subject: What You Need To Know About Machu Picchu Seasons [print this page] Whatever time of the year it is, thousands of people are looking for best Machu Picchu tours but people tend to go at different times for reasons. In the case of Machu Picchu, this is largely due to the climate as well as to when tourism is heavier. When taking South America package tours you should always find out what the climate will be at the time of going because this can affect the activities on offer.
Machu Picchu
The weather can be extremely unpredictable in this area of Peru. Rainy season can begin as early as the beginning of October and stay as late as May. That being said, the rainy season typically is from November to the end of March and, therefore, this is the time to avoid taking trips to Machu Picchu. That said, it is possible to spend your entire time here with sunny days - if you are lucky. On the other hand, you may be plagued with nothing but rain.
Although it isn't especially cold in the area of Machu Picchu even with the rain, you will be spending time in other areas of Peru as well, particularly Cusco. That city can be particularly cold and miserable when it's raining. Taxis can be difficult to come by and it isn't hard to get soaked fairly quickly.
On the other hand, the months that can generally be guaranteed to be dry, that is, June through August, are also peak travel times. You may find that flights are more expensive as well as these corresponds with summer vacations in other parts of the world. Tours can fill up more quickly and the various sites be uncomfortably crowded. If you are interested in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which requires a permit, you may find these sold out months in advance.
Taking all these factors into account, two of the best months to make plans for Machu Picchu are May and September, outside of the rainy season but also outside of peak tourist activity. Between both of them, September is closer to being ideal because it is less likely to rain than if you go in May. An additional benefit is that it is beginning to get warmer again, something that is especially welcome if you do choose to trek.
Another thing to consider is that peak season is often when strikes occur and roads can become blocked, making some of your plans impossible and also potentially making you miss international flights. This doesn't happen every day but it is something to keep in mind, especially if you plan to head to Puno and Lake Titicaca after Machu Picchu which is one of the routes typically impacted.
Travel can also be impacted during the rainy season if your trip plans include an excursion to the jungle. Flooding can sometimes occur which can also impede your ability to continue on your itinerary.
