Machu Picchu in January
Visiting Machu Picchu in January: rainy-season weather, crowds after New Year, whether the Inca Trail is open, what to pack and how to plan for rain.
By J. José Rodríguez, Founder / CEO
January is the middle of the rainy season at Machu Picchu. Expect showers most days, mist in the mornings and the greenest landscape of the year. After the New Year holidays the crowds drop, and tickets and trains are easy to get. The Inca Trail is still open in January, but it is muddy and it closes for all of February.
January at a glance
| Machu Picchu | Open every day |
| Inca Trail | Open, but wet and muddy |
| Rainfall at Machu Picchu | About 340 mm, one of the wettest months |
| Temperature at Machu Picchu | Average high 21 °C, low 12 °C |
| Temperature in Cusco | Average high 20 °C, low 8 °C |
| Crowds | Busy in the first week (New Year holidays), then low |
| 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: January is a good month if you are flexible and travel by train. It is the hardest month for trekking, and you should plan a spare day in case rain delays a train.
Weather at Machu Picchu in January
Rain usually comes as heavy showers, often in the afternoon and at night, rather than all-day drizzle. Mornings often start in thick cloud that lifts during the morning, so the citadel can appear and disappear within minutes. Days are warm and humid; Cusco is cooler but rarely freezing at this time of year.
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 January
The first days of January are busy with holiday travelers from Peru and abroad. From the second week, Machu Picchu is one of the quietest it gets all year, and you can usually choose your entry time and train a week or two ahead.
Pros and cons of visiting in January
Pros:
- Fewer visitors after the first week of the year
- Very green mountains, orchids and waterfalls
- Easy availability for tickets, trains and Huayna Picchu
- Mild temperatures, with warmer nights in Cusco
Cons:
- Showers almost every day and misty mornings
- Muddy treks; the Inca Trail is slippery
- A small risk of landslides delaying trains or roads
- Last chance for the Inca Trail before it closes in February
Festivals and events in January
- New Year (January 1): crowds in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco at midnight, and busy hotels and trains in the first days of the month.
- Epiphany (January 6): traditional celebrations in the towns of the Sacred Valley, including Ollantaytambo.
Best trips for January
- Train tours: the Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour gives you a second chance if the first morning is cloudy.
- Inca Trail: possible, as the trail is open until January 31, but expect rain and mud. Book permits 1–3 months ahead. See the Classic Inca Trail.
- Day tours from Cusco: the Sacred Valley is beautiful and green; high-altitude hikes like Rainbow Mountain can be wet or snowy.
What to pack for January
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 January
- Choose a morning entry and stay patient: the mist often lifts by mid-morning.
- Keep a flexible day at the end of your trip in case a train is delayed.
- Buy travel insurance with cancellation cover.
- Book New Year week as early as you would for high season.
Which Machu Picchu ticket to book in January
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 January (2026: January 1; 2027: January 1–3) 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 January
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 January
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 January
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 January
Most trips start in Cusco, at 3,400 m, where January feels cooler and wetter. Read Cusco in January for the weather, festivals and day trips there.
Other months
Comparing dates? Read Machu Picchu in December and Machu Picchu in February, 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.
Inca Trail · permit required
Classic Inca Trail
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with a local Cusco operator. Permit, Machu Picchu ticket, porters, meals and Vistadome return 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 January a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes, if you travel by train and are flexible. It is rainy and misty, but quiet after the first week and very green.
Is the Inca Trail open in January?
Yes. It is open all of January and closes for maintenance from February 1 to the end of February.
How much does it rain at Machu Picchu in January?
About 340 mm in the month, mostly as heavy showers in the afternoon and at night.
Is Machu Picchu crowded in January?
Only in the first days of the month, around New Year. After that it is one of the quietest times of the year.