What to wear in Cusco and Machu Picchu season by season

The short answer: layers. In Cusco you can head out at seven in the morning at 3 °C, have lunch in the Plaza de Armas under a strong sun at 20 °C, and walk back to your hotel at night in the cold again. That is why one thick coat does not work; what works is several pieces you put on and take off during the day. What changes with the month is the detail: in the dry season the cold nights rule; in the rainy season, the water.

This list is for your suitcase for the whole trip. If you want to know what to carry on the day you visit the citadel, see what to pack in your backpack for Machu Picchu.

What the weather is like in Cusco and Machu Picchu

The Andes don't have four seasons, they have two: the dry season (May to September) and the rainy season (November to March), with April and October as transition months. If you haven't picked your dates yet, we break it down month by month in the best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu.

• Cusco (3,399 m): mild, sunny days of about 18 to 20 °C and cold nights. In June and July, at night, the thermometer can get close to 0 °C.
• Machu Picchu (2,430 m): almost a thousand meters lower, on the edge of the cloud forest. It is warmer and more humid, and it can rain in any month.
• Sacred Valley (about 2,800 m): somewhere in between, milder than Cusco during the day.
• Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake: above 4,000 m, with intense cold and wind even when the sun is out.

At this altitude the sun burns more than it seems: even when the air feels cool, UV radiation is high all year round.

What to wear in the dry season (May to September)

This is the season of clear skies and also of the coldest nights. During the day a T-shirt or light shirt is enough; once the sun goes down you need real warmth.

• A thermal base layer (top and leggings) for the very early departures and the evenings.
• A fleece or light down jacket that packs small and fits in your daypack.
• Wool hat, gloves and scarf, especially in June and July.
• Sun protection: cap or wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
• Comfortable walking clothes, plus something a bit nicer if you plan to go out for dinner.

What to wear in the rainy season (November to March)

Nights are less cold, but rain takes center stage, usually arriving in the afternoon as a short downpour. What matters here is being able to keep touring without getting soaked.

• A waterproof jacket with a hood, ideally breathable.
• A rain poncho that also covers your backpack. You can buy one cheaply in Cusco and in Aguas Calientes.
• Water-resistant shoes and a spare pair of socks in your daypack.
• Quick-dry pants; wet jeans take a whole day to dry.
• A light mid layer (thin fleece) for cool mornings.

In the rainy season it's not about wearing more, it's about getting less wet.

Extra clothing for Rainbow Mountain or Humantay

These two excursions are a different story. Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) reaches 5,036 m and the hike starts at around 4,600 m; at Humantay Lake you also hike at high altitude. We leave very early, and up there an icy wind blows, even on sunny days.

• A properly warm jacket (down or synthetic) over your thermal layer.
• A hat that covers your ears, gloves and a buff or scarf against the wind.
• Hiking shoes with good grip; some stretches have loose ground.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen: at that altitude snow and sky reflect a lot of light.

Before these excursions it's best to spend at least two days in Cusco to acclimatize. We explain how in our article on altitude sickness in Cusco.

Packing list for the whole trip

For a one-week trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu, this is the base we recommend to our travelers:

1. 2 or 3 light long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts.
2. 1 thermal set (top and leggings).
3. 1 fleece or light down jacket.
4. 1 waterproof or windproof jacket (essential in the rainy season).
5. 2 comfortable walking pants, ideally quick-dry.
6. Hiking shoes or closed shoes with good soles, broken in before the trip.
7. Wool hat, gloves and scarf, plus a cap or hat for the sun.
8. Sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent for Machu Picchu.
9. Warm sleepwear and thick socks.
10. A swimsuit, if you plan to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.

If your trip also includes Lima and the coast, add lighter clothes: from December to March it's summer and hot, and from June to September Lima's sky is gray and damp, cool enough for a light sweater.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cold at Machu Picchu?

Less than in Cusco. Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m and has a milder, more humid climate. Mornings can be cool and misty, but it usually gets warm by midday. Bring a light layer you can take off and something for the rain.

Do I need technical mountain clothing?

Not for the cultural tours. Comfortable layers and good shoes are enough. Only for Rainbow Mountain and Humantay is it worth bringing a warmer jacket and hiking shoes.

Can I buy warm clothes in Cusco?

Yes. In Cusco you'll find alpaca wool hats, gloves and sweaters in markets and shops, as well as rain ponchos. It's a good option if you arrive with little luggage, although technical jackets are easier to find back home.

What shoes should I bring to Cusco and Machu Picchu?

Comfortable shoes with good soles, already broken in, because you'll be walking on stone and Inca stairways. If you travel in the rainy season, make sure they are water resistant. For evenings in the city, any closed, warm shoes will do.

What is the most common packing mistake?

Bringing one very thick jacket instead of layers. By mid-morning it's too much and there's nowhere to put it. Several thin pieces keep you just as warm and adapt to the temperature changes of the day.

At Inka Planet Adventure we've seen plenty of travelers arrive with the wrong suitcase. With this list you'll be well prepared; the train, tickets, guide and transfers are on us.