cultural · Peru · 13.53°S 71.97°W

Best time to visit Cusco & Machu Picchu (and when it is crowded)

Cusco & Machu Picchu is a cultural destination in Peru. Its peak season is June, July, and August, and it is least crowded in January, February, March, November, and December. Here is how busy it gets across the year, so you can pick the right time to go.

Crowd levels by month

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
QuietModerateBusyVery BusyPacked

Busiest months

June, July, and August

Quietest months

January, February, March, November, and December

Cusco & Machu Picchu month by month

How crowded Cusco & Machu Picchu gets in each month, so you can pick a quieter time to visit.

Cusco & Machu Picchu in January
Quiet
Cusco & Machu Picchu in February
Quiet
Cusco & Machu Picchu in March
Quiet
Cusco & Machu Picchu in April
Quiet
Cusco & Machu Picchu in May
Moderate
Cusco & Machu Picchu in June
Moderate
Cusco & Machu Picchu in July
Busy
Cusco & Machu Picchu in August
Busy
Cusco & Machu Picchu in September
Moderate
Cusco & Machu Picchu in October
Moderate
Cusco & Machu Picchu in November
Quiet
Cusco & Machu Picchu in December
Quiet

A typical year, week by week

Quieter alternatives

Similar places that stay calmer in peak season.

🇵🇪 Arequipa

Peru2 bands calmer

🇵🇪 Sacred Valley

Peru1 band calmer

🇧🇴 Sucre

Bolivia2 bands calmer

🇺🇾 Colonia del Sacramento

Uruguay2 bands calmer

Keep exploring

Common questions

Is Cusco & Machu Picchu busy?
Cusco & Machu Picchu gets busiest in June, July, and August. Crowd levels ease off outside that window, so you can time a trip around the peak.
When is the best time to visit Cusco & Machu Picchu?
For thinner crowds, visit Cusco & Machu Picchu in January, February, March, November, and December, when travel demand is at its lowest.
When is Cusco & Machu Picchu least crowded?
Cusco & Machu Picchu is least crowded in January, February, March, November, and December.

Estimates based on seasonal travel-demand modelling, not live visitor counts.

See live crowd levels for Cusco & Machu Picchu on the map →

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