Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu and Weather by Month

Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu: The Short Answer

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is the dry season, from May to September, when skies are clearest and trails are driest. April, May, September and October balance good weather and smaller crowds, while June to August is the driest and busiest stretch. January to March are the wettest months, yet Machu Picchu is open all year and only the Inca Trail closes in February.

We are a local operator based in Cusco and run Machu Picchu tours in every season. Below you will find the weather by month, plus what rain, cold, fog and crowds mean for your dates. If you are planning other regions too, our guide to the best time to visit Peru covers the coast, the Amazon and Lake Titicaca.

Key Takeaways

• Dry season runs May to September, and June and July are the driest months of the year.
• Rainy season runs November to March, with January to March the wettest months.
• April and October are shoulder months with some rain, green landscapes and fewer visitors than June to August.
• Machu Picchu sits at 7,972 feet (2,430 meters), so days are mild and nights are cool rather than freezing.
• Tickets are sold in fixed time slots with a daily cap, so book your Machu Picchu tour as soon as your dates are set.

Machu Picchu Weather by Month

Here is the weather in Machu Picchu month by month: average highs and lows, rain and how busy the site gets. Open any month for the full guide with events, conditions and tips.

Monthly averages from Peru’s national weather service (SENAMHI) for the Machu Picchu station, 1991 to 2020 normals. Conditions vary year to year.

Dry Season vs Rainy Season at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu has two main seasons and two transition months. The dry season runs from May to September and the rainy season from November to March. April and October sit in between, with a mix of sun and showers.

Dry Season (May to September)

The dry season at Machu Picchu brings more sunny days, firmer trails and the best odds of a clear view over the citadel. June and July are the driest months of the year, and they also have the coldest dawns. Days are pleasant for walking, but mornings and evenings call for a warm layer.

The trade-off is crowds. June, July and August bring the most visitors of the year, and tickets for popular time slots go first. If you want dry weather with more breathing room, aim for May or September.

Rainy Season (November to March)

The Machu Picchu rainy season runs from November to March, and January to March are the wettest months. Rain usually arrives in showers rather than all day, and in our experience a shower often lasts 2 hours or less. Clouds can roll in and out quickly, so a gray start does not mean a gray day.

Rain brings real benefits. The mountains turn deep green and the site is much quieter than in high season. Our guides often say the clouds moving around the peaks give the citadel more depth in photos.

There are downsides you should plan for. Stone steps and trails get slippery, views can close in for a while, and you will spend part of the visit in rain gear. Pack a poncho or a waterproof jacket, wear shoes with good grip and keep a dry layer in your daypack.

Shoulder Months: April and October

April and October are transition months, when the rains are tapering off or starting to build. Expect a mix of sunny spells and passing showers, with green slopes and fewer people than June to August. Our guides find the trails quieter than in July, but rain gear is still needed in both months.

Is Machu Picchu Cold? Temperatures Day and Night

Machu Picchu is not cold by day, but early mornings can be chilly. Average highs range from about 69 to 74°F (21 to 23°C), and average lows from about 49 to 54°F (9 to 12°C). Midday in the sun can feel warm, especially on the stairs.

So how cold does it get in Machu Picchu? The coldest hours are before sunrise in June and July, when average lows drop to 49 to 50°F (9 to 10°C). On an early bus up from Aguas Calientes in those months, wear a fleece or light jacket you can remove later.

In the rainy season, nights are slightly milder, with lows around 53 to 54°F (12°C). The damp air can still make it feel cooler than the number suggests, especially in wet clothes. Quick-drying layers make a real difference.

Why Machu Picchu Is Warmer and More Humid Than Cusco

Machu Picchu stands at 7,972 feet (2,430 meters), in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, according to UNESCO. Cusco sits at 11,152 feet (3,399 meters), about 3,180 feet (969 meters) higher. That difference in altitude is why Machu Picchu feels milder and more humid, while Cusco, higher up, has colder nights.

Most Machu Picchu itineraries include time in Cusco, so pack for both. If you want the details for the city, see our guide to the weather in Cusco.

Morning Fog and Clouds at Machu Picchu

Fog and low clouds are common at Machu Picchu in the morning, because the citadel sits in a humid mountain forest. Moisture from the forest often settles around the peaks, and this happens most often in the rainy season. In our experience, the clouds often lift and break up as the morning goes on.

There is no guarantee, though, in any month. Some mornings clear quickly, some stay cloudy for hours, and some dry season days start clear and cloud over later. Machu Picchu clouds can also be part of the experience, with the citadel appearing and disappearing in the mist.

The best strategy is to leave yourself some margin. Our 2-Day Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Tour can include a night in Aguas Calientes, which gives you more room around the weather. Check the forecast, but do not rely on it alone, since conditions in the mountains change quickly.

Staying in Aguas Calientes also lets you enter Machu Picchu at 6:00 a.m., so you can be among the early visitors.

Crowds and Ticket Availability by Season

June to August is the busiest time at Machu Picchu. US and European summer holidays overlap with Inti Raymi in Cusco on June 24 and Peru’s Fiestas Patrias on July 28 and 29. July is usually the busiest month of all.

Machu Picchu tickets are sold for fixed time slots, and each day has a cap. If you are traveling between late June and October, book your entry or Machu Picchu tour as soon as your dates are set. Our trains to Machu Picchu guide helps you match the train to your entry time.

Huayna Picchu, listed officially as Waynapicchu, is route 3-A of Circuit 3, and it often sells out before general entry tickets. In high season, extra routes open: Intipunku (1-C), Puente Inka (1-D), Gran Caverna (3-C) and Huchuypicchu (3-D). Our Machu Picchu tickets guide explains the circuits and routes in full.

January to March is much quieter than the June to August peak, and November sees few crowds. December has only a small peak around Christmas. If you can handle some rain, these months usually mean more space inside the citadel.

Inca Trail Closure in February

The Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance and reopens in March. The Machu Picchu citadel stays open, so you can still visit by train. For permits and the best months to hike, see our guide to the best time to do the Inca Trail.

Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu by Traveler Type

When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu for you? It depends on what matters most on your trip. Here is how we advise our own travelers.

For Photos and Clear Views

Go in the dry season, from May to September, for the clearest skies and the classic postcard view. Still, do not rule out the rainy months. Mist drifting over the ruins also makes for moody, layered photos.

For Hiking Huayna Picchu

Choose the dry season if you can, because the steep stone steps on Huayna Picchu get slippery in the rain. Wear sturdy shoes with a firm tread and book early, since this route often sells out first. To choose between the two peaks, read our comparison of Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu.

For the Inca Trail

The trail is closed in February, and Inca Trail permits sell out months in advance, especially for high season. Our guide to the best time to do the Inca Trail covers timing in full. If you have less time, the 2-Day Short Inca Trail starts at KM 104 and passes Wiñay Wayna on the way to the citadel.

For Fewer Crowds

Travel in April, May, September, October or November. These months avoid the June to August peak while still offering decent weather. Inside the site, an early entry slot usually helps too.

For a Lower Budget

Consider the rainy season, when fewer visitors usually means easier availability for trains, hotels and tours. More availability gives you more choice across price ranges. Pack rain gear and keep your schedule open to a change of plan.

What to Pack for Machu Picchu by Season

Dress in layers in any month, because a cool dawn can turn into a warm midday within a few hours. Our core list for every season is zip-off pants, a fleece or light jacket for early mornings, a water-repellent shell and sturdy shoes. Add a small daypack to carry what you take off.

• Dry season (May to September): sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a warm layer for the cold early mornings, especially in June and July.
• Rainy season (November to March): a poncho or waterproof jacket, quick-drying clothes, insect repellent and shoes with a firm tread.
• Shoulder months (April and October): a mix of both, with rain gear always in the bag.

For everything else you need in Peru, see our full Peru packing list.

Visit Machu Picchu with Exploor Peru

Any month can work at Machu Picchu with good planning, and our Cusco team plans around the season you choose. On the day, a local guide can adjust your visit to work around fog and crowds. Browse all our Machu Picchu tours, or start with one of these.

• 1-Day Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco: round-trip train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, an English-speaking guide, entrance ticket, shuttle bus and hotel pickup in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
• 2-Day Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Tour: Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo on day 1, with the option to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), and a guided visit of Machu Picchu on day 2.
• 2-Day Short Inca Trail: start at KM 104 and hike 7.5 miles (12 km) past Wiñay Wayna, with a night in Aguas Calientes. The Inca Trail network closes in February for maintenance, so plan this trek for another month or ask us about alternatives.
• Classic Cusco, Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley 4-Day Tour: Cusco city, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with Machu Picchu entrance, train and shuttle bus included, plus airport transfers on small-group and private tours.

Tell us your dates and travel style, and we will match you with the right tour and season.

Machu Picchu Weather FAQ

What is the best month to visit Machu Picchu?

May and September are the best months for most travelers, with dry weather and fewer crowds than June to August. June and July are the driest months but also the busiest. April and October are good alternatives if you accept some rain.

When is the rainy season at Machu Picchu?

The rainy season at Machu Picchu runs from November to March. January to March are the wettest months. April and October are transition months with some rain.

Is it worth visiting Machu Picchu in the rainy season?

Yes, if you pack for rain and keep some margin in your plans. Showers often last 2 hours or less, the landscape is at its greenest and the site is much quieter. Trails and steps get slippery, so wear shoes with a firm tread.

Is Machu Picchu cold?

Machu Picchu is mild by day and cool at night. Average highs range from about 69 to 74°F (21 to 23°C), and average lows from about 49 to 54°F (9 to 12°C). The coldest mornings come in June and July, at around 49 to 50°F (9 to 10°C).

Does the fog at Machu Picchu clear up?

The morning fog often lifts as the morning goes on, but there is no guarantee. Fog and low clouds are common because the site sits in a humid mountain forest, especially in the rainy season. A night in Aguas Calientes gives you more time to wait for better views.

Is Machu Picchu open in February?

Yes, Machu Picchu is open in February and all year round. Only the Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance, and it reopens in March. You can still reach the citadel by train.

How far in advance should I book Machu Picchu tickets?

Book as soon as your dates are set, especially if you travel between late June and October. Tickets are sold for fixed time slots with a daily cap, and Huayna Picchu often sells out before general entry. Inca Trail permits sell out months in advance, especially for high season.

Can I rely on the weather forecast for Machu Picchu?

Use the forecast as a guide, but do not rely on it alone. Weather in the mountains changes quickly, and a cloudy forecast can still bring clear spells. Pack layers and rain gear in every month.