Inca Trail Weather

INCATRAIL 5D

weather on 5 Day Inca Trail

Of course weather is unpredictable.  Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop raining from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December – just be prepared.  No matter what month you are doing the trek, please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves.  Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.Also prepare for 4 seasons.  Many of the treks through the Andes involve many micro-climates and you will need to be prepared for all seasons.  Layers are always key as they are easy to adjust to the different temperatures.

The first day of the Inca Trail is quite warm.  You will most likely want to hike in short sleeves and have a hat to protect you from the sun.  Make sure you also have some sunscreen on.  By the time you get to the campsite, you might need a fleece as the sun will soon be setting and then something even warmer for dinner.  The temperature drop once the sun goes down is quite significant.

The second day you will need to have a few options in your daypack.  As you climb to Dead Womans Pass the temperature will drop and you will begin that morning in short sleeves and probably want a heavier fleece or jacket at the top of the mountain.  Also a nice wool cap may be nice.  We always recommend layers, because by the time you get to lunch, after climbing down a huge amount of inca stairs, you will be warm again and probably enjoy the short sleeve shirt you started with.  And then its time to get back up in the mountains and grab that fleece.  Just be prepared for weather changes.  That evening at the campsite will be on the cooler side, so your warm jacket will come in handy.

It will get much warmer on your third day, so again be prepared with some lighter clothes.  You may want a fleece to begin the hike, but by the end you will be without it.  Probably your heavy jacket will not be necessary this evening, just a fleece will work.

Day 4 will go from warm to hot –Aguas Calientes, is the lowest point of your trek and in the jungle.  You will also be able to shower at the hotel, so have something clean to wear for your Machu Picchu day. 

Day 5 will be the day you want to wear your nicest top, as you will be taking loads of photos to cherish forever – its Machu Picchu day.   Make sure its light, it will be quite warm and mostly very sunny – so sun hat, sunscreen, mosquito spray and short sleeves are recommended but something you want to have seen in LOTS of photos.

INCATRAIL 2D

weather on 2D Inca Trail 

Of course weather is unpredictable.  Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop raining from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December – just be prepared.  No matter what month you are doing the trek, please make sure that you have rain gear.

For the 2 Day Inca Trail, we think a poncho is sufficient and maybe a waterproof rain coat if you prefer, but rain pants might be too much.  Also some waterproof gloves.  Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.On the two day trek you are required to carry your own belongings, so you don’t want to carry too much.  But because the weather might be a bit cooler in the morning since you leave so early, you might a fleece with you which will be handy at night when you are in Aguas Calientes. 

The weather should be perfect on this trek – not too hot while trekking, but warm enough to wear short sleeves or a light long sleeve shirt.  Make sure you have a sunhat and mosquito repellant. Aguas Calientes will be warm when the sun is out but like we said, that fleece might come in handy once the sun goes down.  Something light though, you are much lower than Cusco. for Machupicchu  day ,it will be hot. you will want to wear something nice, make sure its lights, as it will be quite warm and usually a very strong sun.