Lima
One of the world’s great food cities, perched on cliffs above the Pacific. Tasting menus, ceviche lunches, pre-Inca treasures at the museums, and the art-filled Barranco district.
Best for Food lovers, a soft landing
Why Peru
Peru is home to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon, plus Lima, one of the world's great food cities.
Highlights
- Machu Picchu
- The Sacred Valley
- Lake Titicaca
- Lima's restaurants
Where to go in Peru
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Getting around
- Lima to CuscoAbout 1 hour 20 minutes by air
- Cusco to the Sacred ValleyAbout 1 to 1.5 hours by car
- Sacred Valley to Machu PicchuAbout 1.5 to 2 hours by train, then a short bus ride up
- Cusco to Lake Titicaca (Puno)A full day by scenic train
- Lima to ArequipaAbout 1.5 hours by air
- Arequipa to the Colca CanyonAbout 3 to 4 hours by road
- Lima to IquitosAbout 2 hours by air
Cusco
The old Inca capital, with Spanish churches built on Inca walls, lively plazas and the San Pedro market. Save it for after the Sacred Valley, when the altitude feels easier.
Best for History, architecture, wandering
The Sacred Valley
Lower and greener than Cusco, with Inca terraces, weaving villages, the salt pans of Maras and some of Peru’s loveliest lodges. A gentle first stop in the mountains.
Best for Acclimatizing, culture, slow days
Machu Picchu
The Inca citadel at about 8,000 feet, wrapped in cloud forest. Arrive by train or on foot along the Inca Trail, and stay nearby for an early start.
Best for Bucket lists, hikers, photographers
Lake Titicaca
The high-altitude lake around Puno, home to the floating reed islands of the Uros and the weaving traditions of Taquile. Reach it by a scenic train across the high plains.
Best for Second-timers, rail journeys
Iquitos & the Amazon
Reached only by air or river, Iquitos is the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Aqua Expeditions sails three-, four- and seven-night cruises into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, with skiff outings for pink river dolphins and birdlife.
Best for Wildlife, river cruising
Puerto Maldonado
A short flight from Cusco or Lima to rainforest lodges along the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers, known for canopy walks and macaws at the clay licks.
Best for Families, a quick jungle add-on
Arequipa & Colca Canyon
The “White City,” built from pale volcanic stone beneath snowy volcanoes, then a drive over a high pass to the Colca Canyon, where Andean condors ride the morning thermals.
Best for Return visitors, scenery, condors
When to go
May to September is the dry season in the Andes.
The Andes have two seasons, dry and rainy, and the dry months are the busiest. Lima and the Amazon follow their own rhythms, so there’s a good Peru trip in every month.
- JanRainy in the Andes, sunny Lima
- FebInca Trail closed, Candelaria festival
- MarRains easing, green valleys
- AprLush, green and quieter
- MayDry season begins
- JunInti Raymi in Cusco
- JulClear skies, cold nights
- AugDry and busy
- SepStill dry, fewer crowds
- OctWarmer, first showers
- NovRains return
- DecWet season, holiday travel
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan<0.1″
Feb<0.1″
Mar<0.1″
Apr<0.1″
May<0.1″
Jun<0.1″
Jul<0.1″
Aug<0.1″
Sep<0.1″
Oct<0.1″
Nov<0.1″
Dec<0.1″
Jan6.0″
Feb5.2″
Mar4.2″
Apr1.5″
May0.3″
Jun0.1″
Jul0.2″
Aug0.3″
Sep0.7″
Oct2.1″
Nov3.0″
Dec4.9″
Average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches. Lima almost never sees rain; Cusco sits at about 11,150 feet.
Dry season
From May to September the Andes are sunny and clear, with warm afternoons and near-freezing nights in Cusco. It’s the classic time for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, and Cusco celebrates Inti Raymi, the festival of the sun, on June 24. Book well ahead for June through August.
Rainy season
November to March brings afternoon showers and green, misty mountains. Mornings are often bright, Machu Picchu is quieter, and the Inca Trail closes for maintenance each February. April and October sit in between and are two of our favorite months.
Lima and the coast
Lima flips the calendar. December to April is its sunny summer, while May to November brings mild, gray skies. It hardly rains at all, so the city is an easy stop in any month.
The Amazon
It’s warm and humid year-round, with rain at any time. Around Iquitos, the rivers run high from roughly December to May, which is ideal for exploring flooded forest by skiff, and lower from June to November, when trails and sandy banks appear.
Ideas by month:
Trip ideas
Starting points only. Every Peru trip we plan is built around you.
Classic Peru
Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco.
Andes and Amazon
Add a rainforest lodge in the Peruvian Amazon.
Where you'll stay
Valley haciendas, boutique Cusco hotels and Amazon lodges. We choose every hotel ourselves and know which rooms have the view.
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you land.
Ease into the altitude
Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca all sit high. Talk to your doctor before you go, then take it slowly: we plan easy first days, start lower in the Sacred Valley and keep the big hikes for later in the trip.
Book Machu Picchu early
Entry tickets, Huayna Picchu slots, train seats and Inca Trail permits are all limited. For June through October, we secure them as soon as your dates are set.
Pack for four seasons
A single day in the Andes can run from frosty to warm and sunny. Layers, a rain jacket, sun protection and comfortable walking shoes cover nearly everything.
Travel light on the trains
The trains to Machu Picchu allow only a small bag per person. We arrange for your main luggage to wait at your hotel or travel ahead by car.
Money and power
Cards work well in cities and hotels, but carry some soles in small bills for markets and villages. Outlets run at 220 volts; most phone and laptop chargers handle it, but check hair tools before you pack.
Health and water
Stick to bottled or filtered water. If the Amazon is on your list, ask your doctor which vaccines and medications are recommended for the region you’ll visit.
Peru questions
When is the best time to visit Peru?
May to September is the dry season in the Andes.
How long should I spend in Peru?
Most of our travelers spend 10 to 14 days in Peru. We'll shape the length around what you want to see and how you like to travel.
Can Global Escapes plan a private trip to Peru?
Yes. Every trip we plan to Peru is designed around you, with hand-picked hotels, private guides where they make a difference and support while you travel. Call 706.549.1164 or tell us about your trip below.
More in South America
Tell us about your Peru dream.
Share as much or as little as you like. A member of our team will reach out personally to start shaping your trip.
Rather talk it through? Call 706.549.1164