Traveling to Machu Picchu in November is a great option, since it is in the middle of the tourist season. In addition, although rainfall is increasing compared to previous months, it does not mean that they are an impediment to enjoy this paradise, on the contrary, you can take a unique experience.
During this month, celebrations such as All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead take place, which makes it an attractive season to be part of these interesting events full of mysticism.
Below, I tell you everything you should know if you plan to spend your vacation in the wonderful City of the Inca, and climb the marvelous ruins of Machu Picchu in November. Let’s see!
November: is it a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
In the month of November in Machu Picchu, the rainy season begins and increases as the days go by. However, this does not mean that it is a bad time to visit the most famous ruins of South America, because with proper preparation it is still possible to enjoy good views and the tour of its stone walls.
Due to the rainfall, hiking is not an activity that is practiced with great enthusiasm during this month, nor cycling, because the ground is full of mud and can cause some slips. However, rafting is a great alternative for adventure sports lovers, as there are higher water levels in the rivers.
Another advantage of visiting Machu Picchu in November, is that it is a time where there is considerable room in hotels, excursions or tours, even low fares on flights and transportation. We can’t help but take advantage of real bargains and price drops if you want to save some money!
What is the weather like in November?
In Cusco daytime temperatures range between 25°C and 10°C on average. However, in November it rains almost half of the entire month, although the rains tend to be heaviest in the afternoons.
However, throughout the day, especially after sunrise, the sky clears of cloud layers and shines with sunshine. Evenings are still cold, so I recommend you bring a fleece jacket, gloves and accessories to keep your body warm.
The weather also increases the risk of landslides, so tourists cannot enjoy activities popular in other months, such as hiking or biking.
However, in the month of November in Machu Picchu there is a low season of travelers, which allows you to walk through this site without crowds. Also, it is advisable to bring the proper equipment to protect you from precipitation and thus not have any difficulty.
What to wear for Machu Picchu in November?
As I mentioned earlier, at this time there is more intense rainfall than other months of the year. Although they do not pass during the whole day, it is essential to bring waterproof clothing and clothes that will keep you warm and allow you to adapt to the weather.
You can consider the following tips and recommendations for the most appropriate clothing for this month:
- Warm Clothing: Temperatures can drop quite a bit during the evenings, so it is important to wear warm clothing such as a wool sweater, jacket or sweater.
- Waterproof clothing: Due to the weather, you will need clothes that do not allow water or humidity to pass through, so it is important to have waterproof clothing such as a vest, pants or jacket.
- Comfortable and cool clothes: During the day there are variations in weather, it is important to have comfortable and cool clothes that allow you to be comfortable with clothes like cotton polo shirt or leggings.
- Do not forget to wear comfortable shoes that allow you to know the place and are resistant to walk Machu Picchu. I recommend wearing shoes with grippy soles to walk safely on the rocky paths, mainly in the ruins.
- You can also bring gloves, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Also mosquito repellent, as there are many mosquitoes on the trails.
- Medications: It is always important to have a basic first aid kit when we make a trip, more so when it is in a place where you may not have the possibility of getting a pharmacy very close. So take precautions and carry some basic items, such as headache pills, absorbent cotton or alcohol.
Finally, you can add important essentials such as hydration, snacks, and dry bags to protect your electronics from rain and humidity.
How crowded is the month of November?
Traveling to Machu Picchu in November offers some advantages. One of them is the possibility of saving money, thanks to the discounts and offers in lodging services, transportation and other activities that you can do.
You will see landscapes full of beautiful colors during this month, since the rain makes the land bloom faster. Visitors usually go rafting during this season on the Apurimac River, however, it is not the only one, since all rivers increase their levels and are very fast.
Recommendations for visiting Machu Picchu in November
Although it is not the right month for hiking, you can visit the sanctuary of Machu Picchu if you take some precautions. In addition, thanks to the arrival of the rains, it is perfect for rafting, as the rivers rise and increase their speeds.
Likewise, if you like hiking, although it is not such a crowded activity in this month, you can take alternative paths along with a qualified guide and enjoy a little more of the Sacred Valley.
On the other hand, you can also take the opportunity to visit the smaller surrounding towns such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo that offer some of the best architectural wonders and ruins.
On the other hand, All Saints Day and the Day of the Dead are celebrated on November 1 and 2 respectively, in which the memory of the dead is honored throughout Peru. This is usually done by bringing gifts of food to the dead at the cemetery graves.
Candlelight vigils are also held in the cemeteries until dawn on November 2 and a special bread called tanta wawa is prepared. A real delicacy! To conclude, if you take your precautions regarding the weather, and seek to avoid crowds, November can be a great time to visit Machu Picchu.