Cusco In June

Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In June?

Quick Answer: There are many advantages of visiting Cusco in June, which sits well within the dry season.

This first is the dry weather, which is more predictable than Cusco In May (given it’s not a shoulder season month). This makes it ideal to see Machu Picchu with clear blue skies, as well as having no interruptions of your plans due to the weather.

June can start to get a bit busy though considering it’s the start of the holiday season, so if you’re looking to avoid crowds then it’s best to come at the start of the month.

Things to Know:

• Although usually busy, you will find it less so if heading right at the start of June.
• Be sure to bring both thick clothing (for the night), and also light clothing (for the daytime when the sun can get quite hot).

Pros:

• When trekking in June you will experience lush conditions following the end of the rainy season.
• Hiking conditions are perfect given there is an absence of rains.
• When traveling in a rural region, you will see butterflies and hummingbirds all around you.
• In this peak season orchids and other flowers bloom making for more incredible photo opportunities.

Cons:

• You will notice a slight price hike in June for hotels, restaurants and most likely international flights.
• The Inca trail permits will sell lightning-fast – so be sure to buy at least 6 months in advance!
• Small lines will form in the Historic Centre as more tourists will want to enter sites such as Qorikancha and other nearby ruins.
• Many tourists will fill out low-cost accommodations, so you may need to book in advance if looking to stick to a lower budget.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Cusco In June

Below we’ll now explore what June 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 June

June is right within the heart of the dry period, so we can expect consistently dry weather during this month.

Usually there is little as 0.1 inches of rainfall annually to fall throughout June. This makes tour interruptions or issues on roads virtually non-existent in this month, and also promises great visibility and conditions in key attractions and destinations within the Sacred Valley.

Where things can change is when it comes to the temperatures. June is one of the coldest months of the year in Cusco, second to only that of July. Average temperatures hover around 48°F, with highs of 64°F and lows of 33°F. This means you’ll want to bring lots of warm layers, and later in this guide we’ll cover a solid packing list which you can follow.

How Humid Is Cusco In June?

Cusco is quite humid in June, with an average of 100% (relative humidity), which may be defined as humid yet chilly.

What Is The Average Amount Of Daylight?

Cusco enjoys 11.3 hours of daylight on average during June, with sunrise at 06:07 and sunset at 17:28.

How Cloudy Is Cusco In June?

Cusco is quite overcast in June. In Cusco during June, the average amount of time that the sky is clear or sunny (partly overcast or less) is 9.0 hours (38% of the day).

In June How Windy Is Cusco?

In June, the wind in Cusco blows at an average speed of 7.1 mph (11.4 kph)

What To Do In Cusco In June

In our opinion, June has some of the most favorable hiking conditions of any month throughout the entire year. All hikes will have good conditions and perfect visibility, and especially so with Machu Picchu (which can be sometimes obscured by mist at other times of the year). 

The Inca Trail is also worth hiking in June given the overall better weather, although you’ll want to book your ticket well in advance as it’s a popular month and tickets sell out quickly. Higher altitude treks such as those up Ausangate Mountain and the Salkantay Trek are also ideal to hike in June.

Back in the city of Cusco, we’ll find lots to see and do during this month. Heading on a city walking tour is a great idea to explore sites such as Qorikancha, the cathedrals around the Plaza de Armas as well as the beautiful streets within the San Blas district. It’s best to get up early to explore the more popular destinations given that crowds can start forming around midday.

What Should You Bring To Cusco In June?

Here we will now list everything that you’ll need for a trip to Cusco in June. 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.

• Various jumpers and a thick coat (temperatures are around their coldest of the year here in June).
• Thin layers for hiking during the day.
• A poncho in the unlikely event that it rains.
• A hand towel.
• Sturdy hiking boots or other shoes that are suitable for hiking (trainers will suffice for regular day trips in the Sacred Valley).
• Thick pyjamas to help keep you warm at night.
• A baseball cap or Andean-style hat to avoid burning your head (at this altitude the sunlight is more intense).
• Sunglasses in order to protect your eyes from harsh sun and glare.
• High SPF sunscreen (mostly for day trips and long hikes).
• 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.
• 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 (if required).
• Extra batteries for your camera.

Hiking Around Cusco In June 

June is often regarded as the overall best month of the year to go hiking around Cusco. This is because it is one of the driest months of the year (along with July and August). Unlike the other two, however, temperatures haven’t yet reached their very coldest – which is especially true if coming at the start of June.

The Inca Trail In June 

Overall June is a great month for completing this sacred hike given its all-round perfect weather. The nights can get pretty cold though, so you’ll want to make sure you bring a thick jumper and coat. June is a really popular month to hike the Inca Trail, so be sure to book your spot at least 6 months in advance.

The Salkantay Trek In June 

A higher altitude trek, we’ll be glad to know that there is virtually no rain during this month on the Salkantay Trek (given it can be freezing and also snow at other times of the year). You’ll need to bring a range of clothes given it can get hot during the day, and also very cold at night.

Inca Jungle Trek In June 

Like with all the other months of the dry season, June is a perfect time to head on the adrenaline-fuelled Inca Jungle Trek. The lower rainfall levels means that it’s safe to go white-water rafting, and other activities like mountain biking are much more enjoyable with clear blue skies overhead!

Choquequirao Trek In June 

This month is one of the very best for heading on this increasing popular alternative trek. Home to ancient ruins, even in June you can enjoy less busy trails than that of what you would find on the Inca Trail or in Machu Picchu for this specific month.

Ausangate Trek In June

Another high altitude trek, tackling the Ausangate Trek in June is also really ideal. This is for similar reasons to the Salkantay Trek (virtually no rain or snow, as well as warm daytime temperatures). Ausangate still isn’t as popular as other treks here – so a visit in June will still feel quite fresh and not overfilled with tourists.

Lares Trek In June

Lares is another trek that is starting to become popular with hikers, although it still very much has that off-the-beaten-path feel. June again sees little rain along the route, although it’s still worth bringing thick and thin clothes (for the varying daytime and nighttime temperatures).

Huchuy Qosqo Trek In June 

This month is perfect for heading to Huchuy Qosqo – which is an incredible alternative to Machu Picchu. You’ll still have little crowds even in June here, and the route will be much easier to hike given there are no rains (which otherwise make parts of the path very slippery).

The Main Advantages Of Visiting Cusco In June (Local Festivals, Perfect Hiking Weather)

One of the biggest reasons to head to June in Cusco is for the abundance of cultural events and celebrations that take place within this month. Inti Raymi is one of these, which celebrates the Inca Culture annually on the 24th June – with a series of parades and ceremonies on all throughout Cusco.

Another unique experience to have is to head on the pilgrimage to the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i. Over 90,000 people each year head on this journey, which includes hiking over a snow-capped mountain and a mass procession at the end. It’s important to mention that this latter event is held either within May or June – so it’s best to check each year beforehand.

The other clear advantage of visiting in June is for the weather. Here we’ll have clear-blue skies most days, which makes for ideal exploring around Cusco and the Sacred Valley (perfect for getting those iconic photos). Hiking conditions are also some of the very best in the year, so many travelers decide to hike along the Inca Trail and up Ausangate to take advantage of the better weather.

The Inti Raymi Celebration

If you visit Cusco in June, you will undoubtedly hear about the Inti Raymi celebration. 

It was the most important of all Incan festivities since it signified the winter solstice and their New Year’s celebration. It used to take place in the city’s main square, and the first one was held in 1412.

An animal sacrifice was made to Pachamama (Mother Earth) as part of the ceremony. After the Spanish conquered Peru, they outlawed Inti Raymi and other similar celebrations. However, in 1944, the people of Cusco chose to bring back this festival annually – which we still enjoy today.

Every year on June 24th, it is commemorated at the Sacsayhuamán ancient site. Tourists and locals alike flock to observe the celebration. It’s a wonderful experience that will transport you back to the period of the Incas and give you a decent picture of what life was like back then.

Where Is Inti Raymi Observed?

Plaza de Armas – The historic center of Cusco is the heart of all of the Fiesta del Sol celebrations. Here the Inca are carried by eight servants and perform the so-called Coca Ceremony. There is a platform for tourists who purchase their tickets to get the very best views. However, most visitors have to watch the staging of the ritual standing up. The ceremony begins at 11:00 am and lasts approximately one hour.

Sacsayhuamán – The Chuquipampa esplanade in the Sacsayhuamán fortress is the main stage of the Inti Raymi representation. Access to the public is only allowed with an entrance ticket. There are 3 platforms or grandstands for tourists. The staging begins at 13:30 and lasts almost two hours.

How Much Does It Cost To See The Inti Raymi Festival?

Tickets to Inti Raymi are sold online. There are 3 stands distributed on the Chiquipampa esplanade in Sacsayhuaman: a central stand and two side stands which you can choose when booking tickets.

The Inti Raymi show in Sacsayhuamán does have a cost that goes from $180-240 dollars depending on the seat you choose. The cost include the guide service, food and transportation. Children under 12 years old have special discounts.

On the other hand, the Inti Raymi shows in the Coricancha and the Plaza de Armas in Cusco are free for everyone.

The Inti Raymi in Sacsayhuamán is only allowed to visitors with an entrance ticket. The performances in Qorikancha and the Plaza de Armas of Cusco are allowed to the general public without an access ticket.

The Main Disadvantages Of Visiting Cusco In May (Peak Tourist Season)

As you can imagine, the only real disadvantage of visiting Cusco in June comes from all of its advantages! Crowds tend to gather a lot here during this month, as tourists look to take advantage of the ideal hiking conditions given the absence of rains. 

As well as this, the festivals that are on throughout this month are also a huge draw which often fills the plazas and streets. Again this is not necessarily a bad thing – and those who want a more lively experience will love this month for these reasons.

June is also considered holiday season for many regions (such as in the USA and Europe), so naturally more tourists will be flocking to Peru from this month until September. As a result you may find accommodation and flight prices more expensive during June – so you’d be best to book in advance if possible to get better rates.

Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In June?

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

By far one of the best months to visit Cusco for its sublime weather, June is perfect for exploring this Andean region and for heading on hikes around the Sacred Valley. Although tourist crowds can pick-up during this month, it’s perfect for experiencing novel festivals such as those of Inti Raymi and the pilgrimage to the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i.

June is the perfect time to head on the Inca Trail, so be sure to check our availability for our Classic 4 Day Inca Trail Trek.