The climate in the Andes can basically be divided into two seasons, the wet season and the dry season. The dry season is normally between May and September, with generally sunny days, warm evenings and often very cold nights. The rainy season is from October to May.

In Cusco, you can expect the highs to be in the mid to upper 60s during the day, and the lows are typically in the 30s at night. Expect temperatures to vary with altitude – several days on the Salkantay Trail are at higher altitude than Cusco and temperatures below freezing are frequent. At Machu Picchu and at lower elevations, expect temperatures to be a little warmer than Cusco. Even though we plan all of our trips during the dry season, rain is always possible in the mountains. So be sure to pack appropriate rain gear and clothing.