When is the best time to visit Peru?

Visiting Peru in May - September

As the rains in the Andes cease, visitors can enjoy warm, sunny days and chilly, crisp evenings at altitude. This time of year lends itself to enjoying all the attractions Peru has to offer, from admiring Machu Picchu in the sunshine, to enjoying a boat trip on Lake Titicaca under vivid blue skies and trekking against backdrops of snow-capped mountains. Those wishing to travel from June onward should start their planning six to nine months in advance, and up to 12 months in advance if you wish to trek the Inca Trail but have a limited travel window.

Events & Festivals

• Inti Raymi (June): A month of festivities in Peru, many building up to the Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) toward the end of the month. Our favourite alternative festival is Corpus Christi, which falls on the ninth Thursday after Easter. Experience it in Cuzco.
• Santa Rosa de Lima (30th August): Lima’s patroness is honoured with a public holiday and procession to Lima cathedral.

Visiting Peru in October - December

The dry season comes to an end, but conditions are still pleasant. An abundance of birdlife and flora, particularly orchids, can be enjoyed in Peru’s cloudforests at this time. Although water levels in the Amazon will be high from December to March, meaning fauna may not venture as close to the river banks, this does offer the advantage of easier exploration of smaller tributaries which are sometimes inaccessible in the drier months.

Events & Festivals

• Santurantikuy Market on Christmas Eve is a wonderful experience, with vendors from the high Andes arriving to sell grasses and plants for the nativity manger, and children queuing for hot chocolate in Cuzco.