Best time to visit Peru

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Peru

Best time of year to visit Peru

The driest period from May to October is considered to be the best time to visit Peru. It is all about rambling through the Amazon jungle and trekking on Machu Picchu or Pongo de Martinique. The weather is pleasant throughout the dry season, being cooler only on higher elevations. Lima and the desert coast see hot and humid weather.

A peak season in Peru lasts from June to August, with overpriced accommodation and chords of tourists in Cusco. November marks the start of the rainy season, January through April being the wettest. This is when famous archeological destinations such as Pachacamac or Moray are at their finest.

22 THINGS TO DO IN PERU (SEPTEMBER 05 - SEPTEMBER 14)

Macaw Clay Lick

Macaw Clay Lick

August–March  • nature

A colorful army comes to eat the minerals

Lima–Huancayo Train

Lima–Huancayo Train

April–November • event

The highest railaway in the Americas is an amazing Andean adventure

Inca Trail High Season

Inca Trail High Season

April–October  • activity

One of the most popular trails in the world offers you stunning landscapes, natural beauties and ancient civilization’s ruins

Choquequirao

Choquequirao

May–October • nature

Machu Picchu isn't the only "lost city" to visit in Peru. Discover Choquequirao too!

Butterflies Drinking Turtle Tears

Butterflies Drinking Turtle Tears

all year round • nature

Can you imagine a more beautiful symbiosis in nature than the one between wise turtles and tiny gentle butterflies?

Salt Harvest at Salinas de Maras

Salt Harvest at Salinas de Maras

May–October • nature

See thousands of salt terraces placed high in the mountains in the Sacred Valley of Incas

Huacachina Oasis

Huacachina Oasis

May–November • nature

A lake in the desert—mirage or a sheer oasis?

Hiking Rainbow Mountain

Hiking Rainbow Mountain

April–October • nature

Hike a mountain unlike any other

Hiking in National Reserve Lomas de Lachay in its Greenest Months

Hiking in National Reserve Lomas de Lachay in its Greenest Months

August–Ocotber • activity

This place is where magic and mystery comes together with no artificial intrusion

Titicaca and other Mountain Lakes

Titicaca and other Mountain Lakes

May–September • activity

Among high hills and ice glaciers, these lakes hide their stunning beauty

Trekking to Pongo de Mainique

Trekking to Pongo de Mainique

May–October • activity

Check out this truly fantastic way with great nature, extreme views, and encounters with local culture—a great experience for all!

Hot Springs

Hot Springs

May–October • activity

Take some time in your exploration to relax in healing hot springs between the green hills of the Andes

Peruvian Paso Horse Competitions

Peruvian Paso Horse Competitions

April–May | September–October • event

These horses are born not trained

Ice Climbing

Ice Climbing

March–October • activity

Snowy peaks look cold and unappealing to some, but in fact they own a very unique and magical beauty

Sandboarding in Huacachina

Sandboarding in Huacachina

May–November • activity

Have some twists, turns, falls, screams, and fun in a real desert

Scissors Dance or La Danza de las Tijeras

Scissors Dance or La Danza de las Tijeras

May–September | late December • activity

Head to the ground, one foot up, arms criss-crossed and blades right in front of your face—this is the ancient Dance with Scissors

Pachacamac

Pachacamac

October–May (year round) • activity

The most important archeological site in coastal Peru

Moray

Moray

November–March (all year round) • activity

These terraced circular depressions leave scientists puzzled

Rafting the Urubamba River

Rafting the Urubamba River

May–October • activity

This adventure is quite extreme, but its beauty is well worth it

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

September–April • activity

A new spectacular wind sports destination

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain

May–October  • nature

The second most popular colorful mountain in Cusco region

Titan Beetle

Titan Beetle

September–October • nature

One of the largest beetles on Earth inhabits Peruvian rainforests

35 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Inti Raymi

Inti Raymi

out of rangeJune 24 • event

This ancient religious ritual survived till today and represents the most famous festival in Cusco

Qoyllur Rit'i or Star Snow Festival

Qoyllur Rit'i or Star Snow Festival

out of rangeJune 4–6, 2023 • event

Thousands of pilgrims walk to the foots of Andes to welcome new circle of life or honor the Lord

Warachikuy

Warachikuy

out of rangeSeptember 17, 2023 • event

Inspiring event when young sons of Incas show their strength and overcome different trials by fire

Bullfighting Season in Lima

Bullfighting Season in Lima

out of rangeNovember • event

This show isn't for the faint-hearted, but for some, this tradition is a work of art

Virgen del Carmen

Virgen del Carmen

out of rangeJuly 15–July 18 • event

Towns of Paucartambo and Pisac near Cusco are homes to a festival dedicated to Virgen del Carmen, a ceremony well worth attending

Cusco Carnival

Cusco Carnival

out of rangeMarch 3, 2024 • event

For those who like crowded and chaotic places with music, dance and other interesting activities, the right time to visit Peru is during the Carnival

Q’eswachaka Bridge Weaving

Q’eswachaka Bridge Weaving

out of rangeJune • activity

This Inca bridge is a connection between the past and the present, and its renovation is a real tradition for locals

Paucartambo Festival

Paucartambo Festival

out of rangeJuly 15–July 18 • event

Learn about Peruvian history, pay respect to the dead, honor the Virgin, and try not to lose your head in the craziness of this event

Guinea Pig Festival

Guinea Pig Festival

out of rangeJuly 16, 2023 • event

Do you love guinea pigs or 'cuy' in the same way as Peruvians do?

Ritual Dance Huaconada

Ritual Dance Huaconada

out of rangeJanuary 1–January 3 • event

It is more than okay to receive a few lashes from the Mayor of Mito for a happy New Year

Fiesta De Las Cruces

Fiesta De Las Cruces

out of rangeMay 3 • event

This festival represents a special religious tradition of carrying decorated crosses up the hill

Marine Fauna of the Ballestas Islands

Marine Fauna of the Ballestas Islands

out of rangeJanuary–March • nature

Sea lions, penguins, and pelicans are good neighbours on the Ballestas Islands

Carnival

Carnival

out of rangeFebruary 9–14, 2024 • event

The mix of Catholic and Inca traditions result in very special festivities

Wititi Dance

Wititi Dance

out of rangeNovember–February | July 14 • event

Witi Witi means "making love," so how do you imagine this dance looks like? Colca Valley would be the right place to check it out

Flying over the Nazca Lines during the Dry Months

Flying over the Nazca Lines during the Dry Months

out of rangeNovember–March • nature

Be prepared to meet two thousand year old art

Pisco Sour

Pisco Sour

out of rangeMarch–May • food

Every country has its own national alcoholic drink, and this one is truly Peruvian

Yawar Fiesta or Festival of Blood

Yawar Fiesta or Festival of Blood

out of rangeJuly 28 • event

Though cruel and bloody, this event symbolizes fight for freedom in Peru

Takanakuy—the Fighting Festival

Takanakuy—the Fighting Festival

out of rangeDecember 25 • event

Any plans for Christmas? What about taking part in a traditional fight in Peru?

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria

out of rangeFebruary 2-13, 2024 • event

This is one of the biggest carnivals in Peru, which combines both Christian and prehispanic rituals

Cielo de Brujas or Sky of Witches

Cielo de Brujas or Sky of Witches

out of rangeDecember–April • nature

Peruvian sunsets are worth a moment to stop doing everything and just enjoy it

5P or Peruvian Pomegranate Pineapple Party Punch

5P or Peruvian Pomegranate Pineapple Party Punch

out of rangeMarch–June • food

Yes, you can make this punch outside of Peru, but that which comes from Peru tastes better in Peru!

Cajamarca Carnival (Carnaval de Cajamarca)

Cajamarca Carnival (Carnaval de Cajamarca)

out of rangeFebruary 9-February 14, 2024 • event

One of the best carnival celebrations in South America

Semana Santa (Holy Week) & Easter

Semana Santa (Holy Week) & Easter

out of rangeMarch 24-31, 2024 • event

Discover unique Easter traditions of Cusco, Ayacucho, and Arequipa

Pink Dolphin Breeding Season

Pink Dolphin Breeding Season

out of rangeMay–June • nature

Believe it or not, but these dolphins do exist. Their skin is pale pink, and males are more pink than females

Fresh Chili Peppers

Fresh Chili Peppers

out of rangemid-December–March • food

Choose your level of "chiliness" and try as many kinds of peppers as you can

Avocado

Avocado

out of rangeJanuary–June • food

Try not to miss the season of avocado in Peru, and try some signature dishes too!

Surfing

Surfing

out of rangeNovember–February | May–August • activity

Find your wave and have a perfect ride near the coast of Peru

Lucuma

Lucuma

out of rangeJanuary–March • food

Fresh, dried, or frozen—this fruit remains absolutely delicious

Rainy Season Trekking

Rainy Season Trekking

out of rangeNovember–March • activity

Rain is not forever and even if it is, who said that rainy trekking isn't worthwile!

Mango

Mango

out of rangeNovember–April • food

There is no such Peruvian meal with mango that you won't enjoy!

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

out of rangeOctober–November • nature

About one fifth of all bird species on Earth can be found in Peru

Mistura Gastronomic Fair

Mistura Gastronomic Fair

overOctober 26–November 5, 2017 • event

Picarones, anticuchos, lomo saltado... This is only the beginning of the list of Peruvian dishes you can try at the biggest food festival in Latin America

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Dress up in yellow and get ready to party!

Juanes

Juanes

out of rangeJune 24 • food

These rice parcels symbolise the head of Saint John after his beheading

Red River

Red River

out of rangeApril • nature

The unusual river is among the top attractions of the Cusco region

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