Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Sacred Valley in December
The year's rain peaks now, with about 5.4 in (137 mm) falling in Sacred Valley, alongside highs near 64°F (18°C) and lows of 44°F (7°C).
Its comfort score of 70/100 is still Good, though it ranks 10th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 64°F (18°C)
- Avg low
- 44°F (7°C)
- Rain
- 5.4 in (137 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 47 min
- Comfort score
- 70/100 · Good
What December feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 64°F (18°C), good for long walks.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 44°F (7°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.4 in (137 mm) falls in the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 80%.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – October.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 15.5 in (393 mm) in total.
- Longest days of the year, about 12 h 47 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 82/100 in November to 70/100.
- Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends May – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 44°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Sacred Valley in December
With 5.4 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
El Albergue Restaurante
Farm-to-table restaurant on the Ollantaytambo train platform, with its own farm.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.4 in of rain.
MIL Centro
Virgilio Martínez's restaurant beside Moray serving Andean ingredients in tasting menus.
Why now Easy to slot in when December's rain moves in.
Chinchero
Village with Inca terraces, a colonial church and weaving cooperatives.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.4 in of rain.
Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park
Steep Inca terraces and Temple Hill above a town still laid out on its Inca grid.
Cervecería del Valle Sagrado
Craft brewery and taproom on the valley road near Ollantaytambo.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter December days.
Nearby in December
- Cusco in December~16 mi · highs 62°F, 5.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Machu Picchu in December~33 mi · highs 68°F, 5.3 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~3,740 m to Sacred Valley's ~3,210 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.
Sacred Valley in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Sacred Valley?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 70/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 64°F (18°C) and 5.4 in (137 mm) of rain. Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Sacred Valley in December?
Average highs are 64°F (18°C) and average lows 44°F (7°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Sacred Valley in December?
Yes: about 5.4 in (137 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.3 in (718 mm).
What should I pack for Sacred Valley in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 44°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Sacred Valley
Planning Sacred Valley in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.