For over 100 years, Machu Picchu has attracted explorers, historians and dreamers alike. Located in the majestic Andes Mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is an incredible example of the integration of human accomplishment and nature's beauty. Some tourists prefer visiting when the weather is sunny, while others believe that Machu Picchu reveals much of its magic through fog and cloud cover. Here are some thoughts collected from various travel guides to illustrate how visiting Machu Picchu in the fog and clouds helps create a sense of entering into an alive myth, much more so than going there on a sunny, clear day.
The Ethereal Atmosphere: A Veil of Mystery
The ruins will still appear shrouded in a blanket of swirling mist as you arrive at dawn. This magical site uses the fog as its secret weapon. Layers of cloud in the morning create a beautiful, surreal atmosphere that makes the place feel like it came straight out of a fantasy novel. Because of the area’s location within a ‘cloud forest’, Machu Picchu is typically enveloped in fog when you wake up in the morning. As the fog slowly dissipates, you begin to see the ancient structures of Machu Picchu for the first time. This gradual emergence of the buildings and surroundings gives a unique sense of discovery and wonder to you as you experience what Hiram Bingham did back in 1911 when he discovered the city.
A sunny day, on the other hand, gives clearer views of the city, which are beautiful, but it is almost too clear. The view is still beautiful, but without mystery; the view of the mountains does not seem to whisper hidden secrets to you. Many visitors who come to the site on these kinds of days report having a strengthened connection to the spiritual energy of the site, with the fog evoking the Inca’s connection to the apus (mountain spirits).
Unique Photographic Magic and Vibrant Greens
The photographers look forward to wet season (December to March), as it is the time of year when the majority of the clouds and fog provide extremely dramatic photographs. Mists around the ruins create an image of mystery and turn a typical picture into an atmospheric masterpiece. Light rain creates a lovely sky, which highlights the green of the valleys and makes the terraces stand out from the gray stone and white clouds.
The sunshine can create a harsh light, which tends to flatten out much of the texture and detail in the stonework. But when the sun does happen to break through the clouds occasionally, there will be highlights and shadows, creating a very dramatic "magic" on those occasions. This difference between the sunlight and clouds creates some very unique photograph opportunities that will be impossible to create with a clear blue sky.
Spiritual and Sensory Immersion
Many believe that Machu Picchu is not only the ruins of an ancient city but also a site filled with significant spiritual energy. As you approach via many lofty trails through clouds and mist, you may feel as though you are being taken off the ground, suspended in mid-air, having come into direct contact with the Universe. The surrounding mountains creates a sense of solitude and profound restriction, leading you into a deep feeling of self-reflection, and also, a profound connection between yourself and the universe.
Many travelers who visit this site share stories about how the cloudy conditions create an atmosphere of transformation for them—imagining what it would have been like to be in Inca civilization among all of this moist weather, among so much haze from the peaks.
On a clear day during the dry season with plenty of sunshine, it is likely that you will experience much less isolation from the crowds (as well as from heat), which can detract from your experience of the magic of Machu Picchu. However, because of the fog and clouds (especially early in the morning or later in the rainy season), when there will be far fewer people to be there with you will help you to create a deeper connection with the magic of the site.
Tips for Embracing the Cloudy Magic
Those who feel very strongly about following the clouds should try to shoot for the rainy season or early in the morning. Bring a raincoat, however, do not be alarmed if you see low visibility at the beginning of your visit, as the fog adds a certain appeal rather than detracting from it.
Ultimately it is that with Machu Picchu’s true beauty, it is the unexpectedness that provides the opportunity for discovery. Sunny days provide clarity and cloudiness provides wonder—the ancient stones of Machu Picchu will remain a mystery to your mind for long after your visit.
