Places / Machu Picchu
UV index at Machu Picchu, Peru
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu sits at about 2,430 metres and about 13° south of the equator. That combination of a near-overhead sun and high altitude produces some of the strongest UV that hikers meet anywhere. The city of Cusco, where many visits begin, is higher still at about 3,400 metres.
Elevation and your real UV
The forecast on this page covers the general area around Machu Picchu. Weather models don’t resolve individual peaks and valleys, so treat it as the level of Machu Picchu (about 7,970 ft). The WHO says UV rises by 10% to 12% for every 1,000 metres you climb. Using that rule of thumb:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu | 2,430 m (about 7,970 ft) | Baseline |
| Machu Picchu Mountain | 3,082 m (10,111 ft) | about 7% to 8% more UV |
| Dead Woman’s Pass on the Inca Trail | 4,215 m (13,828 ft) | about 18% to 21% more UV |
Read the peak UV from the chart above, then adjust it up for where you’ll actually be. There’s a worked example in UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds.
When UV is strongest here
The dry season, roughly May to September, brings the clearest skies. The wet season, roughly November to March, brings cloud and rain, but UV is still strong when the cloud thins. The sun is high all year, so there is no easy “safe” season.
On the trail
The ruins are stone terraces with very little shade, and pale stone reflects light. Climbs like Machu Picchu Mountain add altitude on open steps. The Inca Trail crosses a pass above 4,000 metres, where the air is thin and UV is extreme.
Sun protection tips for Machu Picchu
- Assume high UV every day. Forecasts around Cusco can reach well into the extreme range.
- Bring a wide-brim hat and cover up. There is little shade among the ruins.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours during long visits to the site.
- Altitude adds to the effect. Dead Woman’s Pass is roughly 1,800 m above the site itself.
Similar places
Related guides
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- When Is UV Strongest During the Day? Best Times to Hike
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 20, 2026.