INCA TRAIL IN MARCH

The Classic Inca Trail re-opens in March after closing for maintenance the whole month of February. In terms of weather, March is still a rainy month after January and February. But it is the tail end of the wet season, so the dry days are coming through more and more along the Inca Trail as March advances. Moreover, this time of the year enables hikers to see some wild fauna by the trail since they have returned to empty places in February feeling the quietness of the valleys and trails. Travelers share the trail with fewer people at this time of the year, so hiking on the Inca trail in March is certainly an option and enjoyable either. If you hike Inca Trail in March, prepare and pack for any weather conditions. The weather constantly changes quickly and can swing from clear skies to heavy rain.

Did you know that only AB Expeditions (Local Travel Company) provides proper trekking gear to their porters? Also, they provide satellite phones and a private toilet tent on their Inca Trail trips. Book your Inca trail 4 days with them!

Things to know

• The general rainy season pattern in March is that heavy rain comes in the afternoons.
• March is the third wettest time of year to hike the Inca Trail.
• If Semana Santa (Holy week) falls in March, the Inca Trail permits tend to run out quickly.
• March is still classed as the rainy season, so it is not the best time to hike Inca Trail.
• The rain starts to ease in March on the Inca Trail, especially near the end of this month.
• Crowds are still low as the high season hasn’t started yet.
• Rain: On average, rain falls 15 days in a month.
• Temperature: It ranges between 5.5 and 18-celsius degrees. (42 and 66 ° F)

Pros

• You will find clean campsites, toilets, and new bridges.
• Because of the rain, flora will be thriving along the Inca Trail so you’ll be able to spot many beautiful orchids.
• The Inca trail has been recently-maintained.
• Contemplate the green blanketed valleys.
• There is a chance to get an Inca trail permit easier.
• Perfect weather for shooting a timelapse of clouds.
• Witness some incredible Rainbow phenomenon.

Cons

• The constant rain makes the stairs slippery and consequently unsafe.
• The campsites are located usually along the hillside, and with heavy rain humidity, the soil can slide down. 
• Heavy rainfall in the afternoons.
• The Sun Gate is obscured by mist constantly so you won’t have the first glimpse of the lost city of the Incas.
•  Train tracks from Aguas Calientes can be blocked by a mudslide.
• The views are extremely limited after the second day, because of the thick mist.

Recommendations

• Don’t book your flight ticket for the same day that you are returning from Inca Trail because train delays are very common in March.
• If you are thinking to hike Inca Trail in March, we recommend you do it in the last two weeks of March because, in the first two weeks of March, there is a high chance to get rain every day.
• Make sure you have a good rain jacket. There is nothing worse than hiking for hours soaking wet.
• Bring a dry bag for smartphones and other devices.

Do you have a rough idea of when the permits for March sell out by?

During the first week of March, the Inca trail permits never run out because it is still rainy season and many people try to avoid this time of year. However, for the last 2 weeks of March, the permits for the Inca Trail run out 1 month in advance because, in the last 2 weeks, the rain decreased.