"Janvier : pleine saison humide, pluies quotidiennes, brume fréquente, mais tarifs au plancher et foule réduite."
Expert on Machu Picchu · 1 contributions
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Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·EditorThe best periods
The best time to visit Machu Picchu is May to September (Andean dry season).
Mai, Juin, Jui, Aoû, Sep
Saison sèche andine — la meilleure période
- ✅Ciel bleu permanent, visibilité maximale sur la citadelle et les sommets
- ✅Sentiers parfaitement secs, trek Chemin Inca dans les conditions optimales
- ✅Lever de soleil spectaculaire depuis la Porte du Soleil ou le sommet de la Huayna Picchu
- ❌Affluence maximale (4 500 visiteurs/jour), réservations 3-6 mois à l'avance
- ❌Tarifs entrée et train au plus haut
- ❌Nuits froides à Aguas Calientes (12-16 °C) et au sanctuaire (8-14 °C la nuit)
Avr, Oct, Nov
Inter-saison — rapport qualité-prix
- ✅Tarifs en baisse de 20-30 % sur train et hôtels
- ✅Foule réduite, expérience plus contemplative
- ✅Paysages encore verdoyants en avril, conditions de retour au sec en octobre-novembre
- ❌Pluies possibles en avril et fin novembre
- ❌Brume matinale parfois persistante
- ❌Conditions sentiers variables
Déc, Jan, Fév, Mar
Saison humide — basse saison
- ✅Tarifs au plancher (-30 à -40 %), foule très réduite
- ✅Citadelle dans la brume — atmosphère mystique unique
- ✅Verdure spectaculaire après les pluies
- ❌Chemin Inca fermé en février pour entretien annuel
- ❌Pluies fréquentes, brume matinale dense, visibilité réduite
- ❌Risque de glissements de terrain sur la ligne train
Month-by-month climate
Temperatures, rainfall and sunshine in Machu Picchu across the 12 months.
| Jan | Fév | Mar | Avr | Mai | Juin | Jui | Aoû | Sep | Oct | Nov | Déc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | 9° | 9° | 9° | 8° | 6° | 4° | 3° | 4° | 6° | 7° | 8° | 9° |
| Max | 19° | 18° | 19° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 21° | 21° | 21° | 20° | 19° |
| Mer | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pluie | 215mm | 230mm | 180mm | 80mm | 30mm | 8mm | 5mm | 10mm | 25mm | 60mm | 100mm | 150mm |
| Soleil/j | 4.5h | 4h | 5h | 6h | 7h | 7.5h | 8h | 7.5h | 7h | 6h | 5.5h | 4.5h |
Tourist crowds
Monthly attendance levels (0 = empty, 100 = saturated).
Jan
60
Fév
50
Mar
65
Avr
75
Mai
90
Jui
100
Jui
100
Aoû
100
Sep
85
Oct
80
Nov
70
Déc
75
Average flight prices
Average round-trip Paris → Machu Picchu by month.
Jan
$756
Fév
$756
Mar
$756
Avr
$810
Mai
$972
Jui
$1,188
Jui
$1,296
Aoû
$1,188
Sep
$972
Oct
$864
Nov
$810
Déc
$918
Frequently asked questions
How to book Machu Picchu entry?+
Mandatory advance booking on tuboleto.cultura.pe (official Ministry of Culture site). Limit: 4,500 visitors/day split into 3 slots (6-12am, 12-3pm, 2-5pm). Rates: PEN 152 (~€38) for Circuit 1 or 2 classic, PEN 200 (~€50) for Circuit + Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In high season (June-August), book 3-6 months ahead. For Huayna Picchu, extremely limited spots (400/day) — booking 4-6 months ahead imperative. Mandatory guided visit since 2017 (€35-50/guide for 2-5 people, to organize on site or via Cusco agency). If little anticipation: go through a local Cusco agency that can secure the last tickets (+€20-30).
How to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?+
Several options. Classic option (90% of travellers): taxi/bus Cusco → Ollantaytambo (2h, €30-40), PeruRail or IncaRail train Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes (1h30, €75-500 return depending on class), Consettur shuttle bus Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu entry (25 min, USD 12 return). Cusco-Poroy trains suspended since 2022. Classic trek option: 4-day Inca Trail (43 km, permit 6 months ahead, USD 600-900 all-inclusive, closed in February). Arrives via the Sun Gate at sunrise — iconic experience. Alternative trek option: 5-day Salkantay trek (glacial landscapes, no permit needed, USD 350-550). Budget option: via Hidroelectrica (Cusco-Santa Maria-Hidroelectrica road 6h colectivo, then 11 km walk / 3h along railway to Aguas Calientes, ~€30 total return, long but economical).
What's the best time of day to visit?+
Early morning, at 6am opening. Three good reasons: (1) morning mist dissipating between 7-9am offers a mystical atmosphere and spectacular photos; (2) less crowd than afternoon (groups mainly arrive around 10-11am); (3) soft light ideal for photography. Imperatively choose the 6-12am slot when booking. Sleep at Aguas Calientes or Sanctuary Lodge (only hotel at site entrance, Belmond, €1,500-2,500/night) to take the first bus at 5:30am. Inca Trail trekkers arrive via the Sun Gate at sunrise (6-6:30am depending on season) — unmatched iconic experience. The 2nd best slot is 2-5pm (golden afternoon light, less crowd after 3pm).
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: which to choose?+
Two optional ascents offering exceptional panoramas on the citadel. Huayna Picchu ('young peak', 2,720 m, 360 m elevation gain from citadel, 45 min-1h outbound) — it's the pyramidal mountain you see behind the citadel on all classic photos. Vertiginous staircase carved in rock, some passages with ropes. Plunging view spectacular on the citadel. Very limited spots (400/day), to book 4-6 months ahead. Machu Picchu Mountain ('old mountain', 3,082 m, 600 m elevation gain, 1h30-2h outbound) — less technical but higher, 360° panoramic view on surrounding Andes and citadel seen from further and higher. More accessible to less sporty. Less limited spots. Our advice: Huayna Picchu for iconic photos and adrenaline (if no vertigo), Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic view and less frequented experience.
Should you sleep at Aguas Calientes?+
Yes, strongly recommended to enter the site at 6am at opening (first bus from Aguas Calientes at 5:30am, arrival 5:55am). Aguas Calientes (officially Machu Picchu Pueblo, 2,040 m) is the village at Machu Picchu's foot, exclusively touristic, set between the Vilcanota River and the jungle. Limited charm (recent constructions, touristic atmosphere), average and expensive restoration, but strategic position. Hotels: Sumaq Machu Picchu (5*, riverside, €250-400/night), Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo (5* charm tropical garden, €350-550/night, Relais & Châteaux), Casa del Sol (4*, €150-220/night), Tierra Viva (3*, €80-130), economical hostels (€30-60). Alternative: Sanctuary Lodge (Belmond, only hotel at site entrance, €1,500-2,500/night, iconic but very expensive experience). If budget constrained, sleep at Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley, cheaper charm hotels) and take first morning train to Aguas Calientes.
Our verdict
Machu Picchu is Peru's absolute must-see and one of the world's most powerful travel experiences — an exceptionally preserved Inca archaeological site in a spectacular mountain setting, justifying on its own a trip to South America. Our recommendation for a successful visit: plan minimum 2 days (arrival at Aguas Calientes by PeruRail/IncaRail train from Ollantaytambo the day before, night at Aguas Calientes, entry at 6am at opening to enjoy morning mist and avoid crowds, 3-4h guided visit, return Aguas Calientes for lunch, return Ollantaytambo in the afternoon). For sports lovers, opt for the 4-day Inca Trail (book 6 months ahead, USD 600-900 all-inclusive) which arrives at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate at sunrise — unmatched experience. Book Machu Picchu entry ticket (PEN 152-200 i.e. €38-50) on tuboleto.cultura.pe 3-6 months ahead, choose morning slot (6-12pm) for mist and light. Travel from May to September for optimal conditions (dry season) or April/October for best price-crowd ratio.
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