The Inca Trail lasts 4 days and after 39 kilometers of trekking it ends in Machu Picchu. Doing this trek is not an easy task because it requires maximum organization. The first, and perhaps the most important, is to purchase the tour 6 or 7 months in advance. Get to know the most important recommendations for this trekking route, the best in Peru.

When is the best time to go?

Throughout Cusco, as well as on the Inca Trail, there are two distinct seasons: the dry season (from April to September) and the rainy season (from October to March).

According to the opinion of tourists, the dry season is the best time to do the Inca Trail. During these months it rains little so the trails are easier to walk.

Tourist guides recommend doing the route in May, June or July. In those months, due to the good weather with very little chance of rain, the hike is carried out under a splendid sun.

However, for many, any date is a good time to hike the Inca Trail.

What is the temperature like on the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail lasts 4 days in which you will travel 39 kilometers with very cold Andean climates as well as a very hot tropical geography.

The first day the temperature varies from 16ºC (in the morning and afternoon) to 4ºC (during the camping night).

Day two is the coldest of the whole journey. The weather varies from 8ºC to 0ºC. In the afternoon we cross the so-called 'Warmiwañusca Pass' (the pass of the dead woman), the highest point of the trek at 4,215 meters above sea level.

On the third day we start descending through the jungle of Cusco, so the temperature also begins to drop. During the day the heat can reach 18ºC (64ºF). While at night the cold is 10ºC, approximately.

Finally, on the fourth and last day, Machu Picchu is visited with maximum temperatures of 22ºC. and minimum temperatures of 8ºC.

Inca Trail in dry season

The dry season in Cusco runs from April to September. It is characterized by little rainfall as well as lower temperatures at night.

The months of May, June and July are the best months to hike the Inca Trail. During those days the mornings and afternoons are clear and you will be able to observe the landscapes with clarity. The days are cooler, however, the nights are cold in the highlands.

April and September are months where it rains very little and the cold is not so intense at night. It is also an excellent option to do the Inca Trail during those days.

Inca Trail during the rainy season

The dry season in Cusco runs from October to March. These months are characterized by more intense rains. Even so, the days can be sunnier and the nights less cold.

In the months of January and March the rains are persistent, mostly at night. The days are mostly cloudy although there are also pleasant and sunny days, if you are lucky.

During November and December is the time when the rainy season begins. The days are sunny but it can rain at any time. Likewise, there are cloudy days but no rain.

Recommendations for a safe hike

The Inca Trail is a safe route, however, it is advisable to take certain recommendations:

• To reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness, try to spend at least two days in the city of Cusco before doing the Inca Trail. This way you will be able to acclimatize better to the mountainous geography of the Andes Mountains.
• Take with you only what you need for the trek (a backpack with a maximum of 15 kilos). The heavier your backpack, the more physical wear and tear you will experience on the route.
• Do not hike with headphones. It is always advisable to have all your senses on the route.
• Follow the signs and advice of the tour guide who accompanies you. The Inca Trail follows the paths built by the Incas to reach Machu Picchu. Taking a detour on a non-permitted path can be risky.
• Speed up on sections near boulders. Falling rocks can be dangerous, especially in the rainy season like January or March (in February the Inca Trail is closed to the public).
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages or take drugs on camping nights. A hangover could cause many physical problems on the demanding trek.
• Do not risk your life by taking pictures in dangerous places such as cliffs.
• The Inca Trail is a hike with many stairs, long steps, streams, paths through the vegetation where there are loose branches, rocks, etc. And although the trail is well maintained, one can always have a mishap. Although all agencies include a first aid kit, it is a good idea to carry disinfectants, bandages, cotton, gauze, etc.