Machu Picchu in the Mist and Rain

Ah yes, there she is, Machu Picchu! Yep, just there, right in front. That rocky protrusion poking out through the mist and rain…

Machu Picchu Weather

Before you make the trip to Machu Picchu, accept the fact that not everything in life looks quite like it does on the brochure. A long-planned trip to the Inca citadel may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, but you will only be setting yourself up for potential disappointment if you pray too hard for perfect weather.

Machu Picchu receives the least amount of rain during the April to October period, with June, July and August being the busiest months (read more about the best time to visit Machu Picchu). I took these photos in April 2008 using an old but reliable BenQ digital camera that was already full of Brazilian sand and Bolivian mud.

Quick Tip: If traveling to or from Lima Airport, it is strongly recommended to use the luxury Airport Express Lima bus to get to or from your hotel. Safer and cheaper than a taxi with no baggage limit as well as Free WiFi and USB chargers onboard, it is ideal for travelers.

Looking On the Bright Side

You will probably be a bit disappointed if you arrive at a wet and dreary Machu Picchu. However, you might as well look on the bright side. A few positives come with a cloudy day:

Be gone! Foul Machu Picchu clouds! – Oh, thanks.

Fewer tourists: in the high season (June, July and August), tourists flock to Machu Picchu. There is a good chance of fine weather during these months, but you have to weigh up the pros and cons of crowds versus clouds.

Bright spells: clouds dip and wisp all through the peaks surrounding the citadel. The rain and mist can disperse in a matter of minutes, suddenly revealing a relatively unobstructed view of the entire site. Be patient and be ready to take the killer shot when the opportunity arrives.

Mystery: we have all seen that crisp, bright and shiny image overlooking Machu Picchu. It is undeniably impressive, but you don’t really need to take a photo that thousands have taken before. Machu Picchu is still a fine sight as it breaks through the clouds, like the Mary Celeste drifting through an ocean fog.

Less snapping: obsessive photo taking can really get in the way of actually appreciating what you are seeing. This might be a radical way of thinking, but you could forget about your camera and concentrate on the here and now. Photos are great, but memories and feelings last just as long (and they cut through clouds quite nicely).

In general, feel free to ignore those negative comments about how you won’t enjoy Machu Picchu in rainy season — as you can read, you will always have a memorable experience. If travelling to Cusco from Lima we strongly recommend to follow Peru Hop’s route along the coast and up to Cusco from the beautiful city of Arequipa, this will give you some time to acclimatise to the thinner air at altitude and help prevent any issues when visiting the UNESCO heritage site

If this has peaked your interest, and you intend to make plans for a trip to this epic historical site we suggest you check out FindLocalTrips.com a tour comparison website with heaps of info and all the different options for taking that trip of a lifetime.