Machu Picchu: When are there more tourists?
The months of May, June, July, and August are considered the busiest in Cusco, as this is when the most tourists arrive at Machu Picchu. These are considered peak tourist seasons, when tickets sell out most quickly, and the Inca citadel is packed with people. Additionally, there are special dates when many tourists flock to the archaeological site, such as Christmas, New Year’s, the Inti Raymi festival (June 24), and more. Find out when Machu Picchu is most visited and how to plan your trip accordingly.
- When are there more tourists in Machu Picchu?
- How to organize your trip to Machu Picchu during peak tourist season?
- Entrance tickets and tours of Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu during the high tourist season and the rest of the year
- Questions and Answers
Tourists at the Guardian’s House – Machu Picchu low season
The Main Festivals in Cusco and Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu can be visited year-round. However, most tourists prefer to visit during the festive season, when the streets of Cusco are filled with music, dance, and displays of its great traditions and culture. The most important festival is Inti Raymi, also known as the “Festival of the Sun,” which takes place every June 24th. The festival has its origins in the Inca period, when it celebrated the beginning of a new solar year. Today, on that date, Cusco is filled with color, music, and public performances in honor of the Inca ancestors (three performances on the Coricancha esplanade, in the Plaza de Armas, and at the Sacsayhuamán fortress). In addition to Inti Raymi, another date filled with joy and tradition is Corpus Christi, which is celebrated on a Thursday in June (movable date). On that day, the streets of Cusco fill with devotees around the city’s main sculptures of saints and virgins. Many visitors also fill the city streets, attracted by the displays of faith, music, dance, and cuisine. Finally, the February carnivals are very unusual and attract tourists with their displays of dance and music in the streets of Cusco, especially on Sundays, when all the residents play games with water, talcum powder, and foam.
When are there more tourists in
Machu Picchu is visited by many tourists every day of the year, although certain months favor its highest number of visitors. Some factors that contribute to this are: the weather, the holiday season, ticket availability, and cultural events. Discover what the seasons are like in Machu Picchu.
High season in Machu Picchu
During the months of May, June, July and August, the high season occurs, when the greatest number of tourists visit Machu Picchu and all the tourist destinations in Cusco such as the Rainbow Mountain, the Humantay Lagoon, the Sacred Valley, among many other destinations.
These months are very attractive, as they coincide with the dry season in this area, although it extends further, from April to October. If you visit Machu Picchu during these times, you’ll find much more favorable weather, with clear skies and clear landscapes, ideal for exploring the archaeological site and taking additional hikes.
It’s important to remember that during these months, you must reserve your tickets to Machu Picchu at least two months in advance, and if you want to visit routes such as Huayna Picchu Mountain or the classic circuit, you must do so three months in advance.
Peak season for tickets to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu also has a peak season for tickets, which runs from June 19th to November 2nd. During these dates, you’ll find up to 10 types of tickets, four more than during the regular season. The additional tickets available are:
- Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C)
- Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge (Route 1D)
- Machu Picchu + Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon (Route 3C)
- Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route)
Regular season in Machu Picchu
The low season is during January, February, and March, when there are fewer tourists at Machu Picchu and all of Cusco’s tourist destinations.
These months coincide with the rainy season, where, while precipitation isn’t always present, there’s a good chance it will. This weather can make your adventure in Machu Picchu more difficult, with overcast landscapes, slippery trails, or simply getting you wet.
Although these months also have their upside, because you won’t have to make your ticket reservations far in advance, sometimes a few weeks are enough to get tickets to Machu Picchu, and if you’re going on a popular route, purchasing tickets a month or two in advance will be sufficient.
Another advantage of the rainy season is that you can find more magical landscapes, since you can find the mountains of Machu Picchu covered in mist, and the vegetation will be much more colorful.
Regular season tickets to Machu Picchu
When you purchase your tickets to Machu Picchu from November 3rd to June 18th, you’ll find the regular season ticket sales. During these dates, you’ll find six types of tickets. The tickets available are:
- Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A)
- Machu Picchu + Upper Terrace or Classic Photo (Route 1B)
- Machu Picchu Classic Designed (Route 2A)
- Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace (Route 2B)
- Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A)
- Machu Picchu Designed Royalty or Lower Part Temples (Route 3B)
Tourists in Machu Picchu
How to organize your trip to Machu Picchu during peak tourist season?
To plan your ideal trip to Machu Picchu during peak season, we recommend following these steps to make it happen:
1. Secure your tickets to Machu Picchu months in advance:
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are the first you should get if you plan to visit during the months of May, June, July, and August.
Tickets usually sell out one or two months in advance, especially those that include Circuit 2: the Machu Picchu Classic entrance and the Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace entrance.
We recommend purchasing your Machu Picchu admission tickets online three months in advance. After reserving your ticket for your preferred day and time in Machu Picchu, follow these steps to plan your perfect trip.
2. Take the train service to Machu Picchu
The vast majority of tourists visit Machu Picchu by train, which stops at the Ollantaytambo station and ends in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). The trip typically takes two hours and covers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the area.
If you’re traveling by train, you must purchase tickets online through the websites of the only two companies available: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. You can also purchase them through our website.
Each company offers different types of trains. Peru Rail offers the Expedition, Vistadome, Vistadome Observatory, and the luxury Hiram Bingham train. Inca Rail offers The Voyager, The 360, The Premium & Lounge, and The Private. Each offers different quality and available services, tailored to your preferences and needs.
Each train has a different schedule, and you can generally find them at any time of day. You just need to choose the time that allows you to reach Machu Picchu on time, based on your chosen admission ticket.
3. Book bus and tour guide services (you can also do this in person upon arrival at Machu Picchu)
The two most important tickets are the entrance to Machu Picchu and the train ticket. You can then arrange to purchase the bus ticket for the final route from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back, as well as tour guide services at the archaeological site.
Bus tickets can be purchased in the town of Aguas Calientes without any problems. There’s even the option of walking instead of taking the bus (walking is free for everyone). The hike takes two hours uphill along steps.
You can hire a tour guide at the entrance to Machu Picchu. While it’s not mandatory to bring one, it’s highly recommended to learn about the true importance of the Inca city and its more than 150 stone structures.
How to get to Machu Picchu on foot?
If you want a more adventurous trip to Machu Picchu, you can hike up from Aguas Calientes to the Inca archaeological site in a two-hour journey. The path leads steadily uphill along stone steps, where you can learn more about the biodiversity typical of the jungle surrounding this territory. After visiting Machu Picchu, you can also descend via this path. Many people choose to ascend by bus and then hike back down, so they don’t miss any detail of this impressive site.
4. Book hotels and tours in Cusco
After organizing your visit to Machu Picchu, the next step is to reserve your hotel or residence where you will spend your stay, whether in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, or Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Tours to the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and the city of Cusco are the most popular among visitors. These can be arranged ahead of time or just a few days before the trip.
If you want a more enjoyable trip, we recommend booking the all-inclusive full-day tour of Machu Picchu, which is the most recommended option for your trip. This tour organizes everything for you, from your hotel pickup, all transportation services, a professional guide, entrance fees, and even meals.
Couple of tourists touring the panoramic circuit of Machu Picchu
Entrance tickets and tours of Machu Picchu
When planning your visit to Machu Picchu during peak tourist season, you should choose one of ten entrance tickets. Some will allow you, in addition to exploring Machu Picchu, to take an additional route to the archaeological site’s most iconic buildings. Discover all the details about each of the available tickets:
| Tickets to Machu Picchu | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket | Circuit | Includes | Availability | Prior reservation | Restrictions |
| Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A) | Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route) | Upper platform, Guardian’s House and the ascent to Machu Picchu Mountain | All year | 1 month before | Suitable for all audiences |
| Machu Picchu Upper Terrace or Classic Photo (Route 1B) | Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route) | Upper Platform and Guardian’s House | All year | 1 month before | Suitable for all audiences |
| Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C) | Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route) | Upper platform, Guardian’s House and the walk to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) | High season (June 19 – November 2) | 1 month before | Suitable for all audiences |
| Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge (Route 1D) | Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route) | Upper platform, Guardian’s House and the walk to the Inca Bridge | High season (June 19 – November 2) | 1 month before | Only for ages 12 and up |
| Machu Picchu Classic Designed (Route 2A) | Circuit 2 (Classic Route) | Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza, Sacred Rock, Water Mirrors and the Temple of the 3 Windows | All year | 3 months before | Suitable for all audiences |
| Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace (Route 2B) | Circuit 2 (Classic Route) | Lower Terrace, the Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza, Sacred Rock, Water Mirrors and the Temple of the 3 Windows | All year | 3 months before | Suitable for all audiences |
| Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A) | Circuit 3 (Royal Route) | Temple of the Sun, House of the Inca, Temple of the Condor, terraces, royal tomb and the ascent of Huayna Picchu | All year | 2 months ago | Only for ages 12 and up |
| Machu Picchu Designed Royalty or Lower Temples (Route 3B) | Circuit 3 (Royal Route) | Temple of the Sun, House of the Inca, Temple of the Condor, terraces, royal tomb and agricultural areas | All year | 1 month before | Suitable for all audiences |
| Machu Picchu + Great Cavern or Temple of the Moon (Route 3C) | Circuit 3 (Royal Route) | Temple of the Sun, House of the Inca, Temple of the Condor, terraces, royal tomb and the walk to the Great Cave | High season (June 19 – November 2) | 1 month before | Only for ages 12 and up |
| Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (Route 3D) | Circuit 3 (Royal Route) | Temple of the Sun, House of the Inca, Temple of the Condor, terraces, royal tomb and the ascent to Huchuy Picchu | High season (June 19 – November 2) | 2 months ago | Only for ages 12 and up |
Machu Picchu during the high tourist season and the rest of the year
Machu Picchu will usually have the following characteristics during the high tourist season (mainly May, June, July and August):
- Greater number of visitors during your tour of the Machu Picchu archaeological sanctuary, especially in the mornings.
- You’ll need to reserve your tickets a month or two in advance if you want to access the most popular routes.
- Lines to board the bus to Machu Picchu (10 to 15 minutes on average)
- You won’t find tickets to Machu Picchu if you buy at the last minute.
- Completely clear landscapes and more stable weather.
- Higher prices for tourist services due to high demand.
- A greater number of cultural events that allow you to experience a different angle of the colorful territory.
- Machu Picchu with less chance of rain, making it easier to get the classic postcard photo.
If you visit Machu Picchu during the low season (mainly January, February and March) you will be able to see the following characteristics:
- Fewer visitors when visiting Machu Picchu.
- There will be faster lines when boarding buses to Machu Picchu and vice versa.
- More space to walk and photograph without problems.
- You can find tickets to Machu Picchu just a few weeks in advance.
- Machu Picchu is likely to wake up foggy and rainy, which could make your journey more difficult.
- The landscape will look even more striking with clouds in the mountains and greener, more colorful vegetation.
- Prices for tourist services will be lower and more stable.
- Sometimes the mountains close for maintenance if there is constant heavy rain.
Touring the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Questions and Answers
1) When are there more tourists in Machu Picchu?
May, June, July, and August are considered the peak tourist season in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
2) And when are there fewer tourists in Machu Picchu?
January, February, and March are considered the low season for tourism in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
3) What are the most visited holidays in Machu Picchu?
Inti Raymi (June 24) and Corpus Christi (Thursday in May or June) are considered the two most festive dates in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
4) How far in advance should I purchase tickets to Machu Picchu during peak tourist season?
It is recommended to purchase tickets to Machu Picchu three months in advance.
5) How far in advance should I purchase tickets to Machu Picchu during the low tourist season?
It is recommended to purchase tickets to Machu Picchu one or two months in advance.
6) What month does Machu Picchu look most crowded?
June is the month when the most visitors visit Machu Picchu, especially in the mornings when it looks busiest.
7) Which tickets sell out the fastest during peak tourist season in Machu Picchu?
The tickets that sell out the fastest are: the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket (route 3a), the Machu Picchu Classic Designed ticket (route 2a) and the Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace ticket (route 2b).
8) Which tickets sell out the least during the peak tourist season in Machu Picchu?
The tickets that sell out the least quickly to Machu Picchu are: the Machu Picchu + Inti Punku ticket (route 1c) and the Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge ticket (route 1d).
9) Can it rain if I visit Machu Picchu in June?
In June there is very little chance of rain in Machu Picchu.
10) Is it very cold if I visit Machu Picchu in August?
In August, Machu Picchu has a mild temperature of between 8ºC and 12ºC at night.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Ángela F.“Beautiful“
“Machu Picchu is undoubtedly a very special place by any side, I highlight its history, its landscape and above all the warmth of its people.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2025