February contains the single hardest constraint in Peruvian travel: the classic Inca Trail closes for the entire month, every year. It is also the wet season at its peak in the Andes, the best month on the coast, and the month of Peru’s largest folk festival at Puno. Plan around the closure and February works; ignore it and the trip does not.
The Inca Trail closes for all of February
This is not weather-dependent and it does not vary by operator. The Camino Inca closes on 1 February and reopens on 1 March, every year, for maintenance, trail repair and ecological recovery after the wet season.
What that means:
- No permits exist for February. Any operator offering the classic four-day Inca Trail in February is not selling what you think.
- Machu Picchu itself stays open. You reach it by train to Aguas Calientes exactly as in any other month.
- Alternative treks stay open – Salkantay, Lares, Choquequirao and the Inca Jungle route are on different land and run in February, in wet conditions.
- Permits for March onwards sell out months ahead, particularly for the June-to-August peak. If February was your window and you want the trail itself, you are booking for a different trip.
The Virgen de la Candelaria
Peru’s largest folk festival and one of the biggest in South America. Centred on Puno, on Lake Titicaca, it runs for roughly two weeks around 2 February, with tens of thousands of dancers and musicians in competing troupes, elaborate costumes and masks, and processions through the town.
It is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Puno accommodation books out months ahead and prices rise sharply. Puno sits at about 3,800 m – higher than Cusco – so acclimatise before going, not after arriving.
Carnival, and the water
Continue planning your Peru trip
Peruvian Carnaval runs through February, peaking on the weekend before Lent – 7 to 9 February in 2027. Cajamarca holds the country’s biggest celebration.
One practical warning that catches visitors out: Peruvian carnival involves throwing water. Water balloons, buckets and foam spray, aimed at anyone in the street including tourists, for days at a time in some towns. It is good-humoured and it is also relentless. Keep cameras, phones and documents in something waterproof, and do not wear anything you mind being soaked.
The rest of the country
- Lima and the coast – at their best. Sunny, 25°C, no garúa. Peruvian summer holidays continue.
- Machu Picchu – open, cheapest, least crowded, frequently in cloud. Timed entry and circuit tickets are required year-round and should be booked ahead.
- The Sacred Valley – green and dramatic; landslides can close roads and the rail line to Aguas Calientes occasionally, which is worth building slack around.
- The Amazon – high water, hot, humid; strong boat-based wildlife viewing.
Altitude
Cusco is about 3,400 m and Puno about 3,800 m. Altitude sickness is common at both and is unrelated to fitness. Arrive gently, rest the first day, drink plenty of water, moderate alcohol, and consider sleeping lower in the Sacred Valley first. Symptoms that worsen mean going down. Speak to a doctor or travel clinic before the trip, especially if you are pregnant or have a heart or lung condition.
Prices and crowds
Andean low season and the cheapest month for Cusco and Machu Picchu – except Puno, where Candelaria inverts it completely. The coast is in peak domestic season. See what a trip to Peru costs.
What to pack
A proper waterproof and quick-drying layers. Warm clothes for Cusco and Puno nights. Strong sun protection – high-altitude UV is severe through cloud. Insect repellent for the Amazon. A dry bag if you are anywhere near carnival.
The February 2027 calendar
- 1 to 28 February – the classic Inca Trail is closed. Machu Picchu and alternative treks remain open.
- Around Tuesday 2 February – the Virgen de la Candelaria at Puno; roughly two weeks of dancing, UNESCO-listed. Book far ahead.
- Sunday 7 to Tuesday 9 February – Carnival peaks; Cajamarca is the largest. Expect water throwing.
- Through February – peak Andean rain, about 126 mm at Cusco; possible landslides on Sacred Valley roads and rail.
- Through February – Lima and the southern coast at their sunniest.
Read alongside
- Peru in January – wet Andes, sunny coast, trail still open.
- Peru in March – the Inca Trail reopens.
- Peru in June – dry season and Inti Raymi.
- Best time to visit Peru – all twelve months compared.
- Peru in 10 days – how the three zones connect.
- Cusco itinerary – including acclimatisation days.
- Trip to Peru cost – low-season Andean numbers.
Frequently asked
Is the Inca Trail closed in February?
Yes – the classic four-day Camino Inca closes for the whole of February every year for maintenance and recovery, reopening on 1 March. No permits exist for that month.
Can you still visit Machu Picchu in February?
Yes. The site stays open all year and is reached by train to Aguas Calientes. Only the trail closes. Timed entry and circuit tickets are required and should be booked ahead.
What treks are open in February?
Salkantay, Lares, Choquequirao and the Inca Jungle route all run, on different land from the classic trail. Conditions are wet.
What is the Virgen de la Candelaria?
Peru’s largest folk festival, held at Puno on Lake Titicaca for around two weeks from 2 February, with tens of thousands of costumed dancers. It is UNESCO-listed, and Puno books out months ahead.
Why do people throw water at carnival in Peru?
It is the tradition, and it is aimed at everyone including visitors – water balloons, buckets and foam, for days in some towns. Cajamarca is the biggest celebration. Keep documents and electronics dry.
How high is Puno?
About 3,800 m, higher than Cusco. Acclimatise before arriving rather than after. Altitude sickness is common at both and unrelated to fitness – consult a doctor or travel clinic before the trip.
Is February a good time for Lima?
It is the best time. The garúa fog is absent, it is sunny and about 25°C, and the coast is in full summer.
Will landslides affect my trip?
Occasionally in the wet season. Roads in the Sacred Valley and the rail line to Aguas Calientes can close at short notice in January and February, so build a spare day into the itinerary.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.
