Cusco In July
Is it worth visiting Cusco in July?
One of the most memorable destinations you can visit in Peru, Cusco is very popular amongst tourists given its abundance of ancient Incan ruins and giant Andean peaks. July is right within the heart of the dry season, which makes it a great month for outdoor exploring and hiking.
In this guide we’ll explore what it’s like visiting Cusco in July. This includes looking at the weather, the advantages and disadvantages of this month, as well as anything else you’ll need to know.
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Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In July?
Quick Answer: Overall we feel that July is one of the best months of the year to visit Cusco.
First of all we have the perfect weather. This month has some of the lowest levels of rainfall throughout the year, although you’ll still need to bring a jacket as it can get quite cold both at night and in the morning.
Those who want to explore the various hikes and ancient sites throughout the Sacred Valley will also love July given the ideal weather conditions – although you’ll want to visit early since crowds can develop later in the day.
Things to Know:
- July is one of the driest and sunniest months of the year, which is perfect for heading on treks.
- Hikes like the Inca Trail can sell-out lightning fast in July, so try to reserve your spot at least 6-8 months in advance for this popular month.
- Cusco in July will have a very festive atmosphere with lots of tourists, and also cultural celebrations like those of Paucartambo and Yawar.
Pros:
- You are all but guaranteed blue skies when hiking, and any unusual clouds will pass quickly.
- Cusco will have lots of festivals on which is great for understanding the rich history of the city and surrounding region.
- This month is also great for stargazing given there are little clouds around, with certain towns in the Sacred Valley like Pisac and Urubamba perfect for this.
Cons:
- Temperatures will be at their coldest this time of year, so you’ll need a coat to stay warm when heading out in the evening.
- July is an extremely popular month for hiking, so expect to see lots of other tourists on the major hiking routes.
- In Cusco you can expect lots of people around the Plaza de Armas and in queues to head into the bigger attractions.
Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Cusco In July
Below we’ll now explore what July 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 July
Sitting right in the middle of the dry season, July is often regarded as the best month for weather in Cusco.
Rainfall is at its lowest during July, with just 0.1 inches expected throughout the whole month (and sometimes even less). This can of course vary throughout the Sacred Valley in different regions, although snowfall is still possible on higher altitude treks given the cooler temperatures.
Speaking of which, things can get pretty cool when heading to Cusco in July. Average temperatures are around 47°F, with highs of 64°F and lows of 32°F. This makes this month the overall coldest in the year, and especially so at night when the temperatures drop (make sure to bring a thick jumper and coat with you).
What To Do In Cusco In July
Overall July is one of the best months to do different activities in Cusco, so really the options are endless!
On your first couple of days we highly recommend exploring the city highlights whilst your body is still getting acclimated to the higher altitudes. This can include trying Andean dishes in the San Pedro Market, visiting the ruins of Sacsayhuamán as well as exploring the beautiful streets of the San Blas sector.
The most popular reason to visit Cusco though is to head on hikes and treks throughout the Sacred Valley region – and July is one of the very best months for doing so! This includes visiting several archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu, Moray and the mountain-side ruins in Ollantaytambo. There are also plenty of worthwhile hikes to complete too, such as along the Inca Trail and around the Ausangate National Park.
What Should You Bring To Cusco In July?
Here we will now list everything that you’ll need for a trip to Cusco in July. 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.
- Thin base layers for hiking (paradoxically, temperatures can get quite warm in the day).
- 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.
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sun and glare (especially important on treks where there will be snow).
- 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 sturdy day pack to hold everything you need during your treks and day trips.
- A quality camera or mobile phone for getting those memorable photo shots.
- 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 will need these on the Inca Trail and other multi-day treks given there will be no electricity to charge your devices).
- Extra batteries for your camera.
Hiking Around Cusco In July
A similar story to the month of June in Cusco, July is also a fantastic month to go hiking within the region. Here there is a strong chance of blue skies and little rainfall, which makes treks much more enjoyable. You’ll need to bring a combination of thin layers (for the hot daytime temperatures) as well as thick layers in your backpack (for when temperatures drop at night – especially important on multi-day hikes).
The Inca Trail In July
This month falls well into the most popular period for heading on the Inca Trail. This is due to the ideal weather conditions, and also the fact that many people have their summer holidays within July. For this reason you’ll want to book your spot well in advance since spaces for this month can run out quickly.
The Salkantay Trek In July
July is also a very popular month to head on the Salkantay Trek, although there will be less crowds compared to the Inca Trail. Here we’ll be hiking at even higher altitudes, making the contrast of both daytime and nighttime temperatures more extreme. We recommend bringing a strong sunscreen for the day, and a thick pair of gloves and a hat for when it turns night.
Inca Jungle Trek In July
Along with June, the month of July is also considered to be amongst the best months of the year to head on the Inca Jungle Trek. Here we will have minimal rainfall, as well as more comfortable daytime temperatures when heading on the different activities (such as hiking, rafting and mountain biking).
Choquequirao Trek In July
This month is ideal for heading on the underrated Choquequirao Trek, where there is hardly any rain (although there’s a slim chance of a hailstorm at the higher altitudes). Again temperatures will drop at night so make sure to bring thick clothes and a high-quality sleeping bag. During the day you’ll need to use a high SPF factor sunscreen, as UV rays are much stronger (given the lack of cloud cover).
Ausangate Trek In July
One of the most challenging and highest-altitude treks, the month of July is definitely more lively with both more hikers and local people out to enjoy the warm daytime temperatures. However it can get very cold at night, so be sure to bring gloves, a hat, a thick jumper as well as a warm sleeping bag.
Lares Trek In July
The weather conditions during July make it perfect to head on the Lares Trek, although the nights will still be quite cool. It’s important to remember that July is a peak season month to go hiking in the region, so whilst it may not sell-out completely (we still recommend booking in advance to be sure), there will still be a lot more hikers during this month.
Huchuy Qosqo Trek In July
Despite being the most popular hiking month, we’ll still find Huchuy Qosqo to be great for escaping the crowds. The dry weather makes it ideal to head up and down the inclined paths, and is a must for those who want a more off-the-beaten-path experience during the high season in Cusco.
The Main Advantages Of Visiting Cusco In July (Great Hiking Conditions, A Festive Atmosphere)
As we’ve already mentioned, July is right in the middle of the dry season for Cusco and the surrounding Peruvian Andes. This means that it’s ideal for hiking as we’ll have little to no rainfall, as well as minimal clouds and mists (which can sometimes be a nuisance for other months at Machu Picchu or along the Inca Trail). Temperatures during the day are also ideal and comfortable, although at night you’ll need to bring extra layers as temperatures drop to some of their coolest of the year. Overall for hiking, though, July presents some of the very best conditions.
The other great reason to visit Cusco in July is for the memorable city atmosphere. In general Cusco has a very cheerful vibe, however July is even more so given locals are welcoming more travelers, who together enjoy the calmer weather and day-long blue skies. This culminates around the Plaza de Armas and in the busy street of Tecsecocha.
We’ll also be able to enjoy some spectacular cultural events here in July, such as the religious day of Paucartambo as well as the Yawar Festival which celebrates the giant Condor bird.
The Main Disadvantages Of Visiting Cusco In July (Colder Nights, Peak Tourist Season)
Ironically, the downsides of visiting Cusco in July can also be the strong points too – so it really comes down to what kind of experience you are personally looking for. Whilst the dry weather is great for uninterrupted sunny days, the disadvantage is that the nights in July will be some of the coldest throughout the entire year. This means you’ll need to bring a thick jacket and a coat. If you really can’t handle the cold, then you may prefer to visit Cusco in a shoulder month instead (such as May or September).
This month also ends up being one of the most popular of the year, which again is good or bad depending on your perspective. Those who prefer less crowds won’t be so happy though, given the major plazas and streets can get really full both during the day and at night.
You’ll also need to remember that the city attractions and nearby ruins will also have more tourism and crowds during this month compared to others in the year. You can still beat them though and get a more relaxed experience by heading very early in the morning right when the attractions open.
Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In July?
And that’s all for this guide to visiting Cusco in July.
Situated right in the heart of the dry season, this month remains one of the most popular for a visit to Cusco. July is mostly absent of rain, which makes it ideal for treks and hikes around the Sacred Valley. Crowds can start to gather around this month, which does mean there will be more people in attractions – however the benefit of this is that it will make it more festive and better for meeting other travelers.
Make sure to book your Machu Picchu Tour in advance, given tickets can sell-out during this popular month!