Month by Month Weather

January

Season: Rainy (high) Rain: ⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️ High Tourists: 👤👤 Low Day temperature: 12-18°C Permits: 🟢 Available

Pros:

• Few tourists
• Very green landscapes
• Low flight/hotel prices

Cons:

• Frequent and heavy rains
• Slippery trails
• Possible fog at Machu Picchu
• Landslide risk

Recommendation: Only for adventurers who don’t fear rain.

February

INCA TRAIL CLOSED

The Inca Trail closes all of February for annual maintenance. No exceptions.

Alternatives:

• Machu Picchu by train (still open)
• Salkantay Trek
• Lares Trek
• Choquequirao Trek

March

Season: Rainy (decreasing) Rain: ⛈️⛈️⛈️ Medium-high Tourists: 👤👤 Low Day temperature: 13-19°C Permits: 🟢 Available

Pros:

• Reopening after maintenance (renewed trails)
• Spectacular green landscapes
• Few tourists
• Orchids in bloom

Cons:

• Still frequent rains
• Trails can be wet

Recommendation: Good option if you want to avoid crowds. Rains decrease toward month’s end.

April

Season: Transition Rain: ⛈️⛈️ Medium Tourists: 👤👤👤 Medium (Holy Week high) Day temperature: 13-20°C Permits: 🟡 Holy Week limited

Pros:

• Rains decrease significantly
• Landscapes still green
• Fewer people than high season
• Good weather/crowd balance

Cons:

• Holy Week very high demand
• Possible sporadic rains

Recommendation: ⭐ Excellent option. One of the best months if you avoid Holy Week.

May

Season: Dry (beginning) Rain: 🌤️ Low Tourists: 👤👤👤👤 High Day temperature: 12-20°C Permits: 🟡 Book 3-4 months ahead

Pros:

• Start of dry season
• Landscapes still with green
• Increasingly clear skies

Cons:

• Tourism increases
• Nights start getting colder

Recommendation: ⭐ Very good option. Ideal transition before peak high season.

June

Season: Dry (full) Rain: ☀️ Very low Tourists: 👤👤👤👤👤 Very high Day temperature: 10-19°C Permits: 🔴 Book 4-6 months ahead

Pros:

• Clear skies
• Minimum rain probability
• Winter solstice (June 21) – special event
• Inti Raymi (June 24) – festival in Cusco

Cons:

• Many people on the route
• Permits sell out fast
• Very cold nights
• High flight prices

Recommendation: Ideal if you prioritize perfect weather and don’t mind crowds.

July

Season: Dry (full) Rain: ☀️ Very low Tourists: 👤👤👤👤👤 VERY HIGH (peak) Day temperature: 9-19°C Permits: 🔴 Book 5-6 months ahead

Pros:

• Best weather of the year
• Perfectly clear skies
• Excellent for photography
• Peruvian Independence Days (July 28-29)

Cons:

• Busiest month of the year
• Permits sell out first
• Highest prices
• Very cold nights (coldest point of year)

Recommendation: The “classic” month for the Inca Trail. Book well in advance.

August

Season: Dry (full) Rain: ☀️ Very low Tourists: 👤👤👤👤👤 Very high Day temperature: 10-20°C Permits: 🔴 Book 4-6 months ahead

Pros:

• Excellent and stable weather
• Clear skies
• Good visibility

Cons:

• Still very crowded
• Drier/yellower landscapes
• Cold nights

Recommendation: Similar to July, excellent weather but very crowded.

September

Season: Dry (end) Rain: 🌤️ Low Tourists: 👤👤👤👤 High (decreasing) Day temperature: 11-20°C Permits: 🟡 Book 2-3 months ahead

Pros:

• Good weather still
• Tourism starts to decrease
• More pleasant temperatures
• Spring equinox (Sept 23)

Cons:

• Dry landscapes
• Possible first rains at end of month

Recommendation: ⭐ Excellent option. Good balance between weather and crowd size.

October

Season: Transition Rain: ⛈️ Medium-low Tourists: 👤👤👤 Medium Day temperature: 12-21°C Permits: 🟡 Book 2-3 months ahead

Pros:

• Fewer tourists than high season
• Landscapes start greening again
• Pleasant temperatures
• Still moderate rains

Cons:

• Less predictable weather
• Possible occasional rains

Recommendation: ⭐ Very good option. Underrated month with excellent weather/crowd ratio.

November

Season: Rainy (beginning) Rain: ⛈️⛈️ Medium Tourists: 👤👤 Low Day temperature: 12-20°C Permits: 🟢 Available

Pros:

• Few tourists
• Green landscapes
• Wildflowers
• Low prices

Cons:

• More frequent rains
• Unpredictable weather

Recommendation: Good option for those seeking tranquility and accepting some rain.

December

Season: Rainy Rain: ⛈️⛈️⛈️ Medium-high Tourists: 👤👤👤 Medium (Christmas/New Year high) Day temperature: 12-19°C Permits: 🟡 Christmas/New Year limited

Pros:

• Very green landscapes
• Festive atmosphere in Cusco
• Fewer people outside holidays

Cons:

• Frequent rains
• Christmas and New Year very high demand
• High holiday prices

Recommendation: Avoid Christmas/New Year weeks if you can. Rest of month is quiet.

Annual Comparison Table

When to Go According to Your Profile?

📸 Photographers

Best time: June – August Why: Clear skies, better light, no fog, visible stars at night.

Budget Travelers

Best time: November, March Why: Cheaper flights, more economical hotels, permits available.

Peace Seekers

Best time: November – December (outside holidays), March – April Why: Fewer tourists on the route, more intimate experience.

Families with Children

Best time: July – August (northern hemisphere school vacations) Alternative: April, September – October (better weather, fewer people)

Hate Rain

Best time: June – August Why: Minimum precipitation probability.

Nature Lovers

Best time: March – April Why: Flora at its peak, orchids blooming, intense green landscapes.

Perfect Balance

Best time: April, September – October Why: Good weather + fewer people + accessible permits + reasonable prices.

Special Dates to Consider

Events that Increase Demand

Tip: If you plan to travel on these dates, book 5-6 months ahead minimum.

Interesting Astronomical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it rain in dry season?

Yes, although it’s less likely. The Inca Trail crosses several microclimates. Always bring waterproof clothing, regardless of the season.

How cold is it at night?

At the highest campsites (especially Pacaymayo at 3,600m), temperatures can drop to -5°C in dry season. A good sleeping bag is essential.

Why does it close in February?

The Ministry of Culture closes the Inca Trail in February to perform maintenance: trail repair, campsite cleaning, archaeological site preservation. It’s the rainiest time, ideal for these tasks.

Is there snow on the Inca Trail?

Very rarely. The highest point (4,215m) can have frost or light snowfall in dry season (June-July), but it’s not common. No snow equipment required.

When are there fewer people?

November, December (outside Christmas), March and April have fewer tourists. Daily permits are 500, but in low season they often don’t fill up.

Does the weather affect the view at Machu Picchu?

Yes. In rainy season it’s more likely to encounter fog at Machu Picchu (especially in the mornings). In dry season, visibility is usually excellent.

Have You Decided When to Go?

The next step is to check availability for your chosen date.