10 Best Times to Visit Machu Picchu: Month-by-Month Guide

In this article, I’ll discuss how to best plan your trip to Machu Picchu based on the best time to visit the destination.

Different months have different weather, landscape, and crowd variations and picking the perfect month can optimize your experience.

In case you’re after vivid green, gentle overcast, or peaceful isolation, this article aims to share the best times to visit the iconic Inca citadel.

Overview

March is overshadowed by other months, yet it could be a corner of paradise waiting to be explored instead of being granted.

The rain is ending and nature is at its best and greenest. The decreased tourist volume means fewer selfie sticks to dodge and pilgrims can traverse the terraces and ancient temples.

The early morning fog adds a magical quality to the visuals and is an excellent time for solitude and sublime scenery.

1. Late March – The Beginning of the Dry Season

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most mystical places and a cultural wonder. Thus, it is understandable why March is overlooked by tourists.

The rain season is gone, and the green landscape is stunning and elss tourists. You are able to fully bask in the beauty and still get pictures with fog in the morning. This is one of the best for both closeness and beauty.

April – Gentle Showers and Beautiful Nature

In April, we lose the last showers of the wet season and welcome the first dry and sunny days. The vegetation is still flourishing, and the rivers full and imposing.

This month is one of those rare months of the year with perfect weather and crowd conditions.

Expect placid weather conditions, mild temperatures, and sweeping access to classic look-out points which are less crowded.

3. May – Warm Days and Clear Skies

May is one of the most suggested months. The days are warm and the sunny skies are perfect weather for hiking the Inca Trail or scaling Huayana Picchu.

The mornings are brisk, and when the sun hits the terraced stones, the full splendor of the citadel is revealed.

4. June – Festival Season and Stunning Views

In June, the Inti Raymi festival takes place in Cusco and the region is rich with cultural activity.

This is the most important festival of the year and the Festival of the Sun celebrations are most vibrant.

While Machu Picchu is quieter, the energy is festive and the clear weather creates stunning views of the mountains that surround the site.

5. July – Peak Dry Season and Adventure Awaits.

As the dry season approaches and July arrives, the Inca Trail is completely opened and is maintained for the bulk of the dry season.

July is the most popular month for trekkers, but offers perhaps the most predictable weather for explorers seeking adventure.

If you want to avoid the hordes of tourists, you can book early and definitely pick the first slots of the day.

6. August – Ideal for Photographers

August is an even greater month as the dry season is fully entrenched and the weather and countless landscapes become even more spectacular.

The views at sunrise around Machu Picchu and the Andes become a photographer’s wildest dreams as the stones take on a golden hue at dawn. However, do bear in mind that this is the peak of tourist season.

7. September – Calm Before the Rain

Independently of whether you are from the Andes or Canada, like August, September is the sweet spot for visitors seeking to escape the crowds.

While rainfall and tourist crowds build and grow, September continues to offer dry, calm weather and wildlife. In addition, Moksha provides even more wildlife.

8. October – Warm, Peaceful, and Photogenic

October signals the beginning of the rainy season, although the weather remains largely dry.

The terraces and surrounding forests start the return to their deep green shades, ideal for those in search of pleasant weather and little company.

October is also a great month for hiking and shooting the mist covering the mountains.

9. Late November – Lush Landscapes and Fewer Crowds

At the end of November, the rainy season does make its return, but it is gentle and falls rather sporadically.

The lush, dramatic landscape is teeming with life, especially the waterfalls, which are in full flow. The drop in tourist numbers makes this time of the year perfect for those travellers who relish in solitude and quiet immersion.

To make the most of the gentle rains, just bring a lightweight rain jacket and the rest will take care of itself.

10. Early December – Nature’s Finale Before Peak Holidays

Early December offers a magical window in time. The greenery is at its most lush, the rivers in full flow and the skies are clear, all before the heavy summer rains and spiralling temperatures arrive.

The few holiday clusters in the surrounding area make this the ideal month, with mild temperatures, fending off the tourists for the rest of the world.

Final Remarks

Machu Picchu is a destination that is timeless, but your experience is also influenced by when you decide to go.

From the lush landscapes of March, to the dry and clear weather of August, to the calm trails of September, each month has a distinct perspective of this ancient marvel.

If you are a hiker, photographer, or culture lover, your best bet is to really think about the different seasons, this way, you will walk away with memories that will last you a lifetime, just like the stones that make up Machu Picchu.

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