Machu Picchu Weather: Climate, Temperatures and Rainfall by Month

What Is the Weather Like at Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu has a mild, humid mountain climate, warmer than Cusco and cooler than the Amazon. The citadel sits at about 7,970 feet on a ridge above the Urubamba River, where cloud forest meets the Andes. Days are pleasant all year, nights are cool, and weather can shift from sun to cloud within an hour.

Warm, moist air rising from the Amazon basin meets the cooler Andes right around Machu Picchu. That collision creates the clouds, morning mist and sudden showers the site is known for, even in drier months.

Because the temperature barely changes through the year, Machu Picchu weather is best understood by rainfall. The site has a wet season and a dry season, while the altitude itself is covered in our Machu Picchu elevation guide.

How Warm or Cold Does Machu Picchu Get?

Machu Picchu temperatures stay in a narrow range. Official normals show average highs between 69°F in January and 74°F in September, and average lows between 49°F in July and 54°F in November and December. Strong sun can make middays feel hotter, while early mornings in the dry season feel noticeably colder.

• Warmest days: August to October, with average highs around 73 to 74°F (23°C).
• Coolest nights: June to August, with July averaging about 49°F (9°C).
• Daily swing: often 20°F or more between dawn and early afternoon.
• Feels-like heat: high-altitude sun is intense, so shade feels much cooler than sunlit terraces.
• Freezing: not typical at the citadel itself, unlike Cusco on dry-season nights.

These figures come from Peru's National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI) for a station at about 7,870 feet. Some travel sites list higher averages, so treat any single number as a guide rather than a promise.

What Is Machu Picchu Weather by Month?

Machu Picchu weather by month changes mainly in rainfall. January to March each average about 12 to 13 inches of rain, April and October to November sit in between at 6 to 7 inches, and May to September drop to about 2 to 3 inches. Highs stay near 70°F all year, with the coolest nights in July.

Travelers planning this often read our Cusco weather by month guide next.

Values are 1991 to 2020 averages from SENAMHI, rounded. Which of these months suits your plans is a different question, answered in our guide to the best time to visit Machu Picchu.

When Is the Rainy Season at Machu Picchu?

The rainy season at Machu Picchu runs roughly from November to March, with the heaviest rain from January to March. In those months the site averages 12 to 13 inches of rain each, about six times the June total. Showers often build in the afternoon, but some days bring steady rain and low cloud for hours.

• Rain pattern: frequent short showers, plus occasional all-day drizzle in peak months.
• Trails and steps: wet granite becomes slippery, so grip matters more than warmth.
• Views: clouds can hide Huayna Picchu, then lift within minutes.
• Access: heavy rain can cause landslides on mountain roads and the Hidroeléctrica route.
• Rail: some Cusco departures switch to bus plus train in the wettest months.

Route impacts are explained in our guide on how to get to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail also closes every February, as covered in the how Inca Trail permits work.

What Is the Dry Season Weather Like?

The dry season at Machu Picchu runs roughly from May to September, when monthly rain drops to about 2 to 3 inches. Expect clear, cold mornings near 50°F, sunny afternoons in the low 70s and strong ultraviolet light. Brief showers can still happen, especially at the start and end of the season, so a light rain layer stays useful.

• Mornings: crisp and often clear, ideal for wide views over the citadel.
• Afternoons: warm in full sun, cooler in shade and wind.
• Sun: high UV at nearly 8,000 feet, so sunscreen and a hat matter.
• Dust: trails stay firm and dry, good for the steeper side hikes.

Dry, stable weather is the reason steep climbs feel safer in these months. Conditions on the summit trail are described in our Huayna Picchu hiking guide.

Why Is Machu Picchu Often Foggy or Cloudy?

Machu Picchu is often foggy because humid air from the Amazon cools as it rises up the Urubamba canyon and condenses into cloud. Fog is most common early in the morning and during the rainy season. As the sun warms the valley, mist usually lifts or breaks up by mid-morning, opening the classic view.

Fog rarely lasts the whole day, so staying a few hours often pays off. Travelers with early entry slots sometimes wait 30 to 60 minutes at the upper terraces for clouds to clear, which is normal rather than bad luck.

Cloud also explains why photos from the same month can look completely different. Weather here is local and fast-moving, so a cloudy forecast for the region does not mean a cloudy visit all day.

How Does Machu Picchu Weather Compare With Cusco and Aguas Calientes?

Machu Picchu is warmer and more humid than Cusco, and slightly cooler than Aguas Calientes in the valley below. Cusco sits about 3,200 feet higher and has cold, often freezing dry-season nights. Aguas Calientes is lower, greener and more humid. Pack for all three, since most trips pass through each.

The town at the foot of the mountain is described in our Aguas Calientes travel guide. Travelers arriving from the coast should also read the Lima to Machu Picchu route guide, since Lima's weather is completely different.

Related reading: our Machu Picchu packing list guide.

What Should You Wear for Machu Picchu Weather?

Dress for Machu Picchu weather in layers: a breathable base, a warm mid layer for cold mornings, and a waterproof jacket or poncho in any season. Add sturdy shoes with grip, a sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen. In the rainy season, quick-dry pants and spare socks make the visit far more comfortable.

• Dry season: fleece or light down for dawn, t-shirt for afternoon, sun hat.
• Rainy season: waterproof jacket or poncho, quick-dry layers, shoes with good tread.
• All year: sunscreen, sunglasses, refillable water bottle and insect repellent.
• Backpack: keep it small, since large bags are restricted at the entrance.
• Cusco nights: a warm hat and jacket, even if Machu Picchu days feel mild.

How Can You Check the Machu Picchu Weather Forecast?

Check the Machu Picchu weather forecast on a global service such as AccuWeather or Weather.com and on SENAMHI, Peru's national weather service, starting a few days before your visit. Mountain forecasts are less reliable than city forecasts, so read them as a rain risk, not a guarantee, and pack for both sun and showers.

Month by month detail: Machu Picchu in January, Machu Picchu in February, Machu Picchu in March, Machu Picchu in April, Machu Picchu in May, Machu Picchu in June, Machu Picchu in July, Machu Picchu in August, Machu Picchu in September, Machu Picchu in October, Machu Picchu in November and Machu Picchu in December.

1. Search the forecast for Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes, not Cusco, since conditions differ.
2. Look at rain probability by hour rather than the daily icon.
3. Check again the evening before and the morning of your entry.
4. Read rail operator notices in the rainy season for schedule changes.
5. Pack a rain layer even when the forecast shows sun.

Rain rarely closes the citadel, but trains can change in heavy weather. Our train to Machu Picchu guide explains rainy-season service, and an organized one-day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco includes timing adjustments if the weather shifts.