Machu Picchu Weather, When to Go and Climate Information

(Machu Picchu, Peru)

The climate experienced around the Andes is particularly distinctive and those hiking along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu should be fully aware of the strongly seasonal weather. This region of Peru is known for its wet and dry seasons, and most tourists visiting Machu Picchu obviously favour the dry season, between May and September.

Always a popular time to properly explore the Machu Picchu area, the dry season enjoys beautifully sunny weather, with clear skies and a pleasant, mild climate, further accentuated by its rather exposed and elevated situation. However, due to the relatively high altitude, nights can feel decidedly cooler and at times, rather cold, with temperatures even approaching freezing on occasion.

Seasonal Climate Variations / When to Go

The dry season of Machu Picchu (May to September) is often referred to as the 'summer', whilst the warmer, wet season is widely known as the winter. This can be the cause of great confusion in Peru, since the 'actual' summer falls at a different time of the year - between late December and March. Due to the lack of rain, the dry season tends to be something of a high season and this is when many tourists choose to sightsee here, particularly during the months of July and August.

Especially important is actually whether or not it is the wet season, which falls between October and April. During this period, the climate of Machu Picchu becomes far more changeable, although the wettest weather does not really arrive until January at the earliest.

Machu Picchu Weather and Climate Chart (Averages)

	Maximum	Minimum
January	26°C / 79°F	17°C / 63°F
February	28°C / 82°F	18°C / 64°F
March	27°C / 81°F	16°C / 61°F
April	25°C / 77°F	15°C / 59°F
May	22°C / 72°F	13°C / 55°F
June	20°C / 68°F	11°C / 52°F
July	19°C / 66°F	10°C / 50°F
August	20°C / 68°F	12°C / 54°F
September	21°C / 70°F	12°C / 54°F
October	22°C / 72°F	12°C / 54°F
November	24°C / 75°F	13°C / 55°F
December	26°C / 79°F	16°C / 61°F