When to go
The best time to hike the Inca Trail
A clear dry season, a wet season, and a hard February closure — here's how to time it.
The Inca Trail through the year
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Dry (May–Sep) | Clearer skies, peak trekking — permits sell out earliest |
| Shoulder (Apr, Oct) | Fewer crowds, some rain; a good balance |
| Wet (Nov–Mar) | Greener, quieter, wetter; slippery stone steps |
| February | Classic Inca Trail closed for maintenance |
The dry season
The dry season, roughly May to September, is the classic and most popular time to hike the Inca Trail: clearer skies, drier paths and the best chance of that iconic dawn view from the Sun Gate. It's also the coldest at night at altitude and by far the busiest — which is exactly why permits for these months sell out earliest and demand the most forward planning.
The shoulder months
April and October sit on the edges of the dry season and can be a sweet spot: fewer trekkers, greener landscapes and generally good conditions, with a higher chance of some rain in exchange. If you want the trail a little quieter and still reasonably dry, these shoulder months are well worth targeting.
The wet season
From November to March the highlands are greener, quieter and wetter, with rain and cloud more likely and the stone steps more slippery. It's a legitimate time to trek for those who don't mind the weather and want fewer crowds — but it demands good rain gear and a tolerance for mud, and views can be hit and miss.
February — plan around it
February is the one month to rule out for the classic trail: it closes entirely for maintenance. If February is when you're travelling, build your plan around the train-and-day-tour route or an alternative trek like Salkantay, rather than hoping for an exception that won't come.
Timing and permits together
The best-time decision and the permit decision are the same decision. If you want the dry-season peak, you must book earliest; if you're flexible, the shoulder months trade a little weather risk for easier permits and fewer people. Either way, pick your window first, then chase the permit for it as far ahead as you can.
Still deciding which route or which month?
Leave your email and your target month — we'll send you the permit-timing and route rundown for that specific window.