Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Machu Picchu in January
Little changes in Machu Picchu from December: highs stay near 67°F (20°C), lows near 53°F (12°C), and about 5.2 in (133 mm) of rain falls.
Its comfort score of 72/100 is still Good, though it ranks 10th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 67°F (20°C)
- Avg low
- 53°F (12°C)
- Rain
- 5.2 in (133 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 82%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 42 min
- Comfort score
- 72/100 · Good
What January feels like
Highs near 67°F (20°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Nights cool to an average low of 53°F (12°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.2 in (133 mm) across the month.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 82%.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort holds steady from December (72 → 72/100).
- Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends May – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 53°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.2 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Machu Picchu in January
With 5.2 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant
Riverside restaurant pouring Cusco-brewed craft beer with Andean dishes.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.2 in of rain.
Indio Feliz
Long-running French-Peruvian bistro with set menus and a quirky, decorated dining room.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum
Museum near Puente Ruinas explaining Inca construction, with a botanical garden.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.2 in of rain.
Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
The Inca citadel on its ridge, visited on fixed circuit routes with timed entry.
Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
Gateway on the Inca Trail with the first view down onto the citadel.
Nearby in January
- Sacred Valley in January~33 mi · highs 63°F, 5.1 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Cusco in January~46 mi · highs 61°F, 5.1 in rain · 3°C (6°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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 72/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are April – September. Expect highs of 67°F (20°C) and 5.2 in (133 mm) of rain. Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends May – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Machu Picchu in January?
Average highs are 67°F (20°C) and average lows 53°F (12°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Machu Picchu in January?
Yes: about 5.2 in (133 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.8 in (732 mm).
What should I pack for Machu Picchu in January?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 53°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.2 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Machu Picchu
Planning Machu Picchu in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.