Machu Picchu is a historical and archaeological wonder that attracts visitors from all over the globe. The structure dates back to the 1450s and may have served as either an imperial rural retreat or a sacred temple.
About 1.2 million people visit Machu Picchu annually now. If you’re thinking of going for it on your own, now’s the time to start making plans.
An Overview of the Ideal Time to Hike Machu Picchu
Simply stated, we believe that April and October, at the beginning and end of the dry season, are the best times to walk to Machu Picchu:
Early May and late September/early October.
There are a lot fewer people on the trails and in the Citadel outside of these times compared to the busiest times of the year. In addition, the weather is more agreeable throughout these times of year than it is during the busiest hiking months of July and August.
The best time to visit and trek Machu Picchu is during the dry season, which runs from May to September, unless you don’t mind being surrounded by bustling people at all times (on the trails, at the hotels, and on the daily train from Cusco to Machu Picchu).
Remember to plan ahead if you wish to trek the Inca Trail during the busy season (only 500 official permits are issued per day, and about half of these are used by guides and porters). If you’d rather avoid the crowds on your hike, you could choose Lares Trek, Vilcabamba, or Salkantay, all of which are more difficult than the Inca Trail but less traveled.
Avoid scheduling a hike during the winter months of December, January, and February; these are the wettest months and are not ideal for walking. Rain and fog not only make for an unpleasant environment but also create muddy, treacherous terrain and raise the risk of flash floods and landslides. In reality, every year in February, the Inca Trail is closed for upkeep.
It’s possible to ride a train from Cusco to Machu Picchu and have the entire site to yourself on a day with good weather (mostly). Even if you avoid the months of November and March, there is still a chance of rain in those months, which could make hiking difficult.
In this post, we’ll show you how to read historical weather charts for precipitation, wind, and temperature as they apply to specific times of the year. The sub-tropical Andes have only two distinct seasons: dry and wet, with mild daytime temperatures and chilly overnight lows year-round.
Seasonal Machu Picchu Weather Considerations:
Review the breakdown of weather and other factors to help you plan your trip to Machu Picchu.
January
Wet weather, few visitors, no hiking. Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu A typical daytime high is 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), while a typical overnight low is 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit). Rain: Approximately 154 mm (6 inches) of rain falls per month, with rain or drizzle occurring on an average of 23 days a month. The daily average wind speed is 5 kilometers per hour (3.1 mph) Temperature: The average relative humidity is 66% Levels of fog are typically higher
February
Inca trek is often closed due to heavy rainfall and low visitor numbers.
The average high temperature during the day is 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), while the average low temperature during the night is 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit).
The monthly average of precipitation is 188 millimeters (7.4 inches) rain, falling on an average of 18 days.
Daily average wind speed is 6 kilometers per hour (3.7 mph) On average, there is a relative humidity of 66%, and the fog is thick.
March
Heavy precipitation makes hiking to Machu Picchu less appealing but allows for pleasant train travel from Cusco to the site of the Inca citadel.
Daytime highs are often around 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit), while nighttime lows are typically around 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit).
There are 19 wet days per month on average, with an average rainfall of 109 mm (4.2 inches).
The daily average wind speed is 5 kilometers per hour (3.1 mph) Average relative humidity is 66%, and fog levels are modest.
April
By the end of April, the rains should have subsided, making this a pleasant time to visit Machu Picchu and trek the Inca Trail without as many people as during the dry season.
Average high is 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), while average low is 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit).
Rain: Approximately 41 mm (1.6 inches) of rain falls per month, with rain or drizzle occurring on 9 of the 30 days on average.
The daily average wind speed is 5 kilometers per hour (3.1 mph) fog has somewhat low relative humidity averaging 63%
May
The rain has subsided, and the hiking season has officially begun. Heavy foot traffic; advance planning is recommended to guarantee a permit.
The average high temperature during the day is around 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), while the average low temperature during the night is around 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit).
At least 9 millimeters (about 0.5 inches) of precipitation falls monthly on average, with rain falling on an average of 3 days per month.
The daily average wind speed is 4 kilometers per hour (2.5 mph) The average relative humidity is 56% due to the lack of precipitation and the dryness of the air. The potential for fog.
June
Permits are hard to come by and the Citadel is typically full by 11 a.m. on Inti Raymi day, despite the fact that the weather is dry.
Daytime highs average 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), but nighttime lows average about 2 degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit). It can get pretty chilly in the evenings. It rains on average on two days a month, totaling about 18 mm (0.7 inches) The daily average wind speed is 4 kilometers per hour (2.5 mph) Rainfall and air moisture levels are lower, bringing the average relative humidity down to 54%. Smog: Smog is possible Aside from that, please keep in mind that At the end of June, locals travel to Machu Picchu and the surrounding cities to celebrate the Festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi).
July
The weather is dry and the number of tourists is high; permits must be reserved in advance, and the Citadel is usually at capacity by 11 a.m.
We get an average high of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and a low of 1 degrees Celsius (33 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the day and night, respectively. Expect evening lows to possibly go below freezing. We get about 8 millimeters (0.5 inches) of rain a month on average, which falls over the course of about two rainy days. The daily average wind speed is 5 kilometers per hour (3.1 mph) Average relative humidity is only 52%, and it hardly ever rains. The potential for fog Aside from that, please keep in mind that It is common for Peruvians to travel to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail around the end of July, when the country celebrates its national holiday.
August
Citadel is usually full by 11 am, and it’s dry and busy with tourists; permits must be secured in advance.
The average daytime temperature is 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), and the average overnight temperature is 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit). In the evenings, temperatures might fall to dangerously low levels. About 10 millimeters (0.5 inches) of rain falls monthly on average, spread out across four wet days a month on average. Daily average wind speed is 6 kilometers per hour (3.7 mph) Temperature: The average relative humidity is 52% Smog: Smog is possible
September
Early rains are a possibility as the tourist season winds down. There is still an advanced permit purchase requirement.
In terms of temperature, a daytime high of 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) and a nighttime low of 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) are typical.
On average, rain or drizzle occurs on 6 days a month, for a total average monthly rainfall of about 14 mm (1 inch).
Daily average wind speed is 6 kilometers per hour (3.7 mph) Average relative humidity is 53% Smog: Smog is possible
October
At the start of October, hikers will find fewer people on the trails and fewer tourists. In late October, the rains begin in earnest.
The average high is 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) and the average low is 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit).
We get about 47 millimeters (2 inches) of rain a month, with rain falling on an average of 12 days a month (mainly at the end of the month).
Wind: 7 km/h is the average daily wind speed (4.3 mph). It is one of the windiest months, however, the difference is not huge. We have an average relative humidity of 56%. Smog: Smog is possible
November
The rains have begun in earnest. When it’s raining, the trails are less crowded, making it an excellent time for hikers who don’t mind getting wet. There is a drop in visitors before the December holiday season in Machu Picchu Citadel as well.
The average high is 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) and the average low is 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit).
The average monthly rainfall is about 77 millimeters (3 inches), with 14 days a month experiencing some form of precipitation.
Wind: 7 km/h is the average daily wind speed (4.3 mph) Average relative humidity is 57% Smog: Smog is possible
December
Too much rain for a pleasant hike, but fine if you only want to take the train to Machu Picchu. A higher volume of visitors is expected over the winter holidays, so it’s possible that the Citadel won’t be as deserted as it would be in November.
An average daytime high temperature is 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit), while an average nighttime low temperature is 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit).
An average of 20 wet days each month, or around 110 mm (4 inches), of rain falls monthly.
Daily average wind speed is 6 kilometers per hour (3.7 mph) Temperature: The average relative humidity is 66% Smog: Smog is possible
A Tale of Two Seasons
In the sub-Peruvian Andes, there are essentially two distinct seasons: dry and wet.
During the months of late April through late October, Machu Picchu is at its driest. Since this is the case, most individuals should go on their hikes during this time. That’s because there’s less of a danger of rain, which makes hiking a more pleasant experience overall.
The wetter, warmer season lasts from around the start of November until the beginning of April. Since there is a greater risk of rain and higher humidity during this time of year, fewer people choose to make the trek to Machu Picchu.
Peak Season
Since the likelihood of rain is lowest between May and September, this is the peak tourist season at Machu Picchu.
The paths are not likely to be empty at this time of year. Expect higher hotel rates and plan ahead by several months if you want to get the necessary permissions.
We advise going during busy times if you don’t mind being surrounded by many other people.
If you are not an experienced hiker, your best bet is to plan a trip for the months of May through September. Keep that in mind, because you don’t want to be unprepared when you encounter any challenging terrain.
We would also recommend planning ahead if you wish to hike the Inca Trail during the high season. There is no way to hike the Inca Trail and reach Machu Picchu without a permit, and only 500 are issued per day (250 of which are for staff and guides).
Off-Peak Season
Our “no” month will be February.
If you’re hoping to hike the Inca Trail in February, you’ll be dismayed to learn that it’s closed for repairs.
There is no other Inca road that leads straight to the ruins. There is just no other hiking route that offers the same breathtaking vista. Even so, there are additional paths to take.
Not only that, but the months of January and February are the wettest on average.
Machu Picchu is not worth the risk of visiting at this time because of the high probability of precipitation. You might still get lucky and have a nice day, but it’s not something to count on.
The weather is always changing, which is really frustrating. It’s better to be safe than sorry, in our opinion.
We recommend April and May or late September through early November if you wish to hike Machu Picchu without a huge group.
Monthly Average Temperatures
When visiting Machu Picchu, you won’t need to sweat over the weather. The climate is mild and constant all through the year.
It will be warm and humid throughout the day, but it might get down near freezing at night. This is a defining characteristic of sub-tropical regions and often occurs between May and September.
Temperature data for each month of the year at Machu Picchu is provided below, including both the average high and low.
Daily highs hover around 22 degrees Celsius, while daily lows hover around 5 degrees Celsius. Take note that while daytime highs can reach 30 degrees Celsius, nighttime lows can drop well below zero.
Layers of clothing are a must, since the mountain may and will throw all kinds of weather at you. Review the items we advise you to bring on your trip to Machu Picchu.
Precipitation Typical for a Month
The following rainfall graph differentiates between the dry (May–September) and wet (October–April) seasons (October – April).
May through September is the greatest time to visit if you value dry weather above solitude and the hordes of other travelers. You should schedule your trip in either April or October to benefit from pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists.
The average number of wet days per month is displayed in a different way. With this information, you can prepare for the possibility of rain on your journey.
Average monthly wind speed
Based on this graph, it appears that the average annual wind speed at Machu Picchu is relatively modest and stable. Maximum temperatures ever recorded in the area are represented by the grey bars.
Pro Tips
Although we suggest that you visit Machu Picchu in the early part of May or the latter part of September, we understand that life sometimes gets in the way of plans.
Therefore, if you have secured a hiking permit for one of the drier months, or if you are considering a Christmas vacation in Peru and are debating whether or not to hike the Inca Trail, you should do it without hesitation. Even those who have trekked in steady rain at any season of the year (except February) have had positive experiences on the trail. Many people look forward to the eerie weather and misty scenery of a December hike.
We have no doubt that you will have a fantastic experience at Machu Picchu whenever you decide to visit. As seasoned travelers and hikers, you’ll know that the greatest time to visit is in the dry season’s transitional months and the last three months of the year.
If you’re not afraid of crowds and want to save some money, traveling on the Inca Trail during high season is a good option for you.
Keep in mind that there will always be fog at Machu Picchu, regardless of the season. Until late morning or early afternoon, it is common, but it often breaks.
