Inca Trail In 2025: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Are you planning to hike the Inca Trail in 2025?

This outstanding trek remains a very popular experience, and as such tickets are already beginning to sell out fast for 2025. It’s important to plan well in advance, and from our experience we recommend buying your tickets at least 6 months in advance to guarantee your spot on the Inca Trail.

In this guide we’ll discuss everything you need to know about hiking the Inca Trail in 2025. This includes what to expect each month, what the weather will be like as well as our own personal suggestions.

Did you know that only AB Expeditions is a 100% locally owned company, and provides high quality trekking gear to their porters? As well as this, we always carry satellite phones for communication as well as providing a private toilet for your own comfort. Click here to book your Inca trail 4 Day Trek with us whilst spaces are still available!

When Is The Best Time To Hike The Inca Trail in 2025?

Quick Answer: Having led hundreds of treks along the Inca Trail for over the last 16 years, we can confidently say that all months offer something special for travelers (aside from February where the trail is closed each year).

First of all we have the dry season which runs from April until October, and is characterized by sunny skies, little rain and cooler temperatures. It’s perfect for those scenic mountain shots, and also for seeing Machu Picchu with a clear blue sky.

The only downside is that it’s the most popular period of the year, so tickets for these months sell out very fast. Whilst there won’t be an excessive amount of people (it’s capped at 500 per day regardless throughout the whole year), hiking groups will tend to be closer together as well as more packed camping sites.

The wet season begins in November, and continues on until March. During this period we can expect more rain, as well as a more vibrant green jungle which we spend more time hiking through on our first, third and fourth days. As well as potentially seeing more animals and flourishing flora, temperatures are also warmer and more comfortable in the wet season. The groups also tend to be split out more, meaning you’ll feel more connected to the path and can further immerse yourself.

The downside of course is the extra rain, and the tendency for there to be more gray skies. This is also more common at Machu Picchu, although the extra mist around the mountain can make for a remarkable photo in itself!

Advantages Of Booking The Inca Trail 2025 In Advance

There are numerous advantages of booking the Inca Trail early for 2025, however the biggest has to be regarding the campsites.

There are various camping zones which you can choose from along the Inca Trail, however some such as Ayapata and Wiñay Wayna are very popular and tend to sell-out fast. The benefit of booking early is that, regardless if you are the only one booking for a particular tour date in 2025, we will guarantee whichever campsite you want.

The other major benefit is being able to guarantee the dates and month that you want most. There are certain months of the year that are really popular for the Inca Trail, such as June, July and August.

As a result certain months can sell out as far as 6-8 months in advance, so by booking your tickets early you can relax and get everything the way you had originally planned.

Last but not least, if you book your Inca Trail 2025 trek in 2024 then it will be cheaper. This is because costs will increase in 2025, due to numerous reasons (such as increased wages for porters).

*Important Note: Regardless if you book your Inca Trail trip 4 weeks or 14 months in advance, we unfortunately cannot provide a refund for your deposit in case you cancel your trip or need to change your dates. This is because all Inca Trail Permits are non-refundable (as well as non-transferable to another date), as per the rules of the Ministerio de Cultura. There are of course extreme examples where a refund can be given, such was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Inca Trail In 2025: A Summary Of Each Month

Below we’ll now take a look at what you can expect hiking the Inca Trail in all months of 2025, including the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Inca Trail in January 2025

January is one of the wettest months of the year, so rainfall is much higher here compared with other periods. As much as 8-9 inches has been recorded throughout January, so you’ll want to make sure you bring a good poncho!

Whilst this can make hiking a little more difficult, it does also mean that you’ll have less travelers on the path with you where you can also see more picturesque landscapes (such as a greener jungle and more mists around the mountains).

Although some campsites can be closed due to safety concerns, we will always do our best to guarantee you the very best campsites during your Inca Trail trek. The further in advance you book for January 2025, the higher your chances are of getting your preferred option.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in January.

Inca Trail in February 2025

The Inca Trail is closed during the whole of this month each year, and February 2025 is no exception. This happens for several reasons. Firstly it allows for necessary maintenance work and repairs to the trail and campsites to take place.

Not only does this guarantee the safety of travelers throughout the year after, it also helps to protect the ruins and sites for many years to come.

February also marks the peak of the wet season, where heavy rainfall and storms are more likely. Landslides are more likely to happen in February compared with any other month of the year.

Be sure to learn more about why the Inca Trail is closed in February.

Inca Trail in March 2025

March marks the annual re-opening of the Inca Trail, and tends to be popular with travelers who have been waiting since the end of January.

Whilst still in the wet season, rainfall isn’t as heavy as it is in December or January (usually around 7.5 inches falls throughout March along the Inca Trail). There’s a good chance you may not have any rainfall at all, although if you do it’s most likely on the third day when hiking through the warmer jungle environment.

As mentioned, hiking the Inca Trail in March 2025 is a great month since everything will be fresh and repaired, so you’ll want to book your tickets ASAP to guarantee your space.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in March.

Inca Trail in April 2025

Heading into autumn here in Peru, we now have April which is the first official month of the dry season. Whilst rainfall does drop along the Inca Trail, there’s still usually between 3-4 inches falling throughout the whole month (so isn’t yet within the overall driest period).

April is arguably one of the best months of the year to head on the Inca Trail, since it has some of the best weather. Not only is rainfall lower, however there will be more clear skies as well as more comfortable temperatures (compared with later in the year).

The high tourist season has also yet to arrive, meaning you can enjoy a more relaxed experience with less people around.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in April.

Inca Trail in May 2025

May is the first month of the high season, which is the most popular period for travelers to come on the Inca Trail (which is from May until August). Still a shoulder month, you can make the most of the slightly warmer temperatures in May before they drop in June.

Rainfall is also lower in May than any of the months earlier in the year, which has an average of 1.8 inches falling throughout the whole month.

If you’re thinking of hiking the Inca Trail in May 2025, then it’s important to book well in advance since availability during this month sells out fast!

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in May.

Inca Trail in June 2025

Now we arrive in June, which marks the official start of the winter season within the Peruvian Andes.

June sees a further reduction in rainfall to just 0.5 inches for the whole month – making it the overall driest month of the year to hike the Inca Trail. Both June and July are notorious for clear blue skies, however temperatures do also drop to their lowest (as little as 35°F at nighttime), so you’ll want to make sure you bring warm clothing with you.

Given June is usually a popular month for taking vacations abroad, it does mean it will be a busy month to hike the Inca Trail in 2025. Of course amenities and campsites are still kept in perfect order, however you will want to purchase your ticket at least 8 months in advance to guarantee your spot in June 2025.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in June.

Inca Trail in July 2025

July is another very popular month to hike the Inca Trail, since it is when many have time off from work to fully enjoy their summer holidays (from areas such as the USA, Europe and Canada).

This means you’ll want to book your tour and permit well in advance for July 2025. We recommend at least 6-8 months, but even more would be ideal to guarantee your spot.

Rainfall is also very low in July (0.8 inches for the whole month), so you can enjoy hiking this ancient path with little to no disturbance. Whilst nighttime temperatures remain quite cold this time of year, it’s important to know that daily highs are pretty consistent throughout the year too – so you’ll want to bring lighter clothing too to prevent yourself from getting too hot in the day.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in July.

Inca Trail in August 2025

The final month of the peak tourist season, August again is another popular month to hike the Inca Trail. Rainfall remains low with just 1 inch throughout the month – having been recorded so for many of the past years.

Hikers can enjoy clear skies in both the day and night in August 2025, with the latter being great for spotting stars at nighttime in the campsites.

Temperatures remain hot during the day whilst cool at night – with the exception of Day Two which is colder regardless of the month you head on the Inca Trail (this is where you’ll hike up to the Dead Woman’s Pass – the highest point of the Inca Trail at 4215m).

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in August.

Inca Trail in September 2025

September is another popular month to visit the Inca Trail in the shoulder season, where we start leaving the colder winter period and heading into the warmer Spring time.

Whilst temperatures are slightly warmer, you’ll still need to bring thick clothing for the nights given it can still get pretty cold. Rainfall is still low, with 2.5 inches falling throughout the entire month.

Given September is an ideal month both for weather and planning a vacation around, availability can run-out fast. Make sure to book your Inca Trail Tour for September 2025 ASAP to guarantee your place and best campsites.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in September.

Inca Trail in October 2025

Heading into the shoulder season we now have October, which is a fantastic month to hike the Inca Trail.

Not only is the weather still great (heavier rains begin at the end of the month and in November), however the temperatures begin to warm up as well as we leave the cooler winter period behind. In October we can expect roughly 4.5 inches throughout the whole month.

October 2025 is also a great month to travel around Peru and the Cusco region, so it’s worth adding the Inca Trail to your plans if coming in this month. Tourism will be slightly less than it has been from June until September, so you can enjoy both great weather and the archaeological sites with less crowds.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in October.

Inca Trail in November 2025

November marks the beginning of the wet season, which seems to be dreaded by most when they imagine hiking in these harder conditions.

However rainfall in this month isn’t as heavy as it gets later on in the year (around 6 inches throughout), and also to be honest the showers in this month are relatively light and tolerable.

We guarantee both high quality hiking equipment and tents, so you’ll be well-equipped when the odd shower here or there hits. November is also the warmest month of the year to hike the Inca Trail, where you can also enjoy less crowded trails.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in November.

Inca Trail in December 2025

Finally we have the final month of the year which is December.

One of the biggest reasons to hike the Inca Trail within December 2025 is the fact that it’s the low season. This means airfares over to Peru will be cheaper (the exception of course being within the Christmas and New Years dates), and also with a better chance at getting your preferred campsite.

December does fall within the middle of the wet season, so rainfall is much heavier during this month. We can expect between 8-9 inches to fall throughout December, so there’s a good chance of a few showers during our trek. It’s important to bring a high quality poncho as well as hiking boots with good grip if hiking the Inca Trail in December 2025.

Here you can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in December.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Inca Trail In 2025

Now we will answer some of the most asked questions we receive from those who are looking to hike the Inca Trail in 2025.

How Far In Advance Should I Book The Inca Trail?

This really depends on you and your schedule. For example those who have uncertain work or events may want to book slightly closer to the time. However in general, we recommend booking between 6-8 months prior in order to secure your desired dates and campsites.

This can also vary depending on when you want to visit. For example, those who want the challenge of hiking during January in the wet season could book as little as 3 months prior (or even less) and find spaces free. If you’re looking to head in July, then you’ll want to book a minimum of 6-8 months prior to guarantee both your spot and preferred campsite.

How Long Does It Take To Hike The Inca Trail?

When it comes to how long the Inca Trail takes, this depends on two factors. The first is which Inca Trail hike you choose, given there are numerous options. The full Inca Trail and either be hiked in 4 Days (the classic route) or 5 Days (the extended route). On average you will be walking for between 5-8 hours each day.

The second major factor is your own fitness as well as the overall pace of your group. Remember that as well as training properly for the Inca Trail prior, you’ll also want to have acclimated to the higher altitudes of the Cusco region before taking this trek on. You can learn more about how to prepare for The Inca Trail in 2025 here.

Can A Beginner Hike The Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail can best be described as a moderately challenging hike. This means that both beginners and hiking pros will enjoy the route. If you have no experience hiking at all, then we recommend doing some longer hikes in your local area to get your body used to these longer distances.

Once you arrive in Cusco you may find it helpful to do some extra hikes in these higher altitudes too in order to prevent yourself from getting altitude sickness. We would recommend first heading up to the Cristo Blanco statue, which is a 45 minute walk up from the historic center in Cusco. You can also hike around the ancient ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley for extra preparation.