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Best time to go

Best Time for a Sacred Valley Day Trip: month by month

Dry season, rainy season and the months in between — what each one looks like on the day, and what to bring.

In short

The best time, in short

The most reliable time for a Sacred Valley day trip is the dry season, roughly May to September, with clear skies and cold mornings. June to August is also the busiest period, so book earlier. From about November to March, the rainy season brings greener landscapes, fewer travelers and frequent showers. Tours run every day of the year.

April and October are transition months: a mix of both.

Dry season
Roughly May – September
Busiest
June – August · book early
Rainy season
Roughly November – March
Transition
April · October
Departures
Every day of the year
Always bring
Layers and sun protection
Two seasons

Dry or rainy: what changes

Dry season · roughly May – September

Clear skies, cold mornings

  • The most reliable weather for the terraces and viewpoints
  • Cold early starts, warm sunny afternoons
  • June to August is the busiest time — book earlier
  • Strong sun: bring a hat and sunscreen
Rainy season · roughly November – March

Green valley, fewer travelers

  • Green fields and a quieter valley
  • Showers are frequent; bring a rain jacket
  • Stone steps can be slippery — wear shoes with grip
  • If weather stops a departure, you choose a new date or a refund
Month by month

What each month looks like

A general guide: weather in the Andes can change from one day to the next.

MonthSeasonWhat to expectPack and plan
JanuaryRainy seasonGreen valley, frequent showersRain jacket, flexible mood
FebruaryRainy seasonAmong the wettest monthsRain jacket, shoes for wet steps
MarchRainy seasonRain easing towards the endRain jacket, layers
AprilTransitionGreener fields, drier days arrivingLayers, light rain jacket
MayDry seasonClear skies returnSun protection, warm layer
JuneDry season · busiestSunny days, cold early morningsWarm layer — book early
JulyDry season · busiestSunny days, cold early morningsWarm layer — book early
AugustDry season · busiestDry and bright, windy afternoonsSun protection — book early
SeptemberDry seasonStill dry, fewer travelersSun protection, layers
OctoberTransitionFirst showers may appearLayers, light rain jacket
NovemberRainy seasonRain becoming more frequentRain jacket, layers
DecemberRainy seasonGreen and wet, holiday travelRain jacket — book ahead for the holidays

Full packing checklist by season

Any month

Daily departures

Inca terraces of Pisac on the Traditional Sacred Valley day tour3 places
★★★★★ 4.9 · 5,681 product reviews
Relaxed pace

Traditional Sacred Valley Tour

11 hPickup 7:20 AMEasy

The three big names of the valley — Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero — plus the Taray viewpoint and a buffet lunch.

TarayPisacOllantaytamboChinchero
fromUS$30 per person
Travelers with their guide on a private Sacred Valley day tourYour group only
Families & friends

Private Sacred Valley Day Tour

2–12 travelersYour own vehicleYour own guide

Either route with a vehicle, driver and guide just for you. Lunch at 14 Inkas. Per-person price drops as the group grows.

Traditional routeor Super Sacred Valley
fromUS$90 per persongroups of 8–12 · 2 travelers: US$140 pp
Season questions

When to go

Travelling on a specific date? Ask us how the valley usually looks then.

Ask on WhatsApp

The dry season, roughly May to September, brings the most reliable weather. June to August is also the busiest time, so book earlier. The rainy months are greener and quieter, with more showers.

Yes, we have departures every day of the year. Bring a rain jacket and shoes that handle wet stone steps. If weather stops us from operating, you choose a new date or a refund.

At least 48 hours ahead in general, and earlier from June to August, when departures fill up first.

Mornings are cold, especially on the plateau at Chinchero (3,762 m) and in the dry months. Afternoons on the valley floor are usually mild, so dress in layers.

Both run all year. The Traditional starts an hour later and spends more time on the valley floor; Super Sacred Valley spends the morning on the open plateau. Compare the two routes.

Picked your month?

Departures every day · from US$30 · lunch included.

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Keep planning

Before your day out

Ollantaytambo terraces
What to pack

What to pack for a day in the valley

Layers, sun protection, water and some cash.

The Sacred Valley floor, lower than Cusco
Altitude

Sacred Valley altitude, stop by stop

Why most of the day is lower than Cusco.

Circular terraces of Moray
Compare

Traditional or Super Sacred Valley?

The two routes side by side, stop by stop.

The Day Tour network

More day tours in southern Peru

Day tours from Cusco, Puno and Arequipa, run by the same local operator, Enjoy Peru Holidays.

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Sacred Valley

Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray and Maras in one day.

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One of the largest tropical glaciers in the world.

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Condors and a deep Andean canyon, from Arequipa.

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Book nowTraditional · US$30
fromUS$30per person
Sacred Valley Day Tour
★ 4.9 Traditional · 4.8 Super Sacred Valley
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