Wildfires Are Sweeping Across Peru’s Cusco Region: What Travelers Should Know

Although the Cusco region is home to some of Peru’s most famous attractions, the fires have so far been contained to more remote highland areas. “Cusco is a vast region, and the presence of a wildfire in a particular area does not necessarily mean that nearby tourist destinations have been directly affected,” says Barraza.

In fact, the region’s popular attractions are still open to the public and operating as usual. “The fires have not spread to Machu Picchu or to any tourist sites in the Sacred Valley,” Mosquera says. “There were fires in the Sacred Valley, but they occurred in higher mountain areas, away from hotels and attractions. At the moment, there is only one active fire in the Sacred Valley, in the Calca area, and another in La Convención, which is far away.”

Should travelers cancel trips to Peru due to the wildfires?

As the fires aren’t currently near tourist areas, access to the region is not restricted for tourists, and “tourism activities are running normally,” according to Mosquera.

Treks and visits through the area are still possible, with a few basic precautions, according to Mosquera. “Stick to the traditional tourist circuit in Cusco, avoid exploring the higher areas of the Sacred Valley, and keep an eye on updates from your local operator,” she advises.

Air quality in parts of Cusco has a “poor” rating, according to Accuweather, which means the air could be unhealthy for sensitive groups. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation, the site advises to reduce time spent outside.

If you are part of a sensitive group and have an active trip booked, chat through any questions with your travel providers to navigate accordingly

Although reports of wildfires can feel nerve-racking, local tourism experts say that travelers don’t need to cancel their plans due to the current situation. “At this time, there is no reason to change travel plans solely because of these localized fires, provided conditions remain as they are,” Almario says. Your hotel concierges, travel specialists, and tour operators can continue to advise on any developments; local outlets like El Comercio can also be a point of reference for staying in the loop while on the ground.

How is the local community impacted—and how can travelers help?

Even if tourism areas are operating as usual, communities near the fires in the mountain highlands are directly affected. Firefighting efforts have been underway for weeks, and still, multiple fires continue to burn and spread through the region.