Machu Picchu in December
Visiting Machu Picchu in December: rainy-season weather, Christmas and New Year crowds, Cusco festivities, booking times, what to pack and tips.
By J. José Rodríguez, Founder / CEO
December is a rainy-season month at Machu Picchu, with frequent showers, misty mornings and green mountains. The first half of the month is quiet, but Christmas and New Year bring a wave of travelers. Cusco is festive, with its famous Santurantikuy market on Christmas Eve and a lively New Year in the Plaza de Armas.
December at a glance
| Machu Picchu | Open every day |
| Inca Trail | Open |
| Rainfall at Machu Picchu | About 275 mm, frequent showers |
| Temperature at Machu Picchu | Average high 21 °C, low 12 °C |
| Temperature in Cusco | Average high 21 °C, low 8 °C |
| Crowds | Medium early in the month, high around Christmas and New Year |
| Book Machu Picchu tickets | 1–3 weeks ahead |
| Book Huayna Picchu or the Mountain | 2–4 weeks ahead |
| Book Inca Trail permits | 1–3 months ahead |
1991–2020 averages: Machu Picchu from Peru’s weather service (SENAMHI) climate normals; Cusco from the airport station (WMO normals, NOAA). Any single month can be much drier or wetter.
Our verdict: December works well for a train trip with some flexibility. Book early if you are traveling between Christmas and New Year.
Weather at Machu Picchu in December
Expect showers most days, often in the afternoon, and misty mornings that clear during the day. Days are warm and humid at Machu Picchu, and Cusco is mild with cool nights.
Machu Picchu (2,430 m) is warmer and more humid than Cusco (3,400 m), so pack for both. See the rain and temperatures for every month in our guide to the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
Crowds and availability in December
Early December is one of the quieter times of the year. From around December 20 to the first days of January, visitor numbers rise sharply, and trains and hotels sell out. For those dates, book as early as you would for high season.
Pros and cons of visiting in December
Pros:
- Quiet first half of the month
- Green landscapes and dramatic clouds
- Christmas and New Year celebrations in Cusco
- Mild nights in Cusco
Cons:
- Frequent showers and misty mornings
- Busy and expensive over the holidays
- Muddy trails on treks
Festivals and events in December
- Santurantikuy (December 24): a huge Christmas market in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, with handmade nativity figures and crafts.
- Christmas (December 25): family celebrations, with hot chocolate and panetón shared in Cusco.
- New Year’s Eve (December 31): crowds in the Plaza de Armas at midnight, many wearing yellow for good luck.
Best trips for December
- Train tours: the Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour gives you a second chance if the first morning is cloudy.
- Cusco & Machu Picchu: the Cusco & Machu Picchu 4 Days package fits the holidays into one trip.
- Inca Trail: open, but wet; book 1–3 months ahead, earlier for the holidays.
What to pack for December
A good rain jacket or long poncho, quick-dry layers, shoes with good grip, a waterproof cover for your daypack, insect repellent and a warm layer for Cusco nights. Umbrellas are not allowed inside Machu Picchu. See our full packing list.
Tips for visiting in December
- Book Christmas and New Year dates as early as possible.
- Carry rain gear every day.
- Visit the Santurantikuy market on December 24 if you are in Cusco.
- Keep a flexible day in case of train delays.
Which Machu Picchu ticket to book in December
Circuit 2 (route 2A, the classic route) is the best first visit in any month. In the rainy season, choose an entry from mid-morning if you want the best chance of clear views, or the first slots if you prefer fewer people and can wait for the mist to lift. Mountain tickets are easier to get than in mid-year, but the summits are often in the clouds.
High-season dates in December (2026: December 30–31; 2027: December 29–31) raise daily capacity to 5,600 and open the seasonal routes (1C Sun Gate, 1D Inca Bridge, 3C Great Cavern and, if sold, 3D Huchuy Picchu). Outside those dates, capacity is 4,500 and the seasonal routes are not sold.
From January 1, 2027, mountain routes have new times: citadel entry at 6:00 or 8:00, the mountain started by 10:00, and shorter maximum visits. See Machu Picchu tickets and Machu Picchu circuits.
Best time of day in December
Early mornings often start in mist that lifts and drops around the mountains. Many days clear by mid-morning, and showers tend to arrive in the afternoon, so late morning is often the best window. If you stay in Aguas Calientes, you can adjust your plans to the weather.
Getting there in December
Trains run as normal from Ollantaytambo, but heavy rain can occasionally cause landslides on the railway or the roads. Keep a spare day at the end of your trip, and avoid the budget route via Hidroeléctrica after heavy rain, when the road through Santa Teresa can close. Compare every route in how to get to Machu Picchu.
A 2-day plan for December
Day 1: train from Ollantaytambo, guided classic route (2A) late in the morning or early afternoon, night in Aguas Calientes. Day 2: an early entry with a second chance at clear skies, or a mountain ticket, then the afternoon train back. Our Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour follows this rhythm.
Cusco in December
Most trips start in Cusco, at 3,400 m, where December feels cooler and wetter. Read Cusco in December for the weather, festivals and day trips there.
Other months
Comparing dates? Read Machu Picchu in November and Machu Picchu in January, or see every month side by side in our best time to visit Machu Picchu guide.
Tours
Plan this with a local team
Machu Picchu journey
Machu Picchu 2 Days
Spend a night in Aguas Calientes and enter Machu Picchu early. Train, hotel, subject to availability ticket and guide included. Huayna Picchu add-on available.
Machu Picchu journey
Cusco & Machu Picchu 4 Days
Cusco city tour, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 4 days. Hotels, trains, guides, transfers and every entrance ticket included.
Machu Picchu journey
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Choose the Sacred Valley route via Pisac or Chinchero, then visit Machu Picchu. Train, hotel, buffet lunch, all tickets and guide included.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes, if you are flexible about rain. It is quiet early in the month and festive over the holidays.
Does it rain at Machu Picchu in December?
Yes, often. December averages about 275 mm, usually as afternoon showers.
Is Machu Picchu crowded at Christmas?
Yes. From about December 20 to early January, visitor numbers rise and trains and hotels sell out.
What is Santurantikuy?
A large Christmas market held on December 24 in Cusco's Plaza de Armas, known for handmade nativity figures and crafts.