Is The Inca Trail Crowded?
One of the most memorable hikes you can embark on in South America, the Inca Trail is full of incredible ruins and beautiful scenery.
Given its notoriety, you may be wondering how busy the Inca Trail can actually get, and whether it can feel crowded at times.
In this guide we’ll look at whether the Inca Trail is crowded, and if certain months are busier than others. We’ll also mention some of our own tips for visiting the Inca Trail, including how you can avoid the crowds when heading on this hike.
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Is The Inca Trail Crowded?
Quick Answer: Some feel that the Inca Trail can get quite crowded, whilst others say that it’s pretty quiet – so it really depends on your own personal expectations and what you’re used to when hiking.
Overall it’s one of the quieter hikes (and will be especially quieter when compared with Machu Picchu). This is because Inca Trail permits are limited to 500 a day, so it’s impossible for the path to get overrun with travelers.
The full trail also measures a total distance of 42 km, which means that hikers will be more evenly spread out when compared with all being in a small, contained site. Having said that though, it’s very likely you’ll pass various groups on any day, and almost guaranteed that various porters will pass your group too.
Which Are The Best Months To Avoid Crowds On The Inca Trail?
As we’ve mentioned in our article on the best time to hike the Inca Trail, the rainy season is overall the least popular. This is due to both wetter weather as well as the fact that these months (November until March) are usually harder to get time off for vacations.
So if you’re looking for the quietest months with the least crowds on the Inca Trail, then we would recommend coming in November or January. Whilst the heavier rains does put some travelers off, it’s still a really pleasant time to visit (and also offers its own unique advantages too such as a more vibrant and green jungle to hike through).
Which Are The Worst Months For Crowds On The Inca Trail?
The overall busiest months to head on the Inca Trail are between June and October. Known as the dry season here in the Peruvian Andes, the consistent blue skies make it really popular amongst travelers. It’s also an ideal time to visit Cusco in general too, given the better conditions within the city and on treks to sites such as Rainbow Mountain.
However when it comes to crowds on the Inca Trail, they will definitely peak between June and September. Although the daily capacity cannot exceed 500, it’s likely that these months will sell-out completely (as opposed to the wet season where it may not get completely booked).
Is The Inca Trail Crowded?
And that’s all for this guide on whether the Inca Trail is crowded.
Overall the Inca Trail remains a highly popular hike, so there will be various groups on the trail in any given month. Given that the daily capacity is set at 500, it does however mean that the trail will not be overrun which can happen in other popular sites. If you are looking for the least busy time to come, then the wet season (between November and March) will be best.
Be sure to read our Ultimate Inca Trail Guide to learn everything you need to know before coming, and how you can have the best experience possible here.