Discover the perfect moment: When is the best time to hike Inca Trail?
Ultima actualización en 5 November, 2024 por Waman Adventures
Last Updated on 5 November, 2024 by Waman Adventures
You can determine the best time to hike Inca Trail, so you can embark on an epic adventure no matter the season. If you wish, you may explore this trail when the sun caresses the ancient stones and the stars illuminate the Andean sky, or when the trail presents mystical landscapes covered in a mist and the flora is at its peak. Discover the magic of the Inca civilization as you embark on this journey, where all your senses will be awakened.
Do you want to walk in the footsteps of the ancients, rain or shine? The Inca Trail awaits you, do not miss this exciting journey.
What is the Inca Trail?
Peru’s Inca Trail is a legendary and well-known route that leads to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. During the Inca period, this trail was part of the great network of Inca Trails, which were very important routes used for religious, administrative, political and military purposes. In addition to connecting the most important cities in the Inca empire, the Inca empire was also able to control the access and exit of these cities through the establishment of connections between them.

Tourists walking to the archaeological complex of Wiñay Wayna
Why is Inca Trail so famous?
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a great tourist destination visited by thousands of tourists annually, because it offers stunning natural scenery full of Andean flora and fauna, which will captivate you from start to finish. It also allows you to visit and explore the various archaeological sites unique to this route. During the tour, you will discover its importance within the historical and agricultural context for the great Inca civilization. Alos, being so famous, you need to make a good decision and learn when is the best time to hike Inca Trail!
- Recognized as one of the 50 best trails by National Geographic.
- Highlighted as one of the 10 best treks in the world by Lonely Planet.
- Classified in 1983 as a Mixed Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
- Recognized among the 25 best routes in the world by Forbes.
DIFFICULTY, PREPARATION, CLIMATE AND ACCLIMATIZATION.
How difficult is Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu?
As each person perceives it differently and depending on several factors, such as the season of the trip, your age, and the version you wish to participate in, this is a difficult question. The Trek is available in four day, five day, seven day, and two day versions. You should prepare physically and mentally for the Inca Trail Peru journey if you wish to make the trek easier. However, it is considered that the difficulty level is moderate, being viable for anyone in good condition.
If you want to know more about the difficulty and how to overcome it, click here

Descent and ascent during the Inca Trail trek
Keep these three important points in mind:
- It is not a competition: you do not have to be the first to reach each point, enjoy the whole experience, take breaks when necessary, and ensure that you capture the best images of the Inca Trail.
- Be empathic: while on your trip you will meet new people, with whom you can share pleasant and anecdotal experiences, you can also help them overcome this challenge and enjoy together the most important trail in South America.
- Hire a legal and expert agency: Ensure that you select an agency that is legal, experienced, and has the necessary/modern camping equipment, in order to ensure that you have the best camping experience. As a reference, you can consider a company that has been endorsed by TripAdvisor or Tourradar, such as Waman Adventures.
Factors to Consider in Choosing Before Consider the Best Time to Hike Inca Trail
Inca Trail weather
The weather is a determining factor if you take into consideration your preference of when to do the Inca Trail, and if you want to know the best time to hike Inca Trail, you should consider that each season offers you different landscapes, difficulties, adventures and challenges.
Inca Trail in the rainy season
Which usually starts in November and ends in March, for many travelers is not the best time to hike Inca Trail, because during this season travelers usually encounter rain and muddy trails, so it is essential to wear waterproof clothing and trekking shoes with good grip and waterproof to overcome the challenges of the journey.

Beautiful view of Machu Picchu wrapped in mist during the rainy season.
Advantages:
- Less crowding of people (freer campsites).
- During the trek, the weather was humid and fresh.
- Vegetation at its best.
- Unique landscapes and wrapped with mystical mist.
- Warmer night climate.
Disadvantages:
- Slippery and muddy trails.
- Intermittent rain throughout the trek.
- Need for fully waterproof and quick-drying clothing.
Inca Trail in the dry season
Normally begins in April and ends in October. It is the best time to do the Inca Trail, because during this season the rains are almost null, so it is recommended to use light clothing and good ventilation.

It is advisable to wear light clothing.
Advantages:
- Firm trails.
- The landscapes are absolutely clear.
- There will be an opportunity for you to take the best photographs of Machu Picchu and the entire trail.
Disadvantages:
- As a result of the high season, there is a large number of tourists.
- Hot and sunny weather during the treks.
- There is less green vegetation.
- The nights are cold.
Inca Trail weather by month

Temperature Reference Table for the Inca Trail
Inca Trail in January
It is the month with more rainy days of the year; however, do not be discouraged because the number of tourists decreases after the Christmas and New Year holidays, so you will have more space during the trek and can take the best pictures of the landscapes, flora, and fauna.
Inca Trail in February
During this month, the Inca Trail is completely closed, as it is the peak of the rainy season. However, Machu Picchu is still open, and it is also possible to do other treks such as Lares Trek, Huchuy Qosqo Trek, and the famous Salkantay Trek.
Inca Trail in March
This month, the Inca Trail reopens, and the rains are still present; however, they will reduce as the days go by. It is also important to consider that, due to the maintenance in February, the entire trail and campsites are fully repaired and clean.
Inca Trail in April
The rainy season has come to an end, and the influx of people is still low compared to the high season. This month still offers excellent views and dense vegetation, thanks to the rains of the previous month, ideal for trekking without feeling the winter nights coming.
Inca Trail in May
Considered the month of the beginning of the dry season and also the high season for tourism. Although you will encounter more visitors, you will still be able to take impressive pictures and enjoy the trails.
Inca Trail in June
During this month, the rains are scarce; however, having the right gear for any eventual rain during the trek is vital. It is also a great month for tourism, as Cusco’s biggest and most important festival, “El Inti Raymi” or Festival of the Sun, is celebrated.
Inca Trail in July
This month, all the attractions in Cusco are crowded, as well as Machu Picchu. During these days, you can have a dry and totally clear trail to appreciate the best views of the landscapes. During the nights, the weather is colder, so make sure to wear warm clothes.
Inca Trail in August
It is considered the final month of the high season; however, it is also the beginning of the northern hemisphere vacation season, so the trails and attractions still have foreign visitors.
Inca Trail in September
The days are still sunny and clear, but the end of the dry season is approaching, and therefore, the probability of rain increases. It is also a month where temperatures increase, generating warmer weather, even at night.
Inca Trail in October
Technically, it is the beginning of the rainy season, but the days are still sunny, although with fewer visitors. This makes it an ideal month to do the trek and visit Machu Picchu without the fear of rain.
Inca Trail in November
It can be a wet and muddy trekking experience; however, the rains do not usually last all day, and there is the possibility of weeks without rain. During this month, you can enjoy green landscapes and growing flora thanks to the rains.
Inca Trail in December
A vacation month, where trails such as the Inca Trail do not have many visitors. Thanks to this, doing the trek will allow you to have views of the flourishing vegetation, surrounded by mist, rains, clouds, and beautiful rainbows, giving a magical touch to this trek.
So when is the best time to hike Inca Trail Trek?

The best time to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The best time to do Inca Trail is in the dry season, from April to October, because of the following reasons:
- There’s almost no chance of rain.
- Totally clear landscapes.
- Walking without worrying about the weather.

Must see landscapes during the dry season
Amount of rainfall and its impact on trekking
In the Peruvian Andes, the climate is changeable and rainfall can occur at any time. However, it is during the rainy season when the impacts are really felt, which is why it is important to determine the right season to hike the Inca Trail.
During inca Trail:
- On some sections of the Inca Trail, the terrains will get muddy and a bit slippery, nothing that good boots can’t overcome.
- Precipitation will wet your clothes and backpack, you may feel cold, remember to bring your waterproof jacket or poncho.
- Cool weather during the trek, the sun will not be a problem.

A beautiful landscape at sunset, unique to the Inca Trail.
While camping on the Inca Trail:
- During rainy days, camping areas will get wet, luckily our equipment is prepared for these situations.
- Eventual night rains, which will not be a problem for our all-weather camping equipment.
- Wet and cool mornings.
When is the best time to hike the Inca Trail and avoid crowds?
If your expectation about when to do the Inca Trail is influenced by having a more intimate adventure, away from the masses of tourists and thus, feel that it is just you and the trail, the best season to make your trip is during the periods from March to May. During these months the number of visitors decreases significantly.
- High season of the Inca Trail: It is known this way, because the demand is high to do this trail, since it is believed to be the best time to hike Inca Trail.
- Low season of the Inca Trail: The time when to hike the Inca Trail is less requested, but it does not mean that there are no travelers but it makes it some of the best time to hike Inca Trail.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, high season vs low season.
Some conclusions before deciding when is the best time to hike Inca Trail!
If you still do not know when is the best time to hike Inca Trail, here is a summary and conclusions about the disadvantages and advantages of each season.
Inca Trail Dry Season Conclusions
- If you decide to choose this season to do the Inca Trail, you should know that it is ideal for all those travelers who are looking for a quiet trip, with very low probability of rain.
- It is also true that the trip is a little safer because the trail is firm and dry.
- On the other hand, during this season the influx of tourists is massive, which is why the trail becomes a bit crowded.
- At midday the sun feels overwhelming, while the trails and landscapes are slightly rough and dry due to the lack of rain.

Explore the Inca Trail, a marvel of Inca engineering that leads to Machu Picchu.
Rainy Season Inca Trail Conclusions
- The rainy season is still the best time to hike Inca Trail, especially for those travelers looking for the adrenaline and adventure that only the Inca Trail can offer.
- During the rainy season the trail is a bit slippery and muddy in some sections, so it is very important to bring a good trekking shoe and trekking poles.
- Enjoy quieter trails, because in this season the affluence is lower and therefore allows you to take incredible pictures of much more colorful landscapes, also taking advantage of the greener vegetation and grown compared to the dry season.

Rainy season during Inca Trail: November to March
Preparation tips for the Best Time to Hike Inca Trail
When and where should I be in Peru?
Whether you do the Inca Trail as an individual tour or as part of a multi-day package, all roads will lead you to the city of Cusco, from where most tours start such as the Sacred Valley, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain and many others. Cusco is the most important city for tourism in Peru and is reason enough to stay several days in this beautiful city, remember that your stay in the city will also serve you to acclimatize.
Important: remember that getting to Cusco is very easy, if you only come to Peru to do the Inca Trail, you must take into account the following:
- Take a flight to Jorge Chavez International Airport, located in the city of Lima, the capital of Peru.
- Connect with one of the frequent flights from Lima – Cusco operated by several airlines and it only takes 1 hour and a half to get there.
- Arrive at Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete airport, the only airport in the city at the moment. Once you have arrived, Waman Adventures staff will pick you up in their private
- transportation to take you to your previously selected hotel.
- Spend pleasant days enjoying this magnificent city and learning more about its history and culture still alive.
How to pack for Inca Trail according to the chosen season?
Just as we talk about the ideal season to do the Inca Trail, we must also clarify that we must understand that whatever your choice is, the clothes and implements needed do not suffer any radical variation. As mentioned above, the rains can come at any time and thanks to the technological advances of today, we have accessories such as clothing, shoes, tents, etc. that work perfectly in rainy and dry terrain.
However, if you still have doubts, we recommend you to wear completely waterproof clothes and shoes if you are going to do the Inca Trail trek in rainy season and if you do it in dry season you can opt for clothes and shoes with technology.
What to pack for the Inca Trail?
While it is true that to enjoy your adventure to the fullest it is necessary to bring all the right gear such as clothes, sleeping bag, hats, sunglasses, etc. In addition, Waman Adventures has created a list of all items that should be packed in your daypack and duffle bag.

A 40-liter backpack is recommended for the Inca Trail.
What to pack in your Duffle Bag?
Days before your Inca Trail trip, Waman Adventures will provide you with a duffle bag, where you can put everything you need for your 04 days of the trek (06 kg max per traveler), which will be transported by the porter in charge and will be available only in the rest camps, because of that what you should pack in the duffle bag is the following:
- Sleeping bag (rent with us)
- Light shoes or sandals for the campsite.
- Thermal jacket
- 4 to 5 polo shirts or t-shirts
- 2 to 3 trekking pants
- 4 sets of underwear
- 4 sets of trekking socks
- Quick-drying towel
- Ecological soap
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Facial cream
- Powerbank
- Plastic bags
Daypack List
- Hats and sunglasses
- Waterproof jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Sun block
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- Camera and batteries
- Head flashlight
- Extra money for souvenirs, snacks, drinks and tips
General Information about the Inca Trail
How difficult is the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu?
As each person perceives it differently and depending on several factors, such as the season of the trip, your age, and the version you wish to participate in, this is a difficult question. The Trek is available in four day, five day, seven day, and two day versions. You should prepare physically and mentally for the Inca Trail Peru journey if you wish to make the trek easier. However, it is considered that the difficulty level is moderate, being viable for anyone in good condition.
If you want to know more about the difficulty and how to overcome it, click here

Descent and ascent during the Inca Trail trek
Keep these three important points in mind:
- It is not a competition: you do not have to be the first to reach each point, enjoy the whole experience, take breaks when necessary, and ensure that you capture the best images of the Inca Trail.
- Be empathic: while on your trip you will meet new people, with whom you can share pleasant and anecdotal experiences, you can also help them overcome this challenge and enjoy together the most important trail in South America.
- Hire a legal and expert agency: Ensure that you select an agency that is legal, experienced, and has the necessary/modern camping equipment, in order to ensure that you have the best camping experience. As a reference, you can consider a company that has been endorsed by TripAdvisor or Tourradar, such as Waman Adventures.
Booking Inca Trail permits in advance, prices and recommendations
Inca Trail availability
There are very limited spaces available on the majestic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, as it is among the most famous and crowded treks in the world. In addition, availability is influenced by factors including the time of year, the number of people in the group, and the number of spaces, all of which are regulated annually by the Peruvian government. It is also important to note that the price varies according to the tour you wish to take, whether it is the Classic Inca Trail of 4 or 5 days or the Short Inca Trail of 2 days.

How to book Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Permits for inca trail to Machu Picchu
To understand the importance of the Inca Trail Permit, we must go back to 1911, date of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu, which triggered the popularity of this archaeological site and began to receive more than 80,000 people per day, which is why the Government of Peru decided to limit the number of visitors to only 500 people per day (travelers and support staff), thus avoiding the erosion and contamination of the road.
How does the Inca Trail permits work?
The first thing you should know is that the only way to get a permit for the Inca Trail is through a travel agency authorized by the Peruvian State such as Waman Adventures. This permit gives you exclusive access to be able to walk the entire circuit until you reach Machu Picchu.
How to obtain a permit for the Inca Trail Tour?
- Check the availability of the Inca Trail on our website.
- Check availability on our calendar and click on “book now”.
- Reconfirm the date with our agents.
- Contact our sales staff to reconfirm the availability of your reservation, we are available 24/7 to assist you.
- Make your reservation and pay.
- Fill in your personal information, type of service and number of travelers.
- Review and accept our service policies before submitting the form, after submitting it, you will have the option to pay xxx USD per person through any of our payment systems.
- You will receive an email with the confirmation of your reservation.
How to book Inca Trail Tour?
- Fill out the form correctly.
- Full name (as it appears in your passport).
- Passport number (if you are in the process of renewing your passport, send us your current passport information and we can update it later with your new passport).
- Date of birth.
- Gender.
- Nationality.
- E-mail address.
- Send your Deposit: 40% of the total amount will allow us to be ready to reserve your dates as soon as they become available. Our payment methods are: VISA, PAYPAL AND BANK DEPOSITS.
How much does Inca Trail cost?
To answer this question, you must take into account the agency to hire, the seasonality of your trip, the time of advance booking and the type of service you want (private or group), as this directly influences the prices of the tour you choose.
Below, we show you some reference prices:
- Classic Inca Trail 4D/3N Group: from $750 USD to $850 USD.
- Classic Inca Trail 4D/3N Private: from $1250 USD to $1700 USD.
- Short Inca Trail 2D/1N Group: from $490 USD to $600 USD.
- Short Inca Trail 2D/1N Private: from $600 USD to $700 USD.
- Inca Trail 5D/4N Private: from $1340 USD to $1450 USD.
In Waman Adventures we have standardized our prices in all the tours we offer, in order to maintain affordable prices at any time of the year, we only recommend you to book in advance to ensure your Inca Trail permit.
How to prepare for hiking the Inca Trail Peru?
You should start preparing for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as soon as you have confirmed your reservation. The following guidelines can assist you in making the most of your trek:
Physical preparation:
- Engage in exercises that target cardiovascular and muscular endurance, such as swimming, running, hiking, and if you are planning on doing gym training, seek the advice of a professional trainer and a physician before beginning.
- Learn about the activities and routines of a trek through outdoor expeditions. You can begin by mountaineering one day, gradually progressing to more days, and hike trails in natural locations.

Do cardio (swim, run, hike) for endurance.
Mental preparation:
Many people ignore this step, but it is something very important to take into account when performing activities that not only generate a physical wear, but also an emotional and mental wear. In order to prepare for overcoming the challenges that will arise, we recommend meditation, yoga and any other relaxing activity.

Consider meditation, yoga, or other relaxation methods to handle challenges effectively.
Do I need to be fit to do Inca Trail?
To begin with, let me clarify that you do not need to be an athlete to accomplish this trek. It is important that you maintain a healthy physical and mental condition in order to achieve your goals. That is to say, you will be prepared for all the challenges of this adventure with prior training with exercises that will improve your physical and respiratory resistance. It is, however, extremely important not to have serious physical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.
Be sure to consult your physician before embarking on the Inca Trail.
Now you know all the pros and cons of each season and we are sure you will be able to make the best decision about when is the best time to hike Inca Trail. Now get ready to embark on a journey with Waman Adventures that will transform your soul!
Follow our advice to choose the perfect moment and walk towards your own experience, where every step taken will bring you closer to the ancestral magic of the Andes and the wonders of this trail.