Start of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Machu Picchu in October
Little changes in Machu Picchu from September: highs stay near 71°F (22°C), lows near 53°F (12°C), and about 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain falls.
It scores 85/100 for comfort, 7th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 71°F (22°C)
- Avg low
- 53°F (12°C)
- Rain
- 2.4 in (60 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 68%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 18 min
- Comfort score
- 85/100 · Great
What October feels like
Days are warm, averaging 71°F (22°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
Nights cool to an average low of 53°F (12°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.4 in (60 mm).
Plan around October
October is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April – September).
- Comfort slips from 92/100 in September to 85/100.
- Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends May – Sep, so October falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for October
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 71°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Machu Picchu in October
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 October scores 85/100 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 2.4 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 October
- Sacred Valley in October~33 mi · highs 65°F, 2.5 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Cusco in October~46 mi · highs 63°F, 2.5 in rain · 4°C (7°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 October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Machu Picchu?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 85/100 against a best of 97 in April – September. Expect highs of 71°F (22°C) and 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain. Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends May – Sep, so October is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Machu Picchu in October?
Average highs are 71°F (22°C) and average lows 53°F (12°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Machu Picchu in October?
Some: about 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.8 in (732 mm).
What should I pack for Machu Picchu in October?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 71°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Machu Picchu
Planning Machu Picchu in October?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.