The Inca Trail in closed in February. In Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, February is the rainiest month in the rainy season. The Ministry of Culture in Cusco takes advantage of this fact, combined with the lesser influx of tourists, to close the trail and undertake some much needed yearly maintenance. Although the ancient Inca transit way is shut down, the ruins at Machu Picchu remain open and continue to receive visitors without interruption.
Conservation efforts on the trail actually begin in mid-January and last until the end of March. However, beginning on February 1, the Inca trail closes and remains closed until the last day of the month.
This February, a team of 60 conservationists will work under the DRC (Dirección Regional de Cultura) in Cusco to identify and rehabilitate those portions of the Inca Trail which have become worn over the past year. This includes not just the trail itself, but also terraces and camping areas. In addition, vegetation along the trail is landscaped, and control points and restroom facilities are also touched up.
During this time, security will be increased at Kilometers 82, 88, and 104 along the railroad tracks, which are the access points to the Inca trail, in order to prevent trespassers and to allow the conservation workers to carry out their labors without interference.
As mentioned, Machu Picchu remains open to visitors in February. However, again taking advantage of the dip in total numbers of tourists during the rainy season, the Inca citadel also receives somewhat of a facelift. The walking paths, terraces, and walls are cleaned and stabilized in order to ensure that the rains will not cause serious damage.
For travelers for whom February is the only option for travel to Machu Picchu and that still desire to arrive to the ruins via their own leg power, there are a few alternative treks to choose from. Among the options are: the Lares trek, the Salkantay trek, or a jungle trek.
The rainy season in the Andes mountain area lasts from November to March. Generally, conditions in the Sacred Valley, through which the Inca Trail runs, are warmer during these months. This is because the cloud cover helps to retain some of the warmth from the day. Lacking this cloud cover, the night temperatures in Cusco and the Sacred Valley drop significantly. This is typically the case in the dry season, which runs from April to September. Ozark Trail Customer Service