Cusco City Weather

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

MAX TEMP

21.9°C 71.5°F

22.6°C 72.7°F

21.9°C 71.5°F

22.9°C 73.2°F

22°C 71.6°F

22.5°C 72.5°F

22.2°C 72°F

25.1°C 77.2°F

25.2°C 77.4°F

25.5°C 77.9°F

25.2°C 77.4°F

23.6°C 74.5°F

MIN TEMP

5.6°C 42.1°F

4.7°C 40.5°F

3.9°C 39°F

2.9°C 37.2°F

1.8°C 35.2°F

-1.2°C 29.8°F

-1.5°C 29.3°F

-1.4°C 29.5°F

1.7°C 35°F

3.2°C 37.8°F

5.9°C 42.6°F

4.6°C 40.3°F

RAIN mm

104.1

80.5

38.8

18

1

0

2

4.5

5.5

26.9

104.9

88.9

The information shown above corresponds to 2009.

Notes in relation to Cusco City:

• In areas higher than Cusco, temperatures are lower and precipitation is similar.
• In the Andean Valleys, temperatures are usually higher and precipitation is similar.
• In Machu Picchu, temperatures and precipitation are higher.

Altitude Sickness

When visiting Cusco or hiking one of the beautiful trails located in Cusco, it is important to have in consideration that altitude sickness is a possibility.

In Cusco, when a person leaves a plane coming from sea level, the lack of oxygen is easily noticeable. When oxygen is thinner in higher altitudes, it is possible to experience some difficulty to breath and other uncomfortable symptoms. It is important to know that not every single person is going to experience altitude sickness. Unfortunately, there is no way to know if you are going to get sick until you are there. In addition, studies have shown that being in good physical shape does not reduce the risk of getting altitude sickness.

Most of the time, altitude sickness symptoms can be first felt at about 7,000 feet above sea level. The risk of getting altitude sickness increases the higher the altitude. This risk is even higher when a person gains more than 1,500 feet (500 meters) of elevation in just a few hours and that person has not had an acclimatization process.

Some of the regular symptoms of a moderate altitude sickness are strong headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, and sometimes nose bleeding. The symptoms of severe altitude sickness are severe and persistent headache, persistent vomiting, loss of coordination, rapid breathing, marked blueness of face and lips, persistent cough or wet cough, high resting heartbeat (over 130 beats per minute), and strong stomach pain (medical attention is required immediately).

When altitude sickness symptoms are felt and are affecting your hike, you should go back in search of lower elevations (usually, this helps and symptoms start going away). If symptoms persist, you should visit a doctor immediately.

In order to reduce the risks of getting altitude sickness, some recommendations can be followed. Please read them below:

• You might first visit a lower city located at 6,000 feet or lower. Arequipa (the Colonial City) is a good choice and you won't regret your visit to this beautiful town. This is usually the best way to go when visiting high altitude cities.
• If time does not allow a visit to a mid or low altitude city prior your visit to Cusco, your first day in Cusco should be very quiet with light meals (just take it easy and relax). Also, you should arrive to Cusco or another high altitude city at least two full days prior to starting a high energy activity such as hiking the Inca Trail.
• Another recommendation to reduce the risk of getting altitude sickness is to take some over the counter medicine or drink coca leaf tea constantly. If you decide to take some over the counter medicine, please make sure you do it at least 48 hours prior to your arrival and you keep taking them until you leave or you are back from your trek. Also, native Peruvians use a natural source to reduce the effects of altitude sickness as well as fatigue. This natural source is the coca leaf and needs to be chewed constantly upon arrival.
• In addition to the methods mentioned above, you should drink plenty of liquids, avoid high energy activities, and avoid heavy or fatty meals the first day in Cusco.

Booking the Inca Trail

This is a recommended check list to help you book the Inca Trail:

• You should choose which Inca Trail trek length, level of difficulty, and elevation is right for you.  Please review our Inca Trail Routes post for further details.
• Start looking for the date when you would like to hike the Inca Trail and check availability of spaces.
• Decide what you are looking for during the Inca Trail: size of group, type of food and equipment provided, quality of the service (check testimonials or reviews on the internet and providers websites), English fluent and knowledgeable guides, student discounts offered, or any other points that are important to you.
• You should decide how much you are willing to pay.  Before doing so, have in consideration the Inca Trail costs table provided by Andean Travel Web.
• If you own an ISIC Student ID Card, you will get a discount.  Make sure you provide a copy of your ISIC Card at the time of booking.
• Now, you should look for two or three reputable companies that offer what you are looking for and can accommodate your budget.  It is important that you contact them by e-mail or phone to ask a few questions such as methods of payment, hidden fees or taxes (check your junk folder for replies).  Their replies will give you a better idea of who you should work with.
• Once you have chosen the Inca Trail Tour Operator or Travel Agency you want to work with, have your passport and method of payment required ready.
• Your Inca Trail Reservation will be registered at the time that your Inca Trail Tour Operator pays for the permit.  You should receive a copy no later than 48 hours after you made your reservation unless permits are not available for sale (If you are booking for the following year, your permit will not be granted until February of that year).
• Your Inca Trail Tour Operator should answer all questions you may have in a timely manner before starting the trek.
• A brief orientation about the trek should be scheduled by your tour operator in Cusco before starting the trek.

Inca Trail FAQ

Can I buy the Inca Trail permit and hike the trail on my own?

No, you are not allowed to buy the permit or hike the trail by yourself.  The National Institute of Culture only sells permits to authorized tour operators.  For a list of 2011 authorized Inca Trail Tour Operator, please click here.

Do all the tour operators provide the same service?

No.  Make sure that you are hiring a professionally run tour operator that will take proper care of you and the environment.  If you see prices that are too low, be careful.  Some companies have hidden extra charges or fees.  Also, some companies won’t provide all the services they claim they are offering.  Do not expect refunds if you are working with an Inca Trail Tour Operator only based in Peru.

Why do I need to check availability?

Availability is restricted by the Peruvian Government.  Only 500 people per day are allowed to hike the Inca Trail.  From these, only 200 to 230 are tourists.  The remaining number includes porters, guides and cooks.

How far in advance should I book my Inca Trail?

Due to limited availability, we recommend that you book your Inca Trail trek at least 3 months in advance.  If you plan to hike the Inca Trail during the busy season (June through September), you should book it at least 4 months in advance.

How do I reserve a spot for the Inca Trail?

Please review our Inca Trail Booking post.

Why do companies show on their websites at the end of the year that permits are not available for the following year?

The National Institute of Culture starts selling permits for the following season (March to January of the following year) during the month of February.  For instance, permits for March 2011 will not be available for sale until February 2011.  However, there are some companies that will accept pre-reservations.

Can I change my starting date for the Inca Trail?

Once the Inca Trail permit has been purchased, you cannot change the starting date without incurring in an additional cost.  The permits are issued by the Peruvian Government and are non-refundable and non-transferable.  If the permit has been issued and you need to change your starting date, you will probably lose your deposit in full and a new security deposit will be required.

What should I do if there is no availability for the days that I will be in Cusco?

There are alternative treks, such as Salkantay, Lares, Huchuy Qosqo, Inca Jungle or  Choquequirao.  You can also take the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu.  If you are planning on visiting Machu Picchu, we recommend spending the night in Aguas Calientes; that way you will have enough time to really enjoy the magic and mysticism of Machu Picchu.

 When is the best time to hike the Inca Trail?

The dry season is generally the best time to hike the trek.  The dry season runs from April to November, while the wet season runs from December to March.  During the rainy season, however, the rain does not usually last all day.

June to September are the most popular months for treks. May and October offer the nicest weather.  The Inca Trail is closed in February.

Could I hike the Inca Trail at any time?

Yes, as long as there is availability on the day you will start the trek.  You don’t need to check for availability for all the days you will be on the trek, just the starting day.  However, during the month of February the trail is closed for maintenance.

What do I need to carry during the Inca Trail?

Most companies will ask you to carry your personal belongings, sleeping bags, and mattress foam.  If you are not willing to carry anything other than a small backpack, you should hire the service of an extra porter through your Inca Trail Tour Operator.

Usually, porters will carry up to either 15 pounds (7 kilograms) or 30 pounds (14 kilograms), depending on the type of service hired.  The cost of this service varies from one company to another one.

If I hire the service of a porter, will he walk with me?

No.  Porters carry up to 55 pounds (25 kilograms) in total.  Eleven pounds (5 kilograms) are reserved for the use of the porter while the other 44 pounds (20 kilograms) are reserved for the use of the company you are hiring.  If you hire the service of a porter to carry up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms), the porter will still be carrying 14 pounds (6.5 kilograms) of company equipment.  In order to be able to carry all this weight, porters need to keep a steady pace which is usually faster than the pace of a traveler.

What is the food like on the Inca Trail?

It depends.  Some companies provide nutritious and delicious elaborated meals while other companies provide poorly prepared meals.  At the end of the day, what you eat during the Inca Trail is what you have paid for.

What are the guides like?

If you are hiring a company charging less than USD 420.00, you could expect a guide with poor English.  Also, guides who work for companies that charge a low rate are usually underpaid.  If you are paying over USD 450.00, you should expect a knowledgeable guide with good English who will make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Is water provided during the trek?

Some companies provide bottles of water or boiled water during the trek.  If your company does not provide water at all, you will be able to get water from several natural streams or rest areas that you will find along the trail.  Please use a filter or water purification pill every time you refill your bottle with water from any of these sources.

What should I bring on the trek?

Please review our what to bring post. 

Can I hike the Inca Trail the same day that I arrive in Cusco?

The main effects of altitude sickness show the first or second day.  For that reason, we highly recommend that you hike the Inca Trail at least a couple of days after arriving in Cusco.

What should I do to avoid altitude sickness?

To avoid altitude sickness, give yourself time to acclimatize to the change in altitude (2 to 3 days).  For instance, if you are trekking the Inca Trail, you should rest the day before.  Try to avoid alcohol, and make sure you eat light meals and drink plenty of water.  Make sure to stay hydrated, walk slowly and take frequent breaks.  Drinking coca leaf tea always helps.  It is widely available, and your hotel in Cusco will probably offer it as well.  For further details, please review our altitude sickness post.

What should I do if I get altitude sickness in Cusco City or in the middle of the trek?

Drink plenty of liquids (coca leaf tea will definitely help), take a nap, and try to rest. If you are in the middle of the trek and start feeling dizzy, extremely tired, nauseated, or have a headache, ask for advice from your guide.  You may need to go back in search of lower elevation.  Usually, symptoms go away once you are at a  lower elevation.  If not, you should contact a doctor.