Let’s get straight to it: when is the best time to visit Machu Picchu and perhaps even tackle the famous Inca Trail? Should you pack your bags now or wait for a specific month? No worries, I’ve got the inside scoop.
Ah, the dry season—prime time at Machu Picchu. These months offer bright, sun-soaked days with rain as rare as a tourist without a camera, making for those crystal-clear, postcard-worthy panoramic views. Consider visiting in the afternoon. It’s a less popular option but offers a more intimate experience, with fewer visitors and the unobstructed sight of Machu Picchu at sunset.
Whether you go in the morning or afternoon, we recommend completing the Inca Trail the day before. This trek is more than a hike—it’s a journey through time, a challenge for both body and spirit. Stepping into the ancient roads that connected the erstwhile largest Empire in the Americas, with 360 scenic vistas and “lost” cities like Wiñaywayna along the paths.
During dry season, trail conditions are optimal for long hikes, and while the nights may be a bit chilly, they won’t leave you shivering.
Note: The Inca Trail is closed for maintenance in February, so plan accordingly.
If you’re up for some adrenaline and don’t mind getting a bit wet (or perhaps much wetter than anticipated), the rainy season offers its own unique appeal. Yes, you might end up soaked, but you’ll also witness Machu Picchu in a whole new light.
During this time, the landscape transforms into an even lusher, more vibrant green, with clouds swirling around the mountains, creating a mystical atmosphere. You’ll feel like an explorer on the trail of a lost civilization—and with fewer tourists around.
However, be prepared for more slippery and muddy conditions on the Inca Trail. Walking among the clouds with the rain on your face is a one-of-a-kind sensation. Just be sure to gear up properly. As Piero, our founder, says: “There’s no bad weather, only bad gear,” so choose a team equipped with the right technology for the season.
If hiking isn’t your style (no judgment here—sometimes relaxation trumps exhaustion), there’s another way to reach Machu Picchu: the luxurious Hiram Bingham train.
Departing from Ollantaytambo, this train journey reminisces a bygone era of gilded rail travel. Settle into a plush leather seat as the Andean scenery unfolds before you, with green valleys, towering peaks, and rushing rivers providing the perfect backdrop.
On board, you’ll indulge in exquisite Peruvian cuisine, savoring brunches and dinners paired with regional wines —and, at the bar car, perfectly crafted Pisco Sour, Peru’s signature cocktail. On your return, live music and lively conversation with fellow travelers make the journey fly by. Beyond mere transportation, The Hiram Bingham is an experience in itself. And, If extra pampering is your thing, consider booking a private car for you and your party.
With its blend of early 20th-century decor, excellent cuisine, and breathtaking views, the Hiram Bingham is regularly hailed as one of the world’s best luxury trains by Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure.
Regardless of when you visit, nothing beats exploring with a national history expert like Jean-Jacques Decoster.
As a professor of Anthropology at the National University of San Antonio Abad in Cusco, Decoster’s deep expertise in Andean civilizations and archaeology makes him one of the foremost authorities on Inca heritage. His work in cultural preservation adds a rich dimension to your visit, turning every corner of Cusco and Machu Picchu into a doorway to the past.
With Terra Explorer, you’ll have the rare opportunity to explore Machu Picchu alongside Jean-Jacques Decoster.
So, whether you’re drawn to clear skies and dry trails or the lush, misty allure of the rainy season, Machu Picchu offers something unforgettable year-round. And imagine experiencing it all under the expert guidance of Jean-Jacques Decoster.
Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Let Terra Explorer curate your tailor-made itinerary for an experience that reveals the true essence of Machu Picchu. We’ll see you in Peru!
To ensure the well-being and safety of our travelers and staff throughout our operational chain, Terra Explorer will comply with the health and safety measures and protocols established by the Peruvian Association of Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism (APTAE), and implement the Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for adventure tourism developed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).
Our experiences are designed considering the least possible exposure, where the final destinations are usually remote places. By their very nature, our adventure activities are considered to be low risk, mainly because they are performed outdoors where ventilation is constant and making it easy to achieve social distancing.
During these times we are working together with a small staff of honorable people who have been part of the Terra Explorer family for many years. They and their families are aligned with the established health and safety measures. Employing these staff members also seeks to reactivate the local economy.
We guarantee a safe, soul-fulfilling trip to all our travelers for whom we make these adventures possible.
Terra Explorer will strictly comply with the safety, cleaning, and hygiene protocols during our internal processes, third parties, and throughout your trip. This involves:
Follow the instructions related to health and safety given by the Terra Explorer team and your guide, before and during your trip.
Stay home if:
With the intention of delivering the most flexibility at the time of confirming your trip, we will determine the amount of the initial deposit individually and according to your itinerary characteristics.
Secure your trip with a deposit and pay the rest in one or more payments, at a time that suits you best. Please make sure you adhere to our policy and pay in full at least 31 days prior to your trip date.
If you need to cancel your trip, we will apply the following flexible policies.
For more detailed information on our terms and conditions and Covid-19 policies, please contact us at [email protected]
