FAQs

Peru’s weather varies depending on where you will go.
On the coast it’s usually quite hot although during the winter (April-August) it get chilly during early mornings and at night.
In the mountains there are two main seasons – wet and dry. The wet season runs from November to April and it rain but usually warmer overall. The dry season runs from May to October and has hot clear days but cold during nights.
The only one thing you can say about the weather in Peru is that it’s difficult to accurately predict. You can beautifully clear hot days in the middle of the rain season and hail storms in the dry season – it’s one of the beauties of Andes Peru.

There is no low season for Machu Picchu, so the Inkan ruins could always be crowded. Best time to visit could be early in the morning before the huge crowds come, but there is no real way to avoid other travelers.  The Inka citadel is a huge area, with lots of terraces. Good running shoes or hiking boots are preferred for your excursion.  If you are doing 1 of the extra hikes, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountaña, hiking boots with good traction will be better.

Please remember that you’ll need your original passport to get inside the Machu Picchu. No large bags are allowed in the park max 25 lt., so you will need to leave them at your hotel, or check them at the front gate. The park rangers are diligent about the rules, please make sure to be courteous and respectful.

Many people are surprised to learn that the Machu Picchu mountains falls within a subtropical climate category. It’s filled with orchids, bromeliads and some pesky insects. Also known as the Cloud Forest, Machu Picchu is surrounded by higher andes mountain peaks, frequently shrouded in mist. This is perhaps one of the reasons that the Spanish never found it. It is considerably lower altitude (hotter and more humid) than Cusco and many of the other areas.

The weather changes very often in Machu Picchu. Typically, during the dry season (April-November) the early mornings are foggy, and could be chilly. In the late mornings, the clouds clear up and the sun comes out, so it can get quite very hot. Layers that it’s easy to peel off or add on, are best. Sun hat, suncream, insect repellent are essentials. However, please keep in mind that sometimes there is still raining in June and sunshine in December. A rain jacket is highly recommended, no matter what season you travel. When it rains, the ancient stones can become slippery, so having shoes with a good tread is helpful, and perhaps, a rubber-tipped walking poles.

The wet season is from mid-November to mid-April, with February being the rainiest month. The Inca Trail is closed in February, although the Machu Picchu Inka site are still open.

Of course, weather is unpredictable. No matter what month you are visiting Machu Picchu, please remember to take with you rain gear, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves.

Cusco region is located in the southeast site of Peru, and has one of the highest elevations of all the cities in South America (3,400 m/11,200 ft). The city has a lot tourist destinations to offer, including historical sites, museums, restaurants, a great nightlife and shops. Cusco is full of cobblestone streets, so good walking shoes will be helpful. You can easily walk from place to other, but taxis are plentiful and safe. The airport is only a 10 minute drive from the Cusco main square.

Cusco is also surrounded by the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is a little lower in altitude than Cusco city and beautiful. Some travelers prefer to head down to the sacred valley first, to slowly adjust to the altitude. The valley has a lot of beautiful inca sites to visit, including Pisaq, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Maras/salt mines, Moray, Tipon and many others

Cusco also has two seasons – the dry season and the wet season. The dry season is from May through September and the rain season is from October through April. The weather on the Cusco area is not predictable, so we have experienced raining days during our dry season and sunshine during the rain season. Be prepared for all type of this weather.

The temperature doesn’t vary a lot of throughout the year. the days can usually be between 15-20 degrees Celsius (60-70 degrees Fahrenheit). However, once the sun goes down, it’s cold temperature, because of the decrease in oxygen levels at this high altitude. You will need a warm jacket for the evenings in the Cusco city because it’ll fall to 1-5 degrees Celsius (35 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

If you are heading down within the Sacred Valley directly from the Cusco airport, expect warmer temperatures on both ends (about 10 degrees warmer).

NOTE: Please do not go by what you read on weather-predicting websites regarding rain in Cusco. Cusco is also the name of the entire municipality, including all of Sacred Valley area, which includes many micro-climates. Those places are never correct for the area. The region is too big and there are a lot of weather changes. Be prepared for anything!