Inca stonework in the clouds, a valley of terraced farms and weaving villages, and a food scene that rivals anywhere on earth.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
You come for Machu Picchu, and it lives up to every photo. Then the rest of Peru surprises you: the warmth of the people, the markets, the meals, the sheer scale of the Andes.
A first trip usually lands in Lima for a night or two of extraordinary food, then flies to Cusco. We like to head straight down to the Sacred Valley, which sits lower, so you can settle into the altitude among terraced fields and quiet lodges. From there, a scenic train follows the river to Machu Picchu, and Cusco’s cobbled lanes come at the end, once you’ve found your feet.
With a few more days, ride a luxury train across the high plains to Lake Titicaca, see condors over the Colca Canyon, or trade the mountains for the Amazon on a river cruise or at a jungle lodge.
The Andes have two seasons, dry and rainy, and the dry months are the busiest. Lima and the Amazon follow their own rhythms, so there’s a good Peru trip in every month.
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches. Lima almost never sees rain; Cusco sits at about 11,150 feet.
From May to September the Andes are sunny and clear, with warm afternoons and near-freezing nights in Cusco. It’s the classic time for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, and Cusco celebrates Inti Raymi, the festival of the sun, on June 24. Book well ahead for June through August.
November to March brings afternoon showers and green, misty mountains. Mornings are often bright, Machu Picchu is quieter, and the Inca Trail closes for maintenance each February. April and October sit in between and are two of our favorite months.
Lima flips the calendar. December to April is its sunny summer, while May to November brings mild, gray skies. It hardly rains at all, so the city is an easy stop in any month.
It’s warm and humid year-round, with rain at any time. Around Iquitos, the rivers run high from roughly December to May, which is ideal for exploring flooded forest by skiff, and lower from June to November, when trails and sandy banks appear.
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
One of the world’s great food cities, perched on cliffs above the Pacific. Tasting menus, ceviche lunches, pre-Inca treasures at the museums, and the art-filled Barranco district.
Best for Food lovers, a soft landing
The old Inca capital, with Spanish churches built on Inca walls, lively plazas and the San Pedro market. Save it for after the Sacred Valley, when the altitude feels easier.
Best for History, architecture, wandering
Lower and greener than Cusco, with Inca terraces, weaving villages, the salt pans of Maras and some of Peru’s loveliest lodges. A gentle first stop in the mountains.
Best for Acclimatizing, culture, slow days
The Inca citadel at about 8,000 feet, wrapped in cloud forest. Arrive by train or on foot along the Inca Trail, and stay nearby for an early start.
Best for Bucket lists, hikers, photographers
The high-altitude lake around Puno, home to the floating reed islands of the Uros and the weaving traditions of Taquile. Reach it by a scenic train across the high plains.
Best for Second-timers, rail journeys
Reached only by air or river, Iquitos is the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Aqua Expeditions sails three-, four- and seven-night cruises into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, with skiff outings for pink river dolphins and birdlife.
Best for Wildlife, river cruising
A short flight from Cusco or Lima to rainforest lodges along the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers, known for canopy walks and macaws at the clay licks.
Best for Families, a quick jungle add-on
The “White City,” built from pale volcanic stone beneath snowy volcanoes, then a drive over a high pass to the Colca Canyon, where Andean condors ride the morning thermals.
Best for Return visitors, scenery, condors
Planning in depth
Visits run on timed tickets for one of three circuits, Panoramic, Classic or Royalty, each with set routes, and re-entry generally isn’t allowed. Daily numbers are capped at 4,500, rising to 5,600 on high-season dates in 2026. The Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain hikes need their own tickets, and bring the passport you booked with.
We book your circuit, train and private guide together so the timing lines up, and suggest a night near the site for an early, quieter entry. Inca Trail permits go on sale months ahead, the trail closes each February for maintenance, and the busiest months sell out fast. Cusco sits high, so talk to your doctor about altitude before you go.
The small things that make a big difference once you land.
Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca all sit high. Talk to your doctor before you go, then take it slowly: we plan easy first days, start lower in the Sacred Valley and keep the big hikes for later in the trip.
Entry tickets, Huayna Picchu slots, train seats and Inca Trail permits are all limited. For June through October, we secure them as soon as your dates are set.
A single day in the Andes can run from frosty to warm and sunny. Layers, a rain jacket, sun protection and comfortable walking shoes cover nearly everything.
The trains to Machu Picchu allow only a small bag per person. We arrange for your main luggage to wait at your hotel or travel ahead by car.
Cards work well in cities and hotels, but carry some soles in small bills for markets and villages. Outlets run at 220 volts; most phone and laptop chargers handle it, but check hair tools before you pack.
Stick to bottled or filtered water. If the Amazon is on your list, ask your doctor which vaccines and medications are recommended for the region you’ll visit.
No. With a U.S. passport you can visit Peru as a tourist for up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport needs six months of validity from the date you arrive and one blank page for the entry stamp, and the border officer sets your permitted stay on arrival. Requirements can change, so check current rules before you travel.
May through September is the dry season in the Andes, with sunny days and cold nights. April and October are lovely shoulder months with fewer people. Machu Picchu stays open in the rainy season, from November to March, and mornings are often clear even then.
Cusco sits at about 11,150 feet and Lake Titicaca at about 12,500, so it’s worth taking seriously. Talk to your doctor before you go about how altitude may affect you and whether medication makes sense. We like to start in the lower Sacred Valley and keep the first day or two easy.
No. The classic Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance and reopens March 1, though Machu Picchu itself stays open. Permits are limited and go on sale months in advance, and the busiest months sell out quickly, so we reserve them as soon as your dates are set.
Nine or ten days covers Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu at an easy pace. Two weeks lets you add Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, or a few nights in the Amazon.
Yes, and it pairs beautifully with the Andes. Aqua Expeditions sails small, elegant river ships from near Iquitos into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, and jungle lodges near Puerto Maldonado are a short flight from Cusco or Lima.
Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.