Machu Picchu in March
Visiting Machu Picchu in March: the end of the rainy season, the Inca Trail reopening on March 1, crowds, weather, what to pack and travel tips.
By J. José Rodríguez, Founder / CEO
March is the last full month of the rainy season. It is one of the wettest months on average, with January, but the rain starts to ease toward the end, the landscapes are at their greenest and the crowds are low. The Inca Trail reopens on March 1 after its February closure, freshly maintained.
March at a glance
| Machu Picchu | Open every day |
| Inca Trail | Reopens on March 1 after the February closure |
| Rainfall at Machu Picchu | About 340 mm, one of the wettest months (with January) |
| Temperature at Machu Picchu | Average high 21 °C, low 12 °C |
| Temperature in Cusco | Average high 20 °C, low 8 °C |
| Crowds | Low, busier around Easter when it falls in March |
| 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: March is good value and quiet. It suits travelers who want space and green scenery and do not mind rain gear. If you can choose, the second half of the month is usually drier than the first.
Weather at Machu Picchu in March
Showers are frequent, sometimes heavy, but they often come in the afternoon and leave bright spells in between. Clouds hang low over the mountains in the morning. From late March the dry season starts to show, with longer sunny periods.
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 March
Visitor numbers are low for most of March, so you can usually book tickets and trains a week or two ahead. Easter changes that: when Holy Week falls in March, hotels and trains in Cusco fill up and Peruvian travelers add to the crowds.
Pros and cons of visiting in March
Pros:
- Inca Trail permits are easier to get than in high season
- Few visitors and good availability
- The greenest landscapes of the year
- Waterfalls and orchids along the train route
Cons:
- Often the rainiest month on average
- Muddy trails at the start of the month
- Misty mornings can hide the view for a while
- Easter can bring short-notice crowds
Festivals and events in March
- Inca Trail reopening (March 1): the trail opens again after a month of maintenance.
- Holy Week (March or April): processions in Cusco, including the Señor de los Temblores on Holy Monday, the city’s most important religious procession.
Best trips for March
- Inca Trail: a good month to find permits, with fewer hikers on the trail. See the Classic Inca Trail or the Short Inca Trail.
- Train tours: the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2 Days combines the green valley with an overnight stay.
- Salkantay or Lares: possible, but wet; the dry season is more comfortable.
What to pack for March
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 March
- Choose the second half of March if your dates are flexible.
- Check the Easter dates before you book.
- Pack rain pants as well as a rain jacket if you are trekking.
- Stay a night in Aguas Calientes to give the clouds time to clear.
Which Machu Picchu ticket to book in March
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 March (2027: March 25–28) 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 March
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 March
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 March
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 March
Most trips start in Cusco, at 3,400 m, where March feels cooler and wetter. Read Cusco in March for the weather, festivals and day trips there.
Other months
Comparing dates? Read Machu Picchu in February and Machu Picchu in April, 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.
Inca Trail · permit required
Short Inca Trail
Hike the last stretch of the Inca Trail, enter through the Sun Gate and sleep in Aguas Calientes. Permit, train, hotel and Machu Picchu 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 March a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes, for quiet visits and green scenery. It is still the rainy season, so bring rain gear and plan some flexibility.
When does the Inca Trail reopen?
On March 1, after the February closure for maintenance.
Does it rain a lot at Machu Picchu in March?
Yes. March averages about 340 mm, although the end of the month is usually drier than the start.
Is Easter busy at Machu Picchu?
Yes. Holy Week brings many Peruvian travelers, so book hotels and trains early when Easter falls in March.