When to go
Use the seasonal notes below as broad planning guidance. They are not a forecast or a measured climate dataset. Check the local meteorological service, transport operator and site opening calendar for your dates.
Use the seasonal notes below as broad planning guidance. They are not a forecast or a measured climate dataset. Check the local meteorological service, transport operator and site opening calendar for your dates.
Best months for what you actually want to do
- Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley — May to September is the dry window: 20°C days, cold clear nights, and green slopes early in the season. Book Machu Picchu entry circuits and the Inca Trail permits months ahead — the trail caps 500 people daily including guides.
- Trekking: Inca Trail, Salkantay, Ausangate — June-August offers the most reliable trail weather; May has the freshest landscapes post-rains with fewer trekkers than July. Night frosts are standard at altitude — a -5°C bag is normal kit.
- Budget travel and the coast — The January-March wet season discounts Cusco hotels and thins crowds, though trails turn muddy and landslides occasionally close rail. Lima's grey winter (June-September) contrasts with the sunny Andes.
Shoulder season strategy
Late April-May and September are the connoisseur windows: settled skies either side of the peak, greener hills than August, and permits that have not sold out.
June brings Inti Raymi (around 24 June, Cusco's biggest festival) — spectacular, but the city fills and prices spike for that week. Altitude is season-independent: plan 2–3 easy Cusco days before any trek, whatever the month.
Put the window together with the ready-made itinerary, the daily budget breakdown and the full Peru & the Andes guide. For general trip-timing advice, see our itinerary planning guide.
FAQ
When is the rainy season in the Andes?
November to March, with January the wettest (12–15 rain days). Trails are muddy and mountain views intermittent, but crowds and prices drop. The Inca Trail closes for maintenance every February.
How cold are the nights at altitude?
Cusco sits at 3,400 m: May-August nights fall to 1–4°C even though days reach 20°C. On treks above 4,000 m, June-August nights drop well below freezing — pack for the temperature range, not the daytime.
When do permits sell out for the Inca Trail?
May-August permits can sell out 5–6 months ahead; even shoulder months need 2–3 months of lead time. Machu Picchu entries (not the trail) are more available but circuit choice still needs booking ahead in peak months.
Altitude planning
Plan gradual ascent and do not continue upwards with symptoms. For prevention and treatment decisions, use CDC altitude guidance with advice specific to your route and health.