Peru’s seasons are simpler to reason about than Thailand’s two-coast split or Greece’s ferry calendar — there’s a dry season and a wet season, and almost everything about when to go comes down to where you land between them. The one exception worth knowing before anything else: there’s a month the Inca Trail simply isn’t open at all, regardless of how good the weather looks.
Dry season (May–October): the standard answer, for good reason
This is when the Andes actually deliver on the postcard version of Peru — stable skies, dry trails, and the clear mountain views that make Machu Picchu photos look the way they do. July and August are the peak of this window: the driest, coolest-at-night conditions, and also the busiest and most expensive stretch of the year, driven partly by Northern Hemisphere summer holidays.
The sweet spot: May and September
Both months sit just outside the July–August crush while keeping nearly all of the dry season’s reliability — stable weather, Inca Trail permits still available (unlike peak months, which can sell out), and noticeably thinner crowds than the middle of the season. If you can pick freely, this is the strongest case on the calendar.
Shoulder months (April, October): quieter still, slightly more weather risk
April and October trade a bit of weather reliability for meaningfully thinner crowds and easier last-minute-feeling logistics — permits and train seats are less of a scramble, though an occasional rain shower is more likely than in the core dry-season months.
Wet season (November–March): lush, cheap, and genuinely workable outside one month
The wet season brings daily rain, but rarely in a way that cancels a trip outright — mornings are often clear before afternoon showers build, and the landscape turns genuinely lush and green in a way the dry season never does. Prices drop and crowds thin considerably. January is the wet season’s roughest stretch specifically, with more sustained rainfall and cloud cover that can obscure Machu Picchu itself for entire mornings — worth knowing if you’re choosing a month within the wet season rather than avoiding it outright.
The one month to actually avoid: February
This is the closest thing to a hard rule in Peru’s calendar: the classic Inca Trail closes entirely every February for maintenance, alternative trekking routes are at their worst condition, and rainfall is at its yearly maximum. Machu Picchu itself remains open via train, but if trekking is any part of the plan, February is the one month worth planning around rather than into.
The short version
| If you want… | Go in… |
|---|---|
| The best overall balance of weather, crowds, and permit availability | May or September |
| Peak dry conditions (accept crowds and highest prices) | July–August |
| Thinner crowds with slightly more weather risk | April or October |
| Lowest prices, lush scenery, less crowded | November, December, or March (skip January if possible) |
| To avoid entirely if trekking is part of the plan | February — the Inca Trail is closed |
Whichever window you land on, the rest of the planning picture — including altitude acclimatization timing, which matters regardless of season — is in our 7-day itinerary, visa guide, and full Peru Travel Guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Inca Trail open in February?
No — it closes every February for maintenance. Machu Picchu itself stays open via train, but trekking the classic trail isn’t an option that month.
What is the rainiest month in Peru’s Andes?
January, within the broader November–March wet season — expect more sustained rain and cloud cover than other wet-season months.
Is Machu Picchu worth visiting in the wet season?
Yes, with realistic expectations — mornings are often clear before afternoon rain builds, crowds and prices are meaningfully lower, and the landscape is at its most lush.
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Destinations Editor at Travelcho, covering food culture, city guides, and budget travel across Asia and Europe.
