General & Geography
According to abbreviationfinder, Machu Picchu is a legendary ruined city in the Andes of Peru. The well-preserved “City in the Clouds” was built at around 2400 meters above sea level and still gives up many secrets today.
The assumption that the Incas fled from the Spanish conquistadores and that the conquerors from southern Europe simply overlooked the mysterious Machu Picchu is now considered to be established.
It was not until 1911 that US researcher Hiram Binghams rediscovered the ruins, which were meanwhile covered by the jungle and which have since become the most important tourist attraction in Peru.
Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is located between the peaks of the mountain of the same name and the neighboring Huayna Picchu above the Urubamba Valley.
The city of Cusco is around 80 kilometers away and is the most important access point for exploring the Andes. From here the train continues over the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu.
The bustling Aguas Calientes is the tourist center of the world-famous natural wonder, the formerly small village has grown in recent years and is now home to a large number of accommodations, restaurants and tour operators.
Climate at Machu Picchu and the Andes of Peru
Machu Picchu is located in the Andes of Peru and, despite its location in the high mountains at around 2400 meters, has temperatures well above freezing point all year round. The climate is warm and humid with fairly constant temperatures all year round. Only when there is heavy rainfall do the values temporarily cool down significantly.
There are no classic seasons like in Europe in the region around Machu Picchu. However, a clear distinction must be made between the pronounced rainy season in the Peruvian summer (our winter months) and the dry season in the Andes. The rainy season at Machu Picchu usually begins in December and causes heavy rains until the end of March.
The April is considered to be a changeable transition month, which, however, becomes increasingly stable over the course of the month. The dry season then runs from the beginning of May to around mid- November, before it becomes significantly more humid again towards the end of November and the upcoming rainy season in the Andes heralds.
In general, it can also rain in the dry season at Machu Picchu. However, showers are the absolute exception, especially between May and August. The rainiest months are January and February, the very heavy showers can lead to impairments and closures. In February the Inca Trail will even be closed completely.
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu in Peru?
The mysterious Inca city of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes is an unforgettable experience at any time of the year. Nevertheless, the effects of the rainy season, especially between mid-December and mid-March, should not be underestimated. We therefore recommend the period from mid-April to mid-November as the best travel time.
The months from May to September are particularly pleasant, with only a very low probability of rain and a particularly large number of hours of sunshine. The clear air now ensures fantastic photo conditions, but due to the low night temperatures, thick clothing is necessary, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
Temperatures, precipitation, sunshine
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Daytime temperature | 19 ° C | 19 ° C | 19 ° C | 20 ° C | 20 ° C | 19 ° C | 19 ° C | 20 ° C | 20 ° C | 21 ° C | 21 ° C | 21 ° C |
| Night temperature | 7 ° C | 7 ° C | 6 ° C | 5 ° C | 3 ° C | 1 ° C | 0 ° C | 2 ° C | 4 ° C | 6 ° C | 6 ° C | 7 ° C |
| Precipitation in mm | 160 | 133 | 108 | 44 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 22 | 47 | 79 | 120 |
| Rainy days | 19 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 16 |
| Hours of sunshine | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| Sunrise | 5:35 | 5:50 | 5:55 | 5:55 | 6:00 | 6:10 | 6:15 | 6:05 | 5:45 | 5:25 | 5:15 | 5:20 |
| Sunset | 18:25 | 18:20 | 18:05 | 17:45 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:40 | 17:45 | 17:45 | 17:45 | 17:55 | 18:10 |
Temperatures
The annual average temperature is 12 ° C. For comparison: Munich reaches an average of 8.6 ° C, in Berlin it is 9.6 ° C. The warmest month is December (13.7 ° C), coldest month of July, with mean values of 9.7 ° C.
Precipitation
The annual precipitation is 736 mm on 105 days with precipitation. For comparison: In Munich, 967 mm, in Berlin 570 mm, precipitation is measured annually. There is no rainy season, i.e. months with more than 175 mm of precipitation. Snowfall is possible in the months of May, August and September.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, July is the sunniest month with an average of 8.3 hours of sunshine per day. The average annual sunshine is 6.4 hours per day. For comparison: In Munich and Berlin, the sun shines an average of 4.7 hours per day throughout the year.
Cities nearby
The following larger towns are nearby and have a similar climate: Cusco.
Machu Picchu weather in March, April and May
Daily temperatures averaging 19 to 20 ° C can be expected over the next three months. The temperatures hardly fluctuate during this time.
The expected rainfall is around 13 days in March, around 9 days in April and around 2 days in May.
In the period from March to May , the sun shines an average of 6 to 8 hours a day. The sunniest weather in Machu Picchu is in May, but with less sun you will have to get by in March.
