Machu Picchu is known as ‘city in the clouds’ since it is located in the high jungle of Cusco, a mountainous and greenish geography where the landscape is cloudy. Of course, the chances of rain are high, especially during the months of January, February and March. This is detrimental to the classic postcard photo, especially in the mornings. However, they also create a majestic atmosphere, a unique and amazing photo of Machupicchu. To avoid the clouds that ruin the photo of the Inca city, it is recommended to visit at noon, an hour before or after. Learn more about Machu Picchu, the ‘city among the clouds’.

• Machu Picchu, the city among the clouds
• When is a good time to go to Machu Picchu?
• Clouds and photos in Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu from its mountains
• Tips for a trip to Machu Picchu without clouds blocking the best photos
• Questions and answers about Machu Picchu among the clouds

Observing the ruins of Machu Picchu

The first impression of Machu Picchu
The first impression of Machu Picchu is its green and mountainous landscapes as it is located in the high jungle of Cusco, a place of a very special scenic charm. The ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is a fabled place, built in the middle of a labyrinth of mountains that seem to be embedded in the sky. Depending on where you are in Machu Picchu and the time of year you visit, you can see the clouds as if you could touch them. Just seeing pictures of Machu Picchu will make you want to be there; this magical place is often called “the city among the clouds”, but the truth is that it is located “between the Amazon jungle and the Andes Mountains”.

Machu Picchu, the city among the clouds

• Until 1911 the ruins of the lost city of the Incas were a secret to everyone, but not to the inhabitants of the surrounding area.
• However, it was Hiram Bingham who would make the existence of Machu Picchu known to the world in 1911. No one at that time imagined that in that inaccessible place surrounded by mountains of the Andes Mountains they would find a beautiful stone city, and one of the most valuable archaeological treasures in the world.
• Machu Picchu is a beautiful ancient city, charged with enormous energy, a spiritual and mystical place that seems to look to the sky, and where you can see the clouds face to face.
• But if you decide to climb one of the mountains of Machu Picchu, you will be able to stand on them and watch them dissipate until they completely reveal the Inca city, as if an artist were revealing his masterpiece in front of your eyes.

Appreciating the view of Machu Picchu with little fog.

When is a good time to go to Machu Picchu?

• The best months to visit Machu Picchu are between April and September, being precisely these 2, which will allow you to fully enjoy the city in the clouds.
• These months separate the rainy season and the dry season in Machu Picchu. And although the rainy season in Machu Picchu has enormous advantages, April and September offer you the best of both; the little rain of the dry season, the lush green landscapes, and the “relatively” few people of the rainy season, but with the possibility of seeing how the clouds that cover the city, dissipate in front of your eyes allowing you to enjoy one of the most amazing places on the planet.

Panoramic view of Machu Picchu

Clouds and photos in Machu Picchu

• Clouds usually appear in Machu Picchu in the rainy seasons, in the months of December, January, February and March. Clouds and rains usually persist in the early morning hours.
• Clouds may prevent you from getting the classic photo of Machu Picchu from the sector of the Watchman’s House, also called the Guardian’s House.
• Many visitors wait there for hours to get the classic photo of Machu Picchu. These can last several hours, especially from 6:00 am to 11:00 am.
• The clouds that prevent the classic photo of Machu Picchu are less frequent in Cusco’s dry season: from April to October. On those days, if it rains, the clouds do not prevent photos. On the contrary, Machu Picchu can be appreciated with an aura of mysticism because of the faint clouds that surround it.

Observing the constructions of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu from its mountains

• One of the best and most incredible ways to see the “city among the clouds” is to see it from the mountains.
• Watching the clouds dissipate to completely reveal the jewel of the emperor of the Inca empire must be one of the most amazing spectacles anyone can have.
• Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain allow you to see the Inca city from above. However, the ascent of Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain are demanding routes that offer a different experience in the visit to the Inca city.
• So if you want to see how the clouds dissipate over Machu Picchu, from this mountain, you should book tickets a few months in advance, this will allow you to choose the exact date you want to enter the Huayna Picchu mountain, and see Machu Picchu from above.
• Other options are the visits to the Huchuy Picchu mountain or the Intipunku. From both viewpoints you have an amazing scenic view of Machu Picchu.

View of the citadel from Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Mountains

Tips for a trip to Machu Picchu without clouds blocking the best photos

• Board the first bus to Machu Picchu – You will have to do this in any case if you have your ticket to enter Huayna Picchu Mountain in the first group (7 am); however, boarding the first bus to Machu Picchu will allow you to be at Machu Picchu or one of its mountains in time to see the clouds dissipate over the city.
• Overnight in Aguas Calientes – Sleeping in Aguas Calientes will give you a better chance of boarding the first bus to Machu Picchu; if you do not plan to do this, you will certainly want to know how to get to Ollantaytambo in time to board the train to Machu Picchu.

Tourists in Machu Picchu

Questions and answers about Machu Picchu among the clouds

• 1) In what geography is Machu Picchu located?

  Machu Picchu is located in a mountainous high jungle geography of Cusco, at an altitude of 2,430 meters above sea level. This tropical geography is characterized by high green mountains, rivers and views of high snow-capped mountains in the distance.

• 2) Do clouds prevent photos at Machu Picchu?

  In the months of rainy season in Machu Picchu: December, January, February and March; the clouds can prevent the classic photo of the Inca city from the sector of the Casa del Vigilante (Guardian’s House).

• 3) What are the advantages of clouds in Machu Picchu?

  In the dry season months in Machu Picchu (from April to October) there may be rain and clouds that impede the vision of the Inca city. However, these usually dissipate in a short time creating an image of the Inca city full of mysticism.

• 4) Where are there more clouds in Machu Picchu?

  The clouds in Machu Picchu are more permanent in the rainy season: in December, January, February and March. On the other hand, from the tops of its mountains, such as Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu or Machupicchu mountain, is where the clouds are more concentrated.

• 5) How are the photos from Huayna Picchu?

  From the top of Huayna Picchu (2,693 meters above sea level) you have panoramic views of Machu Picchu, its buildings and the entire geographical environment that surrounds it. In rainy season (from December to March) the rains are more frequent which generates more clouds in the mountains and the Inca citadel.

• 6) How are the photos from the Machu Picchu mountain?

  From the top of the Machu Picchu mountain (3,082 meters above sea level) you have panoramic views of Machu Picchu, its buildings and the entire geographical environment that surrounds it. In rainy season (from December to March) rainfall is more frequent which generates more clouds in the mountains and the Inca citadel.

• 7) What is the best time to visit Machu Picchu without clouds?

  The clouds are usually in Machu Picchu in the early hours of the day, mainly from April to October. During the early hours of the day, from 6 am to 11 am, is when more clouds cover the archaeological site. Therefore, it is best to visit in the afternoon.

• 8) Why is Machu Picchu known as ‘city in the clouds’?

  Machu Picchu is known as ‘city in the clouds’ because it is located in a tropical geography full of mountains and clouds coming from the Vilcanota River.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Jessica A.

“Machu Picchu among the clouds“

“Everything about this city is incredible, where it was built, its size and how incredibly preserved it is, you can tell the Spaniards didn't hit it (unlike Cusco). The Huayna Picchu mountain is quite a challenge, but seeing Machu Picchu from the top is worth 100 of those hikes, the views are spectacular, we could see how the clouds left while the sun rose over the city, it was beautiful, we had always wanted to be in Machu Picchu and that image made our tears fall. It doesn't matter if you arrive by train, by the Inca trail or by any other way you want, just get to Machu Picchu. The bus is really expensive but it is worth taking it one way to get there as early as possible; if you are in good shape you can save the bus back. Take a lot of water, something to eat and a raincoat, it is hot, it rains a lot and you spend a lot of energy. Oh another thing, once on the Huayna Picchu mountain do not cross the security lines, if you do not want to fall hundreds of meters to the river at the foot of the mountain.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, October 23, 2024