Welcome to Machu-Picchu.org, in this post we are going to explain about The Best Time To Hike Inca Trail To Machu Picchu.
We are from Cusco, and this information your are going to read is UPDATED and is the best local advice you will find in the internet.
Lets START!
The best time to hike the inca trail is in the Winter season, from May, June, July and August.
Why?
Because there’s NO RAIN and the weather is the best in comparison to the other seasons of the year.
Hiking the Inca Trail in Winter (June-August)
From June to August is the dry season of Peru and Cusco (Andes).
Winter is one of the best times to hike Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, because the weather is almost perfect.
At this time of year you will have blue skies and almost no rain, there will also be no fog blocking your view of the Andes and Machu Picchu.
During the winter months, days are warm, nights are cool and rain is scarce.
June, July and August are considered the best months to visit Machu Picchu and Hike Inca Trail, but with good weather large crowds arrive.
Remember that the Inca Trail is restricted to 500 permits per day, however, Machu Picchu allows 2,500.
Machu Picchu is in the jungle zone of Cusco. The temperature is cooler, but in Cusco where the altitude is higher the weather is colder.
If you want to hike the Inca Trail during the winter season. You have to book many months in advance, as permits are sold out (sometimes a year in advance).
Especially for the months of June, July and August, for the remaining months you can book 4 to more months in advance.
Why?
Because it is the The Best Time To Hike Inca Trail To Machu Picchu and many people want to hike and tickets are always sold out for these dates.
Hiking the Inca Trail in Fall (March-May)
Spring is another excellent time of year to hike the Inca Trail.
The weather is still mostly dry, temperatures are pleasant and crowds of tourists have cleared up for the most part.
The seasonal calm means that you are also more likely to find a good deal on the excursions.
This time of year is perfect for travelers who want to experience the ruins with fewer people.
If you like to see the green Andes Mountains, this season is the best time.
But this season has negative aspects, one of them is the rains, as they are unpredictable and change a lot in Cusco.
Some Important Facts about Inca Trail
It is forbidden to go to the Inca Trail alone or solo, the government only allows you to hike with an Authorized Tour Operator.
Also, keep in mind that The Inca Trail has only 500 spaces per day, including staff.
This means that the spaces are fewer for hikers, like 200 entries.
Some seasons are fuller than others, so be sure to book your trip well in advance. You can check the availability of Inca Trail permits or book a tour (which includes permits) in advance.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is closed the month of February by disposition of the Ministry of Culture of Peru. Due to the maintenance, conservation and cleaning works.
Entrance to the Inca Trail is re-enabled on March 1.
Inca Trail Permits Sold Out During Your Visit?
Don’t worry! There are countless ways to visit Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is just one of the hikes to get there, it’s the most famous!
But there are alternative treks to this route, like Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek and Inca Jungle.
Read more about How To Get To Machu Picchu From Cusco.
These alternate treks are more flexible with entrances and actually have no limits of people.
Important dates to keep in mind
During the school holidays, more families head to Machu Picchu, many of the Inca Trail permits and tours are reserved.
So if you are planning to travel during these periods, be sure to arrange your trip or purchase your permits months (or even a year) in advance:
This especial days is where many people want to hike Inca Trail
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas
- Spring Break
- Summer Vacation
