Machu Picchu in the rainy season
Machu Picchu is incredible. During your trip, many of the places and things you’ll see provoke an indescribable mix of emotions. This, combined with the energy you can feel in “the lost city of the Incas” and the fabulous mountain setting where it was built, makes millions of people want to visit it. However, this wonder only welcomes 4,500 people each day, and these visitors must reserve their Machu Picchu tickets in advance. Most choose to come to Machu Picchu during the dry season, making the months between May and August “the peak tourist season in Machu Picchu.” But what is Machu Picchu like during the rainy season?
- What is Machu Picchu like during the rainy season?
- Why choose to come to Machu Picchu during the rainy season?
- Tickets to Machu Picchu during the rainy season
- Tips for your trip
- Frequently Asked Questions
Machu Picchu turns green during the rainy season
What is Machu Picchu like during the rainy season?
Let’s get one thing straight first: Machu Picchu is magnificent no matter where you look at it, no matter when you visit it, even if you don’t know anything about it. In fact, some people come to Machu Picchu just to experience its incredible energy. The rainy season in Machu Picchu runs from November to March, and contrary to what many people think, “it doesn’t rain all day long.” In fact, in most cases, the rains in Machu Picchu occur in the afternoon, when most people are on the train back to Cusco.
By choosing this time to visit Machu Picchu, you can see many of the most incredible views of the Inca city, which many people miss due to the rainy season. Plus, you’ll find fewer visitors, allowing for a more immersive experience on leisurely tours.
During the rainy season, Machu Picchu becomes a dream setting.
Ticket seasons in Machu Picchu
During the regular season, which coincides with the rainy season, we will find six types of tickets or routes to visit Machu Picchu, this availability is from November 3 to June 18. In the high season, which also occurs in the dry season in Machu Picchu, we can purchase up to ten types of tickets or routes, this happens from June 19 to November 2.
Why choose to come to Machu Picchu during the rainy season?
If you don’t mind the fact that you might get a little wet at Machu Picchu, then there’s plenty to enjoy at Machu Picchu if you decide to come during the rainy season. Below, we’ll show you some of the reasons why you should choose to come to Machu Picchu during the rainy season. (The best time to visit Machu Picchu).
You can enjoy Machu Picchu with far fewer people.
If you’ve been to Machu Picchu before, you know that having the Inca city as much to yourself as possible is invaluable. You’ll be able to walk around with greater freedom, avoid waiting long periods of time to see the main structures, and avoid leaving them so quickly. You’ll also be able to take photos without a bunch of strangers in them and even have some time alone in places like Machu Picchu Mountain. On the other hand, places like Huayna Picchu Mountain are always packed.
Less planning time
One of the main drawbacks we encounter when planning our trip to Machu Picchu with little advance notice is that the entrance tickets we prefer may be sold out. During peak season, you need at least three months in advance to purchase a ticket for the route and time of your choice, while during the off-season, it’s sometimes only necessary one month in advance, and for the most popular routes, two months in advance.
You can hire services at lower prices
The dry season in Machu Picchu is busier, as it coincides with vacations in the US and Europe; and as you know, the higher the demand, the higher the prices. But the opposite is true during the rainy season. There are fewer people and prices tend to drop for hotels, tours, and other tourist services. In fact, it’s the time thousands of people choose to travel to Machu Picchu, offering the best prices.
You can enjoy incredible green landscapes
If you’ve seen any of the millions of photos of Machu Picchu online, you know it’s green everywhere you look; now, imagine that environment during the rainy season; it’s lush, magical, incredibly beautiful. On each of the adventure routes in Machu Picchu, you can immerse yourself in the flora and fauna, discovering an angle that not many people stop to appreciate.
The weather is warmer
In case you didn’t know, the rainy season in Machu Picchu coincides with the summer season, so whether it’s cloudy or rainy, you’ll have warm days. Plus, some people specifically choose rainy days. Not everyone enjoys the sun, especially in one of the places with the highest solar radiation on the planet. That’s why, rain or shine, cloudy or not, dry season or rainy season, use sunscreen if you don’t want to get sunburned.
Seasonal foods and meals
The rainy season brings with it many seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are used to prepare delicious dishes that, to top it all off, can only be enjoyed during this season: capulí, pacay, mushrooms, turnips, and many others, all grown organically. So, if you come during the rainy season, you’ll try dishes you can’t try anywhere else in the world, not even here if you come at another time. So enjoy!
The spirituality of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a world spiritual center; in fact, many people who come to Machu Picchu on a spiritual journey do so more to experience the energy of the Inca city than to see its incredible structures. Having a space alone amidst its impressive constructions will help you achieve a moment of introspection and tranquility, where you can discover details you hadn’t previously noticed.
Tourist finishing the tour of the Royal Circuit
Tickets to Machu Picchu during the rainy season
The rainy season in Machu Picchu coincides with the low tourist season. During this period, when purchasing an entrance ticket, you’ll find only six route options available. These are the most popular and classic, allowing you to explore Machu Picchu from its most familiar angles.
Remember that regular season tickets to Machu Picchu are available year-round. The big difference is that during peak season (June 19 to November 2), four new routes are added to diversify the experiences and better preserve each one.
| Regular season tickets to Machu Picchu | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket | Circuit | Difficulty | Approx. duration. | Attractions | Availability |
| Machu Picchu with Mountain (Route 1A) | Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route) | Average | 5 – 6 hours | Ascending Machu Picchu, panoramic views and a classic photo from Casa del Guardian | All year |
| Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B) | Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route) | Low | 2 – 3 hours | Panoramic views and classic photo from Casa del Guardian | All year |
| Machu Picchu Classic Designed (Route 2A) | Circuit 2 (Classic Route) | Low | 2 – 3 hours | Historical tour of the main temples and buildings of the Inca citadel | All year |
| Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace (Route 2B) | Circuit 2 (Classic Route) | Low | 2 – 3 hours | Historical tour of the main temples and buildings of the Inca citadel | All year |
| Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu (Route 3A) | Circuit 3 (Royal Route) | High | 5 – 6 hours | Ascent to Huayna Picchu mountain and a tour of the lower part of the Inca citadel | All year |
| Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) | Circuit 3 (Royal Route) | Low | 3 hours | Tour of the lower part of the Inca citadel | All year |
Tips for your trip
If you’re planning a trip to Machu Picchu during the rainy season, we’ll provide you with a series of tips and recommendations that will help you have the best experience at the Inca citadel. And you’ll feel much more prepared. Discover them.
- Book your tickets to Machu Picchu at least two months in advance during the rainy season, so you can decide on your preferred time and route without any problems.
- Admission to Huayna Picchu Mountain is open to those over 12 years of age; other regular-season routes are open to people of all ages.
- Machu Picchu is open every day of the year, including holidays.
- Machu Picchu is at an altitude of approximately 2,430 meters above sea level, so acclimatizing first is essential to have a better experience and avoid altitude sickness.
- If you travel to Machu Picchu during the rainy season (November–March), be prepared with waterproof clothing or a rain poncho, as the weather can change at any time.
- Always remember to carry a poncho or rain gear with you during the rainy season in Machu Picchu.
- During the high season in Machu Picchu (June 19 to November 2) four new routes are enabled: Inti Punku or Sun Gate (route 1C) Inca Bridge (route 1D), Great Cave or Temple of the Moon (route 3C) and Huchuy Picchu mountain (route 3D).
- During your visit to Machu Picchu during the rainy season, you’ll find a more beautiful landscape, completely green and colorful, discovering a new angle of the Inca citadel.
- The regular ticket season for Machu Picchu, which coincides with the rainy season (November to March) in some months, runs from November 3rd to June 18th. During this time, there are six tour routes available.
- Remember that with Boletomachupicchu, you can book your trip to Machu Picchu during both the rainy and dry seasons. Ask our advisors about all the options available to make your trip unforgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What should I bring to Machu Picchu during the rainy season?
It’s essential to bring a rain poncho and waterproof clothing. It’s also recommended to have a small backpack with water and sunscreen.
2) Is it safe to visit Machu Picchu during the rainy season?
Yes, it’s safe. The routes are constantly monitored, but you need to be extra careful on the paths because they can become slippery.
3) What are the benefits of visiting Machu Picchu during the rainy season?
Among the benefits, you’ll be able to explore Machu Picchu more leisurely, without crowds, enjoy lower prices on accommodations and tours, and enjoy an intimate experience with greener landscapes.
4) Do I need to book my ticket to Machu Picchu well in advance during the rainy season?
Although there are fewer visitors, it’s recommended to book at least a month or two in advance to secure your preferred route and schedule.
5) What routes in Machu Picchu are available during the rainy season?
During this time, six main routes are open: four within the classic circuits and two with access to the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains.
6) Is it possible to climb Huayna Picchu during the rainy season?
Yes, Huayna Picchu is accessible year-round, but during the rainy season the route is more demanding and can become slippery, requiring extra attention.
7) What kind of weather will I find during the rainy season?
The climate is warm and humid, although there is rain, there are also sunny days and pleasant temperatures.
8) Is Machu Picchu closed during the rainy season?
No, Machu Picchu is open 365 days a year, including holidays.
9) Can I find better prices if I travel during the rainy season?
Low demand definitely allows for better rates on accommodations, trains, and tourist services.
10) What kind of landscapes will I see during the rainy season?
The rainy season transforms the surroundings into a green jungle, sometimes covered in mist, giving a unique and mystical feel to a visit to Machu Picchu.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Thomas S.“A must experience for everyone“
“I never felt that the Inca culture appealed to me, so Machu Picchu was not in my closest plans, but we had a few extra days in Lima and decided to go to Machu Picchu. I have no words to describe what I felt (what we felt) when we got to the top of Huayna Picchu and could see the Inca city from there. You feel the air rushing, but it is not the altitude, but a great emotion. Tears began to flow and I realized that it had been a big mistake not to come earlier. The Incas achieved what they set out to do, they created a hidden wonder in the middle of the mountains. It doesn't matter if you have seen the impressive pyramids of Egypt or other wonders of the world; after seeing Machu Picchu, nothing you have seen will be as impressive. I have been to some of what they consider the best places in the world, but I repeat, nothing was as impressive. In fact, it is possible that nothing you see can surpass the Inca city.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 2, 2025