I’m not a meteorologist, but I am in the unenviable position of having a Machu Picchu fail under my belt due to the time of year we chose to visit Peru’s best bucket list attraction.
The second attempt went VERY well, but it came alongside a better understanding of the unpredictability of Mother Nature.
I’d love to say that the best time to visit Machu Picchu is whenever you can make it happen, but it’s just not true.
It’s important to consider potential weather conditions, especially if you’re planning any Inca Trail treks. It’s also important to consider whether you’re targeting peak season.
Peak season doesn’t mean you can’t go. It just means you’ll need to plan further in advance for this epic trip.
I’ll get into everything, including a month-by-month breakdown of what visiting Machu Picchu looks like year-round.
Quick Tips for Your Peru Visit
Your Flight: Find deals to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, your gateway for Peru adventures, using Skyscanner. The most efficient way to get from Lima to Cusco is a domestic flight. LATAM Airlines and Avianca have the most routes.
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Your Accommodations: Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for your options throughout Peru. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.
Your Ride: We didn’t need a car on our trip to Peru, but you may want to plan a road trip while you’re there. Book a rental car ahead of time.
Top Spots: You’re here for Machu Picchu, but Cusco and Aguas Calientes, where your journey to the historical site will begin, are also worth your time.
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When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from May to September. You can get lucky with off-season travel in April and October, but it’s best to try to plan your itinerary toward the end of April and the start of October if you go that route.
When is the best month to visit Machu Picchu?
The best months to visit Machu Picchu are May, June, September, and October. Outside of that, there are two main seasons in the Andes: wet and dry.
The wet season from November to April is warmer but wetter. The dry season from May to October has few rainy days, but cooler nights. Shoot for the dry season when visiting Machu Picchu, especially if you have hiking in mind.
A Month-by-Month Breakdown of Machu Picchu
If you like a good chart, let’s take a look at Machu Picchu’s weather by month so you can decide on the best time to visit Machu Picchu for yourself.
| January | January is not a good time to visit Machu Picchu. It’s the peak of the rainy season. If you’re planning Inca Trail tours, you’ll need rain gear. The views of the citadel may not be great, either. |
| February | February is the worst time to visit Machu Picchu. This is the rainiest month of the year. It’s also when the Inca Trail closes for annual maintenance. |
| March | March is not a good time to visit Machu Picchu. This is the end of the wet season. It could just be a drizzle during your visit, but it could also mean downpours. |
| April | April is a pretty good time to visit Machu Picchu. The weather in Machu Picchu in April is variable, but it’s approaching the dry season by this time. |
| May | May is a good time to visit Machu Picchu. The norm is warm and sunny days. That said, you can still experience wet Inca trek conditions if April was a wet one. |
| June | June is a good time to visit Machu Picchu. Try to time your travel toward the start of the month. The end of June through August is the peak season for tourists. Crowds swell during Inti Raymi festivals. |
| July | July is a pretty good time to visit Machu Picchu. This is the peak dry season and peak tourist season. Machu Picchu weather in July means warm, dry days and cool evenings. |
| August | August is a pretty good time to visit Machu Picchu if you plan ahead. Machu Picchu in August is peak tourist season. Expect high season prices on flights and accommodations. |
| September | September is a good time to visit Machu Picchu. Temperatures are mild throughout the Sacred Valley and it’s still the dry season. Some of the visitors have gone home by this point. |
| October | October is a good time to visit Machu Picchu. Temperatures range from the mid-60s to the low 70s by midday and you can expect more dry days than wet ones. This is shoulder season at the Inca citadel. |
| November | November can be a pretty good time to visit Machu Picchu if you visit toward the start of the month. This is the start of the rainy season, which can mean bad visibility. |
| December | December is not a good time to visit Machu Picchu. You’re in the rainy season again, so expect wet days and, even less fun, wet hiking conditions. |
When to Visit Machu Picchu to Avoid Rain
The rainy months in Machu Picchu are November through March. That doesn’t mean you won’t get rain the rest of the year. You’re just more likely to have to deal with wet conditions and slippery sections of the trail during that time.
I’m usually all about dealing with rain as it comes, especially in bucket list destinations, but you’re not only dealing with rain during the wet season. You’re dealing with fog, too. That means your images of Machu Picchu may be disappointing after all that effort.
A bad rainy reason can also affect access to the Inca Trail well after it’s all done.
Our first attempt at visiting the citadel was a no-go after a season that left tourists stranded there due to mudslide activity.
People died at that time, so it wasn’t something we wanted to mess around with. We switched gears completely for a Lima-only vacation, only returning to Machu Picchu 10 years later.
It was all worth the wait.
When to Visit Machu Picchu to Avoid Crowds
The least busy time to visit Machu Picchu is during the rainy season from November through the beginning of April. It’s obvious why. You have a pretty good chance of experiencing wet conditions during that time.
As far as the best time of day to visit Machu Picchu, the earlier the better. Machu Picchu opens at 6am. The lighting is generally better in the morning, too.
The last time slot at 3pm is another option if you want fewer crowds, but it definitely won’t be as sparse as first thing in the morning. Machu Picchu closes at 5:30pm.
When to Visit Machu Picchu to Save Money
The cheapest time to visit Machu Picchu is during the low season from November to April. You could have sections of the ruins to yourself if you visit on a dreary day, but rainy conditions could also mean less than stellar photos.
The rainy season also begs for flexibility. I’d add a few days of buffer on either end of your travel if you’re visiting during the rainy season, just in case you need something around for better conditions.
READ MORE: Planning to linger in Peru beyond Machu Picchu? Arequipa is our favorite Peruvian city.
Best Time to Hike Machu Picchu
The best time to hike Machu Picchu is April to May and September to October. This is the start and the end of the dry season, so you can enjoy better hiking weather.
June, July, and August all boast great hiking conditions, but the trail will be more crowded.
Our short Inca Trail hike fell at the end of May. The trek was challenging enough — I don’t miss those monkey steps! — without worrying about rain and wet conditions along the way.
Note: You can read all about planning a short Inca Trail hike in my guide to our experience. Action Peru Treks was our tour operator if want a high-quality, personal experience. It was truly one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done!
The shoulder months before and after high season are also the best time for alternative treks.
That includes the Salkantay trek that runs beneath Salkantay Mountain, the Lares trek that connects ancient communities in the Sacred Valley, and Rainbow Mountain.
If you’re hiking any Machu Picchu mountains like Huayna Picchu mountain while you’re there, you’ll definitely want good weather to tackle the strenuous hike.
How many days do you need for Machu Picchu?
You need at least one day in Machu Picchu if you’re sticking to full-day tours of the archaeological site. You’ll have up to four hours on your Machu Picchu ticket to explore the site, but most guided tours last a maximum of three hours.
Machu Picchu operates on a one-way loop within a system of circuits to organize foot traffic at the site. Circuit 2 is the most popular route.
That one allows tourists to visit the upper and lower parts of the site with some of the most classic views of the citadel. The tour lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Note: If you book with a tour company as we did, there’s more flexibility as to what you can see and in what order.
I’d highly recommend more than one day at Machu Picchu. With more time, you can hike Huayna Picchu mountain. Two days will also allow you to build in time in Aguas Calientes town as your overnight and see the site at both sunset and sunrise.
Fun fact: The town itself is cute, too. Grab a drink after a day of bucket list activity or visit the local hot springs.
If you’re hiking, you’ll need at least two days. The short Inca Trail is one full day of hiking and one full day at Machu Picchu.
The classic Inca Trail is four days of trekking. It goes up from there if you’re interested in any of the more aggressive alternative routes.
No matter when you go, book in advance.
You need to book Machu Picchu at least three to four months in advance. During the wettest months, you can get lucky with last-minute Machu Picchu tickets, but I’ve already told you this isn’t the best time to go.
Outside of February when the trail is closed, there are 3,044 tickets available for purchase on a daily basis on the official Machu Picchu website. There are another 1,000 tickets sold daily in Aguas Calientes.
Fun fact: Machu Picchu gets 1.5 million visitors per year. Book ahead is what I’m saying!
If you plan to hike the classic Inca Trail, try to give yourself even more of a buffer. The full trek is limited to just 500 permits a day. That includes tourists, guides, and porters.
For our trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, we booked about eight months ahead of our trip. We were just that excited. Unfortunately, the trip became a pandemic casualty that forced us to postpone our Inca Trail adventure for a full two years.
It was definitely worth the wait and multiple trips.
Machu Picchu rewards those who plan strategically.
Shoot for the shoulder months within the dry season. May, June, September, and October are all great times to go. The worst times to visit Machu Picchu are during the rainy season. That’s April through November.
You’ll certainly enjoy fewer people and lower prices if you travel during those wet months. You also put yourself at risk for flooded-out trails and poor visibility of Machu Picchu itself.
You’re not coming all this way for garbage photos, right? Try to time your visit for your best chance at clear skies.
I’d love to come back and walk more of the circuits. While I don’t see myself hiking the full Inca Trail anytime soon, it certainly sounds like an incredible accomplishment.
Planning more South America travel? Check out these guides:
- An Itinerary for Chile’s Easter Island
- Bogotá Is Always Worth the Trip
- Plan a Trip to Colombia’s Salt Cathedral
- How to Plan Three Full Days in Bogotá
- Check Out the Best of Bogotá’s Street Art
More bucket list destinations to add to your list:
- A Guide to Easter Island’s Mysterious Moai
- The Coolest Excursions to Plan in Iceland
- See the Incredible Cliffs of Étretat From Paris
- Busy Yourself With Three Days in Florence
- Top Hikes and Sights of Zion National Park
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