Machu Picchu’s Seven Wonders testament to Incan architectural innovation (c. 1440 AD) serving as nobility country retreat within breathtaking Andean landscapes, featuring temple, palace, living quarter ruins accessible via the legendary Inca Trail’s exquisite landscape hiking following Urubamba River over Warmiwañusca and Abra Runkuracay high passes. Amazon rainforest’s untouched evergreen splendor housing world’s largest Macaw Clay Lick, river otters, caimans, kaleidoscope parrots accessible through guided trails seeking monkeys, medicinal plants, and candle-kerosene lamp lodge experiences within Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystem. Lima’s world-renowned gastronomy fusion blending traditional flavors with innovative cooking where historical charm merges with modern dynamism, creating tapestries of rich cultural experiences and culinary delights across Latin America’s gastronomic capital. Sacred Valley’s steep, soaring mystical landscapes providing Inca culture with agricultural abundance, preserving indigenous communities, bustling Pisac markets, and beautiful hillside ruins overlooking lush production regions still supplying Cusco today. Cusco’s status as South America’s oldest continuously inhabited city featuring ancient Incan foundations, international influences, cobblestone streets, vibrant markets, and endless exploration opportunities as the former empire’s heart where colonial Spanish architecture crowns pre-Columbian stone foundations.
The destination guide
Peru
Country in South AmericaUpdated
- Overall10/10
- Best forCouples, Adventure seekers
- PeakJun–Aug
- CurrencyPEN
The Inca Trail’s high passes hit 4,200m before Machu Picchu even appears. That suffering is the whole point.
Travel guides for Peru
Destination stories (1)
More guides featuring Peru (4)
At a glance
- Spanish
- Quechua
- Aymara
- High-altitude Andean city
- Historic colonial center
- Mountain valleys
- Inca ruins
- History
- Adventure
- Trekking
- Culture
- Gastronomy
- Nature
How Peru scores
Editorial scores on a 10-point scale, weighed against destinations of the same kind.
Travel safety snapshot
SafePlace indicators use their source 100-point scale; higher is more favourable. Planning context, not a live travel advisory — check official government guidance before you go.
When to go
Best months to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.
- January: 22.1 to 29.3 degrees Celsius, 362.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- February: 22.2 to 29.3 degrees Celsius, 389.2 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- March: 22.2 to 29.5 degrees Celsius, 356.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- April: 22.1 to 29.4 degrees Celsius, 244.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- May: 21.6 to 28.8 degrees Celsius, 153.9 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- June: 20.9 to 28.5 degrees Celsius, 104.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- July: 20.7 to 29.3 degrees Celsius, 81.8 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- August: 21 to 30.5 degrees Celsius, 95.5 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- September: 22.1 to 31 degrees Celsius, 131.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- October: 22.3 to 30.4 degrees Celsius, 243.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- November: 22.2 to 29.6 degrees Celsius, 302.6 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- December: 22.1 to 29.3 degrees Celsius, 382.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
Month-by-month conditions and packing advice
- January
- Warm to hot, rainy Wet season in Andes, high chance of rain on Inca Trail. Crowds: January in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- February
- Warm to hot, rainy Inca Trail closed for maintenance; heavy rains in mountains. Crowds: February in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- March
- Warm to hot, rainy Tail end of wet season, lush green scenery but muddy. Crowds: March in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- April
- Warm to hot, rainy Shoulder season, great time with lower crowds and clear skies. Crowds: April in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- May
- Warm to hot, rainy Excellent clear weather for trekking, beautiful green valleys. Crowds: May in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- June
- Warm to hot, some rain Peak dry season, perfect for Machu Picchu and Inti Raymi festival. Crowds: June in Peru is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- July
- Warm to hot, some rain Peak season, busiest and coldest month in the Andes. Crowds: July in Peru is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- August
- Warm to hot, some rain Excellent dry and clear weather continues, very popular. Crowds: August in Peru is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- September
- Warm to hot, rainy Great weather, crowds start to slightly decrease. Crowds: September in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- October
- Warm to hot, rainy Shoulder season, occasional showers start but still good. Crowds: October in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- November
- Warm to hot, rainy Start of the wet season, but manageable and fewer tourists. Crowds: November in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- December
- Warm to hot, rainy Wet season begins in earnest in the highlands. Crowds: December in Peru is one of the wetter periods, so museums, food stops, flexible reservations, and backup indoor plans make the trip easier. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- June
- July
- August
- January
- February
Know before you go
About
Peru, on the Pacific coast of western South America, is one of the continent’s most diverse travel destinations, spanning arid coastal desert, the soaring Andes, and a vast share of the Amazon rainforest. Its crowning attraction is Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca citadel set high in the Andes and rediscovered in 1911, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The capital, Lima, is a coastal metropolis renowned for its world-leading culinary scene, while Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, blends Andean and Spanish colonial heritage and serves as the gateway to the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail. Travelers also come for Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, with its floating Uros reed islands, the enigmatic Nazca Lines etched into the desert, and Amazon lodges near Puerto Maldonado. With its rich Inca legacy, dramatic landscapes, and celebrated cuisine, Peru rewards adventurers and culture-seekers alike.
Neighbourhoods
Lima (Miraflores, Barranco), Cusco (San Blas), Arequipa (Historical Centre), Sacred Valley, Puno
Best time to visit
May to October (dry season) for the Andes and Machu Picchu; December to March for Lima beaches
Season by season
Dry Season (May–October): 50–70°F in the Andes, sunny days, cold nights, best for trekking
Wet Season (November–April): 55–65°F, afternoon rain, lush green, fewer tourists, lower prices
Lima Summer (December–March): 70–80°F, dry and sunny on the coast
Lima Winter (June–September): 55–65°F, misty garúa fog
Crowds
High at Machu Picchu year-round (capped entry); moderate in Cusco and Sacred Valley; low in northern Peru and the Amazon
Getting there and around
Getting there
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima is the main international gateway with flights from North America, Europe, and Latin America. LATAM, American, United, Avianca, Iberia, and KLM serve Lima. Most nationalities enter visa-free for 90–183 days. A domestic connection to Cusco (1 hr 15 min) reaches the Inca heartland.
Getting around
Domestic flights (LATAM, Sky, JetSMART) connect Lima to Cusco (1 hr 15 min), Arequipa, Iquitos, and other cities. Long-distance buses (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa) are comfortable with 180-degree seats (buy ‘cama’ class). Trains run from Ollantaytambo/Poroy to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) via PeruRail and Inca Rail. Colectivos (shared minibuses) serve shorter routes. Rideshare apps work in Lima.
Top experiences in Peru
Machu Picchu
The 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu (2,430 m) is the most visited archaeological site in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The terraced stone city perched on a ridge between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains remained hidden from Spanish conquistadors and was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana stone, and Room of the Three Windows are highlights. Daily entry is capped at ~4,000 visitors in timed slots. Book tickets weeks in advance.
Cusco
Cusco (3,400 m) was the Inca Empire’s capital and remains Peru’s cultural heart. Inca stonework underpins Spanish colonial architecture throughout the historic centre (UNESCO). The Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha (Inca sun temple beneath a Dominican church), Sacsayhuamán fortress, and the bohemian San Blas quarter define the city. Cusco is also the launchpad for the Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Spend 2–3 days acclimatizing before trekking.
Lima
Lima is one of the world’s great food capitals. Three restaurants (Central, Maido, Kjolle) regularly rank in the World’s 50 Best. The historic centre (UNESCO) features the Plaza Mayor, Cathedral of Lima, and San Francisco catacombs. Miraflores offers clifftop parks, Huaca Pucllana (Lima pyramid), and LarcoMar shopping. Barranco is the bohemian art-and-nightlife quarter. The Larco Museum houses 45,000+ pre-Columbian artefacts. Lima’s cevicherías are unmissable.
Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley) stretches between Cusco and Machu Picchu at a more comfortable altitude (2,800 m). Ollantaytambo is a living Inca town with a fortress-temple complex. Pisac offers Inca terraces and a sprawling artisan market. The Moray terraces (concentric agricultural circles) and Maras salt mines (thousands of cascading salt pans in use since Inca times) are highlights. Many travellers base themselves in the Sacred Valley to acclimatize before Machu Picchu.
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, 5,200 m) is a mineral-striped mountain that glows in bands of red, yellow, green, and turquoise. The colours result from sedimentary layers of iron oxide, clay, and sulphur exposed by glacial melt (climate change revealed the colours only recently). The hike is a strenuous 3–4 hr round trip from the trailhead (5 hr from Cusco). Altitude is the main challenge. Visit on a clear morning for vivid colours.
Editor-curated picks carried over from our original guide. Where a full place guide exists, the card links to it.
Worth booking ahead in Peru
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Where to stay
Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Cusco
Calle Plateros 136, Cusco, Peru
Belmond Hotel Monasterio in Cusco occupies a restored 16th-century monastery built on Inca foundations. The baroque chapel, cloistered courtyard, and 122 rooms decorated in colonial art and textiles define the finest hotel in Cusco. The restaurant serves Peruvian-fusion cuisine. Rooms can be oxygenated to ease altitude adjustment at 3,400 m. Walking distance to Plaza de Armas. Rates USD 400–1,500+ per night.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu
Km 7.5 Carretera Bingham, Machu Picchu, Peru
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel at the gates of Machu Picchu. The 31-room lodge provides sunrise access to the citadel before the tour buses arrive. The Tampu Restaurant serves Andean-fusion cuisine with views of the ruins. The spa offers hot-stone and coca-leaf treatments. The location is unmatched — simply walk from your room to the citadel entrance. Rates USD 800–2,500+ per night.
Belmond Miraflores Park, Lima
Malecón Cisneros 1244, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Belmond Miraflores Park sits on the clifftop Malecón in Lima’s Miraflores district with Pacific Ocean views. The 89-room hotel features a rooftop infinity pool, executive lounge, and Tragaluz restaurant (Peruvian-Mediterranean). Walking distance to Huaca Pucllana, LarcoMar, and Kennedy Park. The hotel arranges Lima food tours and day trips to Pachacamac. Rates USD 300–1,000+ per night.
Editor-curated stays carried over from our original guide. Where we have reviewed the hotel, the card links to the review.
Tips from the field
Highlights
- Machu Picchu — 15th-century Inca citadel on a mountain ridge (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Cusco — Former Inca capital with Qorikancha temple and Sacsayhuamán fortress
- Lima — World-class gastronomy capital with Central, Maido, and cevicherías
- Sacred Valley — Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray terraces, Maras salt mines
- Rainbow Mountain — Mineral-striped peak glowing at 5,200 m
- Colca Canyon — One of the world's deepest canyons with soaring condors
- Lake Titicaca — Floating Uros reed islands and Taquile textile traditions
- Nazca Lines — Mysterious geoglyphs viewed from scenic flights
- Amazon (Iquitos) — Jungle lodges, canopy walks, and piranha fishing
- Huacachina — Desert oasis with dune buggies and sandboarding
Best activities
- Stand before Machu Picchu at sunrise through the Sun Gate
- Hike the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Explore Cusco's Inca-colonial fusion architecture
- Eat ceviche at a Lima cevichería
- Visit the Moray terraces and Maras salt mines
- Watch Andean condors at Colca Canyon
- Trek to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
- Float on reed islands on Lake Titicaca
- Explore the Amazon from a jungle lodge near Iquitos
- Surf the sand dunes at Huacachina oasis
Local experiences
- Eat lomo saltado and ceviche at a Lima market, drink pisco sour at a Barranco bar, chew coca leaves while hiking to Rainbow Mountain, watch weavers demonstrate pre-Inca textile techniques in Chinchero, visit a chocolate workshop in the Sacred Valley, take a cooking class in Cusco, and listen to Andean pan-flute music in Plaza de Armas.
Practical tips
- Machu Picchu Booking: Ministry of Culture enforces strict capacity caps and designated circuit routes (Circuits 1, 2, 3). Reserve tickets months in advance via the official platform (tuboleto.cultura.pe).
- Inca Trail Permits: The Classic Inca Trail requires official SERNANP permits booked 4–6 months ahead through licensed operators (closed annually in February for maintenance).
- Currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN). Credit cards are accepted in Lima and Cusco hotels/restaurants; carry cash in small denominations (10, 20, 50 Soles) for artisan markets, taxis, and rural Andes towns.
- Altitude Strategy: Drink coca or muña tea; consider consulting your doctor for acetazolamide (Diamox) prior to high-altitude trekking in the Andes.
Photography tips
- Machu Picchu: the classic postcard shot is from the Guardian's Hut area (arrive at opening for misty sunrise). Rainbow Mountain: colours are most vivid in clear midday sun. Cusco: the Plaza de Armas photographs best from the steps of the Cathedral at golden hour. Lima: the Malecón clifftop at sunset provides Pacific panoramas.
Timing
- Plan 2–3 days for Lima, 2–3 days for Cusco (acclimatisation + city), 1–2 days for the Sacred Valley, 1 day for Machu Picchu, 4 days for the Inca Trail trek, 2 days for Colca Canyon, 2 days for Lake Titicaca. A comprehensive Peru trip takes 12–18 days.
Keeping it authentic
- Peru's cultural depth is not staged. Quechua is a living language spoken by millions in the Andes. Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun, June 24) in Cusco recreates Inca solstice ceremonies with genuine community participation. The weavers of Chinchero use pre-Inca techniques and natural dyes. Lima's gastronomy boom draws on 5,000 years of Andean, coastal, and Amazonian food traditions. The Inca Trail itself follows the original 15th-century stone road.
Culture, customs and safety
Cultural heritage
Peru is home to 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of the world’s oldest civilisations (Caral, 3000 BC). The Inca Empire (1438–1533) built Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuamán, and the Qhapaq Ñan road network across the Andes. Quechua language and Andean traditions (weaving, terraced agriculture, Pachamama reverence) remain deeply embedded. Lima’s gastronomy revolution has elevated Peru to one of the world’s top food destinations. The Nazca Lines, Moche pyramids, and Chavín de Huántar predate the Incas by millennia.
Local customs & etiquette
Greet with a handshake or a single kiss on the right cheek (between men and women or women). Address strangers as ‘Señor/Señora.’ Peruvians value politeness — always say ‘buenos días/buenas tardes.’ Accept food or drink offerings graciously (refusing is considered rude). Tip 10% in restaurants if service charge isn’t included. Coca tea (mate de coca) is widely offered at altitude — it is legal and helps with acclimatisation. Ask permission before photographing indigenous people.
Safety notes
As of 2026, the US Department of State rates Peru at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) due to crime and civil unrest, with Level 4 (Do Not Travel) advisories for the Colombia-Peru border in the Loreto region and the VRAEM (Valley of the Rivers Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro).
Key Traveler Safety & Health Rules:
• Altitude Sickness (Soroche): Cusco sits at 3,399 m (11,152 ft). Acclimatize by spending your first 1–2 nights at lower elevations in the Sacred Valley (Urubamba/Ollantaytambo at 2,870 m). Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous exertion on day one.
• Urban Transport: Do not hail unverified street taxis; use official airport taxi counters (Taxi 365, Green), licensed hotel dispatch, or verified ride-hailing apps in Lima and Cusco.
• Water Safety: Tap water is not potable; use only sealed bottled or boiled water.
• Demonstrations: Occasional nationwide road strikes and rail service pauses can impact Cusco-Aguas Calientes transit; monitor local news and PROMPERÚ iPerú alerts.
• Emergency: National Police 105, Medical Ambulance (SAMU) 106, Fire 116, Tourist Police (POLTUR) +51 1 460-1060.
