The exotic character of Machu Picchu has many faces; one of them is the weather. Due to its unique topography, climates, high altitudes, humidity and vegetation this weather is classified as subtropical weather. The geographic morphology of the region is extreme, from hills so small that lie hidden above the moss, to mountains so high, climbing to altitudes from 2,000 to more than 6,000 meters high.
The average temperature of the year is between 11°C to 23°C. But this playful weather could surprise you with at any time, decreasing the levels below 0°C and increasing them to more than26°C in the same day, any time of the year.
The dense vegetation, conformed by trunks, leaves, moss and brush manage to capture the rain, maintaining humidity and creating a variety of microclimates that represent one of the sanctuary´s natural richness. This microclimate also influences the whole weather of the place, giving for example, a cold feeling in a full sunny day.
On the other hand, high and higher mountains aligned by canyons and river streams create a virtual playground, where winds from the four cardinal points converge, spreading life from hill to hill, conforming another important weather factor. The change on their direction through the day serves birds to regulate their natural clocks, reproductive and feeding habits and even detecting danger.
In the rain season, from November to march, the temperature goes from 18°C at noon to below 0°at night. During this season, especially in September, nature displays all its magic painting with infinite colors all the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu Sanctuary. This attracts a myriad of birds and other animals that fill the place with life. But the weather of those months is also known for carrying the biggest amount of rain of the year, causing floods, avalanches and increasing the rivers flow like Urubamba´s, that passes through the reserve by a canyon cut by itself over millions of years.
For travelers going to Machu Picchu in this season, it is recommended to bring thick clothes, umbrellas and raincoats as protection. It would also be a good idea if you bring some recyclable bags for protecting your camera and other expensive equipment you may have. But most important of all, you have to be permanently updated about the weather conditions of the day, so you can decide to start or to cancel the schedule of the day.
A normal day during the dry season, from April to October, has temperatures that range from 23°C to below 0°C. But you could be lucky and find a very nice pick of some warm 26°C during your visit. This season counts with only 20% of the year´s precipitations for the region. This lack of rain in the weather turns off the colorful brightness of Machu Picchu. Even the moss retires from the rocks, turning it grey and dry. The Urubamba´s river turns into a tiny stream, a pale remainder of its vigorous power. This tiny water thread gets overshadowed by the huge pieces of rock in the riverbed.
Because of the altitude and the dry weather, it is recommended for tourists to bring some sunscreen -with UV protection if possible-, light clothes, hats and sunglasses during that period. Within this season, specifically during the months of May and June, is when most of the travel advisors recommend the trip to Machu Picchu. The weather during those months is the best.
But the weather in Machu Picchu is so unpredictable, that a heavy rain could appear next to a shiny day in the dry season, soaking your shorts and t-shirt and ruining your bird watching expedition; or a bright sunny afternoon could surprise you wearing your thick and heavy wool sweater, right at the rain season. Depending on the weather, always bring an emergency set of clothes and accessories with you.
Mountain sickness (the so called “soroche”) is very common among visitors. It´s caused by the extremely high altitudes that causes a lack of oxygen. Its effects depend on the individual. Some of them could get very sick at lower altitudes, like at the approximately 2,400 meters above the sea level of Machu Picchu. In others this weather element could have no effects, even in Cusco, a city located almost one thousand meters higher than Machu Picchu. Some recommendations are given in order to avoid this inconvenience. If you travel right to Cusco and stay in that city from the very first day, try to use that day to rest at the hotel, eating some light food easy to digest, and making no efforts. You can take a little walk by the main square, for example. Meanwhile, you could feel even better by drinking the coca tea, a very effective beverage made with this medicinal plant renowned for its healing properties.
But another strategy is well known among the tourist guides and travel agencies to fool the weather: try to get to Machu Picchu for the very first day, so that you will get properly acclimatized at a lower altitude. Only then, after fully enjoyed the weather and other wonders of Machu Picchu, the slow return to Cusco will make almost impossible for you to get the mountain sickness. But it means you will have to arrive on the first flight of the day, in order to immediately get a bus at the airport that will take you to Ollantaytambo just on time to get the last train departure to Machu Picchu. This is the better way to enjoy your trip, wasting not even a minute of it. Ask you travel agent about the best schedule to take.
From a fresh air to a bright opened sky; from a walk in the mist to a rain shower for breakfast, the Machu Picchu weather is a summary of all the ways nature has to welcome you in its kingdom, far enough from pollution, noise and daily stress. This is your chance to walk with you own feet without having to obey the semaphore lights or the traffic signals; this is your chance to breathe.
vrijdag 6 mei 2011
Het weer in Machu Picchu
The exotic character of Machu Picchu has many faces; one of them is the weather. Due to its unique topography, climates, high altitudes, humidity and vegetation this weather is classified as subtropical weather. The geographic morphology of the region is extreme, from hills so small that lie hidden above the moss, to mountains so high, climbing to altitudes from 2,000 to more than 6,000 meters high.
The average temperature of the year is between 11°C to 23°C. But this playful weather could surprise you with at any time, decreasing the levels below 0°C and increasing them to more than26°C in the same day, any time of the year.
The dense vegetation, conformed by trunks, leaves, moss and brush manage to capture the rain, maintaining humidity and creating a variety of microclimates that represent one of the sanctuary´s natural richness. This microclimate also influences the whole weather of the place, giving for example, a cold feeling in a full sunny day.
On the other hand, high and higher mountains aligned by canyons and river streams create a virtual playground, where winds from the four cardinal points converge, spreading life from hill to hill, conforming another important weather factor. The change on their direction through the day serves birds to regulate their natural clocks, reproductive and feeding habits and even detecting danger.
In the rain season, from November to march, the temperature goes from 18°C at noon to below 0°at night. During this season, especially in September, nature displays all its magic painting with infinite colors all the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu Sanctuary. This attracts a myriad of birds and other animals that fill the place with life. But the weather of those months is also known for carrying the biggest amount of rain of the year, causing floods, avalanches and increasing the rivers flow like Urubamba´s, that passes through the reserve by a canyon cut by itself over millions of years.
For travelers going to Machu Picchu in this season, it is recommended to bring thick clothes, umbrellas and raincoats as protection. It would also be a good idea if you bring some recyclable bags for protecting your camera and other expensive equipment you may have. But most important of all, you have to be permanently updated about the weather conditions of the day, so you can decide to start or to cancel the schedule of the day.
A normal day during the dry season, from April to October, has temperatures that range from 23°C to below 0°C. But you could be lucky and find a very nice pick of some warm 26°C during your visit. This season counts with only 20% of the year´s precipitations for the region. This lack of rain in the weather turns off the colorful brightness of Machu Picchu. Even the moss retires from the rocks, turning it grey and dry. The Urubamba´s river turns into a tiny stream, a pale remainder of its vigorous power. This tiny water thread gets overshadowed by the huge pieces of rock in the riverbed.
Because of the altitude and the dry weather, it is recommended for tourists to bring some sunscreen -with UV protection if possible-, light clothes, hats and sunglasses during that period. Within this season, specifically during the months of May and June, is when most of the travel advisors recommend the trip to Machu Picchu. The weather during those months is the best.
But the weather in Machu Picchu is so unpredictable, that a heavy rain could appear next to a shiny day in the dry season, soaking your shorts and t-shirt and ruining your bird watching expedition; or a bright sunny afternoon could surprise you wearing your thick and heavy wool sweater, right at the rain season. Depending on the weather, always bring an emergency set of clothes and accessories with you.
Mountain sickness (the so called “soroche”) is very common among visitors. It´s caused by the extremely high altitudes that causes a lack of oxygen. Its effects depend on the individual. Some of them could get very sick at lower altitudes, like at the approximately 2,400 meters above the sea level of Machu Picchu. In others this weather element could have no effects, even in Cusco, a city located almost one thousand meters higher than Machu Picchu. Some recommendations are given in order to avoid this inconvenience. If you travel right to Cusco and stay in that city from the very first day, try to use that day to rest at the hotel, eating some light food easy to digest, and making no efforts. You can take a little walk by the main square, for example. Meanwhile, you could feel even better by drinking the coca tea, a very effective beverage made with this medicinal plant renowned for its healing properties.
But another strategy is well known among the tourist guides and travel agencies to fool the weather: try to get to Machu Picchu for the very first day, so that you will get properly acclimatized at a lower altitude. Only then, after fully enjoyed the weather and other wonders of Machu Picchu, the slow return to Cusco will make almost impossible for you to get the mountain sickness. But it means you will have to arrive on the first flight of the day, in order to immediately get a bus at the airport that will take you to Ollantaytambo just on time to get the last train departure to Machu Picchu. This is the better way to enjoy your trip, wasting not even a minute of it. Ask you travel agent about the best schedule to take.
From a fresh air to a bright opened sky; from a walk in the mist to a rain shower for breakfast, the Machu Picchu weather is a summary of all the ways nature has to welcome you in its kingdom, far enough from pollution, noise and daily stress. This is your chance to walk with you own feet without having to obey the semaphore lights or the traffic signals; this is your chance to breathe.
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