The best time to visit Cusco is the dry season, from May to September: clear skies, dry trails and the rainbow mountains in all their colours. May and September also bring fewer people than June, July and August. But Cusco can be visited all year: from November to March it rains mostly in the afternoon, the landscape is green and there are far fewer visitors. This guide explains what each month is like, what really changes in the rainy season and the best time for each trip.
Two seasons, not four
In the southern Peruvian Andes the year is not divided into spring, summer, autumn and winter, but into a dry season and a rainy season. What shapes your trip is the rain, not the temperature: Cusco sits at 3,399 metres (11,152 ft), the days are usually sunny and the nights are cold all year, especially in the dry season, when clear skies let the heat escape.
- Dry season, May to September. Sunny days, cold nights and almost no rain. It is high season, busiest from June to August.
- Rainy season, November to March. Showers mostly in the afternoon, a green landscape and far fewer visitors. January and February are the wettest months.
- April and October are transition months, with occasional rain.
Cusco month by month
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Frequent rain, mostly in the afternoon | Low | Very green landscape. The train to Machu Picchu from Cusco runs its first stretch by bus. More in Cusco in January and February. |
| February | One of the two wettest months | Low | The Inca Trail closes for maintenance. Machu Picchu stays open. |
| March | Rain starts to ease | Low | Easter can fall in March or April. |
| April | Transition, occasional rain | Medium | One of the best months: green and almost dry. |
| May | Dry season begins | Medium | Clear skies and fewer people than in July. |
| June | Dry and sunny | High | Inti Raymi on the 24th at Sacsayhuaman. Corpus Christi in May or June, depending on the year. |
| July | Dry, the coldest nights | Very high | Northern-hemisphere holidays and Peru’s national holidays on the 28th and 29th. More in Cusco in June, July and August. |
| August | Dry, windy afternoons | Very high | Pachamama month: offerings to the earth in the communities. |
| September | Dry and mild | Medium | Good weather with fewer people than in July and August. |
| October | Transition, first rains | Medium | Warm days and the odd shower late in the month. |
| November | Rains begin | Low | Afternoon showers. A good month to avoid groups. |
| December | More frequent rain | Medium | Year-end holidays and the Santurantikuy, the Christmas fair in the Plaza de Armas, on the 24th. More in Cusco in December. |
The best time for each trip
Not every trip depends on the weather in the same way. The city and the Sacred Valley are enjoyable in any month; the mountains and hikes gain most from the dry season.
| Trip | Best time | In the rainy season |
|---|---|---|
| City Tour | All year | The morning slot is better: rain usually comes in the afternoon. |
| Sacred Valley | All year; April and May, green and almost dry | Very green valley and fewer people. Bring a rain jacket. |
| Machu Picchu | May and September | Morning mist that usually lifts by mid-morning. |
| Rainbow Mountain | April to October; clearest skies May to September | It can snow at the summit and the snow covers part of the stripes. |
| Humantay Lake | May to October | The trail is slippery and clouds can hide Salkantay. Tours run as normal. |
| Huchuy Qosqo | April to November | The trail gets muddy and the descent to Lamay is slippery. |
| Inca Trail | Any month except February | Closed in February for maintenance. |
| Coffee Route | All year | Road conditions may mean adjusting the itinerary. |
The rainy season: what really changes
“Rainy season” sounds worse than it is. It rains mostly in the afternoon and at night, and tours run as normal. These are the changes that do affect your trip:
- Inca Trail: closed all of February for maintenance. Machu Picchu never closes.
- Train to Machu Picchu: from January to April, the Cusco–Ollantaytambo stretch is done by bus. From Ollantaytambo the train runs as usual. We explain it in how to get to Machu Picchu.
- Hidroeléctrica route: in the rain, the road can close after landslides. It is the route we least recommend in these months.
- Mountains and hikes: it can snow at the summit of the rainbow mountains, and the Humantay and Huchuy Qosqo trails get muddy.
- Machu Picchu: the early mist usually lifts by mid-morning, so an entry time from then on is a good idea.
In return, the landscape is at its greenest, there are far fewer visitors and tickets and trains can be booked with less notice.
What to pack for each season
- Dry season: warm layers for nights and early mornings, which drop below freezing in the mountains; high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap and lip balm.
- Rainy season: a rain jacket or poncho, shoes that grip when wet, a backpack cover and a change of clothes.
What to wear month by month is in what to pack for Cusco and Machu Picchu. The full list for the mountains is in what to pack for Rainbow Mountain, and for the valley, month by month, in Sacred Valley weather.
When to book
From June to August, book your Machu Picchu ticket and train three or four months ahead; the rest of the year, about two months is enough for almost any date. Private tours can be arranged with less notice. Once you have dates, the 3-day itinerary and the 4- and 5-day itinerary help you order the trip. If you only care about Machu Picchu, see the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Cusco?
May and September: dry season with fewer people than June, July and August. April is also a very good month if you like green landscapes.
Is it worth visiting Cusco in the rainy season?
Yes. It rains mostly in the afternoon, tours run as normal and there are far fewer visitors. Just bring a rain jacket and leave some margin on mountain days.
Is Cusco cold?
The days are usually sunny and a light layer is enough. The nights are cold all year, and from June to August they get close to freezing.
When is the Inca Trail closed?
All of February, for maintenance. Machu Picchu stays open and you can get there by train.
What is the best time for Rainbow Mountain?
April to October, with the clearest skies from May to September. In the rainy season it can snow at the summit and cover part of the colours.
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
May and September: the dry season with fewer people than June to August. In the rainy season it stays open, with morning mist that usually clears by mid-morning. More detail in the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
Which months does it rain in Cusco?
From November to March, mostly in the afternoon and at night. April and October are transition months with occasional showers, and from May to September it hardly rains.
How many days should you spend in Cusco?
Three days for the essentials (the city, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu) and four or five to add a mountain or lake. See our 3-day itinerary, Cusco in 4 or 5 days and, with less time, 2 days in Cusco. For a full week, see Cusco in 7 days.
Plan your trip
- 3-day itinerary and Cusco in 4 or 5 days.
- Sacred Valley weather month by month and best time for Machu Picchu.
- How to acclimatise in Cusco, whatever the month.
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we will tell you which trips work best at that time of year.
