and has faced delays, contract renegotiations, and changes in management. As of the time this article was written, construction is underway, but an official opening date has not been confirmed. We recommend checking official Peruvian sources or reaching out to us directly for the latest updates on the project.

What will change when the new airport opens?

The opening of Chinchero airport will bring real changes for travelers. It’s worth understanding them ahead of time — not so you’ll wait, but so you’ll know what to expect when the time comes.

What will improve

• Greater operational capacity: more simultaneous flights and runways designed for larger aircraft.
• The possibility of direct international flights from more cities around the world, without a mandatory layover in Lima.
• Modern infrastructure: new boarding areas, expanded services, and an overall better airport experience.
• Less traffic congestion in Cusco, since the current airport literally cuts the city in two.

What won’t change

• The altitude will still be significant. Chinchero sits even higher than the current airport, so altitude sickness (soroche) will still be something to factor in upon arrival.
• Cusco will still be Cusco: the same stone Inca city, the same energy, the same ruins, the same cuisine, and the same people.
• The acclimatization time every traveler needs upon arrival doesn’t disappear with a new airport.
• The magic of the Sacred Valley, Cusco’s living history, and the grandeur of Machu Picchu will be exactly the same.

Why you shouldn’t wait to travel to Cusco

This is the most important part of the article. Putting off a trip to Cusco while waiting for an opening date that hasn’t been confirmed is, in practice, putting off indefinitely an experience that could change your life.

The current Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport operates daily flights from Lima and other Peruvian cities. Connections work, flight times are manageable (roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes from Lima), and thousands of travelers arrive without any issues every week. The existing infrastructure has its limitations, but it gets the job done.

Besides, Cusco isn’t just an airport destination. Many travelers also arrive on the scenic train from Puno, by bus from Arequipa or Lima, or by combining stops along a broader southern Peru circuit. How you get there is a small part of the journey; what happens once you set foot in the historic city is what truly matters.

How to prepare for your arrival in Cusco today

If you’ve already decided not to wait — and it’s the right call — here’s some practical information to help you arrive well prepared.

Altitude: the factor no one should overlook

Cusco sits at 3,399 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, it’s completely normal to feel fatigue, a mild headache, or shortness of breath. This is known as soroche, or altitude sickness, and it doesn’t discriminate — it doesn’t only affect older travelers or those who are out of shape. It can affect anyone, in different ways.

• Rest on your first day. Don’t plan anything strenuous during your first few hours.
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol on your first day.
• Have some coca tea. It’s the most effective local remedy and available at any hotel or restaurant.
• Consult your doctor if you take medication or have any cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.

The best time of year to visit Cusco

Cusco has two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from April to October, bringing clear skies, sunny days, and cold nights. This is the prime time for trekking and visiting archaeological sites. The rainy season runs from November to March, with frequent afternoon showers but a lush, deep green landscape that the dry months simply can’t offer.

Both seasons have their own appeal. The choice comes down to your priorities: do you prefer guaranteed blue skies, or vibrant scenery with fewer crowds?

What to pack

• Layers: Cusco’s climate can swing from a chilly morning to a warm midday in just a few hours.
• High-SPF sunscreen: UV radiation at high altitude is intense, even on cloudy days.
• Comfortable shoes for walking on cobblestones and uneven surfaces.
• A lightweight waterproof layer if you’re traveling during rainy season.
• A reusable water bottle: caring for the environment is part of responsible travel.

Cusco beyond the airport: what awaits you

No airport — however modern — captures the real reason to travel to Cusco. What awaits visitors is a city that was the navel of the world for the Incas: the Qosqo, where stones silently tell the story of an empire that stretched from Colombia all the way to Argentina and Chile.

From Cusco, you have access to some of the most extraordinary destinations on the continent: the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, the Sacred Valley with its markets and living communities, legendary treks like the Inca Trail, Humantay Lake, the Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca, and dozens of archaeological sites that most travelers don’t even know exist.

At Parwa Travel, we’re from Cusco. We know every corner of this land because it’s our land. Our guides speak Quechua and understand the Andean worldview from the inside — not from a textbook. That makes a real difference in the experience you’ll have.

What if the new airport is already open when you read this?

Depending on when you come across this article, the Chinchero airport may already be up and running. In that case, the same logic applies: don’t wait any longer. Cusco is ready for you — whether with a new airport or the old one, with more flights or the same ones as always.

What no infrastructure can change is the feeling of arriving in Qosqo and sensing that you’re somewhere unlike anywhere else in the world. That’s the experience Parwa Travel wants you to have.

Plan your trip to Cusco with Parwa Travel

If you have questions about how to get here, how many days you’ll need, which season to choose, or how to combine Cusco with other destinations in southern Peru, we’re here to help. Browse our southern Peru packages or get in touch with us directly and we’ll build your perfect itinerary together.

Don’t wait for the perfect airport. Wait for the perfect moment — and that moment could be right now.