Best time to do the Inca Trail
"The climate in the high Andes varies as much by altitude as it does by season."![]()
Descending just a few hundred metres can take you out of wind-blasted plains and into lush montane forest. So even if you're travelling in the 'dry' season, you'll need good, waterproof clothing and boots, warm and cool layers, sunscreen and a fleece. In short, the Andes never fail to surprise. The wet season falls from November-March, and at this time you're pretty much guaranteed a drenching, so this is really not the best time to do the Inca Trail. In the dry season - Peru's winter - temperatures drop close to freezing at night but days can still be gloriously sunny, and you won't have as much cloud and fog obstructing your view of some of the most glorious sights on earth.
Inca Trail Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
13
24
138
FEB
13
25
141
MAR
13
25
151
APR
12
25
62
MAY
11
25
23
JUN
9
25
17
JUL
9
25
22
AUG
10
25
24
SEP
11
26
44
OCT
12
25
75
NOV
13
26
86
DEC
13
26
121
Our Inca Trail trek Holidays
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Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trekking holiday, Peru
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Southern Peru tailor made holiday, Alternative Inca Trail trek
Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without camping
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Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
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Peru adventure holiday, small group
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Peru adventure holiday, Sacred Land of the Incas
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Inca Trail hiking holiday, Peru
The Sacred Valley, one of the world’s best known hikes
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Discover the diversity of Peru on this fascinating journey
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Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for 4 days
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Andean adventure small group holiday
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£1928 to £2311
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The Inca Trail month by month
Our top Inca Trail trek Holiday
Hiking the Inca trail holiday
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
£2049 to £2549
10 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2020: 8 Oct, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov
2021: 26 Mar, 9 Apr, 30 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 12 Jun, 1 Jul, 10 Jul, 29 Jul, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 23 Sep, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 3 Dec, 18 Dec
2020: 8 Oct, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov
2021: 26 Mar, 9 Apr, 30 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 12 Jun, 1 Jul, 10 Jul, 29 Jul, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 23 Sep, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 3 Dec, 18 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Inca Trail trek or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Our recommendations
Elena Larkin is the Latin America Specialist from our supplier, Natural World Safaris. Originally from Lima, she tells us which is her best time to do the Inca Trail - and why:
"For me personally, the best time to go and see the mountains is mid to late April, because it's after the rainy season and everything is green. My least favourite time is in July and August when it's filled with local families as well as tourists - it's just too crowded, and very cold. Our National Day is on 28th July - so that's really a time to avoid."
"For me personally, the best time to go and see the mountains is mid to late April, because it's after the rainy season and everything is green. My least favourite time is in July and August when it's filled with local families as well as tourists - it's just too crowded, and very cold. Our National Day is on 28th July - so that's really a time to avoid."
Tom Brown from our supplier Natural World Safaris, talks about his favourite time in the Highlands: "July and August are very cold in the Peruvian Andes as it's winter. People think they're going to Peru, it's near the equator, and it's going to be warm - but once you get up to 3,000m it's pretty cold! April is just coming out of the summer rainy season and into the dry season - so you've still got a bit of heat there and the weather's good."
Simon Forster, co-founder of our supplier the Beyond Tourism Co., has tips on what to do if you're planning to hike the Inca Trail during high season:
"The Inca Trail is very popular and it can get busy, so if you're going at a time of year when getting permits might be difficult, remember that there are other routes you can take that connect with Machu Picchu. Trails like Salkantay don't get anywhere near as busy and they're just as beautiful, so ask your operator to explain all the options available."
More about Inca Trail trek
Our travel guide answers any questions you may have about hiking this iconic trail, along with a day by day sample itinerary and a brief history of the Inca Trail.
Our Inca Trail map showcases the highlights along the trail, along with a detailed day by day itinerary, to help you get your head around the hike.
In between trekking, you can learn about archaeology, visit local communities and stay with your porters. The Inca Trail is about so much more than Machu Picchu.
Our guide to Machu Picchu reveals the history of this sacred site, with tips on what to see, how to travel there and the best time to visit...
There are alternative Inca Trails that lead to Machu Picchu, taking in cloud and rainforest, high passes and indigenous villages, including the Salkantay and Lares treks...
Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu usually takes four days, with three days of camping.
Trekking the Inca Trail with kids is not going to suit every family, but there are wonderful opportunities for bonding, education and exploration. We offer tips for parents and kids.
Get tips on everything from planning and packing, to how to travel safely on the Inca Trail. Our tour operators and travellers share their top Inca Trail advice.
Find out about Quechua homestays, porters' rights and responsible trekking on the Inca Trail, to ensure this path and its people are treated as respectfully as possible.
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