Cuzco: When to Go

There are two main seasons in Cuzco - dry (roughly May to September) and wet (the rest of the time, but particularly December to March). The peak tourist season is from June to August, which coincides with the cooler dry season in the Andean highlands and summer vacation in North America and Europe. This is the best (and busiest) time to go trekking on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Accomodation is also at its most crowded during this time, especially during the 10 days before Inti Raymi, on June 24, and during the Fiestas Patrias (National Independence Days) on July 28 and 29. During the rest of the year, it's always worth bargaining for better rates.

Weather

Cuzco's most distinct climatic feature is the pronounced contrast between the dry season, which lasts from about May to September, and the remaining wetter months of the year (with most rain falling between December and March). During the dry season, it's consistently sunny, with average daytime temperatures between 17 and 20°C (63-68°F), and cool to freezing nights, with the mercury hovering anywhere between a bone-tingling 1 and 7°C (34-45°F).

Whatever the time of year, note that you will likely experience extreme weather conditions on some sections of the Inca Trail.

Temperature (average ° C)

Humidity (average %)

Rainfall (average mm)