Machu Picchu in July

Machu Picchu in July features the same weather behavior of June or early August with almost zero rain showers. Machu Picchu in July is crowded as there are mass numbers of people from all over the world, especially tourists from countries in the northern hemisphere taking their summer vacations. It also means that the passes for the famous Inca trail reach its top 500 tickets per day to the point adventure enthusiasts take other alternative trails to get to Machu Picchu. If you can handle this high season getting train stations and entry shifts on time, the rest is going to be in your favor. Also, expect some neighborhood parties in Cusco, or if on time, head to the independence day parade in the main plaza on July 27th.

Check out our Machu Picchu 1 Day trip and Machu Pichu 2-day trip. We are a local company based in Cusco City.

When is the best time of the day to visit Machu Picchu in July?

The answer is 06 am or anytime after 2 pm, because early in the morning there are few people at the postcard picture place, and the temperature is fresh. In the afternoon all the crowds already left, and the park ranger is more flexible so you can visit Machu Picchu for more than 2 hours.

Things to Know

The Machu Picchu tickets run out quickly in late July because Peruvians have half-year vacation on July 27-28 (Peru’s independence day). So they come to Cusco to visit Machu Picchu, so it gets busy.
Temperatures fall drastically in July during the night and in the early morning.
You won’t find Mapi tickets from one day to the next day. The only way to visit Machu Picchu is by buying Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain. But with this ticket, you have to follow Circuit 3 and you won’t have a chance to take a postcard shot of Machu Picchu.
The early Machu Picchu tickets run out 1 month in advance.
The temperature in Machu Picchu fluctuates between 25°C and 9°C (77°F – 48.2°F).

Pros

You will have alluring views with clear sky, and sunshine making for amazing Picture-opportunities.
The hike to the sun gate, Machu Picchu mountain, and Huayna Picchu is worth it in July. Once you get to the summit of the Mountains, you will have an amazing view of Machu Picchu.
You won’t worry about rain during your visit to Machu Picchu in July.

Cons

Intense Sun radiation through the trains´ panorama roof and the same thing in Machu Picchu Park.
There are queues of 300 or 400 meters, the lines for the buses are long and you may get stuck. Even the bathroom lines become longer.
It is hard getting good photo shots at Machu Picchu because of the crowds.
Hotels are not easy to come by as these are going to be full.

Recommendations

If you want to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain in July, you need to book at least 3 months in advance.
We recommend you wear a lot of sunscreens and a sunhat because the sunlight is intense.
Train tickets dry up fast; therefore, book them well in advance if you want to get back to Cusco early.
Wear a hat or a cap to avoid getting sunburned and put on sunblock. Remember you’ll be at a high altitude near the equator, so the sun is very strong.
Bring layers. Although it will be sunny and pleasant during the day, temperatures drop significantly at night so bring a jacket, gloves, and a warm hat if you plan on taking a nighttime train.
Mind your return train ticket departure and leave the park on time, that way you won´t have to wait long queue for the return bus trip.

Do you have a rough idea of when the Machu Picchu tickets for July sell out by?

Machu Picchu tickets for circuits 1 and 2 are typically sold out three months in advance for the last two weeks of July, while tickets for circuits 3 and 4 run out a month before. However, during the first two weeks of July, tickets for Machu Picchu with circuits 1 and 2 are usually gone two months ahead, and tickets for circuits 3 and 4 sell out a month in advance.

Peruvians typically enjoy their mid-year vacations during the month of July, which explains why Machu Picchu tickets tend to be in high demand and often sold out well in advance.