Best time to hike the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous treks in the world. So, whe is the best time to hike?.

Most guidebooks state that autumn and winter are the best times for hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, since the weather tends to be moderate and stable, with clear skies. However, due to the complex nature of Peru’s geography and climate, there’s a lot more to this. An ever-increasing number of travelers visit Peru in spring and summer, and for good reason. With the right information, travel plan, and preparation, the Inca Trail in Peru is a great year-round destination.

Main Seasons to hike the Inca Trail

Winter

The winter season brings cold weather at higher elevations but is a great time to hike the Inca trail and alternative treks to Machu Picchu for crystal clear skies and wonderful landscapes. Treks to Machu Picchu in the lower foothills are perfect in winter like the short Inca Trail, Choquequirao, and huchuy Qoaqo; the trips to Amazon jungle is highly recommended

Spring

Spring season is a popular time to go trekking to Machu Picchu, as temperatures climb steadily and the weather tends to be more stable. Trails are more crowded, however, and the skies can be a bit misty at times. Spring features great festivals, including carnival in February or March.

Summer

The summer season is the wet season and brings hot, humid weather, with most trekking areas seeing cloudy skies and rain. During this season the rain comes at any time during the day or during the night. It’s important to be prepared with good waterproof shoes and rain gear. But trekkers are rewarded by splendid views. The fields are very green with plenty of flowers and more opportunities to see wildlife.

Fall

The fall season is the most popular trekking season because the weather is usually stable, temperatures are moderate, and skies tend to be clear. Since the weather conditions are at their best, the crowds are at their peak as well! Winter has the big festivals in the city of Cusco: The Inti Raymi (Sun festival) (June)

If I want to visit only Machu Picchu, when is the best time visit it?

• If you are thinking to visit only Machu Picchu then the answer is at 6 or 7 AM or any time after 2 or 3PM.
• If you want to be among the first to enter Machu Picchu, get on one of the first transfers that leave from the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) at 5:30 am. And purchase your entrance for 6:00AM
• To do this, you must arrive at the bus stop at least two hours in advance to avoid crowds and be in the front of the line.
• Make sure that your Machu Picchu tickets are timed for the 6:00 AM. If you do all this correctly, you will have the privilege of seeing the sunrise at Machu Picchu; if the weather allows you.
• Alternatively, you can arrive after 2 or 3:00 PM after most of the crowds (at least 80%) have left Machu Picchu.
• At this time of the day, the park rangers are more flexible and allow you to stay a little longer in certain places of Machu Picchu.

Conclusions

As you can see, there is not a perfect time (sunny, warm and dry months). You have to compromise according to your desires, if the rain bothers you more or if you are sensitive to cold.

However, we can say that (from the worst to the best time of year):

• February is excluded because the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance the whole month.
• January and March are to avoid if possible because of the rain.
• April, November and December are a good compromise between an almost warm temperature and a nice weather.
• May and October offer a nice weather with fresh temperatures.
• June, July, August and September are, to us, the best time of year because the weather is very nice even if nights are cool but there is almost no rain.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – the trail toward the “Paqhaymayu” camp on the second day

The Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is the most popular trekking destination in Peru, which you can trek all year around. During the autumn and winter the Inca Trail brings cold, dry weather and occasional snow in the highest pass named “Warmihuañusqha” at 4,200 m / 13997 ft. The skies are usually crystal clear, making winter one of the best seasons for unobstructed, brittle views of the mountains like Salkantay 6271m. The spring and summer are the season where the weather can change very rapid from rain to snow and to sunny.

Suggested packing list for the Inca Trail

• Nicer clothes for night life in Cusco
• Shorts (quick dry)
• Pants (quick dry)
• T-shirts (quick dry)
• A warm fleece, down jacket, or wool sweater (available in Cusco)
• Thermal underwear
• Underwear and socks
• Warm hat, gloves, & scarf
• Water proof jacket & pants and/or rain poncho
• After trekking trousers & t-shirt
• Good, well worn-in hiking boots
• After trek shoes (sandals)
• Sleeping bag, -5C / 20F (available to rent)
• Towel
• Water bottles (2 liter capacity) , recomendable is the camelbags
• Sunglasses – Eyeglasses or contacts (if necessary)
• Sun hat
• Head lamp & spare batteries
• Book, notepaper & pen (optional)
• Suntan lotion with 15 SPF or higher
• After sun care – Lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Camera & spare battery (charging is not availability during the trek)
• Personal toiletries (only soap is provided during the trek)
• Money belt
• Passport
• Day pack & rain cover

Personal first aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, antiseptic cream, after bite, anti-diarrhea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication. (SUNRSE PERU TREK carries an extensive first aid kit & Oxygen on all trips, but these are generally for emergencies only)

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – The viewpoint at Phuyupatamarka on the third day

Conclusion: When is the Best Season to hike the Inca Trail?

As described above, there is not a single answer to the question what is the best time to go to trekking the Inca Trail. While there is some truth to the conventional wisdom that spring and fall are great for trekking, winter and summer have distinct advantages as well. Increasingly travelers visit Inca Trail and Machu Pïcchu in every season and armed with the right trip plan Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a great year-round destination.

Brows the Inca Trail packages