Best Schedule to visit Machu Picchu

The Culture Ministry of Peru changed the schedule to visit Machu Picchu last November 28 2022 and here we give you all the infomation about it.

The Ministery of the Culture published the following: 

First: In compliance with the regulations for sustainable use and tourism for the conservation of the Incan city of Machu Picchu, the following schedules of entry to the Incan city will become into force in 2022: From 06:00 to 14:00

Second: The book and sale of these entry tickets for both of the schedules are going to be made on the 22nd of December 2022 according to the resolution and the current procedures.

Third: This decision is made with the objective of securing a better tourism flux, the conservation, and the preservation of the Incan citadel in the function of the Master Plan of the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

This means that the number of people that are going to be able to enter the citadel is going to be limited, so if you are planning on visiting Machu Picchu we recommend you book in advance and plan your trip wisely. Here you have information about every month of the year to visit the citadel. 

• Best schedule to visit Machu Picchu
• Best schedule to visit Huayna Picchu
• Best schedule to visit the Machu Picchu Mountain
• How to Plan a Trip to Machu Picchu

Best schedule to visit Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu: between 6:00 to 08:00 (Circuit 1)

In this schedule you can appreciate the sunrise and the beautiful morning landscapes, but the place is going to be full of people because it is the most popular schedule and 500 people arrive from the Inca Trail at that time. You are going to walk slowly due to the flux of people and making a portrait photo of you and Machu Picchu is going to be almost impossible.

Machu Picchu: between 9:00 to 14:00 (Circuit 2)

In this schedule you are not going to be able to see the sunrise but you will have plenty of time and space to explore the citadel because the flux of people is going to be low. Imagine that awesome photo of you and Machu Picchu behind you. 

Best schedule to visit Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu: between 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM

We do not recommend this schedule during the rainy season because the landscape is going to be cloudy in the mornings. On the other hand, we absolutely recommend this schedule during the dry season because you are going to be able to see the sunrise. This schedule is not really popular due to the lack of information. Remember that your Machu Picchu tour is going to be after this.

Huayna Picchu: between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Many people prefer this schedule due to its convenience because even on rainy or dry seasons you can see the Incan citadel. The sky is clear of clouds but there is more police control and you have to descend before 12:00 PM.

Best schedule to visit the Machu Picchu Mountain

You can climb this mountain in both schedules of 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM because this mountain is in front of Huayna Picchu and the Lost City of the Incas. This mountain is 3,000 meters in height and is one of the most beautiful and complete of all Machu Picchu. You can see Huayna Picchu and the citadel from there and you can also see the Vilcanota River surrounding the citadel in a snake form. When you reach the top of the mountain you can see the beautiful landscape of the Machu Picchu jungle on your right and you also will appreciate part of the citadel of Llactapata. You will see the Inti Punku in your left and the Salkantay Mountain on your back. This is a new alternative mountain to Huayna Picchu but it is also the most complete one. 

How to Plan a Trip to Machu Picchu

On January:

Because of the rainy season, the tourist flux is going to be less noticeable and you are going to have plenty of time to explore because the people cumulation is simply going to be gone.

On February:

Again, due to the rainy season, the Incan citadel is going to be less visited but remember that the Inca Trail is closed in these months due to the restoration work that are done, so you can not reach the Incan citadel by that way, the only way to reach it is by train or by an alternative trek. You will also enjoy the Carnaval which is a colorful activity that consists of a dance around a tree and water wars.  

On March:

The rainy season is not going to be as hard as January and February, but it is still going to be there. On the alternative treks to Machu Picchu (like the Choquerirao trek or Salkantay Trek), the landscapes are going to be amazing because you will find a wet-dry climate that is going to make everything better. 

On April:

If you visit Machu Picchu this month you are going to see plenty of festivities around the Cusco Town before going to the citadel like Easter. In that festivity, you are going to find a great variety of traditional food like the empanadas or the q'irko (a dish based on mussels, fish eggs, corn, cheese, and milk) because cusquenians are accustomed to eat 12 dishes because of the 12 apostles of Jesus in that week. 

On May:

The dry season starts this month. The climate is cooler and drier, and ideal for visiting Cusco Town and Aguas Calientes. In Cusco, the Corpus Christi festivity is done and consists of statues of 16 saints that are carried to the cathedral to greet the body of Christ. 

On June:

June is for a fact, the best time to visit Cusco due to the festivities of this place like the Qoyllur Rit'i, the Inti Raymi, and the Anniversary of Cusco. In this months you will se that Cusco is going to be full of color and customs, the traditions are expressed with a lot of passion and feeling because people really love their culture. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes. 

On July:

On July 15 to July 16 the festivity of Virgen del Carmen is made in the town of Paucartambo and consits of musicians playing, choirs singing in Quechua and groups acting events as a tribute to the Virgin del Carmen. The Fiestas Patrias takes place on July 28 and July 29. The whole country celebrates July 28, the day Peru gained its independence.

On August:

August is the windy month, everyone gets out of their houses and go up to Sacsayhuaman to fly their comets. This is also a good months to go to the Inca Trail due to the dry season.

On September:

There is no festivity this month but you can visit all the archeological places that Cusco has just as Sacsayhuaman, Qenq'o, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay or you can sightseen throughout the city which is a wonderful experience and then go to Machu Picchu.

On October:

The dry season finishes this month so if you do not like the rain you should go in this month. The procession of the Lord of Miracles is made and it is 

not as big as the one from Lima, but it is still beautiful.

On November:

This month starts with all Saint's day and Day of the Dead, people bring flowers to the cemeteries, clean their relatives' gravestones, and share food and drink with the departed. Across the country, guaguas (bread shaped like dolls and horses) are baked for children.

On December:

December is an important month, Cusco celebrates Christmas Eve with the Santuraytikuy meaning Saints for sale, this is one of Peru's largest arts-and-craft fairs. Artisans gather to sell nativity scenes, religious carvings, and pottery in the main plaza. Cusquenias also celebrates New Year's Eve dressed in yellow clothes and accessories for good luck and before 12:00 AM they start fireworks on the main square that make the whole experience greater.

Travel to Machu Picchu

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views. 

• Salkantay Trek
• Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
• Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days
• 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
• 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
• 3 Day Inca Trail
• Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu 6 days
• Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
• Ausangate trek 7 days

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.