Wet Season Trek Booking Information

During the wet season in the Andes of Peru (December, January and February) there is usually a lot of rain – which makes trekking many routes not recommended.

Each route has different problems or issues, but in general there is a lack of visibility of mountain scenery and frequent rain makes the trek less enjoyable than other months. 

Risks involved vary from route to route: for canyon treks (ie Choquequirao) there is a risk of landslides or rockfalls, for high mountain treks (ie Salkantay) there is risks of impassability of passes due to snow. On all treks there is a risk of streams or rivers being too high or dangerous to cross (when there are no or makeshift bridges) or even washing away bridges.  While the amount of rain in March is less, often the ground is wet or waterlogged and there can still be some landslides or access roads can be slippery.

If you decide to book in the wet seaons, remember that we have accepted your reservation on the understanding that all members of your trekking party have been advised not only of the discomfort of wet season trekking,  but that the risks involved are also significantly higher than in the dry months.

If we receive news of a landslide/bridge washout prior to your departure, or if weather conditions make the trek inadvisable, we will let you know as soon as this information comes to hand. However, as the climate in the Andes is unpredictable and it is possible that any of these situations can occur during your trek. 

Please remember - if you choose to book in the wet season, like other months - your deposit is non-refundable.  So, if we decide your trek is inadvisable, we will transfer your deposit (with no cost) to a trek that is considered less risky. This is most likely to be the Lares route, as this is one of the best wet season alternative treks.  Or, if there are Inca trail permits available we would also recommend this route as it is paved and generally considered the best in the wet season.

Please note: Shoulder months - November and March can also be affected by the weather. March especially is slippery and wet if February was wet and can experience quite a few landslides etc if the ground becomes waterlogged.

If you have booked a wet season trek, you may be advised a week or more in advance that there needs to be a route change. However, you might not be advised until the day before departure either.

While we operate these treks frequently and have systems in place, we are still working in the remote Andes, which is why there is so much uncertainty around Wet Season Trekking.

For example, on the Choquequirao treks, our muleteers come from a remote village that only has satellite telephone with solar panels to function. As the wet season is overcast, if there is no sun for several days, we can't communicate with the village. To have the latest, up to date, information about the route we have to wait until the muleteer has actually covered the route. Sometimes they are only doing this 2 days before departure (in order to be ready to pick up the group). This means that if the muleteer has covered the route and decides it is too dangerous for tourists to pass, they may only advise us a day before departure.

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.