The best time to take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is from May/June to September. This is known as the high season as it has the best weather and is most popular. (So a better chance you will get a clear view and good photos of Machu Picchu when you arrive at the Sun Gate). As there are only 500 permits per day, you also have to book your Inca Trail many months ahead of time during these months. October can be good weather sometimes too, but from November to March it's wet and rainy and cloudy. There will be less people but you may not enjoy it as much in the low season. There is no such thing as last-minute permits to hike the Inca Trail so plan ahead or take a different trail like Lares or Salcantay.

I agree with most you want to go in the dry season not wet. There are only two seasons in Peru. I went in September and it was perfect for hiking. Try to get there really early in the morning so you can climb Wayana Picchu it's totally worth it. Also, I would say one of the best times to go would be during one of the two equinoxes. That's when the light may be best. Of course if it's cloudy that would not help.

Certainly from August til october. I just came back from a visit and it was wonderful. Be aware on the reservations for the Inka Trail. - Need to be 5 months on advance.

Went in summer, Jan-Feb, and had horrible rainy days. As other travellers said, winter is colder but no rain. If you're a good hicker, the Inca trail is a must. Cool bars and clubs in Cuzco for cold beers on your way back

I was there in june and the weather was great, not so many turists (so the guide said) i heve booked my 3 days trip at cusco so we had our tickets bought ahead and we didnt had to wait in the line to get the permit so on my end i would recomend june but to be honest i dont know much about other terms from my own experience

Not January? It was cold and rainy, very rainy. Still worth the trip, though. Do the trail, it is absolutely amazing!

I think the best time is on winter or spring, because on summer you have the "bolivian winter" (There will be a lot of rain)

I'd also say May through September. I lived there one year from June till August. We visited Mmachu Picchu and it was beautiful. It's also really cool to be in Cuzco for Inti Raimi (sun festival) and Corpus Christie. Awesome experience.

i went in december...not too hot...sunny..in fact it didnt rain my whole trip to peru except for one day in the amazon

May - September - dry season in South America. Dont go there on Summer (in South America, December, January) - as there will be a lot of rain.

During the summer is the high season.You should stay in Cuzco for a couple of days to get used to the height.

Don't go in the summer. I had a bad experience with strong tropical rains and an accident with the train from Aguas Calientes to Cuzco.

Most defenitely may to september.

I prefere September because spring begins.

I went in february 2008 and had hot weather the whole trip, Lot's of sun in Machu Picchu and scorching temperatures in Puno and on the islands of the Titicacalake. When we asked the locals about the weather, they said that we were in the 'veranillo', right before rain season started. anyways, we had 14 days of really hot temperatures

the best time ist now, not to much hot, not to much cold