Machu Picchu in November: Visiting at the Start of the Rainy Season

Is November a Good Time to Visit Machu Picchu?

November is a good month for Machu Picchu if you want fewer people and are comfortable with some rain. Showers become more regular but are rarely continuous, and the scenery turns lush. For Americans, Thanksgiving week makes November convenient, but book early for those dates.

How November compares with the rest of the year is covered in our best time to visit Machu Picchu guide.

What Is the Weather Like at Machu Picchu in November?

Machu Picchu weather in November averages highs near 73°F and lows near 54°F, with about 6.8 in of rain over the month, typical of the early rainy season. Cusco, about 3,000 feet higher, is colder, with nights near 42°F. In November, mountain weather varies year to year, so confirm the outlook a few days before you go.

These are rounded SENAMHI 1991 to 2020 normals. In November, compare all twelve months in our Machu Picchu weather by month guide, and see the city in our Cusco weather by month page.

How Crowded Is Machu Picchu in November?

November is one of the quieter months at Machu Picchu. Visitor numbers fall as the rainy season starts, apart from Thanksgiving week, when US travelers take advantage of the holiday. Entry tickets are usually easy to book outside that week, and Huayna Picchu is easier to secure.

• Most of November: low crowds.
• Thanksgiving week: busier with US travelers.
• Huayna Picchu: easier than in dry season.
• Hotel rates often lower than mid-year.

In November, circuits, prices and booking lead times are covered in our guide to Machu Picchu entry tickets.

Is the Inca Trail Wet in November?

The Inca Trail is open in November, and conditions become wetter as the month goes on. Expect afternoon rain, slippery steps and cloud on the high passes. Nights are milder than in winter. Permits are relatively easy to secure, but bring strong rain gear and a pack cover.

In November, how permits are released and capped is covered in our guide to Inca Trail permits.

What Happens in Peru in Early November?

November 1, All Saints' Day, is a national holiday, and on November 2, families visit cemeteries for the Day of the Dead, often with special breads called tanta wawa. In early November, Puno celebrates its founding and the legend of Manco Capac emerging from Lake Titicaca.

Can Rain Affect Machu Picchu Plans in November?

Rain in November usually causes only short delays, since the heaviest rainy-season months come later. Trains and the bus road generally run normally, but cloud can briefly cover views. A morning visit and a light buffer in your schedule are usually enough.

• Plan your visit for the morning.
• Carry a rain jacket and pack cover.
• Book Thanksgiving-week trips early.
• Keep flexible time for cloudy moments.

What Should You Pack for Machu Picchu in November?

For Machu Picchu in November, pack for early rainy season conditions: waterproof rain jacket, hiking shoes with good grip and quick-dry clothes matter most. In November, bring only a small daypack into the site, since large bags must stay outside; our rules guide lists the current limits.

• Waterproof rain jacket
• Hiking shoes with good grip
• Quick-dry clothes
• Fleece for Cusco evenings
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen for sunny breaks

In November, for shoes, layers and day pack basics, use our what to pack for Machu Picchu list.

November Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu

The best November plan for Machu Picchu combines early booking where demand is high, a morning entry slot and a little schedule flexibility. These tips reflect November conditions specifically, from weather to holidays, so you can adjust your Cusco and Machu Picchu days around them.

1. Use Thanksgiving week but book early.
2. Avoid the last train of the day back to Cusco.
3. Visit early before afternoon showers.
4. Enjoy lower prices outside holiday week.
5. Try tanta wawa breads around November 2.

Thinking about nearby dates? Compare Machu Picchu in October and Machu Picchu in December. In November, if you would rather have transport and a guide arranged, see our one day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco.