Ask ten people when to trek Cusco, and most will say «dry season». They’re right, but it’s only half the story. The month you choose changes the light on the ridgelines, how cold the mornings feel, how many other walkers share the path and, if Machu Picchu is on your list, whether a permit is still available.
Here is how the year actually unfolds.
The short version
May to September is the driest stretch. April and October sit in between, with a good balance of sun and green. November to March is the rainy season: quieter, lush, and a little less predictable.
January to March: green, quiet, unpredictable
Rain tends to arrive in the afternoons, often after clear mornings. The valleys are vivid and the trails are calm. Downpours can occasionally disrupt roads and rail, so build in a spare day. February is the month to note: the classic Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance, though Machu Picchu itself stays open. The trail reopens on 1 March.
April: the turning point
The rains ease, the hills are still green, and the skies clear more often. Visitor numbers are building but haven’t peaked.
May to June: crisp and clear
Dry weather settles in, with bright days and cold nights. Demand rises quickly, and permit dates for the classic trail are among the first to go. One date to remember: on 24 June, Inti Raymi fills Cusco, so hotels book well ahead.
July and August: dry and busy
Skies are dependable and the midday sun is strong, but nights at altitude can fall to freezing, so layers matter. This is peak season around Cusco and Machu Picchu, and Peru’s national holidays on 28 and 29 July bring domestic travellers too.
September and October: a balanced choice
Crowds thin, the days stay mostly dry and the air warms. The first showers usually appear late in October. Many walkers find the balance right here.
November and December: the rains return
Showers build gradually, the countryside turns green and visitor numbers stay lower, until Christmas and New Year, when demand and prices rise.
A word on permits
Only the classic Inca Trail needs a trail permit. Places are capped at 500 a day, and roughly 200 of those go to trekkers; the rest are for guides and porters. Permits for each year usually go on sale in October of the year before, and dry-season dates can sell out months ahead. Machu Picchu entry is separate, with timed tickets, and Huayna Picchu needs its own. Rules shift from year to year, so confirm current details with your operator before fixing dates.
Our own walks follow lesser-visited routes around Cusco, which gives you more freedom in choosing your month. It’s the classic Inca Trail add-on that calls for early planning.
One thing that applies every month
Cusco sits at around 3,400 metres. Whatever the season, give yourself a couple of days in town before the longer walks.
Choosing your month
If you want dependable skies, pick June to August and pack warm. If you’d like more space and greener hills, aim for late April, May, September or early October. Tell us roughly when you’re thinking of travelling, and we’ll suggest a route and hotels to suit the season. Write to us, and we’ll arrange a video call to plan your walk.
