June is the month most people picture when they imagine the Inca Trail: dry trails, blue skies and clear views of the snow peaks. It is also the month of the winter solstice and of Inti Raymi, the Inca Festival of the Sun, on Thursday 24 June 2027. The trade-offs are the coldest nights of the year at the high camps, the shortest days, and permits that sell out early. That is why June 2027 needs to be reserved before the 2027 permits go on sale, expected October–November 2026.
- Dry seasonamong the driest, sunniest months of the year in Cusco.
- 21 Junethe winter solstice: the longest, coldest nights of the year.
- 24 June 2027Inti Raymi in Cusco, a Thursday.
Weather on the Inca Trail in June
Rain is rare in June, and the trail is dry and firm. In Cusco (3,400 m / 11,150 ft) a typical June day reaches about 19 °C (66 °F) and nights fall to about 1 °C (34 °F). On the trail the difference between sun and shade is even bigger. You will walk in a T-shirt in the valley on day 1, and a few hours later need a warm jacket at Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m / 13,828 ft). Nights at Pacaymayo camp (3,600 m / 11,810 ft) drop below freezing, and frost on the tents in the morning is normal. The last camp, Wiñay Wayna, is lower and noticeably milder.
Short days: plan around the light
Because of the solstice, June has the shortest days of the year: around 11 hours of daylight, with sunrise a little after 6 a.m. and sunset around 5:30 p.m. It gets cold quickly once the sun drops behind the mountains, so keep a warm layer and your headlamp in your daypack, not in the porters’ duffel. On day 4 you set off at about 3:30 a.m. in the dark to reach the Sun Gate as the light arrives.
Crowds and permits in June 2027
The Classic route is capped at 500 people per day, including guides, cooks and porters, and in June every one of those spaces is wanted. June is when the US summer holidays begin, so American families and students add to the European and Latin American travelers. At Machu Picchu the Ministry of Culture raises the daily capacity for the high season: in 2026 the high-season limit of 5,600 visitors a day began on 19 June. The 2027 calendar has not been published yet.
For June 2027 the safe plan is to reserve before the permits go on sale; see how far in advance to book for 2027 and our permit release tracker. If the Classic route is full, the 2-day Inca Trail has its own quota of 250 per day and reaches the same Sun Gate.
What’s happening in June 2027
- All month, Cusco’s jubilee month: June is the city’s festival month, with parades and dances in the Plaza de Armas on many days.
- Monday 7 June, Flag Day: a Peruvian national holiday that makes a long weekend for domestic travelers.
- Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 June, Juneteenth and US Father’s Day: a popular weekend for American families to travel.
- Monday 21 June, winter solstice: the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Thursday 24 June, Inti Raymi: the re-enactment of the Inca Festival of the Sun, the biggest event of the year in Cusco.
- Tuesday 29 June, Saints Peter and Paul: another national holiday.
In some years Corpus Christi, another major Cusco festival, also falls in June. In 2027 it is earlier, on 27 May; see the Inca Trail in May.
Inti Raymi and the Inca Trail: how to combine them
Inti Raymi is staged in three places on 24 June. It starts in the morning at the Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, continues in the Plaza de Armas and ends in the afternoon on the esplanade of Sacsayhuamán, above the city. The Plaza de Armas part is free and very crowded. The Qoricancha and Sacsayhuamán stands need tickets, sold by the Cusco municipal festivals company (EMUFEC). In 2026 the Sacsayhuamán seats cost between S/490 and S/850 and sold out before the day.
| Plan | Classic Inca Trail, 4 days | Inti Raymi | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trek first | Start on 19 June at the latest; back in Cusco on the evening of the 22nd | 24 June in Cusco | Well acclimatized for the festival, with the 23rd free to rest |
| Festival first | Start 26 June or later | 24 June in Cusco | The days in Cusco before Inti Raymi help you acclimatize for the trek |
Leave at least one free day between the festival and the trek: 24 June is a long day on your feet, and the trek starts before dawn. Cusco hotels are fullest around 24 June, so book them early too.
What to pack for June
- A warm sleeping bag, with a comfort rating of about −10 °C (14 °F), or rent one from us.
- A down or synthetic jacket, a warm hat and gloves for the camps, the pass and the pre-dawn start on day 4.
- Sun protection: the sun is intense at altitude. Bring sunscreen, a brimmed hat, sunglasses and lip balm.
- A light rain jacket anyway: showers are rare, but not impossible near Machu Picchu.
- The full list: our Inca Trail packing list, with a printable checklist.
Is June the right month for you?
Choose June if you want the most reliable weather of the year, you don’t mind cold nights, and you can book early, or if Inti Raymi is on your list. If you would rather have the same dry weather with a little more room, May and September are the best alternatives; see May, July and all months in our month-by-month guide. Check June 2027 in the calendar below.
Frequently asked questions
Is June a good month to hike the Inca Trail?
How cold is the Inca Trail in June?
When is Inti Raymi in 2027?
Can I do the Inca Trail and Inti Raymi on the same trip?
When should I book the Inca Trail for June 2027?
About the author
Raquel Sánchez co-founded Terra Quechua Peru in Cusco in 2012 together with Edwin Medina, both with extensive trekking experience. She writes our Inca Trail guides from the day-to-day work of securing permits and organizing every departure with our guides, cooks and porters.