Peru Cusco Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Cusco is low
January is low for Cusco.
January is the wet-season peak in the Andes — afternoon thunderstorms most days, slippery cobblestones, mudslide risk on the Aguas Calientes train line, and intermittent road closures to Rainbow Mountain and Salkantay trailheads. The trade-off is 30-40% off hotel rates, very thin tourist crowds, and dramatic green landscapes you don't see in dry season. Inca Trail remains officially open in January (closes only in February) but expect mud, leeches, and 1-2 wet camp nights — book a quality outfitter and waterproof gear pack. Machu Picchu is open and frequently quiet enough to feel personal; cloud reveals are dramatic but you may simply not see the citadel for hours of your visit. Sacred Valley (2,800m) is the smart fallback when Cusco mornings are washed out — ruins like Pisac and Ollantaytambo are open through rain and crowds are minimal. Avoid Rainbow Mountain entirely this month (clouds hide the colors, mud closes the trail).
Travel score
Wet season peak — cheapest hotels of the year, but plan around afternoon storms
January Weather at a Glance
January in Cusco averages 66°F / 19°C highs and 45°F / 7°C lows with 18 rain days and 160mm rainfall — the second-wettest month after February. Humidity 75%, UV index 11 (extreme even through cloud), 4 daily sunshine hours. Mornings typically clear; afternoon thunderstorms 13:00-18:00. Sunrise 5:30 AM, sunset 6:45 PM — longest days of the year coincide with shortest sunshine.
January Travel Advice
Cluster all outdoor plans (Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley ruins, Sacsayhuamán) in the morning 7:00-12:00 — afternoon thunderstorms are the rule. Machu Picchu entry circuit 1 or 2 + arrive at 6:00 first slot for the highest dry-window probability. Avoid Rainbow Mountain this month (cloud-covered + muddy + colors invisible). Pack a Gore-Tex shell, not a poncho — Andean rain comes sideways. Schedule a buffer day in case PeruRail cancels for landslide repairs.
Flying In from Overseas
South American summer holiday tail — Brazilians, Argentines, and Chileans take post-Christmas trips that boost domestic Peru travel but barely affect Cusco hotel rates (international visitors plummet vs dry-season). North American + European visitors near year-low. Direct flights Lima→Cusco $80-130 1.5h (LATAM, Sky, JetSmart); Lima from NYC $400-700 7h, Miami $350-600 5.5h, Madrid $700-1,100 12h via Bogotá or Panama, Sydney $1,400-2,000 18h via LAX. Korea no direct — Seoul $1,400-2,400 24-30h via LAX or NYC + Lima.
January Pricing Trends
Year-low pricing: Belmond Monasterio $400-700/night (vs $800-1,400 peak), JW Marriott El Convento $250-500, Sacred Valley Belmond Río Sagrado $450-800, mid-range Centro Histórico boutique $80-150. Machu Picchu Vistadome $180 RT (vs $200 peak), Inca Trail 4-day $650-800. Flights from Lima to Cusco $80-120.
Cusco January Weather Stats
Avg High
19°C
Avg Low
7°C
Rainy Days
18
160mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
Very humid
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 22
Sea Temp
0°C
N/A altitude city
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
15 μg/m³
PM10
30 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
17°C
Nighttime
5°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hotels 30-40% off versus dry-season peak
- Green Sacred Valley + dramatic cloud reveals
- Almost no tourist crowds at major Inca ruins
Cons
- 18 rain days — outdoor plans need backup
- Landslide risk on PeruRail Machu Picchu line
- Inca Trail muddy + leeches; Rainbow Mountain unviable
January Events & Festivals
- Wet season peak — 18 rain days
- South American summer holiday tail
- Three Kings Day (Jan 6, Quechua + Catholic processions)
Cusco in January — Full Picture
January is the wet-season peak in the Andes — afternoon thunderstorms most days, slippery cobblestones, mudslide risk on the Aguas Calientes train line, and intermittent road closures to Rainbow Mountain and Salkantay trailheads. The trade-off is 30-40% off hotel rates, very thin tourist crowds, and dramatic green landscapes you don't see in dry season. Inca Trail remains officially open in January (closes only in February) but expect mud, leeches, and 1-2 wet camp nights — book a quality outfitter and waterproof gear pack. Machu Picchu is open and frequently quiet enough to feel personal; cloud reveals are dramatic but you may simply not see the citadel for hours of your visit. Sacred Valley (2,800m) is the smart fallback when Cusco mornings are washed out — ruins like Pisac and Ollantaytambo are open through rain and crowds are minimal. Avoid Rainbow Mountain entirely this month (clouds hide the colors, mud closes the trail).
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cool + very wet. Rain jacket, waterproof boots, warm fleece + base layer for highland nights, beanie + gloves for sunrise outings. UV-rated sunglasses + SPF 50 still required (UV 11 even through cloud).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
19.7°C
5°C
9.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
19.3°C
1°C
2.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
20.7°C
4.7°C
7.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current19.3°C
7°C
16.7/mo
Cusco Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19° | 7° | 18d·160mm | 4h | 75% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 19° | 7° | 17d·150mm | 4h | 75% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 19° | 7° | 15d·130mm | 5h | 73% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| April (Best) | 20° | 5° | 9d·60mm | 7h | 65% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 20° | 3° | 5d·20mm | 8h | 60% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| June (Best) | 19° | 1° | 3d·10mm | 8h | 55% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 19° | 0° | 2d·5mm | 8h | 50% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 20° | 2° | 3d·10mm | 8h | 50% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 20° | 3° | 4d·20mm | 7h | 55% | 12 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 21° | 5° | 8d·50mm | 7h | 60% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 21° | 6° | 11d·80mm | 6h | 65% | 12 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 20° | 7° | 15d·130mm | 5h | 70% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Cusco January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Cusco?
Cusco in January is low. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Cusco in January?
Cusco January averages a high of 19°C and a low of 7°C.
Does it rain much in Cusco in January?
Cusco January averages 160mm of rainfall over about 18 rainy days.
What should I wear in Cusco in January?
Cool + very wet. Rain jacket, waterproof boots, warm fleece + base layer for highland nights, beanie + gloves for sunrise outings. UV-rated sunglasses + SPF 50 still required (UV 11 even through cloud).
What time are sunrise and sunset in Cusco in January?
Cusco January sunrise is 05:30 and sunset is 18:45, with 13h 15m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Cusco in January?
Cusco January air quality (AQI) averages 40, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 15μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Cusco in January?
In January, Cusco is great for Cusco indoor museums (Pre-Columbian Art MAP), Cooking class Marcelo Batata, Spanish lessons at Centro academies.
Is January peak season in Cusco?
Cusco January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Cusco
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.