Cusco Tours

Cusco Tours

With some caveats (Read below), according to our time in Cusco, Peru that the best season is from April to October – best time to visit Machu Picchu weather.

On this Cusco Tours post we have curated our best local tips that would help you to perfectly spend your time in the Incan capital. 

▬ Keep in mind that Peru is a large country with diverse geographies, including beaches, desert, mountains, and rainforest; each with its own climate, flora, fauna, and Cusco/Machu Picchu weather conditions. This makes it difficult to determine a good time to travel to Peru; if you are visiting several places during your trip.

Our best advice is to check weather conditions in each of your destinations or ask your friendly Travel-Advisor for some travel quotes/tips and things to know when travelling to Peru! And pack your bags accordingly.

Scroll down for more tips about: The best time to visit Machu Picchu

→ Dry season versus Rainy season in Machu Picchu.

► Peak season at Machu Picchu.

→ Weather conditions around the year.

▬▬ Machu Picchu is open 7 days a week, every day of the year, including holidays.

Best Season to visit Machu Picchu, Cusco

Whether you have the opportunity to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World the way it looks in classic #photographs; clear blue skies as a backdrop to sun-lit stone ruins nestled amid Amazon jungle-covered granite peaks, your best chance is during the dry season between May and October.

Note: However, that even during the dry season, there may be morning and afternoons with heavy mists that can obscure the views.

▬ Warmest weather in Cusco, Machu Picchu

For tours to Machu Picchu, the warmest weather is from November to March. On the other, this also corresponds to the rainy season. In other words, higher temperatures do not correlate to great weather at Machu Picchu.

The busiest time is from June to August

The peak travel season for tourists from around the world and from across Peru flocking to Machu Picchu is from June to August. During this time, large crowds can make it a little hard to move around some parts of the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and long lines at the ruins entrance are common. Make sure as well your Huayna Picchu tickets and hike months in advance, the same with Machu Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu Montaña.

▬ June to August is also a popular time for travellers who choose the most exciting way to get to Machu Picchu by the famous Inca Trail hike and alternative treks (Lares Trek, Inca quarry, Huchuy Qosqo Trek, Salkantay trek).

Rainy Season is from November to March

► Rain; anything from light drizzle to heavy downpours – occur almost daily from November until March. The heaviest rain is in February, which is also when the Inca Trail Peru is closed for maintenance.

▬ Orchids are more seen during the rain time → the blooming season begins in October/November and continues until the end of March.

Overall, we think the best time to visit Machu Picchu is from April to October. Again, rain and fog is possible at any time of year because Machu Picchu is located on the edge of the rainforest. But during the dry season, you have the best possibility to appreciate the full beauty of the ruins with many amazing views.

▬▬ Summarising from -worst to +best ▬▬

February

▬ Machu Picchu ruins is open, but the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance during the whole month.

January and March

▬ Worst of the rainy season along with February. Floods and landslides due to the rain are possible. Crowds are fewer than the dry season

April, May, September and October

▬ Shoulder season months. The pleasant climate and warm-to-cool temperature. Most visitors choose this time to visit Machu Picchu – Peru.

June, July, and August

▬ In our opinion, the best months to visit for good weather. Days are warm, nights are cool. Very little rain.

Important Note: Inca Trail season is open from March to January. In February, the trail is closed due to intense rains in that month. The best time to trek in the Andes is from April to October; however, rain is possible at any time of the year. June, July and August are the high seasons for trekking and Inca Trail permits sell out quickly, sometimes months in advance.