Machu Picchu without rain or during the dry season How is it?

Machu Picchu is a tourist destination located in the high jungle of Cusco. That is why it has a varied climate. Therefore, to better understand these climatic variations, most people and travel agencies thought to point out the presence of two seasons or seasons. The first one is the rainy or wet season and the next one is the dry season, where the rains begin to diminish and only rain occasionally. This is because Machu Picchu is located in a tropical zone. Stay, in this blog we will tell you all the details and the experience of making the trip during the dry season.

Panoramic view of the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu
Panoramic view of the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu


The best season to visit Machu Picchu

Tourist family visiting Machu Picchu archaeological site
Tourists visiting the Wonder of the World

Many people wonder when is the best season to visit Machu Picchu. For them, the best option to travel to Machu Picchu is during the dry season. That is, during the first days of April until the last days of November. Throughout these months you can find a friendlier climate. This will allow you to have a safer trip without unforeseen events. Normally people or tourists make the trip during this season because they also plan to do more activities in Machu Picchu, Cusco, or making a trip to other regions of Peru.

The dry season to visit Machu Picchu is comprised of a period of 7 to 8 months approximately. This is not entirely safe, especially in the days or months that are close to the change of season. That is to say, close to the dates of the change of season. It is possible to tell if the rains will pause or continue for a few more weeks. This is quite relative and it is not possible to define it with total certainty. Especially now that climate changes seem to generate important changes in the world.

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season. For this reason, we recommend that trips are planned well in advance. The limited capacity of the entrance to Machu Picchu often makes it difficult for families looking to visit Machu Picchu. Many people start making reservations for Machu Picchu entrance more than 3 months in advance. And with much more reason when trying to make trips in high season. Keep in mind that all people interested in visiting Machu Picchu in the high season will coincide in days and months because the capacity of daily income to Machu Picchu is limited.

Although making the trip in the dry season ensures a safer trip without many complications, it may happen that the number of people makes it difficult to carry out the activities to be done. To considerably improve these conditions, it is important to do the activities before the normal or foreseen time. That is to say, start the activities at a prudent time so that if a delay or congestion occurs, it does not spoil the overall experience. In short, the dry season will bring more people. However, you can have a completely safe trip and panoramic views of Machu Picchu without the mists. The mists will be typical of the wet season.


Machu Picchu in the dry season – Experience

Tourist family visiting Machu Picchu archaeological site
Tourist family visiting Machu Picchu archaeological site

The dry season to visit Machu Picchu starts in May and continues during June, July, and August. During August, it is possible to find some showers, both in Machu Picchu and Cusco. Since there are no unforeseen events such as rain, it is possible to do different activities. This is from the moment you arrive in Cusco. Cusco will have several attractions and archaeological centers that each have, a particular beauty.

Arriving in Cusco and planning to visit Machu Picchu, we find a suitable date to make the trip, in its different variations. The variations of Machu Picchu can be found in more detail in How to get to Machu Picchu?, which details each of the ways to get there and according to the activities you want to do. One of the most interesting ways to visit Machu Picchu Picchu is by the Inca Trail. This is a completely safe trekking route during the dry season.

There will also be the economic option and the trips by train, which are usually the easiest to make. But of course, taking into account the payment that must be made. In dry season, prices rise, precisely because of the high demand for services and activities that can be performed. All this will be detailed later. For the moment we can say that it will be important to decide the type of experience and activities that can be done to make the trip to the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu.

In case you are thinking of doing the classic day trip to Machu Picchu. That is, the train trip with return in the afternoon, so we can mention that the trip should be the last thing to solve. The first thing to solve will be the purchase of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu. Once this important detail is solved, it is advisable to buy the train ticket. This ticket is quite easy to get. It is also possible to have the reservation virtually and with the tickets in the e-mail, ready to use. The same reservation system applies to the ecological buses to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.

Normally the train reservations, do the bimodal service. This will start with a trip from Cusco train station by bus to Ollantaytambo train station. This is the most recommended service because it allows you to have a more comfortable experience when making the trip. The travel time is approximately 5 hours. In some cases, you may have time for breakfast in Ollantaytambo. Normally there is a reasonable time for it, in the exchange of vehicles. That is, you can have breakfast before starting the train ride from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo.

The arrival to Machu Picchu Pueblo is unlikely to have any unforeseen events. The trip by bus and train is quite comfortable. Once you arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo, you will have to leave the station and after a 5-minute walk (maximum), you will find the ecological buses heading to the archaeological site. Upon arrival, you will have all the energy and visiting the entire, Machu Picchu site will become an unforgettable experience. Here are some advantages of making the trip to Machu Picchu during the dry season.


Advantages of visiting Machu Picchu Picchu in the dry season

Observing Machu Picchu from another angle
Observing Machu Picchu from another angle

  • High demand for services. It is unlikely that you will find the price you want or the type of service you are looking for.
  • Many more people, will generate more security in the trip and during the tour experience.
  • Even if there are many people, the circuits and the fulfillment of these allow a pleasant tour.
  • When a large number of people congregate, some people acquire new friendships that transcend into future trips or cultural exchanges.
  • Although we are in the dry season, the landscape is usually kept green. This is due to the small drizzles, typical of the semitropical climate.
  • You can appreciate the entire landscape of Machu Picchu, including the mountains and the entire geographical area in general.
  • The access and the hike to the mountains are completely safe. Likewise, an incredible view of Machu Picchu is guaranteed.
  • The experience for many is unforgettable, of the views and the very particular urban distribution of Machu Picchu.
  • During the visit in the dry season, you can take excellent panoramic photographs.
  • You can see incredible views of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu during the trip and all the activity itself.
What is high season?
In the case of the visit to Machu Picchu and surely to visit other places, they call high season, the months when more visitors arrive. Normally the high season coincides with the best weather. This happens in Machu Picchu, which is why the dry season is also often referred to as high season. However, they differ in some aspects. The important thing is to know that the activities to visit Machu Picchu can be done in both seasons, although they are not necessarily the same.


Recommendations to improve the experience

The dry season, it seems that it would not bring complications when touring Machu Picchu. However, it is always important to have some tips or recommendations for the different activities or services that can be taken to get to Machu Picchu. Of course, it is important to inform that the trips are usually quite safe and most of the tours comply with the departure and return schedules. Let us know some recommendations.

  • Remember to book your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu well in advance. This is because the dry season coincides with the high season.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. You will not require hiking shoes.
  • The temperature will be above 15°C. with some humidity.
  • In case you want to make the trip independently, you can make the reservation of tickets and services digitally.
  • Do not forget to bring sun protection, as well as a hat or cap.
  • Sunglasses are a must.
  • Remember that there are different train services. You can find luxury and economic services.
  • It is important to be well informed about the transportation, the route, and the activities that can and should be done.
  • Remember to respect the circuit and not to cross or backtrack, at the time of the tour of Machu Picchu.
  • Tour guides can make the experience of visiting Machu Picchu more complete. They will detail the history and even some hypotheses about the construction of such an enigmatic citadel.

 

By Imachupicchu – Last updated, April 26, 2024

Enjoy the trip to Machu Picchu with the best services

Choose one of the 5 types of tickets

The entrance to Machu Picchu offers discounts for university students, those under 18 years of age and citizens of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. Children under 3 years enter free! Get your entry to 'mapi' here.

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In total there are four tourist train services to Machu Picchu: Expedition, Vistadome, Vistadome Observatory and the Hiram Bingham luxury train. They all belong to the prestigious Peru Rail company. Buy the tickets here! Take advantage of the discounts!

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The train trip will leave you in the town of Aguas Calientes, 10 kilometers from Machu Picchu. For this last section you must get the bus to Machu Picchu, a comfortable service that takes care of the environment of the wonder of the world. Buy your bus ticket here!

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In Machu Picchu the tour guide service is not mandatory. However, most tourists decide to go accompanied by a guide. This way they will be able to fully understand the history and importance of the wonder of the Incas.

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