Best time to Visit Machu Picchu Inca Trail
The Ministry of Culture of Peru has changed the visiting schedules and entry regulations for Machu Picchu. Visitors now explore the ancient citadel through designated circuits, each following specific routes that allow you to see the entire citadel or selected areas. Below is all the information about these updates.
The Ministry of Culture published the following:
First: In compliance with regulations for sustainable tourism and the conservation of the Incan city of Machu Picchu (Ministerial Resolution N° 070-2017-MC), official entry schedules to the citadel run from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Second: Ticket reservations and sales for both entry schedules are processed through the official website www.tuboleto.cultura.pe in accordance with current legal resolutions and procedures. Necessary system adaptations are made throughout the months.
Third: This decision was made to ensure better visitor management and guarantee the conservation and preservation of the Incan citadel, in alignment with the Master Plan for the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
This means that entry capacity is strictly limited. If you plan to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend booking in advance and planning your trip carefully. Below you have information for every month of the year to visit the citadel.
Best schedule to visit Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu: between 6:00 to 12:00
During this timeframe, you can appreciate the sunrise and morning landscapes. However, the citadel experiences peak crowds because most train passengers and Inca Trail hikers arrive during these hours in both high and low seasons. Trail movement is slower due to high visitor volume, making clear photos without crowds challenging. Tickets for morning entry slots sell out months in advance.
Machu Picchu: between 12:00 to 15:00
While you will miss the morning sunrise, this afternoon slot offers the opportunity to experience the sunset with fewer crowds as visitor numbers drop significantly. This creates ideal conditions for classic photos without large groups in the background. Note that during the peak tourist season, afternoon entry slots also experience moderate crowd levels.
Best schedule to visit Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu: 8:00 AM Entry
We do not recommend this time slot during the rainy season because early morning fog often obscures the view. Conversely, during the dry season, it offers clear morning views across the Sanctuary. This entry time is often less crowded due to a lack of visitor awareness. Please note that your guided tour of the main Machu Picchu citadel takes place after your climb.
Huayna Picchu: 10:00 AM Entry
This is the most popular time slot regardless of the season, as cloud cover usually clears by mid-morning to offer unobstructed views of the citadel. Park rangers monitor this window closely, and all hikers must begin their descent by 12:00 PM.
Note: Huayna Picchu entry tickets are tied to Circuit 3 Route A. Before beginning your ascent, you will explore the lower section of the citadel, including the agricultural terraces, the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, and the Sacred Rock located at the Huayna Picchu checkpoint.
Best schudule to visit the Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain offers two entry windows: 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Located directly across from Huayna Picchu and the main citadel, this peak rises to 3,061 meters (10,042 feet) above sea level and provides one of the most comprehensive panoramic views of the entire sanctuary. From the summit, you can see Huayna Picchu, the main ruins, and the Vilcanota River winding through the valley below. The summit offers views of the cloud forest to the right, the ruins of Llactapata in the distance, Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to the left, and Mount Salkantay behind you. It serves as an excellent alternative to Huayna Picchu for hikers seeking wide-angle views.
Important Note: The Mt Machu Picchu ticket operates under Circuit 1, Route A. This permit includes access to the upper panoramic viewpoint for classic photos, but it does not allow entry into the lower urban sector or main citadel ruins. The hike itself requires approximately 3 hours to ascend and 2 hours to descend.
Best time to visit Machu Picchu Inca Trail
On January:
Because of the rainy season, the tourist flux is going to be less noticiable and you are going to have plenty of time to explore because the people cumulation is simply going to be gone.
On February:
Again, due to the rainy season, the Incan citadel is going to be less visited but remember that the Inca Trail is closed in this months due to the restoration work that are done, so you can not reach the Incan citadel by that way, the only way to reach it is by train or by an alternative trek. You will also enjoy the carnaval that is a colorful activity that consit of a dance around a tree and water wars.
On March:
The rainy season is not going to be as hard as Janurary and February, but it is still going to be there. On the alternative treks to Machu Picchu (like Choquerirao trek or Salkantay Trek), the landscapes are going to be amazing because you will find a wet-dry climate that is going to make everything better.
On April:
If you visit Machu Picchu in this month you are going to see plenty of festivities around the Cusco Town before going to the citadel like Easter. In that festivity you are going to find a great variety of traditional food like the empanadas or the q'irko (a dish based on mussels, fish eggs, corn, cheese, milk) because cusquenians are accostumed to eat 12 dishes because of the 12 apostles of Jesus in that week.
On May:
The dry season starts on this month. The climate is cooler and drier, and ideal for visiting Cusco Town and Aguas Calientes. In Cusco, the Corpus Christi festivity is done and consists of statues of 16 saints that are carried to the cathedral to greet "the body of Christ".
On June:
June is for a fact, the best time to visit Cusco due to the festivities of this place like the Qoyllur Rit'i, the Inti Raymi, and the Anniversary of Cusco. In this months you will se that Cusco is going to be full of color and customs, the traditions are expressed with a lot of passion and feeling because people really love their culture.
On July:
On July 15 to July 16 the festivity of Virgen del Carmen is made in the town of Paucartambo and consits of musicians playing, choirs singing in Quechua and groups acting events as a tribute to the Virgin del Carmen. The Fiestas Patrias takes place on July 28 and July 29. The whole country celebrates July 28, the day Peru gained its independence.
On August:
August is the windy month, everyone gets out of their houses and go up to Sacsayhuaman to fly their comets. This is also a good months to go to the Inca Trail due to the dry season.
On September:
There is no festivity on this months but you can visit all the archeological places that Cusco has just as Sacsayhuaman, Qenq'o, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay or you can sighseen throughout the city which is a wonderful experience and then go to Machu Picchu.
On October:
The dry season finishes this month so if you do not like the rain you should go in this month. The procession of the Lord of Miracles is made and it is
not as big as the one from Lima, but it is still beautiful.
On November:
This month starts with the all Saint's day and Day of the Dead, people bring flowers to the cementeries, clean their relatives' gravestones, and share food and drink with the departed. Across the country, guaguas (bread shaped like dolls and horses) are baked for children.
On December:
December is an important month, Cusco celebrates the Christmast Eve with the Santuraytikuy meaning "Saints for sale", this is one of Peru's largest arts-and-craft fairs. Artisans gather to sell nativity scenes, religious carvings, and pottery in the main plaza. Cusquenias also celebrates New Years Eve dressed with yellow clothes and accesories for good luck and before 12:00 AM they start fireworks on the main square that make the whole experience greater.
