Acclimatise in Cusco, explore the Sacred Valley, then hike the classic four-day Inca Trail with a licensed guide, porters and camps, past cloud-forest ruins to arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Permits for May to September sell out months ahead; the trail closes every February.
Month by month
Best: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
Worth avoiding: January, February.
Shoulder season: September, good weather with typically fewer crowds and lower prices.
Weather and crowds
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°C / 62°F | 8°C / 46°F | 28 | Quiet |
| February | 17°C / 62°F | 8°C / 47°F | 26 | Quiet |
| March | 17°C / 62°F | 8°C / 46°F | 27 | Quiet |
| April | 17°C / 63°F | 7°C / 44°F | 17 | Moderate |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 6°C / 43°F | 9 | Moderate |
| June | 18°C / 64°F | 5°C / 40°F | 1 | Moderate |
| July | 19°C / 65°F | 4°C / 40°F | 2 | Busy |
| August | 19°C / 66°F | 5°C / 42°F | 7 | Busy |
| September | 19°C / 67°F | 6°C / 44°F | 13 | Moderate |
| October | 19°C / 67°F | 7°C / 45°F | 21 | Moderate |
| November | 19°C / 66°F | 8°C / 46°F | 24 | Moderate |
| December | 18°C / 64°F | 8°C / 46°F | 26 | Moderate |
Weather: averages of recent years from Open-Meteo historical data (CC BY 4.0). Crowds: estimated from the seasons and holiday periods, not measured.
How long to stay
7–11 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 8h from the US East Coast, 13.5h from Europe, 22h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Only licensed operators can sell Inca Trail permits; book four to six months ahead for the dry season.
- Spend at least two days in Cusco before the trek; the high point, Dead Woman's Pass, is about 4,200 metres.
- Bring your passport on the trail: it's checked at the permit gate and at Machu Picchu.
Plan a trip to Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
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