Peru Vacations & Tours

The best time to visit Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere’s winter, from May to August. These months are considered high season with cooler temperatures and full access to Peru’s highlights.

The Southern Hemisphere’s fall (March to April) and spring (September and October) are also great for exploring everything from the Andes Mountains and the Amazon. Crowds will be smaller in essential places like Machu Picchu, and the weather will be warm enough to enjoy the fantastic beaches along the Pacific coast.

While these months are our favorites, Peru is a year-round destination, and summer is a beautiful time to visit for its own reasons. Whether trekking the Inca Trail as a family in June or visiting Lake Titicaca to view the floating islands in January, our guide to the best time to visit Peru can help you find the right season for your trip.

Exploring Peru can take you deep into the Amazon jungle in search of wildlife or following the history of the Incan Empire, demonstrating the timeless and countless places to uncover. Here are a few of the best places to visit in Peru:

• Machu Picchu: The famous ruins of Machu Picchu crown a plateau overlooking the Urubamba River, speaking to the former grandeur of the Lost City and the continued allure it holds over visitors from around the world.
• Cusco: Shimmering with Spanish colonial grandeur and traditional Andean style, Cusco maintains its beauty in the mountains, emphasized by its mythological status as the “navel of the world.”
• Lima: The coastal city of Lima is chic with contemporary sophistication, home to regional culinary masters and artistic representation that bridges the past and future of Peru.
• The Amazon: With a reputation for rugged wilderness and intense biodiversity, visiting the Amazon Rainforest in Peru connects you to the importance of the local ecology and the vibrancy of the wildlife at every turn.

Art, architecture, and local cuisine uncover the layers of Peru’s history and culture. With impressive Michelin-starred restaurants, dramatic trails, and breathtaking ruins, Peru can be an exciting adventure or a surprisingly luxurious getaway. You can experience all of this and more as you explore the top things to do on a trip to Peru:

• Tour the impressive ancient ruins around the Sacred Valley and beyond to visit places like Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, and Sacsayhuaman.
• Explore immersive museum exhibits around the country, combining cultural history, archeological insight, and new ways to engage with past and present communities.
• Visit architectural and historical mysteries captured in the likes of the Nazca Lines.
• Relax on the gold-sand beaches and enjoy the warm waters along the Pacific coastline.
• Tour the exceptional wilderness in the Amazon Rainforest, at the protected Ballestas Islands, or at Colca Canyon to witness the impressive wildlife and more.
• Stay in some of the world’s most unique accommodations for unforgettable experiences.
• Sample the extensive flavors of traditional and contemporary Peruvian cuisine.

Machu Picchu is in Peru’s Sacred Valley, high above the Urubamba River. There are two ways to reach the Incan ruins. You can hike the Inca Trail or take the train to Aguas Calientes.

When trekking the Inca trail, you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. When traveling from Aguas Calientes, you reach the ruins through the main entrance. By arriving early, you can be one of the few visitors allowed to climb to the top of Huayna Picchu for an incredible view of Machu Picchu from above.

No matter how you reach Machu Picchu, the best way to experience the historic ruins is with a guide who can provide context to the site's remaining structures, history, and cultural importance.

Peru is famous as the home of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but the beauty and mystery beyond the famous ruins add to the allure of visiting the country. With baffling petroglyphs like the Nazca Lines, captivating wilderness in the Amazon Rainforest, gorgeous beaches celebrated by surfers, and mouthwatering cuisine rewarded with Michelin stars, Peru is known for its experiences perfect for any traveler.

Peru is a safe country to visit.

Petty theft can happen anywhere in the world, and crowded plazas in popular tourist cities like Lima and Cusco can become opportunities if you are not paying attention.

Your travel specialist and local guides can give you more guidance on the best ways to stay safe and comfortable throughout your Peru trip.

The best Peru itinerary will combine your interests with the exceptional diversity of the country, from Machu Picchu to the coastline, wildlife to Andean culture. Below, we share a number of our most popular Peru itineraries, customizable to your needs, travel goals, and preferences:

• The country's beauty is displayed during our Classic Machu Picchu & Peru Tour as you explore the wonders of the Forgotten City, the beauty of the countryside, and the heritage from which the vibrant contemporary culture emerged.
• Follow the path of the Inca and beyond on our Immersive Rainforest and Inca Trail Peru Tour to explore the grandeur of Machu Picchu and the splendors of the colorful wildlife hidden within the remarkable biodiversity of the Amazon on an active adventure.

Discover the country through its delicious cuisine on the Flavors of Peru: A Culinary Tour to Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu as you combine an exploration of history, cultural recipes, and topographical connection for a remarkable perspective of the entire country.

Explore more information in our frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Peru and inspiration in our Peru travel guide.