Sacred Valley – When is the best time to visit?

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the best destinations you can find in Cusco – Peru. Let’s learn the details that can make a trip possible, for example in January, and the difference of making the trip in June. In the southern part of Peru, you can find two seasons marked by the presence of rain. In this sense, you can find the rainy season and the dry season. The dry season seems to be the best option, but the rainy season has its own appeal. Here, we explain how to get there during each month of the year.

• The Sacred Valley in the 12 months of the year
• The best season starts in May and lasts until October
• Why travel during the dry season?
• In which months is it recommended to make the trip?
• Benefits of traveling in the dry season
• Disadvantages of traveling in the dry season
• The trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas during the rainy season
• Benefits of traveling to the Sacred Valley during the rainy season
• Disadvantages of traveling to the Sacred Valley during the rainy season
• Learn more about Cusco at the Inti Raymi – Cusco
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Sacred Valley in the 12 months of the year

The best season starts in May and lasts until October.

After learning more about the months of the year with the best prospects for a pleasant visit, it remains to group them and talk about them in a general way. The best months to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas begin at the end of May and last until the first weeks of October. The tours and activities of the Sacred Valley of the Incas are under the blue sky. That is, any activity will be carried out in the open field. This can represent a difficulty during the rainy season that would begin at the end of October until the month of March.

Being in the open field, it is difficult to find shelter to avoid getting wet. All activities in the Sacred Valley have shelter. That is why, more than anything, the dry season becomes the best option. During this season, you can find the almost daily presence of the sun and therefore it will generate an easier and completely safe journey.

Experience of traveling between the months of April – June

From April onwards, the rains are already dissipating. This is why it becomes the most efficient and recommended season to start the trip. This is for two reasons. The first is because you can still see green landscapes along the Sacred Valley, aftermath of the presence of the rains that have just ended. In addition, most of the days are clear, so you can appreciate the blue of the sky; as we approach the month of June. The second reason is that it is possible to find most of the activities that the Sacred Valley of the Incas offers. This is because the climate becomes ideal for having a pleasant vacation. Both reasons will improve the experience considerably. As we enter the months of the dry season, everything gets better.

Experience of traveling in July – October

The first two months, July and August, are dry, but with some afternoons with strong winds and a slight chance of rain. As the months go by and we reach October, the first rains will gradually begin to fall. This will occur from September onwards. During these months it is possible to find good days to do the tour. In addition, some days will feel hot and others cool.

Experience of traveling in November – March

From November onwards, the rains begin to intensify and become much more frequent. In this sense, the trip can be made with some complications. However, there are those who see the rains as a new way to experience and learn more about the activities that the Sacred Valley offers. The rainy season is not all bad; during this season you can see the green landscapes, the growing crops and beautiful rainbows. It is clear that it does not rain all day or all week, so it is possible to make short trips. The Sacred Valley is an excellent option.

Why travel during the dry season?

We often travel without thinking too much about it and we may find ourselves in unfavourable situations. After this bad experience, we believe that bad experiences will always occur in that destination. However, an informed traveller can foresee some inconveniences and even make the trip in the rainy season without any problems.

Taking the above as a starting point, we recommend making the trip during the dry season. This makes it easier to do any activity during your entire stay in the Sacred Valley or even in Cusco. The only detail to keep in mind is that temperatures tend to change, especially at night.

Likewise, the scarce presence of rain can confuse travelers. This is because during the mornings, the weather is warm, however, at night this can change considerably. That is why you should dress warmly, not excessively, but appropriately. In some cases a jacket is enough, it is also recommended to dress in layers to avoid complications, carry a backpack or light bag.

Finally, it is best to travel in the dry season, to enjoy the whole experience without delays or delays. In addition, it is ideal for those who like to go deeper into the archaeological sites, since they will be able to listen to the instructions, see and tour each of the Inca constructions and have enough time to satisfy their curiosity.

In which months is it recommended to make the trip?

The most recommended months to visit the Sacred Valley, Cusco and even Machu Picchu are:

Benefits of traveling in the dry season

• Low probability of surprise or unexpected rain.
• You can see the blue of the sky from dawn to dusk.
• It is possible to appreciate beautiful landscapes, especially during the first months of the dry season.
• It allows for better photographs of the premises and landscapes of the place.
• It is possible to find some cultural events such as the Inti Raymi which takes place on June 24.
• All the activities offered by the Sacred Valley of the Incas are possible.
• You can also see the harvest time in the crops of Peru.
• Various hotel services of all categories are available.
• You have to pay attention to the season, since sometimes lodging services and the like can become saturated.
• The path or route to most of the venues has safe and problem-free roads.
• There is security in all activities.
• You can better appreciate the fauna such as birds, however, in the case of flora it is somewhat complicated.
• The view is very different from what you can see during the rainy season.

Disadvantages of traveling in the dry season

• The weather is dry, and due to the lack of rain, the routes are likely to have large amounts of dust.
• During the mornings and evenings it can feel cold.
• Thanks to its excellent seasonal qualities, many tourists come to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Some routes or destinations may be crowded.
• Sun protection should be used constantly due to the strong presence of the sun.
• Likewise, you should hydrate yourself adequately to avoid compensations (this is unlikely to occur).
• It is not possible to appreciate the flora of the place compared to the rainy season.

The trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas during the rainy season

Trips to the Sacred Valley do not require much time to plan. However, it will be important to know part of its climate to avoid having negative experiences. That is why in this section we will talk in greater depth about the positive side of visiting during the rainy season and also the negative side.

Before that, much will depend on the subjectivity of the tourist and the adaptation he or she can show to the rains. The rains are not bad, but they can ruin a highly planned trip, since, although some forecasts indicate that it will not rain, it is likely that it will end up happening. That is why those who make the trip to the Sacred Valley in this season, be prepared to get wet.

However, thanks to the rains, you can have a more relaxing and temperate experience sometimes. This is because the clouds take a while to fill up with water and this would allow for a somewhat mystical journey with beautiful views. The beautiful views are possible because everything is filled with green and life, as a result of the rains. Also, some afternoons beautiful rainbows form and the valley is ideal for contemplating them.

The experience of doing the tour during the rainy season also requires people to be more attentive. Sometimes small puddles form or the paths get wet. These are some of the small details that can cause some slips. It will be important to do the walk or tour carefully and preferably with waterproof, comfortable and good grip shoes. Now let’s learn more about the option of this trip.

Benefits of traveling to the Sacred Valley during the rainy season

• It is possible to appreciate beautiful landscapes from the moment you board the buses heading to the Sacred Valley.
• The climate feels fresh and clean, thanks to the wide open spaces of the valley.
• It is possible to see extensive crop fields.
• Ideal landscapes for photography, and it is also possible to better appreciate the flora of the place.
• It is possible to see a greater number of birds in their natural state.
• During the tours of the main attractions of the Sacred Valley, there are not many people.
• Practically, it is ideal to appreciate more of the Inca constructions.
• Prices are usually slightly discounted, especially for hotels or accommodations, due to low demand.
• Any service that can be found is not very popular.
• Ideal for those who like the rain.
• It will be important to wear waterproof gear and have some other options.

Disadvantages of traveling to the Sacred Valley during the rainy season

• Frequent rains, it is important to have flexible activities to avoid missing any.
• Presence of humidity in the climate, especially on days of long rains.
• It can rain heavily for hours.
• Some days dawn cloudy or even with fog and drizzle.
• It rarely happens that sections, routes and activities are closed or suspended due to heavy rainfall.
• Some days you may not be able to get a full view of the landscape.
• Landslides may occur. Some trails may also become muddy, but the route can still be completed without any problems.
• It is important to hike carefully and be aware that the terrain can become slippery.
• It is important to have good preparation and planning to avoid a bad adventure or experience during the trip.
• There are days when it is difficult to see the flora and fauna of the place.

Learn more about Cusco at the Inti Raymi – Cusco

Knowing that the best season to visit the Sacred Valley in Cusco is between June and August, we can also invite you to visit Cusco during the Inti Raymi. This is an ancient festival that was revived thanks to the initiative of a group of Cusco residents interested in highlighting the cultural heritage left by the Incas.

Inti Raymi is celebrated every June 24th. The celebration attempts to emulate the entire ceremony held during the splendor of the Incan Empire. Thousands of artists dressed in clothes, musical instruments, and even accessories from the past appear in various choreographies and performances to bring this festivity to life.

The Inti Raymi takes place in Cusco, Cusco is usually the starting point for all those who wish to make the journey to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and also the trip to Machu Picchu. In this sense, one of the best options and alternatives that you can enjoy when arriving in Cusco in June and taking your vacation is also to learn more about the Inti Raymi.

• It has more than 800 participants, all of them with different clothing.
• It is possible to see the presence of the Inca in royal attire, as well as the colla or wife of the Inca. Both were the highest authorities of the Inca Empire.
• The Inti Raymi takes place in three settings: The Qoricancha Temple, the Plaza de Armas (Huacaypata) and the archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán.
• The ceremony begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Qoricancha Temple and concludes in Sacsayhuamán before 4:00 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I find waterproof gear in Cusco?

Yes, there are several rental and sales shops in Cusco. It is advisable to buy some of these accessories before traveling to the Sacred Valley. In the destinations that include the Sacred Valley, it is very difficult to find the equipment for sale, let alone rent. It is likely that you can find it; however, prices may vary and it will also require investing part of your vacation time. Remember that this equipment will only be necessary during the rainy season. Don’t be surprised.

2. Is it necessary to bring a passport to enter Peru?

All visitors from abroad must have a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months. That is, the passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of visiting Peru. However, members of the Andean Community of Nations may enter only with their identity document. However, the list extends to a large part of South America. Those who can enter Peru only with an identity document. Some of the countries that can enter without an identity document for tourism purposes are:

• Colombia.
• Bolivia.
• Ecuador.
• Argentina.
• Brasil.
• Chile.
• Paraguay.
• Uruguay.

3. Are there discounts for visiting the Sacred Valley?

Yes, but this will depend greatly on the country of origin. Some services offer discounts for tourists from countries belonging to the CAN (Andean Community of Nations). For example, they offer discounts for entering Machu Picchu.

Other types of discounts that can be found when visiting Peru and more specifically Machu Picchu, are for university students under 25 years of age. In addition to being enrolled in an undergraduate degree. To make any of the discounts described valid, they must show documents that support this condition.

4. What happens if I can’t do the tour because of rain?

Normally, trips are made in the direction of the different points of the tour. Sometimes the rains tend to stop as the day goes by. Another alternative is to take the tour with waterproof ponchos, of course this is only to make the tour of the attractions. Likewise.

The tour will only be cancelled if, due to a landslide or similar, the trip or tour to the different archaeological sites cannot be carried out. In this case, TheSacredValley.com would lose any commitment.

5. What should I bring when visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas?

It is recommended to bring what is necessary. The trip is simple and the tours around the main attractions do not require great effort. Likewise, it is recommended to bring a waterproof poncho, waterproof jackets if possible, and also shoes. It is also important to always bring snacks and some drinks. These recommendations apply in both seasons.