Planning a "life" trip to Machu Picchu and have been told the best time is May-September. I can only get away in April or October. Any thoughts as to which month might be better? Thanks.

My vote is with October.

What are the reasons, Tango? Have you been?

I went in November, and it was perfect. Maybe rained 2 days out of 7 we were in the MP/Cusco area.

If the choice is only April or October, you will find fewer people going in October.

I was there at the end of September a few of years ago (took the next to last AA flt out of Cusco before they stopped). The weather was great. It didn't rain the six days I was there. Cusco and MP wasn't crowded at all.

If I remember correctly, it was cool in the morning, but warmed up in the afternoon. Make sure you bring the sun screen. You'll burn before you even feel it. You may want to take it easy the first day because of the high altitude. I had a headache that wouldn't go away the first day, no matter how much of that tea I drank.

The flight to Cusco from Lima was scenic. Going over the mountains, you saw the peaks above the cloud cover. I remember either Lima or Cusco had trouble with fog in the mornings, but I'm not sure which one. A lot of delayed flights.

Cusco. It sits in a bowl. By noon or so, the clouds/weather descend and put a cap on it. Virtaully all flights arrive/leave in the morning before this happens. Its tricky enough to fly into the bowl surrounded by mountains when you can see them. Imagine trying to hit this bullseye with limited vision.
Likewise, on departure, I remeber a very long and steep climb, with several abrupt changes of course as we weaved thru the moutains attempting to gain enougn altitiude to be on top of them.
All in all, a very exciting experience I would not want to duplicate in low visibility.

I would also go with October - we were there in December and it was also fine, just a bit of fog as the sun came up, so I think because it is so close to the equator, there is really little weather change. I hope you are staying overnight in the park because during the day there are lots of groups/people around but after the trains leave you will have the place more or less to yourself, also in the AM before the hordes arrive. The refurbished hotel there is nice - the train ride from Cuzco is interesting as well.

My husband and I went in October of 2001. Used Delta miles to fly business to Lima (very long flight). We bought a package from LuxuryLink. Nice hotels, private guides, one overnight in Machu Picchu park. Some meals and tours included. We were met at Lima and Cuzco airports by driver. They took care of all transfers. Very nice package. Good luck. Beautiful country, but much poverty. Weather was clear.

I've been there 3 times, most recently last Xmas.

In fact been there at around Xmas each time, and that has been perfect weather.

July/August is a zoo there I understand.

Train derails a lot from Cuzco. Last week all tourists on it were stranded for 2 days or whatever, and they needed to walk 20K or something.

They plan to double entry fee and half visitor numbers, so make it SOON I suggest.

Machuppichy must not be visited in a rainy day and it does not rain in October. April is at the end of the rain season but it could rain until the end of the month.
October also is not as cold as June/July.
For whatever reason most tourists visit Cusco in September than in any other month.
Enjoy!

I went in the second half of April 2003, and it was absolutely beautiful and not crowded at all. Did the two day hike to get there, and wish I had done the four day hike. It was the experience of a lifetime. It only rained one morning, and I was in Peru for 12 days. Also hit Cusco, Lima, Ariquipa and the Colca Canyon. Try to see the Nasca lines if you get a chance.