Of course, that is exactly why most people choose that time to visit the mountain fortress, leading to some of the largest crowds found at the site all year long.
But the downside would be the sheer number of people traveling at the same time. Just keep in mind that nights during the dry season will be the coldest of the year, hovering around freezing at the highest altitudes. If you absolutely don't want to deal with crowds, than avoid going during these months. Bingham's discovery fired the imagination of people across the globe, turning Machu Picchu into one of the best known archeological sites on the planet. We specialize in complete travel packages that allow you to enjoy your travels while we handle the logistics. There are two times this is possible: at 7:00 in the morning and at 10:00 in the morning. Our Peru For Less Travel Blog is a living library of travel information, knowledge, and advice from a group of travel loving experts who live, work, eat, and breathe all things in South America. During the dry season, expect. We specialize in complete travel packages that allow you to enjoy your travels while we handle the logistics. The logistics of visiting Machu Picchu (i.e., train times and hotel nights) make morning tours the easiest option. November sees the high temperatures remain the same at 71°F (22°C). (Note, though, that there is a peak in visitors for Christmas and New Year’s). For multi-day hikes starting in Cusco and leading into Machu Picchu, you have a bit more leeway. Some key recommendations—apart from being prepared with the appropriate rain gear—is to try to, just in case you can’t get that clear panorama shot the first time around. Below are some key pointers for the time of day and each season to help you decide which would be the best for your vacation. There is not bad weather, only bad clothes! There are several options for accommodations when you visit Machu Picchu. Also between June-august is the most appealing time to visit, but at the same time is the busiest. When to visit Machu Picchu & Cusco? , including cloud forests and alpine tundra, so the weather will be much more unpredictable. The peak tourist season is between June and mid-September when there is less rain than during other times of the year. This time of year makes Machu Picchu attractive not only for nearly guaranteed sunny days but also allows families to travel during summer vacation. If you're traveling to Peru chances are your plans could include a visit to Machu Picchu. The best month to visit Machu Picchu is probably June. This month probably has the lowest number of tourists out of all the shoulder season months. This is a fascinating city and you should plan to spend some time exploring it. If you aren’t able to go during your preferred season, that’s ok! However, it is very common for morning mists and clouds to obscure the first rays of light to hit the citadel. Additionally, if the limited daily permits are already taken for your desired dates, your Travel Advisor can share the benefits of doing one of the alternative treks to Machu Picchu including Salkantay and Lares. Seasonal weather coincides with the peak and low seasons at Machu Picchu. Dubbed one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is the rare tourist attraction that actually lives up to its massive hype. For those who want to experience Carnival in Machu Picchu, make sure to come in March for the endless food, costumes, dancing and music. There is a high likelihood that you'll avoid rain and the site won't be completely overrun with other travelers. Most come via a train out of Cusco, although the more adventurous will hike the Inca Trail to arrive at the fortress via an old road that was used by the Inca themselves. However, most of the time the rain comes in. You can also walk out to the street and find a taxi. If you are planning to climb one of the two peaks within the ruins, , it’s best to travel during the dry season or the shoulder seasons for the best conditions. A century later however, the site was abruptly abandoned however for unknown reasons. During those months, the chance of rain remains at a minimum and while the crowds remain large, they are not nearly as massive as those found during the high season. Peru, Galapagos, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia”, Comfortable and Customizable Peru Tours —. The shoulder seasons, April, October, and November, give you the best of both worlds. Using our illustrated Inca Trail map, discover the attractions and altitudes each day of the classic 4-day Inca Trail. The so-called shoulder season is when travelers can expect the best mix of weather and crowds, with a good chance of dry conditions and a fewer people. April lies just after the rainy season so you can expect to find the mountains much lusher. There are several ways to make this short journey. April lies just after the rainy season so you can expect to find the mountains much lusher. Long weekend getaways with friends near you, weather, best small towns, what should I do in for couples, cheap, with friends, nearby, open now, tonight, affordable, fun things to do near me today: CO, From San Diego, VA, OH, WI, MI, IL, IL, VA, San Diego, TX, Long weekend getaways with friends near you, weather, best small towns, what should I do in for couples, cheap, with friends, nearby, open now, tonight, affordable, fun things to do near me today: CO, From San Diego, VA, OH, WI, MI, IL, IL, VA, San Diego, TX. Rely on our expert services to customize a unique experience. , starts in May and ends in September. But if you are able to work out an afternoon visit, you will find that many people have already left for their return trip to Cusco. Postpone your tour with zero cost up to 10 days prior to departure. The average rainfall is around 0.8 inches and only accounts for 3 days out of the month. Expect plenty of mud and rain. Things to do near me today, beaches with kids, romantic parks, unique places to visit in USA, tourist attractions: Weekend Getaways from Seattle, NC day trips, FL, Near Atlanta, AL, Things to do near me today, beaches with kids, romantic parks, unique places to visit in USA, tourist attractions: Weekend Getaways from Seattle, NC day trips, FL, Near Atlanta, AL, The Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is Cuscoâs only airport. Later, Machu Picchu would be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and would begin welcoming tourists. The ruins will be pretty busy with visitors at this time given the nearly guaranteed nice weather. Photo by Paul Comstock on Flickr. For warmer temperatures (with light to heavy rains), visit from November to March. During the dry season, if you do happen to get clouds and mist in the early morning, they usually clear up by mid to late morning. Remember you’ll be at high altitude and near the equator so the sun is very strong! For the tour to Machu Picchu, the warmer season is from November to March but also corresponds to the rainy season. Peak season and the busiest time to visit Machu Picchu are June, July, and August. You are reading "Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu, Peru & Weather Year Round" Back to Top or More must do for couples, places to visit this weekend
Of special note, January through March are the absolute rainiest of all of the months, so keep that in mind as you make your travel plans. Definitely. As the saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.”. The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is a five star property very close to Agua Calientes. “We sell virtually all services available in , falls from December to March. Photo by Peru For Less. The likelihood of rain is about the same as in May. This can be a second day at the ruins if you can spare it or planning on visiting once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Be sure to avoid February, however, as this is the month where the Inca Trail is typically closed for yearly maintenance. © 2020 Peru Explorer - All rights reserved. The crowds tend to be at their heaviest from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Just remember that no matter what, visiting Machu Picchu is always a truly magical experience. During these months you will have the lowest levels of precipitation, with the absolute lowest levels in June and July. If avoiding crowds is most important for your trip, the afternoon is the best time to visit. TIP: Tell us the destinations you have in mind. If you want to be on the more cautious side in regards to the weather, you can still plan for some extra time at Machu Picchu as you would with the rainy season. If you’re looking to avoid crowds—and get photos of virtually empty ruins with cool, mysterious-looking clouds—the rainy season is a great time to visit Machu Picchu. June is typically the driest month of the year. This creates many altitudinal zones, each with a different climate and temperature characteristics. July and August are also a great time to book a tour. Although rain clouds are probable—average rainfall is 7 inches with about 16 days of rain—there’s still a chance of getting some sunny days thrown in. Meanwhile, the rain picks up again in Machu Picchu with a precipitation rate of 77 mm (3 inches). That makes it easier to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace, although you'll definitely want to pack a rain jacket.