Does it make sense to visit Machu Picchu in January

We received the following email from a former client on behalf of friends who are considering a trip to Peru after the New Year:

I have friends that are looking for an adventure in January and are considering coming to Peru and making the trip to Machu Picchu. However, they are concerned about it being the rainy season. What are your thoughts on a machu picchu trip in January?

You can read our reply:

This is a photo taken at Machu Picchu in mid-January 2014. Not too wet, and it was definitely less crowded than the “high season” from June through September.

It does rain in January, but it’s usually intermittent showers. And people now do go to Machu Picchu year-round. Truth be told, we’ve seen an increase every year in the number of our clients who want to go to Cusco, particularly during the Christmas and New Years holidays. Back 15 years ago, that simply wasn’t the case.

There is, however, a greater risk in January that roads might be blocked due to landslides or that the rail line to Machu Picchu gets washed out… You have to be prepared for those possibilities.

Remember, this past January, there was a landslide that blocked part of the Hiram Bingham “highway,” the switchback road from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. That didn’t stop folks, though. They simply got off the bus at the point where the road was blocked, walked two levels up and boarded another bus to take them the rest of the way:

There is also the northern coast, where it’s balmy in January… white sand beaches in Piura and the Moche circuit between Chiclayo and Trujillo.

 If you like this post, please remember to share on Facebook, Twitter or Google+

Sharing is caring!