The first thing to remember is that Machu Picchu is a wonderful and truly iconic site to behold whenever you visit, and there is no bad time to visit Machu Picchu!!
Published: 19th October 2015
However everybody has their own preferences and likes and dislikes when it comes to travel, and one persons opinion on the "best time to visit Machu Picchu" may be completely different to another persons. Therefore there may be certain times of year that are better or worse for you based on your own wishes. In our opinion Machu Picchu is always beautiful, majestic, and glorious... however when planning your holiday to Peru and Machu Picchu you may want to consider these factors when deciding on when to travel...
What Is The Weather Like at Machu Picchu?
The weather in Machu Picchu varies with the seasons in the Peruvian Andes. Machu Picchu is in the Andes mountains in Peru, and this means weather, or more specifically - rain, can be a factor you should consider.
The dry season runs from late April until September, although rain is still possible during this time of year. During the dry season days can frequently be sunny whilst the nights are cold.
The rainy season runs roughly from late October to April, and during this time there is a relatively high chance of rain. Choosing to travel during the rainy season can be preferential, as this coincides with the low season when tourist numbers are lower and Machu Picchu will be less crowded. The higher levels of rain also means that the landscape and vegetation at Machu Picchu a much more luscious green colour to observe, and the misty clouds that roll across the ruin add to the beauty and mystery.
The climate chart shown here is for Cusco. Machu Picchu is around 45 miles / 75km from Cusco, at a slightly lower elevation. Due to the lower altitude Machu Picchu can be subject to slightly different weather patterns than Cusco, and it is more likely to rain, however the Cusco climate chart is a good guide as to the weather patterns that can be expected at various times through the year.
When Is Peak Season at Machu Picchu?
It is impossible to hide from the fact that this iconic site is a very popular tourist destination and millions of people each year travel on a Machu Picchu holiday, so it can get quite busy at certains times of year and at certain times of day.
The peak season, when tourist numbers are at their highest, runs roughly from June to September which coincides with European school summer holidays, so many people prefer to avoid this peak period. During this time Machu Picchu can be very busy. In 2011 the Peruvian government limited the number of tourist entry permits to the ruin to 2500 per day to reduce tourist numbers to try and help protect and conserve the ruin, and these tickets can frequently sell out during this time of year, so it is advised to book in advance. The Inca Trail is restricted to 500 permits per day and during peak season permits for the Inca Trail can sell out up to 6 months in advance.
The low season runs from November through to April. During this time of year tourist numbers can be much lower, and visitors to Machu Picchu will find the ruin much less busy with fewer tourists travelling during this time.
When Is The Inca Trail Closed?
The official Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is closed every February for essential maintenance and to help maintain the route, so if you want to do the official trek, avoid travelling in February.
If you have to travel to Peru in February and want to complete a trek to Machu Picchu, then you would need to complete one of the alternative treks instead, such as the Lares Trek.
More Information
Looking for more information regarding Machu Picchu, what time of year is best to visit Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, or anything else regarding a holiday to Peru, please contact us - we are here to help.
