The climate in the Peruvian Andes
can basically be divided into two seasons: The rainy season, and
the dry season.
Although the climate in the Inca Trail area is
usually temperate throughout the year, the best season to do the
trek is during the dry season (between April and October), since
rains are frequent from November through March and the trail can
easily turn into a dangerous and slippery mud.
Thus, the dry season is from May
through September, with generally sunny and mild days, while the
nights may be very cold.
The wet season is from November
through May, but the rains proper are from November through
March. During this period the Inca Trail is usually closed down,
due to the danger posed by the frequent mudslides or "huaycos".
Average annual temperatures are between 20.4 șC to 26.7 șC.
(68.72 F to 79.88 F). The geographical composition of
the Inca Trail is very varied. There are numerous gulches and
glacier watercourses that flow into the Urubamba River, which
crosses the area in a deep more than 40 km (24.85 miles) long
valley, forming a succession of different ecological floors.
The
natural scenery is impressive. Not only because of the notable
balance struck between nature and the Inca architecture, but
also by the impressive framework set by the snow clad Vilcabamba
range with peaks reaching up to more than 6000 m.a.s.l. (16690
ft). Moreover, the Inca Trail is
surrounded by enchanted forests and valleys, which create
fantasy like images and where dawns and sunsets turn into shows
of grandeur and mystery.
