The Inca Trail is open all year, with the exception of February. During February, the local authorities arrange for trail improvements and campsite restorations.
The best time of year to hike the Inca Trail is during the dry season – generally April 15th to November. The rainy season comes on slowly in November and December and is at its strongest from January through early April. Of course, the flora surrounding the trail and among the ruins themselves will be at its greenest during and just after the rains. So May, June and July are the most popular months as folks take advantage of the combination of drier weather with the greener hillsides.
Of course, Jen and I did the trip in December. We really were quite lucky in doing so. During our ten days in the area, it rained on us only twice. It was cloudier for a few days than it would be in peak season, but we only truly got wet twice (not bad for “rainy season”). And on one of those two days, we ended up at Phuyupatamarca (“cloud level town”) just in time for the rain to stop, the clouds to lift, and the llamas to show us that amazing sunset over Salcantay. Blue-sky days are always great, but a well-timed sunset after the rain… there’s not much better than that!
Ruins along Inca Trail (Kevin Moore) Sunset at Phuyupatamarca, Inca Trail (Kevin Moore) Inca Trail (Kevin Moore)
We've used Adventure Life for several trips in the past and have always been very pleased with them. The staff is personable and professional at the same time. Erin put this trip together for us in just a few days, and it has everything we were looking for! I recommend them without hesitation.
benn
1 month ago
I served as the person responsible for planning a trip to Galapagos and Machu Picchu for a group of 14 people. Jane with Adventure Life was very helpful throughout the process. Making suggestions, offering insight, and in the end helped me overhaul an initial plan into something even better. Also, Jane makes all the plans including the flights within and between Peru and Ecuador. Thanks to her this is going to be a stress-free adventure. After making the final decision about the trip, Jane gathered the contact information for all the travelers and sent out the details to each traveler individually with links to pay deposits, upload passport info, and personal preferences. She also ensured a group email was sent out to the entire group welcoming us to the trip preparation process. Our trip is a year from now and we are excited to make this once in a life time trek. I am happy to have organized things through Adventure Life. However, two small issues came up that were a little off putting. First, Adventure Life adds $50 per person to the cost for each traveler as a donation to a Galapagos conservation fund. I think this should he offered as something that can be added at each traveler’s discretion. Instead, it is automatically added, and each person must ask to have it removed if they do not want it included. Second, although the trip deposit may be paid with a credit card without incurring an additional fee, the balance must be paid in another way to avoid a 3% credit card fee. Maybe this is standard with all travel agencies. In the end I would definitely go through Adventure Life for the next big trip.
Brenda Nielsen
2 months ago
I think it was very helpful that Franny and I spoke on the phone. I think she had a better idea of what we were looking for, and she planned a great itinerary for us!
Elizabeth
3 months ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
3 months ago
Easy.
Great work on the follow up and details by Waru.