Machu Picchu in June
Visiting Machu Picchu in June: dry season, cold nights, high-season crowds, Inti Raymi and Corpus Christi in Cusco, booking times and tips.
By J. José Rodríguez, Founder / CEO
June is the driest month of the year at Machu Picchu and the start of high season. Days are sunny, nights are cold, and Cusco celebrates all month long, with Corpus Christi and Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the sun, on June 24. It is a fantastic time to visit, as long as you book well ahead.
June at a glance
| Machu Picchu | Open every day |
| Inca Trail | Open; permits sell out months ahead |
| Rainfall at Machu Picchu | About 50 mm, the driest month |
| Temperature at Machu Picchu | Average high 22 °C, low 10 °C |
| Temperature in Cusco | Average high 21 °C, low 2 °C |
| Crowds | High, very busy around June 24 |
| 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: June is ideal for clear views, festivals and treks. Book tickets, trains and hotels early, especially around June 24.
Weather at Machu Picchu in June
Expect clear skies and almost no rain. Machu Picchu is pleasant during the day, but Cusco and the high treks are cold at night, often near or below freezing. Mornings at Machu Picchu are usually clear, with the best light early and late in the day.
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 June
Visitor numbers rise through the month. The week around Inti Raymi is the busiest in Cusco, when hotels fill weeks in advance. Book Machu Picchu tickets 4–8 weeks ahead and Huayna Picchu 2–4 months ahead.
Pros and cons of visiting in June
Pros:
- The driest month, with clear views
- Cusco’s biggest festivals
- Great conditions for every trek and hike
- Long sunny days
Cons:
- High-season crowds
- Cold nights in Cusco and on treks
- Higher hotel prices and earlier sell-outs
Festivals and events in June
- Corpus Christi (late May or June, date varies): saints from Cusco’s parishes are carried to the cathedral, with chiriuchu, the traditional festive dish.
- Inti Raymi (June 24): the Inca festival of the sun, re-enacted at the Qoricancha, the Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuamán.
- Celebrations all month: parades and dances in Cusco’s main square through June.
Best trips for June
- Inca Trail: dry and beautiful, but permits sell out 6–8 months ahead. See the Classic Inca Trail.
- Salkantay or Lares: good alternatives when Inca Trail permits are gone. See the Salkantay Trek.
- Cusco & Machu Picchu: the Cusco & Machu Picchu 4 Days package fits the festivals into your trip.
What to pack for June
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 June
- Book hotels for June 24 weeks or months ahead.
- Pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves for Cusco evenings.
- Choose the first entry slot to beat the crowds.
- If you want to see Inti Raymi at Sacsayhuamán, decide early whether to buy a seat or watch from the free areas.
Which Machu Picchu ticket to book in June
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 June (2026: June 19–30; 2027: June 19–30) 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 June
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 June
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 June
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 June
Most trips start in Cusco, at 3,400 m, where June feels colder at night and very sunny. Read Cusco in June for the weather, festivals and day trips there.
Other months
Comparing dates? Read Machu Picchu in May and Machu Picchu in July, 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Is June a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes. It is the driest month, with clear views and Cusco's biggest festivals, but it is also high season, so book early.
When is Inti Raymi?
Every June 24, in Cusco, with ceremonies at the Qoricancha, the Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuamán.
Is it cold at Machu Picchu in June?
Machu Picchu is mild in the day, but nights are cool, about 10 °C on average. Cusco is much colder, about 2 °C on average at night, with some frosts.
How far ahead should I book for June?
Machu Picchu tickets 4–8 weeks ahead, Huayna Picchu 2–4 months and Inca Trail permits 6–8 months.