Updated for the 2026–27 season.
The best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, from May to September, when the mornings are clear and the trails are dry. For the best balance of good weather and fewer visitors, choose May or September, or the shoulder months of late April and October. From January to March the rains bring lush green mountains and fewer people, but expect showers most days, and remember that the Inca Trail closes every February.
Best monthsMay and September
Dry seasonMay to September
Rainy seasonNovember to March; wettest from January to March
BusiestJune to August, and the Peruvian holidays of 28–29 July
Inca TrailClosed every February
Machu Picchu weather by month
Machu Picchu sits at about 2,430 metres, on the edge of the Amazon cloud forest, so it is warmer and much wetter than Cusco. Temperatures hardly change through the year; what changes is the rain. These are the long-term averages of the Machu Picchu weather station:
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Crowds | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.6 °C | 11.8 °C | 341 mm | Moderate | Rainy and green; quieter |
| February | 20.6 °C | 11.9 °C | 325 mm | Low | The wettest time; the Inca Trail is closed |
| March | 21.0 °C | 11.9 °C | 341 mm | Low | Still rainy, lush and calm |
| April | 21.5 °C | 11.7 °C | 184 mm | Moderate | Very good: the rains fade, the valley is green |
| May | 21.9 °C | 10.8 °C | 73 mm | Moderate | Excellent: dry, clear and before the peak |
| June | 22.0 °C | 10.0 °C | 51 mm | High | Dry and sunny; Inti Raymi in Cusco |
| July | 22.1 °C | 9.4 °C | 54 mm | Very high | The driest and busiest month |
| August | 23.1 °C | 10.0 °C | 61 mm | Very high | Dry and busy |
| September | 23.4 °C | 11.1 °C | 76 mm | High | Excellent: dry, warm and calmer |
| October | 22.8 °C | 11.5 °C | 163 mm | Moderate | Very good: the first showers, fewer people |
| November | 22.8 °C | 12.0 °C | 173 mm | Moderate | Showers return; good value |
| December | 21.2 °C | 12.0 °C | 275 mm | Moderate to high | Rainy; busy around Christmas and New Year |
Climate averages for 1991–2020 from SENAMHI, Peru’s national weather service, at its Machu Picchu station (2,399 m). Crowd levels are based on our own experience planning trips from Cusco.
Dry season or rainy season?
The dry season: May to September
Clear skies, sunny days and cool nights. It is the best time for the views from the Sun Gate and for climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, and for hiking the Inca Trail. It is also the high season: June, July and August are the busiest months, and the entrance tickets, the trains and the best hotels sell out early.
The rainy season: November to March
Rain falls most days, often as heavy showers in the afternoon, and the mountains are wrapped in mist. The reward is the greenest landscapes of the year, the orchids of the cloud forest and fewer visitors. Bring a light raincoat and good shoes, and keep a spare day in your plans in case a landslide or heavy rain affects the railway.
The shoulder months: April and October
Our favourite months to visit. In April the rains are ending and the valley is still green; in October the first showers return, but the dry-season views remain and the crowds have gone.
The best time to visit, by what you want
| If you want… | Go in | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The best weather | May to September | The dry season: clear mornings and little rain |
| Good weather and fewer people | Late April, May, September and October | The shoulder months, before and after the peak |
| The classic Inca Trail | May to September | Dry trails; the trail is closed every February for maintenance |
| Green landscapes and quiet | January to March | The rainy season: lush, misty and less crowded, with rain most days |
| Festivals | June | Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the sun, fills Cusco on 24 June |
| Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain | May to October | Dry, safer paths; book the tickets months ahead |
Crowds and tickets: when to book
Machu Picchu has a daily limit of visitors, sold by circuit and entry time on the Ministry of Culture’s official ticket website. In the high season the tickets for the most popular circuits, Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain sell out weeks or months in advance.
- Busiest dates: June to August, Holy Week, the Peruvian national holidays of 28 and 29 July, Christmas and New Year.
- High-season routes: some routes, such as the Sun Gate (1-C), the Inca Bridge (1-D), the Great Cavern (3-C) and Huchuy Picchu (3-D), open only in the high season.
- Book together: the entrance ticket, the train and your hotel in Machu Picchu town depend on each other, so we book them at the same time.
- Time of day: early entries often start in the mist, which lifts during the morning; the afternoon slots are usually quieter.
Read more about the circuits and routes in our Peru itinerary guide, and about the steepest climb in our Huayna Picchu guide.
Month by month
January, February and March
The heart of the rainy season. Expect heavy showers, mist and slippery stone steps, but also quiet terraces and an emerald landscape. The Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance; the citadel stays open, and the short Inca Trail is a good alternative from March.
April and May
The rains fade during April and May is one of the best months of the year: dry, clear and before the July peak. Wildflowers and green terraces make it a favourite for photographers.
June, July and August
The driest and sunniest months, with cold nights in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. They are also the busiest, with Inti Raymi in Cusco on 24 June and the Peruvian holidays at the end of July. Book everything early.
September and October
Still dry in September, with warm days and fewer people than in August. In October the first showers return, usually in the afternoon. Both are excellent months for a relaxed visit.
November and December
The rains return little by little. November is quiet and good value; December is wetter, and busy over Christmas and New Year.
What to pack for each season
- All year: layers, a light waterproof jacket, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent for the cloud forest and comfortable shoes with good grip.
- Dry season: a warm layer for the early morning and for the cold nights in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
- Rainy season: a rain poncho, quick-drying clothes and waterproof shoes; umbrellas are not always practical on the narrow paths.
- Your passport: you need it to enter Machu Picchu and to board the train.
Plan your visit
How long to stay? Read our guide to a Machu Picchu day tour or 2-day trip. Choosing a train? Compare them all in our guide to luxury trains in Peru. For the rest of the country, see the best time to visit Peru. Ready to go? See our Machu Picchu tours or start planning a tailor-made trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Machu Picchu?
May and September are the best months: dry and clear, with fewer visitors than in June, July and August.
What is the rainy season at Machu Picchu?
From November to March, with the heaviest rain from January to March. It rarely rains all day, but showers are frequent and the mountains are often in mist.
Is it worth visiting Machu Picchu in the rainy season?
Yes, if you are flexible. The landscapes are at their greenest and there are fewer people. Bring rain gear and plan a spare day in case the weather or the railway causes delays.
When is the Inca Trail closed?
Every February, for maintenance. Machu Picchu itself stays open, and you can still reach it by train.
When is Machu Picchu most crowded?
From June to August, during Holy Week, around the Peruvian national holidays of 28 and 29 July, and over Christmas and New Year.
How far in advance should I book Machu Picchu tickets?
For June to August, and for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, book several months ahead. In the rest of the year a few weeks is usually enough, but book the ticket together with your train and hotel.
Is Machu Picchu cold?
Not really. Daytime temperatures are around 21–23 °C all year, with nights of about 9–12 °C. Cusco, at 3,400 m, is much colder at night, especially from June to August.
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Wilfredo Zúñiga Huamanguillas
Anthropologist & Hospitality Professional | South America Travel ExpertAnthropologist, hospitality professional and South America travel expert with 11 years of experience in tourism, trained at the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco. Wilfredo writes about the people, traditions and landscapes of the continent, from the Andes and Machu Picchu to Patagonia, Brazil and the Amazon.
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