October marks the end of the dry or summer season in the Sacred Valley, so if you decide to travel to Machu Picchu in October, you will experience sunny days with little chance of rain.
In addition, the amount of tourists is considerably reduced, so it is a good month to make this and other resorts and discoveries, without stressing about the crowds of tourists and save some money by lowering prices and special offers on many of the activities, flights and hotels. Let’s see.
October: is it a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
Although in October we begin to perceive the first signs of the arrival of winter in the Andes, it is still within the dry season, and rains may become more frequent as the month comes to an end.
Even in these weather conditions, compared to the five months that follow, October has little wet weather and is still low season, with tourists taking advantage of these dates to practice hiking and many other outdoor activities that are not possible until April.
What is the weather like in October?
In the Cusco region, the maximum daytime temperature is around 19 to 21°C (68 to 70°F). While, at night it varies from 1 to 6°C, so nights are cold, and it is necessary to keep warm until dawn.
As we can see, these conditions still allow us to see Machu Picchu in all its splendor gently illuminated by the sun, and without too much humidity caused by the rains. However, on average it rains at least 8 to 15 times throughout the month, but they are usually of short duration and not very heavy.
Moreover, they usually occur in the afternoons, so I recommend you to organize your activities during the morning. In fact, these are the best hours to enjoy pleasant weather in Machu Picchu, with blue skies and not much cloud cover.
What to wear for Machu Picchu in October?
If you visit Machu Picchu in October, it is important to prepare for a variety of weather conditions. In general, October is a transitional month between the dry season and the rainy season in the region, so you can expect variable weather.
I recommend that you wear light, comfortable walking clothes, preferably made of breathable materials such as cotton or quick-drying synthetic fabrics. It is also important to bring warm clothes for the cold mornings and evenings, especially if you plan to do the 4-day trek to Machu Picchu.
In addition, I recommend bringing a raincoat or poncho to protect you from the rains in case it rains occasionally. It is also important to bring a hat or cap to protect you from the sun, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent, you will see many mosquitoes!
Also be sure to wear comfortable shoes designed for hiking. The conditions of the trail to Machu Picchu, and the sanctuary itself, are rocky, so it’s a good idea if your shoes have grippy soles. Also, this is important to avoid slipping through puddles and mud after rains.
How crowded is the month of October?
October is also a somewhat busy month, but not as crowded as in other high season months such as June, July to August. As there are few international travelers, the provincial authorities celebrate Cusco Tourism Week as a way of extending the holiday season a little longer.
However, it is possible to find different offers on hotels, flights, activities and excursions. In fact, sometimes they can offer higher quality rooms and benefits at no extra charge.
On the other hand, it is still essential to make your reservations in advance, as some tourists are still expected to arrive during this month. Best of all, while enjoying the pleasant and varied weather, you won’t have to wait in lines or get rid of crowds of visitors.
Recommendations for visiting Machu Picchu in October
As I mentioned in previous lines, the Cusco Tourist Week offers different commemorative activities for international travelers. In this sense, it is worth spending your vacation in this month in Machu Picchu, as many of the activities keep their doors open.
For example, the Inca Trail is one of the most popular and crowded excursions, so you can do it without problems, and in the middle of a pleasant climate.
It is a great time to take advantage, as the rains of the following month begin to hinder the trail and the cloud cover prevents us from appreciating the impressive views of the jungle, the mountains and the ruins of the sanctuary in contrast with the surrounding vegetation.
Although Cusco’s well-known Tourist Week is a strategy to attract travelers, it is a great opportunity to get to know the region better, and to engage in more interesting and exciting activities with greater freedom compared to the busier months.
As always when the tide of tourists goes down, it is possible to share with the llamas and alpacas with more tranquility, as these adorable animals will steal all your attention and you will want to take beautiful pictures with them.
It is also an opportunity to sign up for some of the most popular excursions, such as the 3-day excursion to Humantay Lake and the short Inca Trail. In addition, you will see many different species of wildlife along the way.
Some of the most amazing wild animals are: the Andean condor, camelids, spectacled bear, you will love it, cock of the rock and more. And among the plants, you can enjoy watching the Inca flower, orchids, and the kantu, which further embellish the trail, and allow you to take amazing pictures of the countryside and the mountains.
In fact, since there are fewer tourists, you have the advantage of using different angles with total freedom to take stunning photos to share and have as a souvenir of the site. Without a doubt, it will leave you with a great experience!