The best time to visit Machu Picchu will be from April to September but its the the busiest time at Machu Picchu, as they offer the best weather for hiking and exploring Cusco and around.
However, this also means that crowds can be large, and hotels may be more expensive. If you are looking for a more relaxed trip, consider visiting during the shoulder season of April-May or September-October. The weather is still lovely during these months, but fewer people will be around. November through March tends to be the rainy season in Peru, so if you plan to visit Machu Picchu during this time, be prepared for possible showers. However, the upside is that prices will be lower, and you’ll have the site almost to yourself!
Machu Picchu is open all year round, whether in the wet or dry season; thousands of visitors from all over the globe visit this spectacular site every day. There are only two seasons in the Andes: dry and rainy.
Many tourists will choose to visit during the dry season, assuming there will be no rainfall. Nevertheless, the climate in the Andes is very unpredictable and unstable. Sometimes get rain even in the driest months of June and July. Each season has benefits and disadvantages; you must choose the best time to visit Machu Picchu according to your preferences.
The best times to visit Machu Picchu are the shoulder seasons; April, May, September, October, and November. There is still little rain expected during these months, and it is away from the cold winter nights of the dry season. Also, during these months, there will be fewer visitors.
Machu Picchu during the rainy season
Machu Picchu during the rainy season is a different experience than visiting during the dry season. The weather is cooler, and the landscape is lush and green. The best time to visit Machu Picchu during the rainy season is from late September to early November. This is when the rains are not as heavy, and you can still enjoy all Machu Picchu has to offer without getting wet.
The heavy rainy season starts in mid or late December and ends in late March; rain is expected more often during the early morning or late afternoon. The sun will always be out, and you will have great photos of Machu Picchu with the mid of the clouds. For this season, fewer visitors are expected, and it’s a good time for travelers who prefer solitude. Finding great deals with flights and hotels in the low season is possible.
Machu Picchu during the shoulder season
The shoulder seasons are the transition months between the rainy and dry seasons, or vice-versa. The weather is lovely; it’s not too cold, sunny, or rainy. Also, places like Machu Picchu still get fewer visitors than during peak season. This group has April, May, September, October, and November.
If you want to experience Machu Picchu without the crowds, the shoulder season is the perfect time to visit. The weather is still warm and sunny from April to Mayand Septemberto November, but there are fewer tourists. This means you can enjoy all Machu Picchu offers without battling the crowds.
The Inca Trail, one of the most popular ways to get to Machu Picchu, is open during the shoulder season. However, because it is high season for trekking in Peru, you should book your spot well in advance. Many other trails lead to Machu Picchu, so if you don’t get a spot on the Inca Trail, don’t worry! You’ll still be able to enjoy this fantastic place.
Machu Picchu during the dry season
Machu Picchu during the dry season is an experience not to be missed. The ancient Incan site is located in the Andes Mountains of Peru and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The dry season runs from May to October, and the weather is hot and dry during this time. However, the heat is not as intense as in other parts of Peru, and there is little rainfall. This makes Machu Picchu during the dry season an ideal time to visit. The site is breathtaking, and there are plenty of activities to keep visitors busy.
The dry season starts in May when little rain is expected, and it’s also the winter season in Peru. Thousands of travelers are expected to visit Machu Picchu during their summer vacations in the US, Canada, Europe, and other countries in the northern hemisphere.
The days are sunny, offering great views, and the nights are cold, with a clear sky for stargazing. During this season, snow is expected in the high mountain treks; June, July, Agosto, and September are in this group.
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Machu Picchu Frequently Asked Questions
1.- When is the least crowded time of the year in Machu Picchu?
If you want to see Machu Picchu when it is empty, January and February are the best months to visit; you will find good hotels, the best train schedules, and incredible prices for everything.
These months are the heart of the rainy season, and you must always be prepared to carry good rain gear and delays due to bad weather.
2.- When is the busiest time of the year in Machu Picchu?
June, July, and August are the busiest months of the year. To travel to Machu Picchu, you must book your tour to get the best schedule and places. There are long lines to take the bus and enter Machu Picchu during these months.
3.- What is the best time of the day to visit Machu Picchu?
The best time of the day to visit Machu Picchu will be early in the morning or late afternoon.
- Machu Picchu early in the morning
The entrance to Machu Picchu is open at 6 am. You must take the first buses from Aguas Calientes town to enter, which departs at 5.30 am. To take the first buses, you must wait at least 1 or 2 hours before the first.
By arriving at 6.00 am at Machu Picchu’s gate, you will enter with the first few and enjoy the fantastic sunrise in Machu Picchu. Of course, the sunrise is not guaranteed, but you will have a great time visiting the citadel with fewer early visitors. The people in this schedule stay overnight in Aguas Calientes, hikers from the Short Inca Trail, Salkantay, Lares, and other trekking tours.
- Machu Picchu during the day
After 9:00 am, the trains will arrive in Aguas Calientes, and all one-day visitors will visit the marvelous Inca Citadel. That is the busiest time; several trains from Cusco and Ollantaytambo will take travelers to Machu Picchu one day.
By visiting Machu Picchu during this time, there are more chances of getting good weather and incredible pictures. The visitors during this time usually travel by train on the same day, and they will go back on the same day to Cusco.
- Machu Picchu late in the afternoon
Most visitors will enter Macchu Picchu until 1:00 pm and leave by 3 pm Machu Picchu after 2.00 pm is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the citadel in solitude.
To visit Machu Picchu with the last ones, you must book the last shift at 2 pm; you can enter Machu Picchu from 2 pm to 4 pm and leave before 5.30 pm. The last shift is recommended for people with late trains to come to Cusco or stay overnight.
- Machu Picchu on Sundays
Machu Picchu is open all week; Sundays are free for locals and are expected to be crowded. Try to avoid Sundays if possible.
Machu Picchun Weather Overview
Even though we only have 2 seasons, the dry and wet seasons, you must always be prepared for sunny, cloudy, and rainy days. The weather in the Andes is challenging to predict since Machu Picchu is in the Cloud Forest.
Machu Picchu In January
January is the rainiest month of the year; you always have good rain gear when visiting Machu Picchu. If you are traveling this month, you must be prepared for itinerary changes, trail closures due to landslides, train delays, and flight cancellations.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 71°F (21°C) and lows of around 45°F (7°C). This month is suitable for those travelers who want to visit Machu Picchu in solitude and get good deals on hotels, flights, and tours.
Machu Picchu and Inca Trail tours are available daily with Orange Nation Peru; we recommend avoiding the Salkantay Trek and Choquequirao Trek. The Lares Trek is the best tour to hike Machu Picchu this month.
Machu Picchu in February
Even though there are fewer rainy days than in January, February is expected to have heavy rains. The number of visitors to Machu Picchu reached its lowest point.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 72°F (22°C) and lows of around 46°F (8°C). Travelers must be prepared for rain, schedule changes due to landslides, or bad weather.
February is one of the worst months to visit Machu Picchu. Most trails will be closed, including the Inca Trails, Salkantay Treks, and Choquequirao Treks. We recommend the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu if you plan a hiking trip.
Machu Picchu in March
In March, the weather improves with more sunny days and fewer hours of rain daily. The second half of the month is the preferred time for travelers.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 71°F (21°C) and lows of around 42°F (6°C). Most trekking tours will be open after February, including the Inca Trails.
We recommend avoiding tours like Salkantay Treks as they are located in the Amazon area, and the rains are still weighty.
Machu Picchu in April
April starts with more travelers arriving in Machu Picchu. The shoulder season begins with great weather and a few rainy days, and travelers will see the sunrise more often in Machu Picchu.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 73°F (22°C) and lows of around 39°F (4°C).
This is the perfect time to take a hiking tour to Machu Picchu and travel by train. Tours will sell out fast, and you need to book in advance.
Machu Picchu in May
The dry season starts. However, it would be best if you still were prepared for rainy days. May is usually busy on the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, and other hiking tours. The weather in May makes it perfect for visitors, with a clear sky and amazing views of the mountains.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 86°F (30°C) to lows of around 42°F (6°C).
May is arguably one of the best months to visit Machu Picchu, hike the Inca Trail, Salkantay trek, Lares trek, and other alternative hikes.
Machu Picchu in June
June starts the high season for tourism in Peru; thousands of travelers will arrive in Peru, especially from the northern hemisphere, where they have summer vacations. Little rain is expected during these months.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 83°F (28°C) to lows of around 44°F (7°C).
Like the Inca Trail, Salkantay, and Lares trek, most tours will be crowded; you need to book in advance.
Machu Picchu in July
July is the heart of Peru’s dry and winter seasons. Due to Machu Picchu’s location, the temperature will not have many variations. However, the mountain temperature will drop below freezing, especially at night and early morning.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 82°F (27°C) to lows of around 44°F (7°C).
There are long lines to get the buses and trains to Machu Picchu this month. You must book hotels and tours far in advance.
Machu Picchu in August
Historically, August is when we get the highest number of visitors. You must be prepared to see many visitors everywhere and wait in line to board the buses and enter Machu Picchu.
Temperatures in Machu Picchu will range from around 78°F (26°C) to around 42°F (6°C). All trails are available; we recommend alternative treks.
Machu Picchu in September
The rains are back in September, and the dry season will end; the cold winter is also replaced by cooler weather in the mountains.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 73°F (22°C) to lows of around 44°F (7°C). All trails are available; we recommend alternative treks.
With the drop in the number of visitors to Peru, Machu Picchu’s long lines are over, making it perfect for hiking in the mountains.
Machu Picchu in October
October is one of the best months to visit Machu Picchu. As it’s the transition month between the dry and wet seasons, little rain is expected, and we’re away from the cold weather of the winter season.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 72°F (22°C) and lows of around 41°F (5°C). The perfect month to travel to Machu Picchu, as we have a lot of availability and fewer visitors.
Machu Picchu in November
November starts the rainy season officially. However, we will have weeks of sun and pleasant weather.
The temperatures in Machu Picchuwill vary from highs of around 78°F (25°C) and lows of around 45°F (7°C). Machu Picchu will decrease the number of visitors, and the hiking tours will have fewer visitors.
Machu Picchu in December
The rains will occur more often. However, the number of travelers will increase in the last weeks for the end-of-year holidays.
The temperatures in Machu Picchu will vary from highs of around 71°F (21°C) and lows of around 44°F (6°C). This is one of the last months to have good weather before entering the heavy rainy season.