Cusco In September
Is it worth visiting Cusco in September?
Known for its snow-capped mountains, ancient Inca ruins and beautiful colonial architecture, Cusco really is a fantastic place to explore. September is a shoulder-season month which is the last with little rainfall, which makes it great for seeing sights without as many crowds.
In this guide we’ll explore what it’s like visiting Cusco in September. This includes looking at the weather, the advantages and disadvantages of this month, as well as anything else you’ll need to know.
Table of Contents
Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In September?
Quick Answer: Slightly less busy than the winter months such as June and July, there are many great reasons to visit Cusco in September.
First of all the weather is much more pleasant, with warmer temperatures than the earlier holiday months. This is especially felt at night, where the cold lows aren’t as extreme (you won’t necessarily need extra layers or a hat and gloves within the city).
Although a transition month between the dry and wet season, September remains quite dry which makes it ideal for hiking and trekking around the region. Later in this guide we’ll take a more in-depth look at the weather and how to plan for it.
Things to Know:
- September is the warmest of all the winter months, which is an ideal time to visit if you dislike the cold night-time lows.
- Trekking in this month can still be very busy, so it’s worth booking treks like the Inca Trail and Ausangate at least 6 months in advance to guarantee your spot.
- You will want to pack many types of layers, as in the day it will get hot whilst at night temperatures can drop rapidly.
Pros:
- In September we will see some of the best hiking conditions in the year, with clear blue skies and more comfortable temperatures.
- Whilst still busy, September is the quietest month to visit Cusco in the popular winter season (which runs from June until September).
- There is very little rainfall during this month, so you won’t need a Poncho when exploring Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
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 of September.
- There can be longer queues for certain attractions in Cusco during the day, so it’s best to get up and out early to avoid them.
Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Cusco In September
Below we’ll now explore what September 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 September
September starts to mark the transition from the cooler winter season to the warmer summer season, which has two major changes (although they’re not so drastic in this month).
The first change is the levels of rainfall, and the wet season usually has stormier weather and more frequent showers. However, given September is a shoulder month, there is only 0.5 inches of rainfall throughout the whole month which means it will still feel very dry.
Warmer temperatures are the other noticeable change from the dry to wet season, which become more apparent in September. Average temperatures jump up to 49°F, where daytime highs can reach 65°F. The best change though has to be the overall warmer lows at night, which increase a lot from August (in this month they usually hover around 39°F).
What To Do In Cusco In September
Given the ideal weather conditions as seen above, this makes September a perfect month for seeing and doing a variety of different things in Cusco.
Within the city we can explore both the historic center and San Blas neighborhood, which are known for their beautiful plazas, architecture and intriguing archaeological museums. Although not as busy as August or earlier winter months, there can still be queues for some of the more popular destinations such as Sacsayhuamán and the temple of Qorikancha (you’ll want to get up early to avoid the crowds).
In our opinion, September is also one of the best months of the year to go hiking around the Sacred Valley and the surrounding Peruvian Andean mountains. The Inca Trail is one of the best hikes to take on with its mix of stunning scenery and ancient ruins, and other hikes such as those of the Salkantay Trek and around Ausangate also have more ideal hiking conditions during this month.
What Should You Bring To Cusco In September?
Here we will now list everything that you’ll need for a trip to Cusco in September. 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 warm coat.
- Thin base layers for hiking (the sun can get intense given the higher altitudes).
- A poncho in case it rains.
- A hand towel.
- Quality hiking boots for treks (your feet are your prized possession here – so don’t be afraid to spend more for a really good pair!).
- Thick pijamas to help keep you warm at night.
- A baseball cap or Andean-style hat to avoid sunburns during the day.
- A Chullo (local hat with the two hanging strings) which keeps you warm in the early mornings.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- Extra batteries for your camera.
Hiking Around Cusco In September
As September is considered a shoulder month, many do wonder if the rainfall levels will affect hiking experiences. However with just 0.5 inches expected in the entire month, this makes September perfect for heading on different hikes with slightly warmer temperatures. Below we’ll cover what you can expect on different major hikes during this month.
The Inca Trail In September
This is an ideal month to embark on this trek given the warmer temperatures and little rainfall. However, given there is some rainfall, it’s common to see more flowers and plants blooming along the route. September is also one of the best months to spot the emblematic Cock-of-the-rock, given this bright-red bird has its major mating season during this month.
The Salkantay Trek In September
This month is without a doubt one of the best to head on the Salkantay Trek, as the colder lows of the winter have now started to warm up. Rainfall is still minimal, and there will be fewer hikers along the route (especially if you decide to head here at the end of the month). Be sure to check out the availability for the Salkantay Trek and start planning in advance!
Inca Jungle Trek In September
Travelers who prefer a higher-octane experience will love the Inca Jungle Trek, where you will take part in numerous outdoor activities on your way to Machu Picchu. This month again is ideal since rainfall remains low with no impact on your ability to do these activities, and is a less busy (yet suitable) month for this hike along with October.
Choquequirao Trek In September
Overall this hike is great for those who don’t want to jostle with crowds to see ruins like Machu Picchu during this month. Less busy at the end of the month, September is still ideal at any date given the lack of rainfall and overall warmer day time temperatures. You can learn more about the Choquequirao Trek and why it’s becoming a popular alternative to the Inca Trail.
Ausangate Trek In September
Temperatures are warmer during this month compared with the last few (from June-August), and as we move out of the winter season we won’t have the trails covered in snow. Evenings and early mornings will also be warmer and more comfortable, and there will be overall less hikers on the route during this month.
Lares Trek In September
As is the case with most of the other treks, September is also one of the overall best months for heading on the Lares Trek. There will be some rainfall, however not that much and it won’t affect your hiking experience (although it’s a good idea to bring a poncho just in case). In fact these rains will make many plants flower during this month, leading to much more beautiful sceneries along the trek.
Huchuy Qosqo Trek In September
We won’t need to worry about crowds on this trek to these formidable ancient ruins, given it’s not as mainstream yet. However September is also a beneficial month to head on this hike as temperatures will be warmer and the heavier rains are yet to have arrived. You can learn more about the Huchuy Qosqo Trek including which dates are currently available.
The Main Advantages Of Visiting Cusco In September (Changing Sceneries, All-Round Great Weather)
Given September is a shoulder season month, we often find that there are many lesser-known advantages of a visit during this period. One of these is the changing scenery, which is due to the slight increase in rainfall. Whilst still only predicted to be a scarce 0.5 inches for the entire month, it’s enough to begin a beautiful flourishing process of the surrounding plants and vegetation. Whilst not as vibrant as the wet season, September means that we can start seeing more bright greens along treks and within the Sacred Valley, without having to worry about getting excessively wet.
The weather overall is another great reason for a visit during this month. As previously mentioned, rainfall is quite low and the majority of it falls within the last week or two of September. Daily temperatures have also started to warm up, and will be much more comfortable for a visit in Cusco compared with the chillier months of June, July and August.
This is especially felt on treks throughout the surrounding Peruvian Andes and Sacred Valley region, where the nights won’t be as bitterly cold. Keep in mind though that it’s still worth bringing a chullo (local Peruvian hat) and gloves, and especially so on higher altitude hikes such as on the Salkantay and Ausangate routes.
The Main Disadvantages Of Visiting Cusco In September (There Are Very Few!)
To be completely honest, there really are little disadvantages of a visit to Cusco during this month. It could be argued that it’s still a popular month with crowds, which is true. However September is very much the tail-end of the high tourist period, which means it will be less busy than earlier winter months.
Within Cusco there will still be queues for certain sites and attractions, although these won’t be so long and are also avoidable if you get up and about early. This is similar for hikes which aren’t so busy, although better-known ones like the Inca Trail will still be popular so it’s worth getting your reservation at least 6 months in advance.
For some the weather still might be too cold, and especially so if you’re not great with cooler temperatures. In the Peruvian Andes, it will be much colder year-round compared with say Lima or Ica, so it’s best to bring a coat, warm jumper, thick hat and gloves (or buy them from a market once you arrive into Cusco). Evening lows won’t be as bad as say June or July, however if you really struggle with cold temperatures then the wet season (in particular the months from November to January) may be better for a visit.
Is It Worth Visiting Cusco In September?
And that’s all for this guide to visiting Cusco in September.
This shoulder month starts to see a slow-down in tourism, and is an overall better time to visit if you don’t like crowds. September also is great for hiking given daily temperatures have started to increase, so you won’t have to worry about the colder nights which can be an issue during months like June and July. Rainfall is still low in September, and hiking during this month will be extra rewarding given the plants and flowers will start to bloom in abundance.
September is a perfect time to head on the Inca Trail, given we will have less crowds and more ideal hiking conditions. Check out the availability of our Classic 4 Day Tour and get your dream trip booked in now!