Choosing when to do the Inca Trail can make the difference between an amazing experience and four days fighting against rain and mud. Weather in the Andes is fairly predictable by season, but each month has its own pros and cons.
The short answer is that the dry season (May to September) is objectively better for trekking. But if we dig a little deeper, you’ll see there are important nuances depending on what you’re looking for: fewer people, better prices, milder weather or greener landscapes.
The two main seasons: dry vs. rainy
In Cusco and along the Inca Trail there are really only two clearly defined seasons: dry and rainy. There’s no spring, summer, fall and winter like in other places. Here it’s basically “it rains” or “it doesn’t rain” — and that changes everything.
Dry season (May to September): Sunny days, clear skies, cold nights. It’s the best time for trekking because the trail is dry and the views are crystal clear. The downside is that everyone knows this, so permits sell out quickly and there are more hikers on the route.
Rainy season (November to March): It rains almost every day, especially in the afternoons. The landscape is much greener and there are fewer people, but hiking in the rain is not exactly fun and views are often covered in clouds. February is closed for maintenance, so it’s not even an option.
Shoulder months (April and October): These sit right in between. April still has some rain but it’s improving. October is the tail end of the dry season, so some showers may appear. They’re good months if you want to avoid the crowds without taking too big a risk with the weather.
Month by month: what to expect in each season
January:
- Weather: Rains a lot, especially in the afternoons
- Landscape: Deep green, wildflowers
- Tourists: Few, it’s low season
- Price: Cheaper than high season
- Availability: Easy to get permits
- Recommendation: Only if you don’t mind getting wet and you bring solid waterproof gear
February:
- CLOSED – The Inca Trail is closed all month for maintenance
- It’s the rainiest month of the year
- Use this time to visit Machu Picchu via other routes
March:
- Weather: Still rainy but less than in January
- Landscape: Very green, waterfalls with a strong flow
- Tourists: Few, high season hasn’t started yet
- Price: Affordable
- Availability: Good
- Recommendation: Last chance before prices go up, but you need to be ready for rain
April:
- Weather: Transition month, some showers but getting better
- Landscape: Green, flowers starting to appear
- Tourists: Numbers start to increase
- Price: Medium
- Availability: Good if you book about 2 months in advance
- Recommendation: Great month if you want a balance between decent weather and fewer people
May:
- Weather: Dry, sunny days and cold nights
- Landscape: Still somewhat green from the previous rains
- Tourists: Numbers go up significantly
- Price: High season
- Availability: Book 3–4 months in advance
- Recommendation: One of the best months – start of the dry season without being as crowded as July
June:
- Weather: Dry and sunny, perfect for trekking
- Landscape: Less green than in May but with very clear views
- Tourists: Many, it’s high season
- Price: High
- Availability: Book 4–5 months in advance
- Recommendation: Excellent month – reliable weather, lines up with vacation time in many countries
July:
- Weather: Dry, the month with the least rain of the year
- Landscape: Dry but with crystal-clear views
- Tourists: The busiest month – school vacations all over the world
- Price: The highest of the year
- Availability: Book 5–6 months in advance
- Recommendation: Best weather, but too many people for some travelers. If you come in July, accept that it will be crowded.
August:
- Weather: Dry, similar to July
- Landscape: Dry, some areas look brown
- Tourists: Many, the second busiest month
- Price: High
- Availability: Book 5–6 months in advance
- Recommendation: Great weather but very crowded. Night temperatures are very cold.
September:
- Weather: Dry, with a few isolated showers toward the end of the month
- Landscape: Dry but with the first flowers appearing
- Tourists: Fewer than in July–August
- Price: Still high season, but starting to drop
- Availability: Book 3–4 months in advance
- Recommendation: Very good month – reliable weather with smaller crowds
October:
- Weather: Transition month, showers may appear
- Landscape: Starting to turn green again
- Tourists: Considerably fewer than in high season
- Price: Medium
- Availability: Book 2–3 months in advance
- Recommendation: Good balance if you don’t mind some occasional rain
November:
- Weather: Regular rains start
- Landscape: Green and fresh
- Tourists: Few
- Price: Low
- Availability: Good
- Recommendation: Only if you’re flexible and have good rain gear
December:
- Weather: Rains a lot, especially after midday
- Landscape: Very green
- Tourists: Numbers go up toward the end of the month because of the holidays
- Price: Medium (goes up around Christmas/New Year)
- Availability: Good in the first half, harder around the holidays
- Recommendation: If you can, avoid the holiday dates; the first half of the month is better.
The three best months to hike the Inca Trail
If I had to choose only three months, they would be:
1. May: The perfect sweet spot. Weather is already dry after the rainy season, the landscape is still green, and although it’s high season, it’s not as packed as July–August. Prices are high but not at their peak.
2. September: Reliable weather like mid-summer but with noticeably fewer people. Daytime temperatures are pleasant and although nights are cold, they’re not as harsh as in July–August. A great all-round option.
3. June: If you want almost guaranteed good weather and don’t mind paying full high-season prices or sharing the trail with more people, June is excellent. It’s the month with the least weather risk.
Months to avoid or think twice about for the Inca Trail
February: Closed. Not even an option.
January: Constant rain, slippery trails, cloudy views. Only for the most adventurous or those who have absolutely no other dates available.
July–August: Not because of the weather (which is perfect) but because of the crowds. If you really value peace and the feeling of being in nature, these months can be disappointing. There are groups starting every few minutes.
How the season affects your experience
Weather and visibility: In the dry season you see the mountains, distant glaciers and Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate in full detail. In the rainy season, you often just see fog. That perfect photo you were dreaming of may turn into a white cloud.
Trail conditions: Hiking on dry Inca stone stairways is one thing. Hiking the same steps when they’re wet, mossy and muddy is a completely different experience. In the rainy season, the risk of slipping goes way up.
Temperature: In the dry season, days are warm (15–20°C / 59–68°F) but nights are very cold (down to -5°C / 23°F at higher campsites). In the rainy season, temperatures are more even but everything is damp, which makes the cold feel more intense.
Social experience: In July–August you can have 15–20 groups camping in the same place. From November to March there may be just 3–4 groups. The feeling of the trek is completely different.
Special considerations depending on your situation
If you’re traveling with kids: Avoid the coldest months (July–August) and the rainiest ones (January–March). May, June or September are better choices.
If you have flexible dates: Aim for May or September. They offer the best balance of weather, crowds and price.
If you can only travel during school holidays: July–August will be your options. Book as early as possible (6 months) and mentally prepare to share the trail with lots of people.
If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly experience: November, March or April usually have lower prices, but assume it might rain.
If you’re a photographer: Dry season, no question. Clear views and better light. September has beautiful light and fewer people than July.
If you have health issues or limited fitness: Dry season. Hiking in rain, cold and humidity is much more physically demanding.
When to book, depending on the month you choose
If you’re traveling between May and September: Book 4–6 months in advance, especially for July–August.
If you’re traveling in April or October: Book 2–3 months in advance.
If you’re traveling between November and March: You can usually book 1–2 months ahead, sometimes even less.
Bookings usually open around October of the previous year. For example, if you want to hike in June 2026, permits open around November 2025.
Events and special dates to keep in mind
Inti Raymi (June 24): The Festival of the Sun in Cusco. The city is packed with tourists, prices go up and everything books out earlier. If you want to be here for this celebration, plan carefully.
Holy Week (March or April, changes every year): A temporary high season. Prices rise during that specific week even if it’s still the rainy season.
Peru’s Independence Day (July 28–29): Long holiday in Peru, lots of Peruvians travel. Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu get even more crowded than usual.
Christmas and New Year’s: Even though it’s the rainy season, many travelers take advantage of their holidays. Prices go up and you need to book earlier.
The weather forecast: how reliable is it?
In the dry season (May–September), the weather is fairly predictable: sun during the day, cold at night. You can count on good weather about 85–90% of the time.
In the rainy season (November–March), it’s more unstable. You can get sunny days in the middle of the wettest period, or entire weeks of almost continuous rain. It’s much less predictable.
Weather forecasts for the Inca Trail region are not very precise because it’s a high mountain area. Check them about a week before, but don’t take them as absolute truth.
