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Best Time for the Cusco & the Sacred Valley
Sweet spot: April, May, June — computed from NASA POWER climate normals across the route's overnight towns, balancing temperature, rainfall and daylight.
Dry season: crisp blue days, freezing nights, and peak Inca Trail demand — permits and Machu Picchu slots sell out months out.
Wettest weeks — the Inca Trail closes for February maintenance; trains still run, ruins are moody and quiet.
| Month | Temp | Rain | Daylight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.4–19.7°C | 131 mm | 12.7 h | |
| February | 2.3–19.0°C | 128 mm | 12.4 h | |
| March | 2.1–19.3°C | 98 mm | 12.1 h | ❄ |
| April | 1.7–19.8°C | 43 mm | 11.7 h | ❄ |
| May | -1.4–20.8°C | 10 mm | 11.4 h | |
| June | -1.1–19.1°C | 4 mm | 11.2 h | |
| July | -2.8–20.7°C | 11 mm | 11.3 h | |
| August | -1.7–21.5°C | 9 mm | 11.6 h | |
| September | 0.7–22.0°C | 20 mm | 11.9 h | ❄ |
| October | 0.4–23.3°C | 62 mm | 12.3 h | ❄ |
| November | 2.4–22.1°C | 72 mm | 12.6 h | |
| December | 2.4–21.2°C | 137 mm | 12.8 h |