Peru
Best Time to Visit Cotahuasi
Cotahuasi Canyon, one of the world's deepest, lies in a remote part of southern Peru. Its high-altitude desert climate means dry, sunny days most of the year but cold nights and a distinct wet season from December to March.
✦ Go in May for the best balance of dry weather, green valleys, and few other tourists.
✅ Best months
April to June: dry, clear skies for hiking into the canyon, with daytime temperatures around 18-22°C. Crowds are light as most tourists head to Colca Canyon, and accommodation is easy to book.
🔥 Peak season
July and August: the dry season is in full swing, drawing more Peruvian and international trekkers. Hotel prices rise 30-50% and availability tightens. The Fiesta Patronal de la Virgen del Carmen in nearby towns (mid-July) adds a cultural draw.
💷 Shoulder (best value)
March and September: rainfall is minimal at these fringes of the wet season, but you get lower prices and quieter trails. March can still see some showers; September offers stable weather.
🌙 Quietest & cheapest
January and February: wettest months with frequent rain and potential landslides cutting access to the canyon. Many trails are muddy or closed; only budget-travel die-hards or researchers visit. Hotels drop to half-price but some close entirely.
Cotahuasi season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Weather: Temps 15-22°C; March has some rain, mostly dry by April; cool nights 5-10°C
Crowds: Low
Good for budget travel, green landscapes after rains
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Weather: Daytime 20-25°C, nights 3-8°C; full sun, no rain
Crowds: High
Best for reliable hiking conditions, but book ahead
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Weather: Similar to spring; temps 18-23°C, clear skies, increasing cloud cover from November
Crowds: Low
Pleasant for trekking, lower costs, pre-summer calm
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Weather: Temps 12-18°C; frequent rain, cold nights 0-5°C; risk of trail closures
Crowds: Very low
Only if you're prepared for mud and limited services
🎭 Events worth timing a trip around
Fiesta Patronal de la Virgen del Carmen (mid-July) in nearby towns: processions, music, and local food. Also, the Festival del Cóndor (July) in the canyon celebrates the Andean condor with guided viewpoints.
🧳 What to pack
Even in dry months, pack a fleece or down jacket: the canyon rim drops to near freezing at night due to the 3,500+ m altitude.
Found your dates? Get your hotel briefing.
Room tips, the 14-day forecast for your exact stay, dining, transport and more — free for any Cotahuasi hotel.
Researched & reviewed by the TripSage editorial team · Updated July 2026.