The Best Time to Visit Peru

15.01.2025 - 17:01 / cntraveler.com / Lake Titicaca

Beyond Machu Picchu, Peru has the thriving capital of Lima, the Sacred Valley’s breathtaking landscapes, and the lush Amazon—so the best time to visit Peru depends on what and how much you want to do. The good news is that Peru is a year-round destination with cultural sites, restaurants, and festive events to appreciate at any time of the year. It’s only natural: The country is home to civilizations with over 5,000 years of history and awe-inspiring archeological wonders, which means it’s brimming with ancient living cultures, stunning sights, top-notch gastronomy, unique nature and wildlife, and plenty of Peruvians to meet and learn from.

To help you plan your trip, we’ve tapped Peru-based travel experts from Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists network—Marisol Mosquera, founder of Aracari Travel, which has spent over 25 years crafting luxury experiences throughout Peru; and Dalia Gibu of Abercrombie & Kent (and a native of Lima)—to get the insider intel on the best time to visit Peru, plus where to go and how long to stay.

In the Cusco region, the hike to Vinicunca, also known as the Montaña de Siete Colores, is best visited during the Andean dry season of April to October.

Peru is a year round destination, but the best time to visit would be in the shoulder seasons of April to May, and September to November. “These months offer great weather throughout the country and avoid the peak tourist season in June to August when it can get crowded at the key tourist sites,” says Mosquera of Aracari Travel.

Because the country sits in the southern hemisphere, it’s important to remember that the seasons are “flipped”—when it’s summer in North America or Europe, it’s winter in much of South America. “My favorite time to stay in Lima would be during our summer, from December to April,” says Gibu of Abercrombie & Kent. “That’s when the weather is perfect for ceviche and pisco sours overlooking the Pacific and for surfing the longest waves in the world along the coast.”

If your main focus is Machu Picchu, the best time to visit is during the dry season in the Andes, which runs from April to October, according to Gibu. “It’s a great time to hike the Inca Trail or see the Rainbow Mountain,” she says. “The same applies to the Southern Andes, where you’ll find Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, and the Colca Canyon; and to the Amazon, if you want to trek through the rainforest on dry land.”

But if you’re navigating the Amazon River via small ship on the water, Gibu says that you can go at any time of year. During the rainy seasons, yes, there will be rain, but water levels also rise and allow deeper navigation by boat into the flooded forests.

In Peru, pricing remains consistent throughout the year, says Mosquera: