Towards the end of January and into the rainiest month of February the Inca Trail, as well as several other national parks in Peru, is closed for essential repairs.

The trail reopens in March, though the highlands are still rainy through into April, and travellers may find some highland paths and roads are impassable.

Either side of the region’s dry season i.e. May and October, are the best times to trek the Inca Trail as there are less crowds and much drier weather conditions.

The Festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi) takes place towards the end of June and Inca cities, such as Cuzco, always get busier with plenty more crowds heading towards Machu Picchu.

Peru’s national holiday at the end of July is also a peak time for locals to tackle the Inca Trail or visit Machu Picchu by train. The warm, dry conditions never fail to prove popular with holidaymakers all the way through August and into September.

By November, the rainy season is starting to begin in earnest. However, you still might get some solid trekking conditions with nothing like the crowds of the summer - and you won't need to secure your pass quite as far in advance.

December is wet and also attracts crowds over the holidays with many accommodation and travel prices rising, despite the weather.