Inca Trail Temperatures: A Trek Preparation Guide

A Brief Breakdown Of The Inca Trail Temperatures And What To Expect

Overall the Inca Trail experiences a wide range of temperatures regardless of the time you visit. This is because the Four Day Inca Trail Trek heads through the Andes and cloudforests of the Cusco region, which are both notorious for changes in climate on a daily basis.

During the mornings, temperatures are cool and crisp, and it’s wise to wear long clothing as you have breakfast and begin getting warm as you start your hike each day. By the afternoon temperatures get hot (and especially if there’s clear skies), so having short layers ready is ideal. For the evenings and nighttimes, temperatures can get quite cold – so it’s worth packing warm jumpers, a coat, hat and gloves ready. 

Morning Averages: 40-55°F

Afternoon Averages: 65-77°F

Nighttime Averages: 32-42°F

How Inca Trail Temperatures Vary In Different Seasons (And How To Best Prepare For Each)

Now let’s take a look at how the Inca Trail temperatures can vary per season – which will help you to choose between them, and also how you can prepare properly.

Winter Inca Trail Temperatures (June-August)

The winter months are the overall most popular time to hike the Inca Trail, as clear blue skies are guaranteed pretty much all days. This means that midday temperatures will most often reach between 70-77°F, which means you can enjoy warm temperatures and lighter clothing. Nighttimes reach their coldest of the year between 32-40°F, so be sure to wrap up warmly in the late afternoons.

Spring Inca Trail Temperatures (September-November)

The spring time slowly gets warmer as we head towards November, and is still quite consistent with its temperatures despite the wet season also beginning in early November. This season has the most consistently warm temperatures of both day and night – and even better than the summer as rainfall is still minimal this season. Daytime temperatures reach between 65-77°F, while evenings hover around 32-42°F.

Summer Inca Trail Temperatures (December-February)

The summer on the Inca Trail can be quite a paradoxical season for temperatures. Nighttime temperatures are at their warmest reaching between 36-42°F, which is ideal for those who dislike the colder lows experienced in the drier winter season. However the daytimes can get quite cool when it’s raining – with real-feel temperatures of between 45-75°F depending on how much rain there is – so be sure to bring a rainproof jacket or poncho ready!

Autumn Inca Trail Temperatures (March-May)

Lastly we now have the autumn season, which is also unpredictable when it comes to Inca Trail temperatures. The rainy months continue until April, meaning temperatures will be a little more unpredictable when compared with the spring season for the Inca Trail. Overall we can expect somewhat comfortable evening temperatures of between 65-75°F, with nighttime temperatures of around 32-42°F inside the campsites. It’s good to note that rainfall begins to stop around late April – so it is worth considering if you want warmer temperatures before the colder winter season begins to arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Inca Trail Temperatures

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the Inca Trail temperatures, as well as anything else important that you need to know before visiting.

How Cold Is It On The Inca Trail?

During the daytime when we are actively hiking on the Inca Trail, temperatures are very warm as we are high up in the Andes (which is the same in all seasons – even if heading during the winter months!). During the nights temperatures do dip into cold lows between 32-42°F – however during these times you’ll be enjoying a warm dinner in the campsites, and sleeping in well-insulated tents. 

Do You Need Thermals For The Inca Trail?

Wearing thermals is advisable for those who really dislike the cold, as the evening and nighttimes do get quite cold. You can also put them on in the mornings as on some days you will begin hiking early when temperatures are still cold. We highly suggest bringing alpaca thermal bases, given they are great insulators and are also very easy to pick up in Cusco within different markets and stores.

What To Wear For The Inca Trail?

For the daytime we suggest wearing thin layers as it can quite warm up in the Andes (especially during the winter months where there is minimal cloud cover and hot sun pretty much all day). If hiking during the rainy season, you’ll want a poncho ready in your daypack. For the evenings and nights, be sure to bring warm jumpers, a coat, gloves and a hat to keep you warm and comfortable.

Overview Of The Inca Trail Temperatures 

And that’s all for this guide on what to expect with the Inca Trail temperatures.

A must-do hike when in Peru, the Inca Trail is perfect for those who want to visit remote Inca ruins like Sayacmarca and Wiñay Wayna, see rare endemic wildlife of the Andes, and also enter Machu Picchu the true way like the Inca civilisation once did. When it comes to the Inca Trail temperatures, we’ll find they can vary quite a lot – with hot highs in the day, and chilly lows both in the mornings and evenings.

Ready to explore all of the wonders that await you on the Inca Trail? Take a look at our Four Day Inca Trail Hike Now, where you’ll see all of these incredible ancient highlights, whilst having all permits, meals, camping equipment and an expert tour guide all included.