Best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu: a month-by-month guide month by month
Machu Picchu under the clear skies of the dry season, between May and September.
In this article
Choosing when to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu can completely change your experience: walking under a clear July sky is nothing like walking through the green mist of January. In this guide we explain the best time month by month, based on weather, crowds and price, so you can pick the ideal date for the trip you have in mind.
The two seasons of the Andes
In the Peruvian highlands there are no four traditional seasons, but two clearly defined seasons that shape how you'll experience your trip: the dry season and the rainy season. Understanding this difference is the key to planning.
- Dry season (May to September): sunny days, clear skies and cold nights. It's the best time for hikes and photos.
- Rainy season (November to March): green landscapes, fewer tourists and lower prices, with rain that usually falls in the afternoon.
April and October are transition months, with the best of both worlds: good weather on most days and fewer people than in peak season.
Dry season (May to September): the most recommended
If your priority is weather and photos, this is your time. Clear skies deliver the classic postcards of Machu Picchu, and conditions are ideal for the Inca Trail, Rainbow Mountain and excursions to the Sacred Valley.
What to keep in mind
- June to August are the busiest months: more tourists and higher prices.
- Nights are cold, especially in June and July; dress warmly for the early morning departures.
- Train seats, entrance tickets and Inca Trail permits sell out months in advance.
Rainy season (November to March): green and quiet
The rainy season gets a bad reputation unfairly. It does rain, but almost always in the afternoon and rarely all day. In return, you find intensely green landscapes, fewer people and better prices on hotels and tours.
Machu Picchu amid the mist of the rainy season has a magical atmosphere that many travelers end up preferring.
The point to consider: the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. If you dream of that hike, avoid that month or choose an alternative route such as Salkantay.
So, which is the best month for you?
There isn't a single answer: there is a best time for each type of traveler.
- Best weather and photos: June to August (accept the crowds and book early).
- Best balance: May, September and October.
- Fewer people and better price: November to March (with afternoon rain).
- Inca Trail: March to January; never in February.
Whatever the month, remember that Cusco is 3,399 meters high: spend the first days acclimatizing before going up to Machu Picchu, which is actually lower, at 2,430 meters.
At Inka Planet Adventure we organize your trip on the date that best suits you, with trains, tickets, official guide and transfers included, so all you have to worry about is enjoying it.