Best Time to Visit Peru | Destinations, Climate, and Seasons
So, when is the best time to visit Peru?If you're considering traveling to Peru, the…
Check out our incredible adventures exploring the highlights and hidden gems of South America!
Activity Level 1
What's The Rush?
I'm active and in decent shape and not looking to experience a place just through a bus window. I'm happy to slow down on the trail, soak it in and breathe in the fresh air.
Walking: 2-3 hours per day on gentle-gradient trails.
Other activities: On these trips, you'll be taking part in a range of other activities that focus less on building up a sweat and more on enjoying the finer things in life.
Activity Level 2
On the Move
Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.
Walking: 2-4 hours per day on gentle to moderate gradient trails. No multi-day hikes.
Biking: 1-3 hours, cruisy rides achievable by anyone, even first-timers. Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. snorkeling): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 3
Step It Up
I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.
Hiking: Typically, 3-6 hours per day on well-formed backcountry trails. Expect some significant gradient inclines and declines.
Altitude: Your trip may include some moderate altitude areas, though these don't form the focus of the trip and are generally manageable.
Biking: 1-3 hours on well-formed paths or roads where you can expect some hills with moderate climbs and descents.
Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. caving): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 4
Challenge Accepted
I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.
Hiking / Trekking: Typically, 4–6-hour hikes with options for more, sometimes with limited or no vehicle support and nearly always with ascents and descents.
Altitude: Some trips at this level will reach a significant altitude. We are here to help you manage that and make your experience one to cherish for a lifetime.
Biking & Kayaking: If one, or both, of these activities are 'your thing,' there are trip options in this range, allowing you to be on two wheels or with a paddle in your hand for most of the day.
Activity Level 5
The Upper Limit
I'm ready to put in the hard work to reap the rewards. I'm a seasoned adventurer, not afraid to get my boots wet.
Trekking & Altitude: This is classic trekking, at altitude. Some might even call it 'expedition-style.' We've had folks from all walks of life achieve their dreams on our grade 5 trips, so if you're in for a challenge get in touch to find out if this is for you.
These Peru tours have it all: from the flourishing depths of the Amazon rainforest to ancient ruins sitting atop mountain passes. Crafted with the adventurer in mind, you'll explore Peru's vast lakes, mountains and jungle. Hike to Machu Picchu via the Classic Inca or Lares Trail on our Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure. Explore Cuzco and its most renowned ruins, such as the Sacsayhuamán fortress and the Pisac ruins on a Classic Machu Picchu Adventure. When in Peru, it is only a short flight to the Galapagos Islands, so why not enjoy an Ultimate Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Adventure, combining a trip to enjoy the historical mountaintop sites of Peru, with a trip to the protected islands teeming with wildlife? There's no better way to experience this timeless part of the world than on a Peru hiking and adventure tour.
Check out our incredible adventures exploring the highlights and hidden gems of South America!
Where else in the world can you trek for three days to arrive at a mystical Inca citadel perched on a mountaintop - one of the many things to do in Machu Picchu. Unique adventures are the everyday in Peru, where kayaking in Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, to a floating village made completely of reeds is a daily activity for locals. It's this convergence of discovering an alluring ancient culture, meeting fascinating people, and exploring the stunning natural landscapes that make our Peru hiking and adventure tours unforgettable.
With Peru's location in the Southern Hemisphere, high altitude and abundance of mountains, the country has anything but your standard four seasons. Top this with rainy and dry months, peak tourist dates, Peru travel restrictions and limited permits to hike the Inca trail, and you have a brainbuster of a puzzle deciding when the best time to visit Peru is.
The best time to visit Peru is in the months of May and October. On either side of the main tourist season of June through August, you'll have quieter trails, yet the weather is ideal for trekking the Inca Trail with plenty of clear, beautiful days. The Amazon Rainforest experiences 250 rainy days per year, and the two seasons are determined by water levels. The warmer season of June to November has the lower water levels when it's 'not so rainy', and hotter temperatures, and the high water 'rainy' season is December through to May. The good news is, wildlife is abundant all year round!
There are so many incredible activities to do in Peru, it's difficult to know where to start! From exploring the ancient streets of Cuzco, the archaeological capital of the Americas, with all its temples, churches and magnificent buildings, to paddleboarding through the waters of the Amazon Rainforest. Hiking the Lares Trail to Machu Picchu, and riding the spectacular scenic railway through the Andes. If waterscapes are your preference, how about spotting pink dolphins, kayaking the waters of the Amazon River, and birdwatching the myriad of birdlife in the 'Jungle of Mirrors' in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Whether it's heart-pumping hiking or serene cruising through the Amazon Rainforest, you will be spoilt for choice of things to do in Peru!
The dramatic contrasts in the landscapes of Peru, make it the perfect country to visit for a fun and varied trip like no other! The best places to visit in Peru include Lake Titicaca, Macha Picchu, Cuzco, the Tambopata Reserve, and the Sacred Valley.
From high up in the Andes mountain range to the tropical rainforest of the Amazon; from cosmopolitan cities on the shores of the Pacific Ocean to quaint villages nestled in the countryside; Peru offers tantalising places to visit and experience, the difficult part is deciding where to visit first!
By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.
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You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace.
We're proud of our Kiwi roots and you’ll love our professional and warm style of hosting. We’re always here to help with planning... even hiking boot recommendations!
We've got everything covered – top-notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you'll get to know your fellow travelers and have the flexibility to go at your own pace.
All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy an authentic local experience.
We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.