When is the best time of year to visit Machu Picchu? Many travelers ask this question before planning their dream trip to this beautiful destination. Machu Picchu is the pinnacle of tourism in Peru, and securing a ticket can be quite challenging. There are 4,600 tickets available daily, but only one circuit allows you to fully explore the entire citadel, and this specific route has only 400 tickets available each day. You also need to consider the unpredictable weather at Machu Picchu, as it can change rapidly. Located between the cloud forest and the mountain range of Cusco, the weather is difficult to forecast.
If you plan to visit Machu Picchu during the high tourist season, remember that more than 7,000 tourists visit Cusco daily, with about 5,600 of them entering Machu Picchu itself. You might not get that classic picture due to the number of visitors walking around. Here, we explain step by step the best time to travel to Machu Picchu, ensuring your visit is unforgettable, free of complications, and that you capture the perfect photo for your future memories.
Machu Picchu Peak Season
The high season of tourism occurs between May and August; this season coincides with the dry season, but also with the vacations in Europe and the USA. If you plan to travel in high Machu Pichu tourist season, know that you will have to book Machu Picchu tickets at least 3 months in advance; but it's not all, you'll also have to book in advance, train tickets, guides and additional tour. On the other hand, you will have to compete with other visitors for the first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, and for the best places in the Huayna Picchu mountain and in the Inca city. One of the main disadvantages of this season, it is not precisely that you do not find places, but what you will have to pay for them. During the high season, the prices of most tourist services, rise between 30 and 100%, depending on the time of anticipation of your reservations.
When to Visit Machu Picchu Peru
In order to know when to visit Machu Picchu, you should learn about the weather in Machu Picchu and peak season time to avoid crowds so as to enjoy exploring the site.
- Dry season in Machu Picchu: It occurs between April and October and for many, although not for all, it is the best time to visit Machu Picchu; The sun shines all day and there is almost no rain, allowing you to explore the site with clear views of the scenery and Inca constructions. The treks in the Andean mountains en route to Machu Picchu also offer scenic beauty and best views of the surrounding scenery and Machupichu. However, you will likely line up to enter and visit the different temples, shrines, liivng strututes of the royalty, etc. and it is very important that you book your Machupichu tour, Machupichu and Waynapicchu mountain extra hike, train tickets, hotel, etc at least 3 months in advance.
- Rainy season in Machu Picchu: It occurs between November and March, and unlike what many people think, it does not rain throughout the day, it does more in the afternoons and it is usually covered in fog early in the mornings but it clears away late in the morning, giving you the opportunity to see Machu Picchu as the fog dissipates as if an artist reveals his masterpiece. However, if you do not mind getting a little wet, you can get lower prices, discounts at hotels and other places.
Due to best weather codintions,. it is anyway advisable to come and visit Machu Pichu from April to September. If you come in June, we recommend that you to book the Inti Raymi (the sun worship festivity) it takes place onJune 24th, and also the Rainbow mountain Tour located in high up in the Andes.
Machu Picchu Weather Month to Month
Machu Picchu in January, February and March
They are the rainiest months in Machu Picchu and in general in the region of Cusco, during most of the days the sky is cloudy, but there are also short periods of clear days, the temperature is relatively pleasant with an average of 14 ° C. Although the rains can be an inconvenience when visiting Machu Picchu, they make Machu Picchu look spectacular green and with colorful flora in all its surroundings, besides the clouds and rain make Machu Picchu become a fable scenario, almost surreal.
Machu Picchu in February: It is usually foggy or rainy.
One of the main advantages of visiting Machu Picchu in these months is that you will be able to find the vast majority of services at reduced prices, and with many offers in luxury services. So with a moderate budget you can greatly enjoy your stay in Machu Picchu, and if you are the traveler who wants to save the most, this is the time you should visit the Inca city.
Machu Picchu in April
April is one of the most propitious months to visit Machu Picchu, the rains are minimal and the days become sunnier and more pleasant. Although the high season of tourism already begins this month, it is still possible to find offers in the services.
Machu Picchu in April: It is usually is cloudy in the mornings and sunny the rest of the day
Visiting Machu Picchu in May
In the month of May the days are already completely clear, except for some occasional rain that usually occurs, the dry season is already felt, with sunny days and cold nights. During this month there is a large number of visitors to the Inca city of Machu Picchu and tourist services rise in price. In May it is already possible to see and enjoy many of the activities of the jubilee parties of Cusco.
Machu Picchu in May: Day time is sunny, but it gets a bit crowded as it is the start of the peak season.
Machu Picchu in June
Undoubtedly June is the month that has more tourist activity, and Machu Picchu is full of tourists from all over the world. The weather this month is sunny during the day and very cold at night, especially at dawn. The services are saturated so it is advisable to book them before arriving at Machu Picchu. All this is reinforced by the activities that take place in the city of Cusco, since in June its festivities are celebrated and there are many shows like the Inti Raymi ceremony.
Machu Picchu in June: It is very warm in the sun and bit cold in the shade.
Machu Picchu in July / Travel to Machu Picchu in August
During these months the winter of the mountains is accentuated, the days are similar to those of June, are months in which Machu Picchu receives a high traffic of visitors, and tourist services are very required. The clear days in these dates allow to see Machu Picchu with splendor, you can take magnificent and clean photographs and except for a sporadic shower, are days when visiting Machu Picchu becomes very pleasant and in company of the imposing Inti (Sun).
Machu Picchu in July and August: It is a great season. During day time is sunny and at night time is a bit chilly.
NOTE: Between May and August the demand for the Machu Picchu Ticket is highly requested, so if you want to visit Machu Picchu on these dates you must book your admission in advance. If you want to climb the mountain Machu Picchu must book your ticket with more than two months in advance
Machu Picchu in September / Hiking Machu Picchu in October
During these months the change of season is made, the cold of winter decreases and the temperature becomes warmer with a very pleasant climate. The high season of tourism begins to fall, as well as the costs of various services. For the experience of many visitors and travelers, these are the best months to visit Machu Picchu, the first rains make the Inca shrine begin to turn green and the sun shines on most days. They are auspicious days to enjoy all the beauty of the Inca wonder.
Machu Picchu in September and October: Good season! Most flowers are in blossom
Travel to Machu Picchu in November / Machu Picchu in December
Machu Picchu takes bright green colors in the rainy months During these months the rain is already felt with greater intensity in Machu Picchu, but it is still possible to enjoy sunny and warm days, tourist services begin to have more offers, so there are months in which you can visit Machu Picchu and travel it without it being saturated with visitors. Besides, spending the holidays at Machu Picchu is a great experience.
No matter the month in which you visit Machu Picchu, the first thing to do is book your Machu Picchu Ticket, and depending on the season you should also book your train ticket in advance.
Machu Picchu in November and December: Start of the wet season, but sunny day. High season for Christmas and New year
Best Time to Hike Machu Picchu
The most appropriate months to go to Machu Picchu on a tour are from April to October. The rains are scarce and you can contemplate the dawn in the ruins without any problem. The landscapes of the subtropical zones and the humid forests in the route of the Inca Trail do not change during the dry season.
Unless you are an experienced hiker, we recommend avoiding the month of February, especially if you plan to tour the Huayna Picchu mountain; the trails of the mountain are narrow and vertigo, and can be somewhat more frightening if they are wet. The month of February has the highest amount of rain in the season, which also restricts the entry of visitors by the Inca Trail.
Machu Picchu Travel Tours
Reserve our guided trips to Machu Picchu by contacting our travel experts and you will be closer to completing your adventure:
- Cusco Tours
- Machu Picchu Day Trip
- Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu Peru
- Machu Picchu tours from Lima
- Inti Raymi Festival and Machu Picchu
- Combo Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
Hiking tours to Machu Picchu
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salkantay Trek
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days
- 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 3 Day Inca Trail
- Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu 6 days
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
- Ausangate trek 7 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
