Machu Picchu in November
Visiting Machu Picchu in November: the start of the green season, showers, fewer crowds, good availability, what to pack and travel tips.
By J. José Rodríguez, Founder / CEO
November marks the start of the rainy, or green, season at Machu Picchu. Showers become regular, but there are still plenty of sunny spells, the hills turn green again and crowds are moderate. It is a good month for good prices and easy availability, with more sun than the wettest months.
November at a glance
| Machu Picchu | Open every day |
| Inca Trail | Open |
| Rainfall at Machu Picchu | About 170 mm, regular showers |
| Temperature at Machu Picchu | Average high 23 °C, low 12 °C |
| Temperature in Cusco | Average high 22 °C, low 8 °C |
| Crowds | Medium |
| 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: November is a good compromise: more sun than January to March, fewer people than mid-year and easy booking. Bring rain gear.
Weather at Machu Picchu in November
Expect a mix of sunny mornings and afternoon showers, sometimes heavy. Mornings can be misty. Days are warm, and nights in Cusco are mild compared with the dry season.
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 November
Visitor numbers are moderate, and you can usually book tickets and trains 1–3 weeks ahead. Inca Trail permits are easier to find than in the dry season.
Pros and cons of visiting in November
Pros:
- Good availability and prices
- Green landscapes and fewer crowds
- More sunshine than the peak rainy months
- Mild nights in Cusco
Cons:
- Regular afternoon showers
- Misty mornings on some days
- Muddier trails on treks
Festivals and events in November
- All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead (November 1–2): families visit cemeteries and bake tanta wawa, sweet bread shaped like babies.
Best trips for November
- Train tours: the Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour gives you more time for clear skies.
- Inca Trail: open, with fewer hikers; expect some rain. See the Classic Inca Trail.
- Lares Trek: a quiet, green trek through Andean villages. See the Lares Trek.
What to pack for November
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 November
- Plan outdoor activities for the morning.
- Bring a rain jacket or poncho every day.
- Book an overnight stay to give the clouds time to clear.
- Try tanta wawa in Cusco’s bakeries around November 1–2.
Which Machu Picchu ticket to book in November
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 November (2026: November 1–2; 2027: November 1–2) 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 November
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 November
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 November
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 November
Most trips start in Cusco, at 3,400 m, where November feels cooler and wetter. Read Cusco in November for the weather, festivals and day trips there.
Other months
Comparing dates? Read Machu Picchu in October and Machu Picchu in December, 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes, for easy booking, fewer crowds and green scenery. It is the start of the rainy season, so bring rain gear.
Does it rain a lot in November?
Showers are regular, about 170 mm in the month, often in the afternoon, with sunny spells in between.
Is the Inca Trail open in November?
Yes. It is open, with fewer hikers than in the dry season.
Is Machu Picchu crowded in November?
Moderately. It is quieter than June to September.