For centuries, reaching Machu Picchu has required effort. The Incas intentionally built the citadel high in the Andes, hidden in cloud forest and mountains, making access part of the experience. Today, most travelers fly into Lima, connect through Cusco, and journey through the Sacred Valley before finally ascending to the ancient site.

That could soon change.

The long-delayed Chinchero International Airport, under construction in Peru’s Sacred Valley, is expected to dramatically reduce travel time. Designed to handle up to eight million passengers annually, officials estimate it could increase visitor numbers to Machu Picchu by as much as 200%.

Supporters argue the project will boost economic growth in a region heavily dependent on tourism, creating jobs and expanding opportunities. But critics — including Indigenous communities, conservationists, archaeologists, and local guides — warn of irreversible cultural and environmental damage.

The Sacred Valley is not just a tourist corridor; it is the historic heart of the Incan Empire. Terraced farmland, ancient irrigation systems, and sites like the Salt Mines of Maras have functioned for centuries. Locals fear that airport-driven development will replace farmland with hotels, strain water supplies, overwhelm waste systems, and further crowd already stretched infrastructure.

For many residents, the question isn’t just about access — it’s about balance. As Peru prepares for a potential tourism boom, the challenge will be protecting the cultural and environmental legacy that makes Machu Picchu extraordinary in the first place.