Best time to visit Machu Picchu!
If you intend to travel to Peru as a tourist, there are greater chances that you will visit some of its famous sites; you could probably be wondering what the best time to visit Machu Picchu is- one of the most exciting tourist destinations in Peru. Furthermore, it is an archeological site, forming one of the most frequented places, drawing over a million travelers annually.
The perfect time to visit Machu Picchu covers the month of April to June or September and October, with nice weather and reduced crowds. July and August also suit the bill, but you could meet a large crowd that could interfere with your personal experience of the area. Nevertheless, this beautiful place will give you a tourism experience any time of the year.
During the perfect months, the Inca hiking trails and Machu Picchu have good weather conditions and fewer crowds, making these months the best time to climb Mount Machu Picchu. The landscape, clouds, and a few rain showers in the mountain provide an excellent opportunity to take Insta-worthy photos. You can challenge yourself to hike the mountain through Inca Trail or travel via the Vistadome train to there.
The History of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is ranked among the world's seven wonders and has lived up to its fame, attracting several local and foreign tourists. The mountain is located 80 km northwest of Cusco. Incan emperor Pachacuti initially built this mountaintop citadel in the 1450s. A century later, citizens abruptly abandoned the city for strange reasons.
After the abandonment, this site remained unknown to the rest of the world, until 1911, when an American explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered it. He would then spend several years here excavating the site and its surrounding jungle. His discovery sent the world into a frenzy, firing the imagination of many globally. This made Machu Picchu one of the most renowned archeological sites on the globe. Machu Picchu would then be named UNESCO World Heritage Site, sparking a plethora of tourists from all over the world. Most people come here via train from Cusco, through hiking via the Inca trail is more adventurous as you travel on an old road used by the Incas.
Factors to Consider when Visiting Machu Picchu
As one of the most famous places in South America, it is undoubtedly that Machu Pichu is on your bucket list of travel destinations. However, there are many restrictions and rules to consider now that the site is an endangered UNESCO site. Below are some factors to remember when visiting Machu Picchu
- You need your passport to visit Machu Picchu; therefore, ensure you have it on the visit day.
- Buy an advance ticket to have an early entry into Machu Picchu. If you go later in the day, you may find the place crowded, and you could ruin your experience.
- Do come later than 2 pm. This means you cannot take sunset shots from there because you must be out by 5:30 pm.
- Machu Picchu is one way; therefore, get the best view of the place as you journey on. You have a limited chance of getting back to check what you missed.
- Machu Picchu has no bathrooms. Make sure you use the one at the entrance to take care of the business before entering.
- The location can be Foggy in the morning and could blur your vision of the landscape and beauty.
Machu Picchu's Busiest Months
Machu Pichu has its peak seasons, with guests streaming in large numbers, especially during the dry months. June to August have dryer weather and are Machu Picchu's busiest months. Most tourists from Canada, the United States, and Europe come here to spend their summer holidays. Therefore, if you love solitude, you want to avoid these months. Additionally, you want to remember that Machu Picchu tends to be colder in the morning and evening, so carry your warm clothes if you stay in a nearby restaurant.
What Time of Day Should You Visit Machu Picchu?
This will much depend on one's preference. The last entrance time is 2 pm, and the gates open at 6 am. When traveling by bus, you can take the earliest one departing from Calientes at 5:30 am. An early entrance to Machu Picchu early is advantageous as it offers you the opportunity to see the sunrise from the mountain.
Few things are exciting as experiencing sunrise at Machu Picchu during the dry seasons. The sun is mostly obscured by clouds or mists, meaning you may not experience the first sun rays on your skin at the citadel by morning. It is had to catch up with the sun rising during the rainy season because it rises before the gate opens.
The clouds and mist should not worry you during the early mornings of dry seasons as they will clear by mid or late-morning, allowing you to enjoy beautiful sceneries. During rainy seasons, you should be prepared for a variation of rain and clouds throughout the day.
If you do not want lots of crowds as you visit Machu Picchu, the afternoon could be the ideal time. However, the logistics of vising this place favors morning visits. However, if you can do an afternoon trip up the mountain, you will find a reduced crowd as many people would have taken their return trip. The golden light of the afternoon is also a delight, like the sunrise; just be careful not to miss the final bus to Aguas Calientes, leaving at 3:30 pm.
What is the Best Season of the Year to Visit Machu Pichu?
Let's consider several seasons experienced in this region and their visitation likelihood.
Dry Season
These are known as the high tourist seasons, beginning in May and climaxing in October. In the middle of this duration-June and July, Machu Picchu experiences the lowest precipitation levels. Families love visiting during these periods because they are guaranteed sunny days and enjoy summer vacations.
The weather at Machu Picchu is fantastic during dry seasons, though you will have to deal with crowds traveling in the same direction. The city of Cusco celebrates its anniversary in June, and festivals, dances, and parades are everywhere on the street. Since winter is beginning here, you will feel a dip in temperature in the morning before sunrise. However, when the sun is up, the mountains and valley views are impressive during the day, and the stars in the Milky Way at night are also breathtaking.
July has winter in full swing, with the temperature plummeting below freezing points before daybreak and during the night. Nevertheless, the temperature dramatically rises with the scorching sun during the day. Machu Picchu is likely very crowded this month, and the bus lines to and from the site are lengthy.
September marks the end of the dry season as rain begins to show signs of falling. Since the rains in September are sudden, it is wise to prepare the rain gear when you visit Machu Picchu at this time of the year. Visitors are not as many, meaning you can enjoy a peaceful trek through Inca Trail.
Packing Tips:
Ensure you have hats, sunblock, and sunglasses because the sun is very scorchy.
Pack layers. It is important because, during the night, the temperatures drop to freezing levels. A jacket, warm hat, and gloves will do the trick if caught outside late at night.
Rainy Season
This season corresponds to the lowest tourist season, covering December through March. These months have the highest precipitation, with rainfall peaking in January and February. Nevertheless, the temperatures are warmer at night because the southern hemisphere is experiencing summer.
Many people are scared of the rain, especially when they are considering traveling. However, the rains often come in scattered showers, with some occasional sunshine. The rainy season can provide an exquisite visit to Machu Picchu with a limited crowd, meaning you can take photos of all the places you love.
December has looming rains as the clouds and mists touch the mountain, but we will also enjoy some sun in the month. Few people do the Inca trek, with most visiting willing only o spend time in this Incan city.
In January, the Andean Mountains witnessed heavy rains with landslides on the Inca Trail and the mountain. This has been a common occurrence in recent years, making the trek dangerous. You can visit Machu Picchu by train, but not trekking.
February is not ideal for visiting Machu Picchu since the rain is unbearable, especially in the clouded forest. You could be stranded here for some time as the landslide covers train tracks. The heavy rains sometimes swell the Urubamba River, threatening any travel to Machu Picchu.
With the torrential rains come heavy clouds that will block your view of the landscape and scenery. The trails, ladders, and bridges become slippery and muddy, making climbing Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains dangerous.
March is the best month to book your hiking tours, especially the last two weeks of this month. The rain is subsiding, and the weather is improving. You will have the opportunity to witness the beautiful scenery's rebirth as if they were coming from a bath.
Packing Tips:
Pack a rain jacket, but leave your umbrella at the restaurant since the guards do not allow it in ruins.
Shoulder Seasons
The shoulder seasons are also good, enabling you to enjoy the best dry and rainy seasons. They cover April, October, and November. You are likely to experience more rain during these months than during dry seasons; however, the rains are sporadic. Furthermore, few people come to Machu Picchu during shoulder seasons, providing you with a quitter and a peaceful visit. April is greener than the other months because it is near the rainy seasons, while October and November are rather drier and browner following a dry period.
If you intend to exercise caution with the weather, you could make plans and spend extra time at Machu Picchu in all seasons. This mountain offers all you could hope for the bright sunny, and clouded photos. If you visit during peak season, be ready to deal with large crowds.
So, When Should I Visit Machu Picchu?
A person's best time comes down to their preferences. It depends on what you are looking for and the experience you want to create. If you are looking for brilliant sunlit photos for the travel album is a priority for you, then choose any month in the dry season to visit Machu Picchu. If you love solitude and do not mind a few showers on the trail, consider the rainy season. Furthermore, you could settle for the shoulder season, offering you a test of both worlds.
Your timing could also be influenced by other places you intend to visit in your journey. You could choose one season in Machu Picchu because you want to experience a different season somewhere else. One thing is clear, visiting Machu Picchu is can be your dream come true. Worry no more if your preferred season is past; you can still scop the benefit of visiting other times. With preparation and proper planning, you can enjoy what this pearl in ruins has to offer.