Middle of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Machu Picchu in August
Machu Picchu edges warmer than July, with highs of 71°F (21°C), lows of 50°F (10°C) and about 0.4 in (10 mm) of rain.
At 96/100 for comfort (3rd of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 71°F (21°C)
- Avg low
- 50°F (10°C)
- Rain
- 0.4 in (10 mm)
- Humidity
- 70%
- Cloud cover
- 42%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 34 min
- Comfort score
- 96/100 · Great
What August feels like
Warm afternoons near 71°F (21°C) make long days outdoors easy.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 50°F (10°C).
Rain is scarce: about 0.4 in (10 mm) for the whole month.
Plan around August
August is one of Machu Picchu's best months on the climate data.
- First warm month: highs reach 71°F, up from 69°F in July.
- Comfort holds steady from July (97 → 96/100).
- August sits inside the May – Sep window our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 71°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Machu Picchu in August
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Longer, less exposed climb than Huayna Picchu with wide views of the citadel and valley.
Why now August scores 96/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Huayna Picchu
Steep stone-step climb to the peak behind the classic view, with ruins at the top.
Why now Highs near 71°F and 0.4 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Indio Feliz
Long-running French-Peruvian bistro with set menus and a quirky, decorated dining room.
Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum
Museum near Puente Ruinas explaining Inca construction, with a botanical garden.
Inca Bridge
Short cliffside trail to a log bridge built into a sheer rock face.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Nearby in August
- Sacred Valley in August~33 mi · highs 64°F, 0.3 in rain · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Cusco in August~46 mi · highs 62°F, 0.3 in rain · 5°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,766 m to Machu Picchu's ~2,440 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Machu Picchu in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 96/100. Expect highs of 71°F (21°C) and 0.4 in (10 mm) of rain. August is inside the May – Sep window our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends.
How hot is Machu Picchu in August?
Average highs are 71°F (21°C) and average lows 50°F (10°C), making it the 3rd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Machu Picchu in August?
Not much: about 0.4 in (10 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.8 in (732 mm).
What should I pack for Machu Picchu in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 71°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Machu Picchu
Routes in season in August
- Cusco & Machu Picchu May – Sep
Planning Machu Picchu in August?
Share this August plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.