The Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu

(And How to Skip the Crowds)

Planning a trip to Machu Picchu means juggling weather, crowds, and logistics around tickets and trains. The “best” time depends on your priorities—clear skies, lower prices, or thinner crowds—but with smart timing and strategy, you can get a great balance of all three.

Understanding Machu Picchu’s Seasons

Machu Picchu has two main seasons, each with clear trade‑offs.

Dry season (roughly May–September)

Pros:

• More stable weather and clearer mountain views.

• Best trekking conditions for the Inca Trail and other routes.

Cons:

• Highest visitor numbers and ticket demand.

• Peak prices for hotels, trains, and tours.

Wet season (roughly November–March)

Pros:

• Lush, green scenery and dramatic clouds.

• Fewer visitors and more flexibility with bookings.

• Better deals on accommodation and some tours.

Cons:

• More frequent rain, especially in the afternoons.

• Some trails can be muddy, slippery, or closed.

• Views are more likely to be obscured by cloud cover.

If you want the best mix of manageable crowds, good weather, and solid value in 2026, your sweet spots are the shoulder months: April, May, and September, with October a strong runner‑up.

Month‑by‑Month Guide

January–February: Quiet but very wet

• Expect heavy rain, slick trails, and a higher chance of disruptions.

• The classic Inca Trail usually closes in February for maintenance.

• Best for travelers who prioritize lower prices and fewer people over guaranteed views.

March: Transition from rain to clearer skies

• Rains start to ease, but showers are still common.

• Visitor numbers rise slowly but stay below peak season.

• Good fit if you want more serenity and don’t mind carrying rain gear.

April: First prime shoulder month

• Weather improves significantly: more sun, fewer downpours.

• Trails are usually open and the mountains are vividly green.

• Excellent balance of decent weather, moderate crowds, and better prices.

May: Dry season begins in earnest

• One of the best months for stable weather and trekking.

• Crowds and prices rise but haven’t hit full high‑season levels.

• Ideal if you care most about views but still want to avoid July‑level pressure.

June: Excellent weather, big events, bigger crowds

• Consistently clear skies and dry trails.

• Festivals in nearby Cusco (like Inti Raymi in late June) draw extra visitors.

• Go early in June or use early/late entry times to cope with heavier crowds.

July: Peak of peak season

• Best odds of clear blue‑sky photos.

• Maximum visitor numbers; tickets, trains, and hotels sell out months ahead.

• Worth it only if you can plan early and commit to strong crowd‑skipping tactics.

August: Still high season, slightly softer

• Weather remains excellent for hiking and views.

• Very busy, but often a touch less intense than July.

• Great for trekkers who prioritize dry conditions and don’t mind company.

September: Ideal compromise month

• End of the dry season: many clear days with slightly more clouds.

• Crowds and prices begin to ease.

• One of the best overall months in 2026—good weather, better availability, and more space.

October: Late shoulder season

• More showers and cloud cover, but frequent good windows.

• Noticeably fewer visitors and better value than June–August.

• Excellent if you want breathing room and can tolerate some rain.

November–December: Back to rainy, quieter season

• Increasing rain and cloud, especially from mid‑November onward.

• Lower visitor numbers and more flexibility, except around Christmas/New Year.

• Good for budget‑minded travelers and fans of misty, atmospheric photos.

The Single Best Time to Visit

If you had to circle just one window on the 2026 calendar for overall experience, it would be:

• Late April–May, and

• Early to mid‑September

These periods give you:

• Mostly dry, comfortable weather.

• More reasonable crowd levels than July and August.

• Good trekking conditions and stable operations for trains and tours.

How to Skip the Crowds (No Matter When You Go)

Even in a busy month, you can change your experience dramatically with timing and strategy.

1. Choose the right time of day

• Aim for the first entry slot of the morning

• Line up before opening and get to the main viewpoints before most day‑trippers from Cusco arrive.

• Or choose a late‑afternoon entry

• Many visitors leave to catch afternoon trains, so the citadel often feels calmer in the last couple of hours.

• Avoid 10 a.m.–2 p.m. as your main visit window if you can

• This is when most tour groups are inside the site.

2. Stay in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)

Where you sleep the night before is one of the biggest crowd‑skipping levers.

• Spend at least one night in Aguas Calientes

• You can catch an early bus up and be at the gate before most people coming from the Sacred Valley or Cusco.

• If time and budget allow, get a two‑day ticket

• Day 1: focus on the big views and orientation during your best‑weather window.

• Day 2: linger in quieter corners and hedge against clouds or rain.

3. Use timed circuits to your advantage

Machu Picchu now uses timed tickets and defined circuits rather than completely free roaming.

• Choose a circuit that hits the upper viewpoints early

• Starting on the terraces above the ruins gives you classic postcard views before crowds spread out.

• Consider adding a side hike (if you’re fit enough)

• Trails like Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain have strict daily caps, so they feel less crowded than the central ruins.

4. Be smart about days of the week and holidays

Not all days in a given month are equal.

• Avoid weekends and major Peruvian holidays when possible

• Holy Week (around early April), Inti Raymi week (around June 24), and late‑July national holidays can be especially packed.

• Aim for Tuesday–Thursday entries

• Mondays and Fridays draw long‑weekend visitors; mid‑week days generally feel calmer.

5. Book early—but also book strategically

For 2026, assume you’ll need to think ahead.

• High season (June–August)

• Reserve entry tickets, trains, and popular hotels several months in advance.

• Be flexible on exact dates to get better time slots and circuits.

• Shoulder season (April–May, September–October)

• Still book ahead, but you’ll have more choice and better prices.

• If you’re planning late

• Look at March, April, September, October, or November instead of forcing July.

• Be open to very early or late entry times and less‑requested circuits.

Matching Your Dates to Your Travel Style

Use these quick profiles to narrow down your ideal window.

“I want the best photos and don’t mind crowds.”

• Aim for: late May, June, or early September.

• Do this: book early‑morning or late‑afternoon entries, stay in Aguas Calientes, accept that mid‑day will be busy.

“I hate crowds more than I hate rain.”

• Aim for: March, November, or early December.

• Do this: pack good rain gear, keep your daily schedule flexible around showers, enjoy quieter paths and platforms.

“I’m on a budget but still want decent weather.”

• Aim for: April or October.

• Do this: travel mid‑week, book trains and tickets early but choose mid‑range stays, and consider more time in the Sacred Valley where prices can be lower than Cusco.

“I’m trekking the Inca Trail or another multi‑day hike.”

• Aim for: May, June, or September.

• Do this: secure permits as soon as they open, line up your Machu Picchu entry for your final trek day, and build in acclimatization days beforehand.

Final Planning Tips for Machu Picchu

A few final details will make your 2026 trip smoother and more enjoyable:

• Spend at least 2–3 nights in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before visiting.

• This helps you acclimatize to the altitude so you can actually enjoy the ruins.

• Include at least one “buffer” day in your itinerary.

• Strikes, rail issues, or heavy rain can disrupt plans; a buffer day keeps those from derailing your whole trip.

• Treat Machu Picchu as the centerpiece, not the whole trip.

• Add time in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and possibly Lake Titicaca or the Amazon so the overall experience feels rich even if your Machu Picchu day is cloudy.

When you talk to one of our travel advisors, simply share which month in 2026 you’re aiming for and how you like to travel (early mornings vs. late starts, trekking vs. trains), this way we can help you plan the best possible experience.

We look forward to helping you cross Machu Picchu off your bucket list.