James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on November 22, 2022 by James Bustamante
When is the best time to do the Inca trail? This is a common question we receive throughout the entire year. Potential hikers want to ensure their trip is perfectly planned and with good reason. You can pick a good time to take the classic 4-day Inca from the highlands’ two major seasons: wet and dry. They both have their pros and cons. Let’s discuss the best time to take the Inca trail and Hike Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail in the Wet Season
Most travelers will want to avoid the rain at all costs when doing the Inca trail. However, others will look forward to the small group sizes and less crowded routes of the Inca trail during the rainy months.
The wet season in the Peruvian highlands usually ranges from mid-November to late early March of the following year. On some occasions, the rainy season can be rather heavy, while on others, it is barely noticeable outside, with just a few short showers each day.
One of the pros of hiking the Inca Trail during this time of the year is availability. The Inca trail is open in January, closes all of February for maintenance, and reopens in March. Travelers can book January or March trails just a few weeks in advance. Spots will most likely be readily available for booking. This differs from booking and reserving your spot months and sometimes over a year in advance during the dry season. The hike will also be less crowded.
At this time of the year, groups will range from 6 to 12 people. During the dry period, groups can easily reach twice that amount. One of the common downsides when booking during the wet season is usually how cloudy it can get. It might not always be rainy, but the sky will be overcast during the wet season in the Peruvian highlands.
What about getting that picture-perfect photograph of Machu Picchu?
Getting that perfect Machu Picchu picture can be difficult, no matter the season. It is more challenging to get a sunny view of the Inca citadel during the wet period. If you travel in the wet season, it is far more likely to get a clear shot of Machu Picchu in the late morning or afternoon shift instead of the early morning.
The Inca Trail During the Dry Season
If weather is essential to you, the best time to hike is the Inca trail which extends from April to August. Travelers can look forward to sunny days, clear skies, and weather in the ’70s during the day but low 50’s to high 40’s (Fahrenheit) at night.
It is unlikely you’ll ever see any rain during the dry period. However, it may feel too dry for some. Anyone hiking in high altitudes in arid weather will know what I’m referring to. However, the biggest problem with booking the Inca trail during the dry season is, as you might have guessed, being able to secure it. Many international hikers look forward and book almost two years in advance to secure a spot. This usually happens in June when the Inti Rainy Sun Festival occurs in the Peruvian highlands.
It will also be much easier to get fantastic pictures of Machu Picchu during the dry period. The downside is that you will have to ask other hikers to step out of the way to get a clear shot.
Conclusion
The best time to book the Inca trail, however, will be when you have a chance to do it. The hike is memorable; if you can find the time to include it in your Peru trip, you will not be disappointed. Both the wet and dry seasons have something unique to offer travelers so either one is fine as long as you pack accordingly. For more information on The Inca Trail or any other Peru tour package contact our travel specialists today.
