Cusco In March

Is it worth visiting Cusco in March?

With the torrential rains and extreme weather of February having just ended, March marks the beginning of the transition into the autumn season for Cusco. Whilst there will still be showers throughout the month, it will be great for hiking without the crowds.

In this guide we’ll explore what it’s like visiting Cusco in March. 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 March?

Quick Answer: March is the first month of the year in which conditions are more suitable for hiking, where there is less rainfall compared to the peak months of January and February.

Various hiking routes therefore become safer for hikers of all abilities, and also sees the reopening of the Inca Trail (where it was closed for all of February due to extreme weather, and also for repairs to be carried out). It’s important to mention that you’ll still need a poncho and waterproofs as showers are likely. 

The city of Cusco itself will be great to visit in March, and especially in the final weeks as rainfall levels begin to drop. It’s considered a low tourism month, so you’ll be able to enjoy major sites like Saqsayhuamán, the neighborhood of San Blas as well as the Cristo Blanco Viewpoint without major crowds or queues.

Things to Know:

  • Whilst mostly quiet, the first week or so will have lots of national visitors who come to enjoy the Carnival celebrations.
  • The Inca Trek reopens in March, and others like Lares are great to do. Routes like Ausangate and the Salkantay Trek can however be complicated in March.

Pros:

  • Prices generally fall in March, given it is a low season with fewer international tourists.
  • Cusco and several other tourist destinations are not very crowded, so there won’t be any long lines like others months can typically have.
  • The Inca Trail will have very few tourists, so you can enjoy this legendary route with more peace and quiet.

Cons:

  • The torrential rains that occurred in the preceding months may have caused landslides in the highlands.
  • Trains can be delayed because of the landslides, so it’s best to check with us (or your tour provider) the current status of any tours that may use a train.
  • Rainfall can still occur heavily at times, so it’s important to bring good waterproof gear and clothing for hikes.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Cusco In March 

Below we’ll now explore what March 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 March

March marks the final “real” month of the wet season, where rainfall begins to drop-off before we enter the shoulder months of April and May.

We can expect a total of 2.6 inches of rainfall to fall throughout the month, with more occurring in the first two weeks compared with the final two weeks of March. This means that you’ll want to have a poncho or hooded jumper handy when walking around Cusco, given the odd shower can randomly arrive. It’s also important to note that March is overcast roughly 88-93% of the time, so it’s really hard to predict when a shower will happen.

The great benefit of visiting Cusco in March is that, despite the drop in rainfall, temperatures are still warm as we are still within the summer season. Average daily temperatures for this month hover around 52°F, with highs of 63°F and lows of down to 44°F. This means you can head out in the evening in Cusco without getting too cold, and when hiking longer multi-day routes the climate will be more pleasant.

What Time Is The Sunrise And Sunset In Cusco?

In Cusco, the first dawn of the month is at 5:49 a.m. on March 1, and the final sunrise is 3 minutes later, at 5:52 a.m. on March 31. The latest sunset on March 1 is at 6:10 PM, while the earliest sunset is at 5:51 PM on March 31.

How Windy Is Cusco In March?

In March, the average wind speed in Cusco is 7.0 mph (11.3 kph). With an average wind speed of 8.1 mph (13.1 kph), September is the windiest month, and April is the calmest, with an average wind speed of 6.7 mph (10.7 kph).

What Is The March Humidity Level?

With an average relative humidity of 100% in March, Cusco is extremely humid.

What To Do In Cusco In March

March is a brilliant month to visit Cusco if you love local culture, and also to enjoy the Andean city without the crowds.

Whilst dates change annually, sometimes the beginning of March welcomes the Carnival event from where it left off in late February. Here we can see lots of parades and fun activities. Later in this guide we’ll fully explore what to expect during the Cusco Carnival. However in general queues are low for major activities and experiences around the city, such as heading on a San Pedro Market tour where you can enjoy many different dishes that hail from the Peruvian Andes and beyond.

Hiking in March is much safer compared with January and February, although not all hikes are suitable just yet during this month. The Inca Trail finally re-opens, and is a perfect month to head on this famous hike given crowds will still be minimal. Whilst others are also open, the two that we don’t recommend hiking in March are the Salkantay Trek and Choquequirao Trek given that landslides can still occur.

The Carnival Festivities In Cusco

As we also mentioned in February, the beautiful Carnival event will continue on into March. If you are in Cusco, you can join in one of the colorful Carnivals and feel like you are somewhere in Brazil! You’ll find people of all ages heading out to enjoy the Carnival celebrations, and visitors can also join in by hurling water-filled little balloons to soak each other. The event takes place in various streets and neighborhoods, with the heart of the fun happening within Cusco’s main square.

What Should You Bring To Cusco In March?

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

  • A warm coat.
  • A poncho for hiking (rains are still common during this month).
  • A jumper.
  • Thin layers for daytime hiking.
  • Waterproof clothes.
  • A hand towel.
  • Comfortable hiking boots for treks.
  • Pijamas to keep you warm at night.
  • A baseball cap or Andean-style hat to avoid sunburns during the day (despite March being so overcast, it’s still surprisingly easy to get burnt!).
  • Sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sun and glare.
  • High SPF sunscreen (SPF 30 or above is ideal for daytime hiking. Just remember to reapply throughout the day).
  • For certain hikes that are higher altitude, it’s worth bringing a thick hat, scarf, and gloves.
  • Insect Repellent (whilst not needed in Cusco, it will be useful for multi-day tours that pass through the jungle such as the Inca Trail).
  • A reusable water bottle.
  • 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.
  • Coca Leaves or Soroche Tablets when heading up to higher altitudes (you can easily buy these in any Inkafarma or pharmacy in the historic center of Cusco).
  • 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.
  • Extra batteries for your camera.

Hiking Around Cusco In March

March can be a pleasant month for hiking certain routes around the Sacred Valley region of Peru. Conditions are much better than those found in January and February, although rainfall is still likely. There will be minimal crowds during this month, which makes it a perfect time to enjoy the recently reopened Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek.

The Inca Trail In March

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek reopens this month. Although there is still some rain, it’s a really special time to come as there are few crowds and lots of fresh green sceneries. We recommend you hike this trek in the last 2 weeks of March because in the first 2 weeks, the rain is still intense and landslides can occur.

The Salkantay Trek In March

Another major trek that is open in March, Salkantay is a possibility however the rains are still there. Unless you are a very experienced hiker, we do not recommend hiking in March because historically landslides have blocked the trail and hikers were forced to change their itinerary. Since the trail is not paved, it can become very muddy and difficult to hike.

Inca Jungle Trek In March

The Inca Jungle Trek is also open in March, however we  don’t recommend hiking yet as there is still some rain that might cause some landslides in the area. Other activities won’t be safe either, especially rafting as the Urubamba River will be flowing much faster than it usually does.

Choquequirao Trek In March

Another option you will have is the Choquequirao Trek, which is open in March. However again we recommend only hiking this route if you have good prior experience, as you can find that some landslides can occur along the route. It’s best to speak to us (or your tour provider) before to see what the current path and conditions are like.

Ausangate Trek In March

The Ausangate Trek is open, however some passes are covered with snow. For this reason we don’t recommend hiking the Ausangate Treks of 5 or 6 days, because those require 8 to 10 hours of hiking (which will tire you quicker with the harder conditions). The only doable option is the 4 day Ausangate Trek, because you will hike only in the morning (and get to relax in the afternoon).

Lares Trek In March

It is possible to hike the Lares trek in March, and the best route is from Quiswarari to Huaran. On the first night, there is a house where the tent will be set-up for extra comfort. We highly recommend bringing really good waterproofs and gear to keep yourself dry and warm.

Huchuy Qosqo Trek In March

There are more than 3 routes to hike during this month. We recommend the route Patabamba – Pumamarca – Huchuy Qosqo, given it is short so you will only hike in the morning (and get to relax inside the house in the afternoon when it is raining).

The Main Advantages Of Visiting Cusco In March (Minimal Crowds, The Inca Trail Has Re-Opened)

Crowds remain low as we start moving into the autumn season for Cusco, and March in particular is perfect for those who don’t like large tourist crowds. Many major sites like Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and the ruins within Cusco will be great to visit in this month, although heading as early as possible in the day is still recommended for the very best experience. 

Having said this, for some of the multi-day hikes it’s still worth booking them several months in advance. This is because entire camping spots can be booked with just one space, such as is the case with the Inca Trail where the most popular ones go quickly.

And speaking of which, the other advantage of visiting Cusco in March is because the Inca Trail has re-opened after a month of closure during February. This means the trails will be clean and fresh for exploring again, and also without the extreme weather and risks of landslides that can happen during this previous month. It’s still low season though, which means it’s one of the best months of the year to hike the Inca Trail without the crowds – whilst also enjoying clean routes and bright green vegetation due to the recent rains.

The Main Disadvantages Of Visiting Cusco In March (Overcast/Rainy Weather, Not All Hikes Are Suitable Yet)

Whilst much less than between December and February, the levels of rainfall in March are still quite noticeable. This means that you will most likely get wet during hikes and when walking around Cusco, so you will want to prepare properly by bringing waterproof layers and an umbrella. 

March is also quite an overcast month, so visibility may be impaired at times (especially in Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, although there will always be gaps in the mists so you just need to be a bit patient to get that perfect shot).

And given these conditions above, it does mean there are some hikes which are still not suitable to head on (unless you are either a hiking pro or are willing to take responsibility for a harder experience). First we have the Ausangate trek, which will have lots of snow on the trail given the increases in rainfall. This means that only the shorter 4 day trek will be open, which you’ll still need to be in good shape to be able to carry out. The other main ones are the Salkantay and Choquequirao Treks, both of which experience more landslides. If these are a must-visit for you, then we recommend visiting Cusco in April or later.

Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In March?

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

Considered a shoulder season as we start to enter Autumn in Cusco, March is still a great time to head into the Peruvian Andes. You’ll find that there are less crowds and overall lines in the major sites, and that there are also some special cultural events taking place. Just make sure to bring a poncho or coat as rains are still quite frequent.

March is a great time to hike the Inca Trail since it has been fully restored and cleaned during its closure in the previous month. Check availability for our tours now, where you can see our different experiences.

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