For tourist-free views of Machu Picchu, visit in January. Peru's most popular attraction is much less crowded in the wet season. Rainy weather means a lot of mud—and far-from-ideal trekking conditions. But with the rain, flora flourishes. When the rains clear, as they often do, Machu Picchu appears spectacularly verdant.

Weather

January is one of the rainiest times of year to visit Machu Picchu (after February, the height of rainy season, and tied for second-wettest with March)—but it is also one of the warmest months in the Peruvian highlands, with highs around 66°F (19°C) and lows around 45°F (7°C). This makes it one of the months with the least temperature variation throughout Cusco and the Sacred Valley. 

Know that landslides can especially affect trains towards Machu Picchu and flights from Lima to Cusco. The general wet season pattern is that the bad weather comes in the afternoon, so get a morning flight to avoid cancellations.

Crowds & Costs

After the Christmas and New Year spike in tourists, and before the February closure of the Inca Trail, the Sacred Valley is full of surprisingly good deals on hotels, and even adventure tour agencies can offer special deals on activities. Tourism on the Inca Trail and at Machu Picchu is still significant compared to most places in Peru, but far quieter than at most other times of the year. 

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What to Do

Machu Picchu is not just about the ruins themselves (perfectly fine to visit this month) or the Inca Trail (okay to trek this month, although it is not the best month to do so). There are many other activities to do in the area that are not weather dependent, such as the museums and superb dining scene awaiting in Cusco.

High water levels make for better, faster rafting, and January is one of the best months for rafting in and around the Sacred Valley: rains swell several rivers into Class IV rapids. And higher water also brings you closer to the jungle canopy, meaning sightings of canopy animals and birds might be better when you are out on the river. The wet January weather is also great for botanists and plant-lovers at Machu Picchu: flora is first-class at the moment, and adds a spray of color to the ruins. 

Bear in mind that if you wish to travel by train from Cusco to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes train station) this month, services from Cusco's Poroy train station are not operating: you will be taken by bus from for the Cusco-Ollantaytambo leg and continue by train to Aguas Calientes from there.

See here for more on Peru's great train journeys.

January Events

Cusco is enlivened by events throughout the year, even in January. January 1 is very much a case of the morning after the night before, when the celebrations for Año Nuevo (New Year) for which Cusco is famous take place. The month's best celebrations happen a little later on.

Bajada de los Reyes Magos: Lying between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and a transport link between the two, Ollantaytambo celebrates epiphany between January 5 and January 8 with this festival translating as the 'Descent of the Three Wise Men'. Dances and other celebrations culminate, as is common throughout the tradition-steeped Andes, in a bullfight.  The festival is the official wind-down from Christmas celebrations, and is also celebrated in Cusco, but Ollantaytambo has the most colorful festivities. 

More Helpful Information

Machu Picchu in December
Machu Picchu in February
Ultimate Guide to Machu Picchu