Machu Picchu Weather 2026: Monthly Averages
Machu Picchu is at 2,430 m on the edge of the cloud forest, where the high Andes meet the Amazon basin. The climate is its own thing — not as cold as Cusco, not as humid as the jungle. Two seasons dominate: dry (April-October) and wet (November-March). But mist, sudden showers, and rapid temperature swings can happen any month.
Average temperatures
| Month | Day high (°C / °F) | Night low (°C / °F) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22 / 72 | 14 / 57 | 185 |
| February | 22 / 72 | 14 / 57 | 165 |
| March | 22 / 72 | 13 / 55 | 150 |
| April | 22 / 72 | 12 / 54 | 75 |
| May | 21 / 70 | 10 / 50 | 20 |
| June | 20 / 68 | 8 / 46 | 10 |
| July | 20 / 68 | 7 / 45 | 10 |
| August | 21 / 70 | 8 / 46 | 15 |
| September | 22 / 72 | 10 / 50 | 40 |
| October | 23 / 73 | 11 / 52 | 75 |
| November | 23 / 73 | 13 / 55 | 110 |
| December | 22 / 72 | 13 / 55 | 160 |
Numbers are averages — daily variation is large. A "dry month" can still produce a 4-hour downpour. A "wet month" can have brilliant sunny mornings.
Cusco vs Machu Picchu vs Aguas Calientes
The three places along your route have noticeably different climates:
- Cusco (3,400 m). Cold nights year-round (sub-5°C in winter). Dry, thin air. Strong sun. Always carry a fleece for evenings.
- Machu Picchu (2,430 m). Cool, humid. Subtropical mountain forest. Mist common.
- Aguas Calientes (2,040 m). Warmest and most humid. Mosquitoes possible (DEET in dry season; long sleeves in wet).
Practical implications
If you're going May to August (dry, peak)
- Bring layers — cold mornings warm to T-shirt weather by midday
- Bring a light rain jacket anyway (cloud forest weather is fickle)
- Strong UV — sunscreen, hat, sunglasses essential
- Cold nights in Cusco — fleece or down jacket needed
If you're going November to March (wet, low)
- Waterproof shell jacket and waterproof pants are non-negotiable
- Rain pants stuffed in a daypack save the trip if a downpour starts
- Quick-dry hiking pants over jeans
- Boots with traction (Inca stone gets dangerously slippery wet)
- Light poncho for the citadel itself (umbrellas not allowed inside)
If you're going April or October (shoulder, ideal)
- Layers + light shell jacket
- One day might be sunny, the next overcast — pack for both
Mist — what to expect
Morning mist is normal even in the driest months. The citadel sits in a saddle where Amazon-borne moisture rises and condenses against the cooler highland air. By 09:00-10:00 the mist usually lifts. By midday on a typical day in May-September, the views are clear.
If you arrive in mist at 06:00 and panic — wait. It almost always clears. Use the time to walk the lower terraces or visit the Temple of the Condor area where the buildings are at ground level and visible regardless.
Rain inside the citadel
Umbrellas are not allowed in the citadel (they damage stones in narrow passages). Use a poncho or rain jacket. Backpacks should have a rain cover. Phone cameras struggle in heavy rain — a ziplock bag protects the device while keeping the lens accessible.