Sacred Valley weather month by month: two seasons, one day with three temperatures
Book for tomorrow: Express US$32 · Classic US$30 · is there space? · how to book
Month by month
| Months | Rain | Dawn in Chinchero | Midday in Urubamba | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January – March | High, in the afternoon | Cool | Mild | A green valley, changing skies, few groups. A rain jacket in your bag. |
| April – May | Low | Cold | Warm | Green fields after the rains, clean air. One of the best times. |
| June – August | Very low | Very cold, can freeze | Warm and dry | Blue skies, high season, plenty of sun. A proper coat first thing. |
| September – October | Low to medium | Cold | Warm | Good weather, fewer visitors, the first scattered rain. |
| November – December | Medium | Cool | Mild | The afternoon rain starts; clear mornings. |
For guidance only: mountain weather changes in hours. The temperature difference between Chinchero (3,762 m) and Urubamba (2,871 m) on the same day is the constant of the year.
The three temperatures of the day
It is not a question of month but of hour and altitude: at 7:40 am in Chinchero, the highest and most exposed stop, it is cold all year and in winter it can freeze; at 12 pm in Urubamba, 900 meters lower, it is hot and the sun beats down; at dusk, in Pisac or Chinchero, the cool comes back. That is why the rule for your bag is three layers, not one coat.
If it rains tomorrow
- The tour runs anyway: the archaeological sites are open and the valley’s rain usually comes in the afternoon and passes.
- The Maras salt pans change color in the rain and Moray looks greener; it is not worse, it is different.
- It is only called off for force majeure (a road blockade, a site closed by the authorities); then you choose between a new date or a full refund.
- Closed shoes with grip: the Maras paths and the Pisac steps are slippery when wet.
When each route suits you
| June to August | Either; the Express starts earlier and at 7:40 am Chinchero is very cold. Ask about space early: high season. |
| November to March | The Express sees Maras and Moray in the morning, before the afternoon rain; that is an advantage of the route in those months. |
| All year | If you landed in Cusco today, the Classic, on altitude grounds, whatever the month. |
Bookings for tomorrow: non-refundable; you can move the date if there is space, and we reschedule or refund if we cancel because of the weather.