Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is an ancient city and archaeological site established in 1450. It holds the status of a cultural heritage of Peru and is recognized as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, receiving about 950,000 visitors in 2023.
Planning a visit
The driest months to visit are May through September, which see as few as 2 rainy days per month. The wettest conditions occur between December and March, with rain falling on up to 22 days per month. Temperatures remain consistent year-round, with daily highs around 18 °C to 19 °C and lows between 9 °C and 12 °C. The site is located 78 km from the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco and 503 km from Lima. Wheelchair access is limited.
Visitors often combine a trip to Machu Picchu with nearby locations such as the Inca Trail, located 32.3 km away, or Choquequirao, which is 43.7 km away.
Weather by month
The warmest month is October, with an average high of 19 °C. The wettest is January, with about 209 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Average low, °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
| Rainfall, mm | 209 | 183 | 175 | 78 | 30 | 18 | 22 | 29 | 40 | 80 | 105 | 162 |
| Rainy days | 21 | 22 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 21 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
