planning
The Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu, Month by Month
When to visit Machu Picchu: dry and rainy seasons, crowds, the Inca Trail's February closure, and the best months for treks and photos.
The best months to visit Machu Picchu are April, May, September and October: dry weather with fewer crowds than mid-year. June to August is the driest and busiest season, and November to March brings rain and greener landscapes. Machu Picchu is open all year, but the Inca Trail closes every February.
Dry season vs. rainy season
- Dry season (April to October): sunny days, cold nights and clear views. Peak demand from June to August, when tickets and Inca Trail permits sell out early.
- Rainy season (November to March): showers most afternoons, mist and very green mountains, with fewer visitors. January to March are the wettest months.
Rainfall by month
Approximate averages at Machu Picchu. Temperatures change little through the year; what changes is the rain.
| Month | Average rainfall |
|---|---|
| January | About 140 mm |
| February | About 140 mm |
| March | About 150 mm |
| April | About 60 mm |
| May | About 25 mm |
| June | About 15 mm |
| July | About 20 mm |
| August | About 25 mm |
| September | About 45 mm |
| October | About 75 mm |
| November | About 85 mm |
| December | About 120 mm |
Daytime highs are about 22–26 °C all year. Nights are coolest in June and July, around 9–10 °C, and mildest in the rainy season, around 12–13 °C.
Cusco and the high treks are much colder: nights often drop below freezing from May to August.
Month by month
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Rainy | Medium | Wettest period; treks are muddy |
| February | Very rainy | Low | Inca Trail closed; Machu Picchu open |
| March | Rainy, easing | Low | Inca Trail reopens; very green |
| April | Mostly dry | Medium | One of the best months |
| May | Dry | Medium–high | Excellent for treks and photos |
| June | Dry, cold nights | High | Inti Raymi festival in Cusco on June 24 |
| July | Dry, cold nights | Very high | Peru’s national holidays (July 28–29) add domestic travelers |
| August | Dry, windy | Very high | Book months ahead |
| September | Dry | Medium–high | Great balance of weather and crowds |
| October | Mostly dry | Medium | The first showers arrive |
| November | Showers | Medium | Good prices and availability |
| December | Rainy | Medium–high | Busy around Christmas and New Year |
April and May: the sweet spot
The rains end, the mountains are still green and the crowds of mid-year have not arrived. May in particular combines dry trails, clear mornings and good availability. These are our favorite months for both treks and train tours.
June to August: peak season
The driest, sunniest months, with cold nights in Cusco and on the treks. It is also when most travelers come, including school holidays in the Northern Hemisphere and Peru’s national holidays in late July. Book Machu Picchu tickets 4–8 weeks ahead and Inca Trail permits 6–8 months ahead.
September and October: a great balance
Still mostly dry, with warm days and slightly fewer people than August. The first showers usually appear in October, often in the afternoon.
November to March: the green season
Short heavy showers, misty mornings and the greenest landscape of the year, with fewer visitors and better availability. January to March are the wettest months; landslides can occasionally affect the railway or trails. The Inca Trail closes in February, but Machu Picchu, the train tours and the alternative treks stay open.
Festivals worth planning around
- Inti Raymi (June 24): the Inca festival of the sun, re-enacted at Sacsayhuamán in Cusco. Hotels fill up weeks ahead.
- Corpus Christi (May or June): colorful processions in Cusco with saints carried from every parish.
- Peru’s national holidays (July 28–29): many Peruvians travel, so book early.
- Easter, Christmas and New Year: busy in Cusco and at Machu Picchu.
Best time for each trip
- Inca Trail: May or September, and avoid February. See our Classic Inca Trail.
- Salkantay, Ausangate, Rainbow Mountain: May to September; nights are below freezing. See the Salkantay Trek.
- Train tours: any month, with the earliest entry for the clearest mornings in the dry season. See Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2 Days.
- Photos: April, May and September give clear skies and green terraces.
How to avoid the crowds
- Choose an early entry slot, or the early afternoon when the morning groups leave.
- Stay a night in Aguas Calientes so you are not tied to the day-trip train times.
- Travel in April, May, September, October or November rather than July and August.
What to pack by season
- Dry season: layers for cold mornings and nights, sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Rainy season: a good rain jacket or poncho, quick-dry clothes and shoes with grip.
- All year: insect repellent, a refillable water bottle and your passport.
Machu Picchu weather
Machu Picchu sits in the cloud forest at 2,430 m, so it is warmer and more humid than Cusco. Days are usually mild and mornings often start with mist that clears by mid-morning. Read more about Machu Picchu altitude.
Tours to link
Plan this with a local team
Inca Trail · permit required
Classic Inca Trail
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with a local Cusco operator. Permit, Machu Picchu entry, porters, meals and an Expedition return train are included.
Andean trek
Salkantay Trek
Cross the 4,630 m Salkantay Pass, turquoise Humantay Lake and cloud forest to Machu Picchu. Camps, meals, train and Machu Picchu ticket included.
Machu Picchu journey
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu in 2 days. Train, hotel, buffet lunch, every entrance ticket and guide included. Private option available.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Is it worth visiting in the rainy season?
Yes. Rain usually comes in showers, the landscape is at its greenest and there are fewer people. Bring good rain gear.
What is the worst month?
February, for the heavy rain and the Inca Trail closure, although Machu Picchu itself stays open.
When are there fewest crowds?
February, March and November, and early mornings or afternoons on any day.
What is the best time of day to visit?
The first entry slots for soft light and fewer people, or the early afternoon, when the morning groups have left. In the rainy season, mornings are often misty and clear later.
Is Machu Picchu open all year?
Yes, every day of the year. Only the Inca Trail closes, during February.