When is the best time to travel Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu – the famous lost city of the Incas. If you are travelling to Peru this mysterious 15th century Inca citadel is likely to be first on your list of places to visit. And for good reasons. Because of its fascinating and perplexing history and the breathtaking mountainous views that surrounds it, Machu Picchu continues to be the most popular tourist destination in Peru and one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of South America. Indeed, because of its mesmerizing beauty and history, Machu Picchu was already in 1983 declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and later in 2007 voted to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Based on the above, it goes without saying, that no first visit to Peru is truly complete without a trip to Machu Picchu. However, because of its location deep within the Andean mountains there are important things to consider before planning a trip to this place. Indeed, the high-altitude mountainous regions of the Andes are subject to varying weather conditions, which can influence your Machu Picchu experience. Furthermore, some seasons are more packed with tourists than others, so if you want to skip the long lines at the entrance and have the place to yourself, choosing the right time of the year to visit is key. For deciding when to visit Machu Picchu, the overview below showing the different weather and tourist conditions throughout the year can be useful.
February:
We highlight this month of the year on its own, as it constitutes the peak of the rainy season. Because of this, the Inca Trail, a 4-day hiking trail used by many to reach Machu Picchu, is closed for maintenance.
March-May:
These months are between the rainy and dry season and offers pleasant temperatures and less tourists than during the high season.
June-August:
Dry season but also high season for tourists. The temperature and weather conditions are perfect for visiting Machu Picchu, but as this season also coincides with many peruvian holidays, you can expect long lines of people and booking tickets well in advance will likely be necessary.
September-October:
Another shoulder season with pleasant temperature and weather conditions and less tourists than during the peak season from June-August.
November-March:
This half-year period constitutes the rainy season in the mountain region around Machu Picchu. Here you can expect anything from daily drizzles to heavy rain, which can negatively affect both the trek to Machu Picchu and the views that surround it. On the positive side, this season sees less tourists, so it might still be worthwhile considering.
Based on the overview above it should be clear that, except for perhaps February, visits to Machu Picchu are possible throughout the year. To avoid long lines of tourists while still having good weather conditions, we however recommend May and September as the best months for going to Machu Picchu.
