Cusco In August

Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In August?

Quick Answer: August has some of the best weather of the year for Cusco, and we personally feel it’s one of the best months for a visit. 

Warm daytime temperatures make it great for exploring the city highlights, whether that be exploring colonial architecture, trying Andean street foods or visiting nearby ancient ruins. In the early morning or late afternoon you’ll want to bring a thick jumper or coat though, given temperatures can drop quite quickly.

Still within the dry season, August is also the perfect time to go hiking around the Sacred Valley. This includes heading on the Inca Trail or around Ausangate, among many other treks which we’ll explore later in this guide.

Things to Know:

• August is quite a busy month, which is good for the atmosphere but can lead to some queues.
• If flying into Peru during this month, it’s worth booking your international flights in advance given they can be more expensive.

Pros:

• Hiking conditions are some of the very best throughout the month in August.
• Daytime temperatures are nice and warm which is great for city exploring.
• There are many indigenous festivals on during this month which is perfect for a more local experience.

Cons:

• Temperatures can drop rapidly heading into the evenings, so if heading out in the afternoon we recommend bringing a coat or jumper ready with you.
• Availability of the more popular multi-treks (such as the Inca Trail) can sell-out quickly for the month o
• There can be longer queues for certain attractions in Cusco during the day.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Cusco In August

Below we’ll now explore what August in Cusco is like. This includes what the weather will be like, as well as the other main advantages and disadvantages of visiting during this month.

The Weather Of Cusco In August 

Similar to the months of June and July in Cusco, August is also within the more predictable dry season. 

This means that we will have minimal rainfall which is perfect for exploring the city and heading outdoors. We can expect just 0.1 inches of precipitation throughout all of August, which makes it one of the driest months of the year in Cusco.

Daily temperatures still follow the same pattern that all other months do, which means cool nights and warm days. Average temperatures hover around 49°F, with highs of up to 64°F and lows of down to 35°F. This means you’ll want to bring warm clothes in the evening, but also use sunscreen during the day since the sun can get quite intense.

What To Do In Cusco In August

There are plenty of great and memorable things to do within the city of Cusco, and August is especially great for those who want a more lively experience.

Warm daytime temperatures make it perfect for heading around the city to explore important sites such as Q’enqo, the Twelve Angled Stone as well as the temple of Qorikancha. Just remember that they can get busy in the afternoon, so to avoid crowds you’ll want to head to these sites early in the morning.

August is also a fantastic time to go hiking in and around the Sacred Valley region. Here is where the towering Peruvian Andes are located, where we can head on hikes such as the Salkantay Trek as well as to Machu Picchu. 

Minimal rainfall during this month is especially beneficial here, since we won’t have to deal with conditions that are much cooler than necessary (these hikes are at high altitude so it will already be cold in the late afternoon and early mornings). 

What Should You Bring To Cusco In August?

Here we will now list everything that you’ll need for a trip to Cusco in August. Below we’ve mentioned the essentials, however it’s important to keep some space in your bag free in case you pick up any extras or souvenirs on your trip here.

• Thick jumpers and a coat to keep you warm at night and in the morning.
• Thin base layers for hiking (the sun can get intense around midday).
• A poncho in the unlikely event that it rains.
• A hand towel.
• Suitable hiking boots for treks and day trips.
• Thick pijamas to help keep you warm at night.
• A baseball cap or Andean-style hat to avoid sunburns (you can also pick-up a Chullo here which is a local Peruvian hat)
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sun and glare.
• High SPF sunscreen.
• A thick hat, scarf, and gloves which will keep you warm at night.
• Repellent for insects (again mostly for multi-day tours that pass through the jungle such as the Inca Trail).
• A water bottle that can be reused.
• A day pack to hold everything you need during your treks and day trips (on the Inca Trail we’ll provide you with a duffel bag to store things you won’t need).
• A quality camera or mobile phone.
• Medication for personal use.
• A book/map guide for Cusco and the Sacred Valley (and some copies just in case they get damaged or lost)
• Padlocks which you can use for your bags when on longer treks or on public transport (when hiking with us we will keep your belongings in a secured storage point).
• Charging adaptors and power banks (you’ll need these on the Inca Trail and other multi-day treks given there will be no electricity).
• Extra batteries for your camera.

Hiking Around Cusco In August

Given August falls within the dry season in this region of Peru, this means that it’s a great time to go hiking here. Although there is a higher chance of crowds here during this month, weather conditions will be perfect for trekking along routes such as the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail. Let’s take a look at what you can expect on each hike in August. 

The Inca Trail In August 

Weather conditions are optimal in August for the Inca Trail, given the absence of rains and stormy weather. Temperatures can drop at night so you’ll want to bring a thick coat and layers. This month is quite popular for hiking the Inca Trail, so don’t be surprised if you see many groups along the route.

The Salkantay Trek In August  

It’s a similar story here too, however the little rainfall will be appreciated even more here (given it’s colder and at higher altitude, so you won’t have to deal with snow storms or getting wet and cold). It’s a good idea to book your Salkantay Trek in advance to guarantee your spot, and we recommend doing so at least 3-6 months in advance.

Inca Jungle Trek In August

Any months within the dry season are ideal for heading on the Inca Jungle Trek, and August is no different. The lack of rain is ideal for taking on different activities such as mountain biking and white-water rafting (in the wet season the rivers can be too dangerous). Temperatures are also comfortable for walking long distances both in the early morning and afternoon.

Choquequirao Trek In August 

Those who are looking to see ancient ruins without the crowds will love the Choquequirao trek. August is ideal for heading here given you won’t get wet and cold from the rains, nor have to deal with any harder conditions given you’ll already be hiking up at higher altitudes here. Just remember to bring warm layers as the nights can get very cold.

Ausangate Trek In August 

If you love snow-capped mountains and alpine sceneries, then the Ausangate trek will be perfect for you in August. Cooler temperatures means that snow will settle, which does also mean the nights can be colder due to the high altitudes. Be sure to also bring thin layers and high SPF sunscreen given the sun can be really intense during the day.

Lares Trek In August 

This hike is ideal for those who want to experience more novel culture on their hike, where there are less tourists and more locals. Whilst any month of the year is good to hike the Lares trek (which is rare for most hikes in the region), August remains one of the best months given there is very little rainfall. 

Huchuy Qosqo Trek In August 

This month is quite popular with tourists who head on hikes to see various ancient ruins spread out across the Sacred Valley. However Huchuy Qosqo remains the quietest even in this otherwise busy month. You won’t need to book that far in advance to guarantee your place, although you’ll still want to prepare yourself physically before the hike.

The Main Advantages Of Visiting Cusco In August (Perfect Weather, Experience Indigenous Festivals)

There are many great reasons to visit Cusco in August, however the biggest has to be the weather. Given there is virtually no rainfall, this makes it perfect for going hiking in and around the Sacred Valley and Peruvian Andes mountains. 

Although temperatures can be cold at times, they won’t be as cold as when it rains or snows, given it can take longer for you to dry-off. As always, if traveling to Cusco in this month (or any other within the winter), be sure to bring warm layers such as thick jumpers and a coat.

The other great reason to visit in this month is for the local festivals. Whilst other events in the year have become very popular (such as Inti Raymi), August plays host to some really interesting and lesser-known celebrations. 

The first is El Dia de la Pachamama, which is held on the 1st August and celebrates our Earth. Here locals pay homage with offerings of food and precious items. Another special event is Warachikuy, which focuses on the ancient Inca culture. Traditionally this day once held initiations for young men, who would compete in different tests to earn their ranks. Throughout Cusco we can see many reenactments of this once-important ceremony.

The Main Disadvantages Of Visiting Cusco In August (Busy Tourist Season, Cooler Nighttime Temperatures)

Whilst August isn’t as busy as say June or July, there’s still quite a noticeable spike in tourism throughout the month. This does of course have its benefits, and especially for those who want a more sociable and festive atmosphere when in Cusco. 

However it can lead to longer queues at attractions, and also more expensive prices (especially with flights and when booking accommodation). You can, however, get cheaper flight prices by booking well in advance – and as such if coming in August we recommend booking your flights at least 3 months in advance.

Another disadvantage is that temperatures at night can get quite cold, which is similar with all months during the winter season. Lows can dip to around 35°F once the sun goes down, so you’ll want to have a thick jumper and coat ready for these times. 

During the day temperatures will warm up anyway, so you’ll be fine during these times when out and about exploring. The other thing to keep in mind with the temperatures is that certain high-altitude treks (such as the Salkantay Trek and Ausangate Trek) can get really cold at night – so you’ll want to bring a warm hat and gloves.

Festivals In Cusco In August 

Asunta Virgin 

This festival takes place in the Almudena neighborhood over the course of three days, with the primary day falling on August 15th. On this day, a statue of the Virgin is brought to Cusco’s main square, accompanied by traditional dances such as Panaderos, Tobas, Morenada, and Sayas. The festival is also celebrated in various districts within certain provinces, including Pillpinto.

Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In August?

And that’s all for this guide to visiting Cusco in August.

Still within the dry season, this month has some really great weather. Not only is this perfect for walking around the city, it also makes for ideal hiking conditions. August is also great for experiencing some of the more local festivals such as el Dia de La Pachamama. Things to keep in mind is that it can get quite busy in Cusco during August, and that prices can also be more expensive than usual.

Personally we think that August is a perfect month for heading on the Inca Trail given the clearer blue skies. Be sure to check out the availability of our 4 Day Classic Trek, where we  will explore ancient ruins and memorable Andean sceneries.