Machu Picchu Weather: the good, the bad, and the ugly

The most frequently asked questions about traveling to Machu Picchu are regarding the weather. We've collected the best intel, along with a few other facts to help you decide when to travel and how to prepare for your trip. Follow this link to see our most popular trip: 7-Day Machu Picchu Walking Vacation.has the best of Cusco, Sacred Valley, the 1-day Inca Trail and of course, a guided tour of Machu Picchu wrapped up into one package trip.

The good news about Machu Picchu:

Machu Picchu is open every day of the year from 6 am to 5:30 pm.
the altitude at Machu Picchu 8000ft/2400m is considerably lower than the altitude in the Sacred Valley and Cusco, 11,000ft/33100m
there are 2 seasons: WET from late November to early April with plenty of sunshine possible. (wet does not mean monsoon rains) DRY season is perceived as the best time to visit the ruins, although rain is still possible. Temperatures are slightly cooler in the dry season by a couple of degrees
temperatures are not extreme. Cusco temperatures average 65 F high / 42 F low year round with short spikes up to 70s F/25 C in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Year round variations are only 1-2 degrees each way.
entry tickets are sold for entry each hour and all circuits are one way.
you can buy more than one ticket for entry on the same day
one-way circuits reduce the congestion and bottlenecks that once tormented visitors trying to explore the historic site
Permits for the 1-day Inca Trail hike typically don't sell out (but can sell out)
When Machu Picchu tickets are 100% sold out, we can use Inca Trail permits to get people in as long as we have 1 week advance notice. And permits are available.. This is for a 2-day trip.
we cannot reserve or hold Inca Trail permits while you decide. It's first come, first serve until they sell out.
Single-use plastic water bottles are discouraged in Machu Picchu. This is a good thing! But is the new rule being enforced? Follow this link to get more details..
Once you're inside the ruins, they will not ask you to leave. Why do most tours last a maximum of 2-3 hours? Because all paths lead to the exit gate, visitors get tired, or they need to use the restroom. Follow this link to find out how to powder your nose at Machu Picchu.

The bad news about Machu Picchu:

due to altitude 8000 ft. / 2440 m. weather can change suddenly
only open during the daytime from 6 am - 5:30 pm
you cannot buy tickets at the main entry. Buy from an operator, online, or in person at the office in Cusco) or go in person to Aguas Calinetes where they're selling 1000 tickets per day first come.)
expect all day clouds and mist beginning in late December and peaking out in February, then winding down in March.
weather predictions and apps are not reliable. Always plan to carry rain gear even in the dry season.
Inca Trail is closed during the month of February. The only way to get to Machu Picchu is by train
even in the dry season, April through November, early morning can be foggy/misty until burn off which can occur late morning
there is no daylight savings time. It gets dark about 5:30-6 pm. Machu Picchu is in the same time zone as New York city in the winter.
sunrise can be cloudy and misty. Best time of year to see sunrise is during the dry season (May - October)
permits for the 4-day Inca Trail hike sell out months in advance. Permits become available in October for the next year. Book early!
Each Machu Picchu ticket is valid for 1 entry even if you're doing one of the hikes inside the park
Entry window is 1 hour with 30 minute tolerance for lateness in the low season (Oct 16 - May 31) and 45 minute tolerance during the high season
There's no refund for tickets for any reason. We have heard there is a process you can try if you want to transfer or change your tickets. If you have complications that delay your entry, you're at the mercy of the agent on duty in the office in Cusco or Aguas Calientes. If you have a licensed guide, he or she can assist.

The dirty, ugly secrets about Machu Picchu:

the only way to get to Machu Picchu is on foot by hiking the 4 day or 1 day Inca Trail and by train. There are no roads and you can't rent a car and drive there.
it is recommended you buy train tickets and entry tickets at the same time especially if you're doing a one day trip from Cusco
if you are even 1 minute late for entry to the one of the hikes inside the park, it is not likely you will be allowed to enter
visitors cannot enter Machu Picchu even 1 minute earlier than the entry time printed on their tickets
The month of February is usually the peak of the rainy season and it's not unusual for Machu Picchu to remain cloudy all day
New circuits were launched on June 1, 2024. Circuit 1 is panoramic views only. There is no entry to the actual ancient city
access to the Classic view of Machu Picchu is only possible from the upper terraces using new circuits 2. A and B routes are pretty much the same.
The ever popular Huayna Picchu hike does not include access to the upper terrace or the classic view of Machu Picchu. The hike is combined with a visit to lower circuit 3.
There is no waiting area at Machu Picchu main gate. There's a restroom and small cafe. It's better to stay in the village of Aguas Calientes if you arrive early or have spare time.
if you forget your passport, you cannot enter the ruins, or the Inca Trail hikes, or board the train. (always carry your passport for every activity)
you must present the passport you used to buy your ticket. If you renew your passport after buying tickets for anything, you need to travel with both the old and new passports.
strikes and protests can occur in places where they are most likely to interrupt access to Machu Picchu. This is viewed as the best way for local people to get attention for their cause. Tour operators keep their ears to the ground for advance warnings about anything that will interrupt movement of their groups.
Perurail trains have limited departures from San Pedro station located in city of Cusco. The next closest station is 30 minutes by car in Poroy.
Poroy station is closed from January 1 to April 30 every year due to the risk of mudslides interrupting train services.
Perurail and Incarail offer limited bi-modal service from Cusco city center where most hotels are located, to the main train station in Ollantaytambo, which is 2 hours drive. Cost for private transfers by car vary from $10-$20 to Poroy and $50 -$90 to Ollantaytambo each way, depending on the size of your group.
Due to Machu Picchu entry tickets sometime selling out, there are 1000 tickets per day being sold in person in the village of Aguas Calientes. You go the day before and wait in line. If they sell out, you may need to come back the next day. In otherwords, it's not easy unless you have a flexible schedule. Allow at least 2 days.
It's impossible to predict how long you can expect to wait in line for bus service to Machu Picchu main entry. It's best to allow time between your train arrival in Aguas Calientes and your entry time to Machu Picchu. Let's say the average waiting time can be up to 30 minutes.
Bus agents in Aguas Calientes may boot you out of the line if your entry tickets to Machu Picchu are more than 1 hour from the time you want to board the bus..

When is the best time to travel to Machu Picchu with lowest crowds and potential good weather?

I think early November and early December meet this criteria the best. The exact beginning of the rainy season is unpredictable but is not likely to affect infrastructure and result in road and train closures and delays at that time of year. Delays due to weather are more likely to occur at the end of the rainy season after everything is saturated. Keep in mind that Perurail closes the Poroy station every year from January 1-April 30 to avoid delays due to mud slides and other weather related issues during the rainy season. (follow this link to read more about how you can benefit from this situation)

How does weather affect flights?

There's enough to say about this that we set up an entire blog post about "Adventures in Flying to Machu Picchu: Avoid These Mistakes"

Contact Adios Adventure Travel US office for information on Inca Trail permits, Machu Picchu entry tickets or for up to date travel information.