June, July and August are the dry season and high season in Cusco. Days are sunny, around 21–22 °C, it hardly rains and the mountains are clear: it is the best time for Rainbow Mountain, Humantay, the Salkantay trek or the Inca Trail. In exchange, nights are the coldest of the year, 1 to 3 °C, and it is when most travellers arrive, with Inti Raymi on 24 June and Peru’s national holidays at the end of July. The key is to book early. Here are the weather, what to book and when, which tours to make the most of and the festivities of each month.
The weather from June to August
| Month | Day / night | Rainy days | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 21 °C / 2 °C | 1 | Dry and sunny. Inti Raymi on the 24th. |
| July | 21 °C / 1 °C | 1 | The coldest nights of the year, with frost at dawn in Chinchero and Moray. |
| August | 22 °C / 3 °C | 2 | Dry, with wind in the afternoon. |
These are averages for Cusco airport (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). The difference between day and night is almost 20 degrees, and on mountain excursions, before dawn, the temperature drops below freezing. Bring layers, a proper warm jacket for the evening, a hat, gloves and high-factor sunscreen; the full list is in what to pack for Cusco and Machu Picchu. The other months are in the best time to visit Cusco guide.
Is it the best time to visit Cusco?
- For: the most stable weather of the year, clear skies to see the snow peaks and every excursion at its best, including the long hikes.
- Against: it is when there are most travellers, especially in July and August; tickets, trains and flights sell out sooner, and nights are cold.
- Alternative: for the same weather with fewer people, May and September are also dry season and have fewer visitors than July.
What to book and how far ahead
| What | When to book for June–August |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu ticket | Three or four months ahead. Check the availability by circuit. |
| Inca Trail | Four to six months ahead: it has a daily quota. If permits are gone, the Salkantay trek has no quota. |
| Train to Machu Picchu | Together with the ticket: the most popular times sell out sooner. Which train to choose, in the train guide. |
| Lima–Cusco flights | Early: in high season they fill up sooner. We explain it in Lima to Cusco. |
| Hotel in the week of 24 June | As soon as possible: Inti Raymi fills the city. |
Which tours to make the most of
| Tour | From June to August |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Mountain | Its best season: clear skies and sharp colours. Below freezing before dawn. |
| Humantay Lake | A dry trail and Salkantay in view. Dress warmly at sunrise. |
| Ausangate 7 Lakes | Clear skies and the peak in view; very cold mornings. |
| Sacred Valley | Reliable weather all day. In July there can be frost at dawn in Chinchero and Moray. |
| Machu Picchu | Clearer skies and more visitors: book early. |
Good weather does not change the altitude: keep the mountains for after two or three days of acclimatisation. The altitude of each excursion is in the altitude guide.
Festivities in June, July and August
- June, Cusco’s jubilee month. The city celebrates all month, and the big festival is Inti Raymi on 24 June, at Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuaman. Corpus Christi changes date every year: in 2027 it falls on 27 May, before June.
- Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo, 15 to 18 July. The main day is the 16th. It is a festival of dances and masked troupes, declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2006. The town fills up: if you want to go, plan it early.
- Peru’s national holidays, 28 and 29 July. They coincide with northern-hemisphere holidays: among the busiest weeks of the year.
- August, the month of Pachamama. Communities make offerings to the earth to give thanks and ask for a good farming year.
Tips for high season
- Visit the busiest sites early, or late: at Sacsayhuaman, for example, the light is better and there are fewer people first thing or after four.
- Dress warmly for the evening: the temperature drops fast after sunset.
- Protect yourself from the sun: with clear skies, radiation at this altitude is very strong.
- Secure Machu Picchu first and plan the rest of the trip around that date.
Frequently asked questions
How cold is Cusco in July?
Not by day: in the sun it is about 21 °C. At night, yes: the average is 1 °C and there can be frost. July has the coldest nights of the year.
Does it rain in Cusco in June, July and August?
Hardly at all: one or two rainy days a month. It is the dry season.
Is June, July or August the best time to visit Cusco?
For the weather and the mountains, yes. If you prefer fewer people with similar weather, May and September are good alternatives.
How far ahead should you book Machu Picchu for July?
Three or four months ahead for the ticket, and the train together with it. The Inca Trail, four to six months.
When is Inti Raymi?
Every 24 June. We cover it all in the Inti Raymi guide: venues, schedule and tickets.
What festivals are there in Cusco in July?
The Virgen del Carmen in Paucartambo, from 15 to 18 July, and Peru’s national holidays on the 28th and 29th.
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we will secure Machu Picchu first and build the rest of the trip around it.
