Latin America
Breathtaking landscapes, abundant archaeological sites, fabulous cuisine, and vibrant textiles make Peru a world-class destination. WT got its start in Peru, and we’ve been honing our wide array of hiking trips to perfection for more than 40 years. Whether you choose a cultural exploration to Machu Picchu or an exhilarating trek to the Cordillera Blanca, our expert Trip Leaders immerse you in the culture and landscapes and show you Peru the right way.
All our Peru departures reward you with awe-inspiring views, fascinating archaeological sites, wonderful cuisine, and a warm welcome from WT’s local friends. You can visit comfortably during much of the year because Peru is close to the equator and doesn’t have a lot of variation in temperature.
The two climate seasons are wet and dry. Hiking is best during the shoulder and dry seasons from April through December. Temperatures can vary quite a bit on the trail, so plan to dress in layers.
The Inca Trail is best hiked between April and December. April-May is a shoulder season, June-September is considered the peak season, and October-December is another shoulder season. Each time period comes with its own positives and negatives, which we’ve laid out in a month-by-month overview below:
Wilderness Travel offers full-service camping on the Inca Trail. Most trip members are pleasantly surprised by the comfort of our mountain camps considering we’re on an expedition! We use four-person tents for only two people, ensuring a fair amount of space for sleeping. We serve meals in a large dining tent with table and chairs with back support. The dining tent is a nice place to relax and socialize while drinking tea or coffee in the evening. Our trail staff is highly trained and will take care of all the logistics so you can relax and enjoy the climb.
Any fit, experienced hiker will enjoy this hike, but it’s important to be adequately prepared both mentally and physically. To accelerate your conditioning, try walking faster than 1.5 miles per hour, walking on steeper inclines, using your gym’s stair-climbing machines, or going on long hikes (also a good way to break in your boots!). If possible, start training several months before departure.
Can you have the Inca Trail largely to yourself? Yes, when you go with Wilderness Travel. We have perfected the timing of our daily hiking schedule so that the majority of other hikers will be either far ahead or far behind you each day. This delivers a much better experience of this World Heritage Site, and our trip members often comment on the magic of having the Inca Trail to themselves!
Six hundred years ago, the Incas developed the richest empire ever seen in the Americas. Originally a small tribe in Peru’s southern highlands, they grew into a civilization of more than 10 million people from more than 100 different ethnic groups—using diplomacy as well as outright conquest. By the middle of the 15th century the empire stretched for 2,500 miles, from Quito, Ecuador, in the north to Santiago, Chile, in the south, making it the largest in the world at that time.
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Our Latin America Specialists know every detail about our Peru trips. They will be happy to answer any questions and help make sure it’s the right adventure for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!