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 traveling 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.
The Inca Trail month by month
Our Inca Trail trek Vacations
Peruvian Andes trekking vacation to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu with an International Guide and Doctor.
From
US $3616
14 days
ex flights
Peru walking and cultural vacation
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
From
US $3489
10 days
ex flights
Inca trail & Amazon Rainforest vacation
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & rainforest
From
US $5279 to US $6079
15 days
ex flights
Hiking the Inca trail vacation
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
US $1999 to US $2579
8 days
ex flights
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $4249
15 days
ex flights
High Inca trail trek in Peru
Machu Picchu, Inca fortresses and cloud forest
From
US $3379 to US $3849
14 days
ex flights
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 top Inca Trail trek Vacation
Hiking the Inca trail vacation
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
US $1999 to US $2579
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 7 Apr, 14 Apr, 28 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 9 Jun, 29 Jun, 7 Jul, 24 Aug, 15 Sep, 21 Sep, 6 Oct, 20 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 1 Dec, 19 Dec
2024: 5 Apr, 12 Apr, 26 Apr, 3 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 4 Oct, 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 29 Nov, 19 Dec
2023: 7 Apr, 14 Apr, 28 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 25 May, 1 Jun, 9 Jun, 29 Jun, 7 Jul, 24 Aug, 15 Sep, 21 Sep, 6 Oct, 20 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 1 Dec, 19 Dec
2024: 5 Apr, 12 Apr, 26 Apr, 3 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 4 Oct, 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 29 Nov, 19 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Inca Trail trek or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

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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."