Machu Picchu in July
Visiting Machu Picchu in July: dry and sunny weather, peak-season crowds, Peru's national holidays, booking times, what to pack and tips.
By J. José Rodríguez, Founder / CEO
July is the busiest month of the year at Machu Picchu. The weather is at its best, with clear skies almost every day, but it is also when the Northern Hemisphere summer holidays meet Peru’s national holidays at the end of the month. Visit in July for the views, and book everything early.
July at a glance
| Machu Picchu | Open every day |
| Inca Trail | Open; permits sell out 6–8 months ahead |
| Rainfall at Machu Picchu | About 55 mm, very dry |
| Temperature at Machu Picchu | Average high 22 °C, low 9 °C |
| Temperature in Cusco | Average high 21 °C, low 1 °C |
| Crowds | Very high, especially in the second half |
| Book Machu Picchu tickets | 4–8 weeks ahead |
| Book Huayna Picchu or the Mountain | 2–4 months ahead |
| Book Inca Trail permits | 6–8 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: July is excellent for weather and terrible for last-minute plans. Book tickets, trains, hotels and permits as early as you can.
Weather at Machu Picchu in July
July is dry and sunny, with very cold nights in Cusco and on the treks. Machu Picchu is pleasant in the day and cool at night. Rain is rare, and mornings are usually clear.
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 July
Expect the highest visitor numbers of the year. Around July 28–29, Peru’s national holidays, many Peruvian families travel, and trains and hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes fill up. Book Machu Picchu tickets 4–8 weeks ahead.
Pros and cons of visiting in July
Pros:
- Some of the clearest skies of the year
- Dry trails for every trek
- Festivals in Cusco and the region
- Long, sunny days for photos
Cons:
- The busiest month of the year
- Tickets, trains and hotels sell out early
- Very cold nights in Cusco and on treks
- Higher prices
Festivals and events in July
- Virgen del Carmen (around July 16): one of the most colorful festivals in the Andes, in the town of Paucartambo, with masked dancers.
- Peru’s national holidays (July 28–29): Fiestas Patrias, with parades and heavy domestic travel.
Best trips for July
- Inca Trail: dry and stunning; permits for July sell out 6–8 months ahead. See the Classic Inca Trail.
- Lares or Salkantay: quieter trails that still end at Machu Picchu. See the Lares Trek.
- Overnight visit: the Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour lets you enter at the first slot, before the day-trip crowds.
What to pack for July
Warm layers for cold mornings and nights (a fleece and a down or insulated jacket for Cusco), a sun hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, lip balm and comfortable walking shoes. A light rain jacket is still worth carrying. See our full packing list.
Tips for visiting in July
- Enter at the first slot or in the early afternoon to avoid the peak.
- Avoid traveling around July 28–29 if your dates are flexible.
- Pack warm clothes for Cusco nights.
- Book Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain 2–4 months ahead.
Which Machu Picchu ticket to book in July
Circuit 2 (route 2A, the classic route) is the best first visit. In the dry season, mornings are usually clear, so the first entry slots give soft light and fewer people. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain sell out first, often 2–4 months ahead.
High-season dates in July (2026: all month; 2027: all month) 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 July
Mornings are usually clear and cold, with the soft light photographers look for in the first hours. Late morning is the busiest time, when day trips from Cusco arrive; early afternoon is quieter again.
Getting there in July
Trains and roads are reliable, but the most convenient trains sell out first, so book them as soon as you have your Machu Picchu ticket. The route via Hidroeléctrica is at its best in the dry months. Compare every route in how to get to Machu Picchu.
A 2-day plan for July
Day 1: train from Ollantaytambo, a guided classic route (2A) in the afternoon, night in Aguas Calientes. Day 2: the first bus up for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, then the afternoon train back to Cusco. Our Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour follows this rhythm.
Cusco in July
Most trips start in Cusco, at 3,400 m, where July feels colder at night and very sunny. Read Cusco in July for the weather, festivals and day trips there.
Other months
Comparing dates? Read Machu Picchu in June and Machu Picchu in August, or see every month side by side in our best time to visit Machu Picchu guide.
Tours
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 ticket, porters, meals and Vistadome return included.
Andean trek
Lares Trek
Walk through weaving communities, high lakes and the Lares hot springs, then visit Machu Picchu. Meals, camping, train and ticket included.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Is July a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
For weather, yes: it is dry and sunny. It is also the busiest month, so book everything well ahead.
Is Machu Picchu crowded in July?
Yes, it is the busiest month of the year, especially in the second half and around Peru's national holidays on July 28–29.
Is it cold in July?
Machu Picchu is mild in the day. Cusco and the treks are very cold at night, often below freezing.
Can I get Inca Trail permits for July?
Only if you book early: July permits usually sell out 6–8 months ahead.