The most pleasant times of the year to enjoy the Inca Trail and see the best climate are April and May or September and October. These times of the year are a bit quieter in terms of tourists and the weather is remarkably pleasant with little rainfall.
However, many tourists like to organize their trip around other attractions in Cusco, and June is the best month of the year for this. June is Cusco’s anniversary and there is always something going on, including the incredible re-enactment of the Inti Raymi Inca festival.
Keep in mind, however, that this month is generally busier, and booking hotels, restaurants, and travel well in advance is imperative.
Read on to discover the weather for each month of the year along the Inca Trail route, during the dry and wet season, so you can properly plan your trek to Machu Picchu.
The dry season is associated with some beautiful sunny days and the opportunity to take in the most spectacular views of the stunning Andean landscapes. However, this also means the arrival of many more visitors to Peru who want to make the most of the dry climate. The Inca Trail sells out many months in advance at this time of year.
As we mentioned before, preparation is critical when traveling during the dry season, as everything is booked in advance. Making reservations about four months in advance is usually a good idea to ensure you get spaces on the trek and in the hotels you want. If you want to go up to Huayna Picchu once inside Machu Picchu, you must book well in advance.
That’s all folks. The rainy season is behind us and the dry season is here. It’s not unusual to see the occasional light rain, but nothing to affect your hike too much. The amount of rain has decreased a lot by now and May is known as some of the most pleasant weather of the year. This is a lovely time to visit before the huge crowds arrive at Machu Picchu. You will feel temperatures of 66°F during the day and things will start to cool down at night around 39°F.
June is famous for being the driest time of the year and you probably won’t see any rain. However, winter is already upon us and the nights on the Inca Trail are getting quite cold. In the day it is still mild at 66°F, but at night it starts to drop to 34°F. Also, keep in mind that June is one of the busiest months in Cusco, so be prepared for many other visitors at Machu Picchu.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any colder at night, July rolls around. It can go down to 32°F, but it will warm up again during the day to around 66°F. This is actually the coldest month of the year, so make sure you pack warm clothes for the night and a decent sleeping bag. The sun is very strong this time of year, so take strong sunscreen.
Winter is almost over, but it’s still quite cold at night. Expect it to be around 37°F at night and up to 66°F in the day. The days are getting sunnier and there is still very little rainfall. August is packed with visitors and you should expect some outstanding views with clear skies along the Inca Trail.
This is a beautiful time of year weather wise. The temperatures are finally getting warmer and you won’t see much rain. In general, you will feel very warm and you will be able to bathe in the sun most of the day. Tourism is declining again this time of year, so it’s a great time to come. You will feel temperatures of 66°F during the day and 41°F at night.
Another one of our favorite months. It is one of the warmest and you will avoid large crowds at Machu Picchu, while enjoying fantastic views. Expect blue skies and maybe a shower of the odd light from time to time. During the day the temperature will be around 66°F and at night 43°F.
During the rainy season, the weather is a bit unpredictable on the Inca Trail. You should always be prepared for a sudden downpour. If you are going to travel at this time of year, you should bring raincoats and take them with you in your backpack. However, don’t be surprised if you also find that you don’t see rain for a day or two.
The months with the most rainfall are January and February. The Inca Trail is actually closed in February due to the rains and for government maintenance.
The rain is really starting to fall now and there are downpours most days. The sun will hide a lot behind the clouds, but it does come out to quickly dry the wet ground after a downpour. You will still be able to experience sunny spells during the day and feel temperatures of 64°F in the day and 45°F at night.
As we already mentioned, the Inca Trail is closed in February. There are stronger showers and the wet ground can cause accidents and slips. You will not be able to reserve a spot on the trail this month, but a few other routes are open if you are in Cusco. However, the weather is still temperate and during the day you will experience around 64°F and at night 46°F.
The downpours remain consistent through March, but there will be more breaks in the clouds and the sun will show its face more often. Visitors start walking the Inca Trail again and the ground will be a little drier. However, don’t leave your rain gear behind. Expect temperatures of 66°End day and 46°F at night.
At last! It is almost time to say goodbye to the heavy rains of a few months. There is still a bit of rain in April, but it has reduced drastically. You’ll feel plenty of sun on your skin and enjoy temperatures of 66°F during the day and 45°F at night.
In November, the dry season has come to an end and the rainy season is here. Along the route you will see that the fields are dry and not very green due to many dry months. The later you travel in November; more precipitation you will see. The temperature on the Inca Trail in November is generally pleasant and you will feel warm most of the time. The average temperature this month is 66°F in the day and 41°F at night.
December marks the beginning of the Peruvian summer and is when more national tourists travel. The overall temperature on the route is still generally warm (66°F during the day and 45°F at night), but you should expect to see more rain. December is a good month to travel if you want to avoid large crowds, but be sure to bring your raincoats.
As you can see, the temperature does not change much throughout the year. During the day you will most likely experience a temperature of 66°F and around 40°F at night. Of course, it depends on where you are on the trail. The first few camps are cooler and you will be at a higher altitude before descending into the hotter jungle sections of the trail.
The coldest month of the year on the Inca Trail is July without a doubt. At night the temperature can drop as low as 32°F, but it still warms up again in the day to around 66°F. June comes in a close second with the nighttime temperature dropping to 34°F.
If you are traveling during these months, you should ensure that you bring warm clothing and a sleeping bag that can withstand colder climates.
The climate on the Inca Trail is very similar to that of Cusco. So when there is heavy rain on the trek, chances are they are also in the city where the airport is located. Occasionally the downpours are so heavy that a flight can be delayed or even cancelled. But you need not worry as the airlines will always put you on another flight as soon as possible.
