Inca Trail Weather (Everything You Need To Know For 2025)

The weather is a crucial aspect to take into consideration before heading anywhere new, let alone the Inca Trail.

However it’s just as important to know how the climate can vary on this sacred path, given it can either make your experience better or more challenging. You’ll also find that different months of the year will offer different advantages too!

In this guide we’ll explore what the weather is like on the Inca Trail. This includes a breakdown of the climate and rainfall, as well as the best and worst months to visit.

Table of Contents

What Is The Weather Like On The Inca Trail?

Quick Answer: Overall the weather here is just like anywhere else in the Andes (be that in Peru or a different South American country).

This means that it can get quite chilly at night, and also really warm during the day. This is because we are located up at a high altitude (between 2430m and 4215m above sea level), where the sun is close and therefore more intense. It’s important to remember that temperatures will vary in different months, which we’ll explore later in this guide.

Rainfall is another important factor to know in advance when it comes to the Inca Trail weather. In this area of Peru there is an annual dry and wet season. The dry season begins in May and lasts until October, which has little rain (between 0.1-1.3 inches falling throughout each of these months). The contrasting wet season starts in November and lasts until April, bringing heavier rains and stormier weather (between 1-4 inches each month).

inca trail weather

Overview Of The Inca Trail Dry Season

The dry season of the Inca Trail runs between May and October, and is characterized by long sunny days, little rainfall and more tourist crowds. Below let’s learn more about each month of the dry season.

The Inca Trail In May

May officially marks the transition into the dry season, which is more popular for tourists given the better weather conditions. Temperatures are still warm, and as such this Spring month is one of the overall best in the year to head on the Inca Trail. Although it’s still possible to experience some showers during this month (especially at the start of May), they are pretty quick-lasting. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in May.

The Inca Trail In June

Now we move into the long-awaited winter season, and in June we will see more clear blue skies daily along the trek. Temperatures begin to further reduce, and evening lows of 32°F make it one of the cooler months of the year. It’s important to wear sunscreen during these winter months, given sunlight can be more intense (as there’s less cloud cover). You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in June.

The Inca Trail In July

July marks the overall coolest month of the Inca Trail, which is mostly felt at night (although you’ll be inside warm tents when sleeping). This means you’ll want to bring warmer jumpers and a coat given temperatures can reach as low as 30°F at times. Overall July is a very popular month too with other hikers who wish to take on the Inca Trail. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in July.

The Inca Trail In August

The tail-end month of the winter season, August welcomes an increase in evening temperatures which hover around 36°F. Rainfall is still nowhere to be seen, so this makes August a popular month for trekkers given the incredible views we will see (as well as the warmer temperatures) – so you will need to book your spots well in advance. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in August.

The Inca Trail In September 

As September arrives we now move into the Autumn season for the Peruvian Andes, which is one of the overall best times to hike the Inca Trail. Temperatures continue to rise and here the evenings are more comfortable with lows of around 41°F. This is the last month of the year when rainfall is at its most minimal, and as such there tends to be many tourists hiking the trail at this time. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in September.

The Inca Trail In October

The final month of the dry season, October is a really special month to hike the Inca Trail (and is one of the overall best of the year). Temperatures are getting warmer with minimal lows of 43°F, which is much warmer when compared with June and July. Whilst there is some rainfall, it’s still sparse – which begins to welcome lots of colorful flowers and overall brighter landscapes. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in October.

Overview Of The Inca Trail Wet Season

The wet season of the Inca Trail picks up around November and lasts until April. Whilst known for heavier rains, these months also welcome more vivid vegetation, warmer temperatures as well as less crowds. Below let’s learn more about each month of the wet season.

The Inca Trail In November 

November marks the official start of the wet season, where showers become more frequent and longer-lasting. Overall rainfall is still relatively light, and especially so at the start of the month. Minimal temperatures around this time of year rise to an average of 44°F, and the crowds of earlier months have more or less disappeared by now. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in November.

The Inca Trail In December 

Moving into the Peruvian Summer season, December marks a sharp rise in rainfall compared with the previous months. Temperatures here are some of their warmest of the year, with the minimum averages beginning to stabilize around 45°F. Although during the off-peak season, tourist numbers in this month can spike around the holidays (so you’ll want to book your spot well in advance). You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in December.

The Inca Trail In January 

January marks arguably the wettest Inca Trail weather of the year, although even then you may get lucky and have minimal showers on your trek. Minimal evening temperatures are also at some of their warmest here, which hover around 46°F. It’s important to remember to bring a poncho and waterproofs if hiking the Inca Trail in January. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in January.

The Inca Trail In February

The Inca Trail is closed during February each year. This is so that important maintenance and repairs can take place each year, and also as the weather is at its most stormy and unpredictable during this month. Landslides and heavy rains are common along the trail, making it dangerous to hike (again which is why it’s closed-off for February). Learn more about why the Inca Trail is closed during February.

The Inca Trail In March

The month of March sees the re-opening of the Inca Trail, where the route will be at its very cleanest. Rains are still heavy although somewhat lighter than those in January, so you’ll still need to bring a poncho and adequate hiking boots with good grip. Temperatures still remain some of their warmest with evenings of around 45°F. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in March.

The Inca Trail In April

As we move into April we begin to enter the heart of the Spring season for the Inca Trail. Whilst temperatures remain warm, rainfall begins to drop-off and become less frequent (especially towards the end of the month). April is also a beautiful month to hike the Inca Trail as flowers and orchids will be blooming at full force, and it’s likely to see more wildlife too. You can learn more about hiking the Inca Trail in April.

The Best Months To Visit The Inca Trail

Firstly it’s important to mention that the best months to visit the Inca Trail is purely subjective and depends on you. Some hikers prefer different conditions and experiences so it’s really up to you. However, in general, the dry season is the most popular time to visit

For The Minimal Rainfall On The Inca Trail

Ideally you’ll want less rainfall, so heading during the dry season is an advantage. This will mean clear blue skies when hiking as well as cloud-free view of Machu Picchu on your final day. We personally suggest heading in June or July for the best weather.

For The Least Crowds On The Inca Trail

The other key consideration is how popular the trail will be. Given there is a daily permit limit of 500, the Inca Trail will never get as overrun as other destinations in Peru. However, certain months can feel more packed, so if you want a more quiet and authentic experience then you’ll want to head during the months of April, May, November and December (which are the  shoulder season months).

inca trail rainy weather

The Worst Months To Visit The Inca Trail

Again it’s important for us to first mention that the worst months should be thought of as the most challenging – rather than the purely worst. This doesn’t mean they are bad, however they are probably better for those who already have plenty of hiking experience. Those who prefer more rainfall (which results in more lush green landscapes) will actually prefer this period, especially between December and March.

For The Wildest And Wettest Weather On The Inca Trail

The heavy rains arrive in late November, and last until March. This wet period can make hiking more difficult, given surfaces can be slippery and more dangerous. This is why it’s important to have some hiking experience and bring quality gear with you if choosing these months with less predictable Inca Trail weather. The extra rains can make you feel cooler too – however the overall temperatures on the Inca Trail during these months are warmer so this will just be a temporary effect. The wild weather peaks during this month, which is why the Inca Trail is closed in February as it’s a good time for necessary repairs and maintenance to take place along the path.

For The Coldest Weather On The Inca Trail

Another factor that puts off many hikers are cold temperatures. However it’s first important to note that the nighttime temperatures on the Inca Trail are quite cold but not freezing, like they are on other treks in the Sacred Valley (usually higher altitude ones such as the Salkantay Trek). The coldest months of the year to hike the Inca Trail are from June until August, although you’ll still have high-quality sleeping bags and tents to keep you warm.

Inca Trail Weather FAQ

Below we’ll now explore some of the biggest questions we get about the Inca Trail weather, which includes general temperatures as well as the best months for a visit.

What Are The Best Months To Visit The Inca Trail?

This is quite subjective given we all have different focuses and wants from our Inca Trail hikes, however in general the months between August and October are best. These are the autumn months of the region, which means temperatures won’t be as cold as the earlier months of June and July. Rainfall is still almost nonexistent during these months, whilst crowds begin to drop-off too. If your main goal is to see brighter scenery and misty clouds above the ruins, then you may instead prefer to hike the Inca Trail between November and January.

What Is The Average Temperature Of The Inca Trail?

By using precise geolocation data, we can see that temperatures generally vary between 32-50°F at the different Inca Trail campsites. Whilst temperatures can possibly be cooler on the Inca Trail (such as on top of the Dead Woman’s Pass), it’s not worth mentioning them since they occur at night when we are not hiking around these parts at these times. It’s also important to remember that despite these mild temperatures, it’s still very easy to get sunburns given how intense the sun can be here.

How Cold Does It Get At Night On The Inca Trail?

Temperatures definitely get cooler at night on the Inca Trail, which generally hover between 32-41°F. During the first two days they tend to be cooler as we are at higher altitudes (such as around the campsites of Ayapata and Chaquicocha), whilst they are usually warmer on the final two days. It’s definitely worth bringing an extra jumper and coat ready for the evenings, as well as for when having breakfast during the early mornings.

Summary Of The Inca Trail Weather

And that’s all for our guide on everything you need to know about the Inca Trail Weather.

This incredible hiking path is memorable regardless of when you come, however certain months will of course offer different experiences. This is why we recommend re-reading this guide so you can choose the best months for you.

Looking to head on the Inca Trail? Spots can sell-out fast, so be sure to book your Inca Trail Tour now whilst spaces are available!

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