A traveler looking out over Machu Picchu and the mountains on a clear day

Peru · When to Go

The Best Time to Visit Peru

Quick answer: May to September for the Andes and Machu Picchu. But with mountains, rainforest and desert coast, every region has its own rhythm, and there’s a great reason to visit in every month.

  • May–Sep dry Andean season
  • Feb Inca Trail closed
  • Jun 24 Inti Raymi

Hassle-Free Dream Travel!

Google ★★★★★ 5.0 · 601 reviews
Stewart Logan
★★★★★
Mikaila from The Travel Byrds put together a fantastic trip for us to Vancouver. Everything was arranged to fit our preferences including experiences I would never have known how to navigate myself. What a great way to travel, no stress, all fun — because a professional does the hard part for you.
Karen Terry
★★★★★
Amazing family vacation to Italy * can't wait to go back!
Brandie Penrose
★★★★★
We used CeCe as our travel advisor for our European trip, and she was amazing! She was able to work with a very tight deadline, listened to all of the things we asked for, and executed the trip perfectly. It was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend her services for anyone looking to plan a trip!
Loida Martinez
★★★★★
I cannot speak highly enough about my experience with Christina Gaspari and The Travel Byrds! She made sure to ask plenty of questions at the beginning, kept in touch while planning to make sure the things she was going to book for us were what we wanted, and made sure we had all info we might need and more before our trip. The trip itself was incredible thanks to her! Not having to worry about anything and having a full itinerary ready full of amazing experiences and even relax time accounted for was wonderful! She really put in so much work for our trip which was to multiple countries! Thanks Christina! <3
Steven Alsip
★★★★★
We have traveled with Travel Byrds 5 times and we love their service, last trip to Costa Rica was amazing. Our every concern was addressed/ all needs were met. Our agent's advice and expertise are much appreciated and we will not travel again without them!
Stephanie Fitzgerald
★★★★★
Paige planned my week-long trip to Greece. From my very first call with her to discuss my vacation “must-haves”, I was impressed with both her knowledge and her enthusiasm. She listened to my wants, made suggestions based on our discussion and then perfectly planned my trip… from the islands we visited to the hotels to the excursions. As my trip got closer, she brought in another team member to do any final bookings and modifications. It was so reassuring to know that she and her team had everything covered. I worried about NOTHING. I cannot recommend her enough.
Alexa johnson
★★★★★
If I could give Sylvie more than 5 stars, I would! Planning our honeymoon to Paros, Greece and Rome and Florence, Italy felt a little overwhelming at first, but Sylvie made the entire process so easy and stress-free. She truly thought of every single detail, and I honestly couldn’t have dreamed up a better trip or a more perfect way to start our marriage. Every hotel, transfer, flight, and excursion was seamless. On top of that, the travel app she created for us was incredible. It had every piece of information we could possibly need all in one place, so even traveling somewhere completely new felt easy and organized. We never had to wonder what was next or worry about missing anything because she had already thought of it. Not only is Sylvie incredibly organized and knowledgeable, but she genuinely cares about creating an unforgettable experience for her clients. Our honeymoon exceeded every expectation, and we made memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. I cannot recommend Sylvie enough. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, do yourself a favor and let her handle it. It was hands down one of the best decisions we made, and we’re already looking forward to planning our next adventure with her!
Todd Brydges
★★★★★
Our trip to the Rockies and National Parks was the second adventure Sylvie planned for us, and once again she knocked it out of the PARK! 🙂 Her recommendations and family excursions were spot-on and perfectly matched our interests and family dynamic. She handled all the details, taking the stress and anxiety out of the planning process. We highly recommend reaching out to Sylvie for your next trip—she’ll make sure you have an amazing experience.
Stewart Logan
★★★★★
Mikaila from The Travel Byrds put together a fantastic trip for us to Vancouver. Everything was arranged to fit our preferences including experiences I would never have known how to navigate myself. What a great way to travel, no stress, all fun — because a professional does the hard part for you.
Karen Terry
★★★★★
Amazing family vacation to Italy * can't wait to go back!
Brandie Penrose
★★★★★
We used CeCe as our travel advisor for our European trip, and she was amazing! She was able to work with a very tight deadline, listened to all of the things we asked for, and executed the trip perfectly. It was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend her services for anyone looking to plan a trip!
Loida Martinez
★★★★★
I cannot speak highly enough about my experience with Christina Gaspari and The Travel Byrds! She made sure to ask plenty of questions at the beginning, kept in touch while planning to make sure the things she was going to book for us were what we wanted, and made sure we had all info we might need and more before our trip. The trip itself was incredible thanks to her! Not having to worry about anything and having a full itinerary ready full of amazing experiences and even relax time accounted for was wonderful! She really put in so much work for our trip which was to multiple countries! Thanks Christina! <3
Steven Alsip
★★★★★
We have traveled with Travel Byrds 5 times and we love their service, last trip to Costa Rica was amazing. Our every concern was addressed/ all needs were met. Our agent's advice and expertise are much appreciated and we will not travel again without them!
Stephanie Fitzgerald
★★★★★
Paige planned my week-long trip to Greece. From my very first call with her to discuss my vacation “must-haves”, I was impressed with both her knowledge and her enthusiasm. She listened to my wants, made suggestions based on our discussion and then perfectly planned my trip… from the islands we visited to the hotels to the excursions. As my trip got closer, she brought in another team member to do any final bookings and modifications. It was so reassuring to know that she and her team had everything covered. I worried about NOTHING. I cannot recommend her enough.
Alexa johnson
★★★★★
If I could give Sylvie more than 5 stars, I would! Planning our honeymoon to Paros, Greece and Rome and Florence, Italy felt a little overwhelming at first, but Sylvie made the entire process so easy and stress-free. She truly thought of every single detail, and I honestly couldn’t have dreamed up a better trip or a more perfect way to start our marriage. Every hotel, transfer, flight, and excursion was seamless. On top of that, the travel app she created for us was incredible. It had every piece of information we could possibly need all in one place, so even traveling somewhere completely new felt easy and organized. We never had to wonder what was next or worry about missing anything because she had already thought of it. Not only is Sylvie incredibly organized and knowledgeable, but she genuinely cares about creating an unforgettable experience for her clients. Our honeymoon exceeded every expectation, and we made memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. I cannot recommend Sylvie enough. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, do yourself a favor and let her handle it. It was hands down one of the best decisions we made, and we’re already looking forward to planning our next adventure with her!
Todd Brydges
★★★★★
Our trip to the Rockies and National Parks was the second adventure Sylvie planned for us, and once again she knocked it out of the PARK! 🙂 Her recommendations and family excursions were spot-on and perfectly matched our interests and family dynamic. She handled all the details, taking the stress and anxiety out of the planning process. We highly recommend reaching out to Sylvie for your next trip—she’ll make sure you have an amazing experience.

The quick answer

When Is the Best Time to Visit Peru?

For Machu Picchu and the Andes, the dry season from May to September is best. But Peru has three very different climates, so the right time depends on where you’re going.

A traveler looking out over Machu Picchu on a clear morning

Dry season from May to September

Days are sunny and clear, around 19–21°C (66–70°F) in Cusco, with cold nights that can dip near freezing in June and July. June to August is the busiest time, so book early.

December to March is the rainy season. Afternoon showers are common, the hills turn green and the Inca Trail closes in February.

JFMAMJJASOND

Ideal Shoulder Rainy

A river winding through the Amazon rainforest

Warm and humid all year

Temperatures are warm year-round. May to October is drier, with lower rivers, more walking trails and very active clay licks. December to April is wetter, with high water that’s ideal for exploring flooded forest by boat from Iquitos.

JFMAMJJASOND

Drier Wetter, still great Rainy

Lima’s Miraflores coastline

Sunny summers, misty winters

Lima almost never sees rain. December to March is summer, with sunshine and beach weather. From June to September a soft grey mist, the garúa, settles over the city, but it’s still mild and pleasant for sightseeing and dining.

JFMAMJJASOND

Sunny Mild and misty Rainy

Month by month

Peru Through the Year

JanuaryRainy

Wet in the Andes, but Lima and the coast are sunny. A good time for beaches and green landscapes.

FebruaryRainy

The wettest month in the mountains, and the Inca Trail closes. Puno’s Candelaria festival is spectacular.

MarchRainy

Rain eases toward the end of the month. Quiet, lush and good value. Coastal summer continues.

AprilShoulder

Green hills, fewer crowds and drier days. One of our favorite months for Machu Picchu.

MayIdeal

The dry season begins. Clear skies, harvest season in the Sacred Valley and great trekking.

JuneIdeal

Cusco celebrates Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, on June 24. Book well in advance.

JulyPeak

Peak season with sunny days and cold nights. Peru’s national holidays on July 28–29 mean busy domestic travel.

AugustPeak

Dry and busy in the Andes, and a great month for Amazon wildlife. Reserve trains and hotels early.

SeptemberIdeal

Still dry, with crowds thinning. Excellent for Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon.

OctoberShoulder

Occasional showers return, but days are often bright. Lima celebrates El Señor de los Milagros.

NovemberShoulder

Warmer, with more frequent showers in the mountains. Good value before the holidays.

DecemberRainy

Rainy season in the Andes, summer begins on the coast. A festive time for Christmas in Cusco.

Ideal & peak Shoulder Rainy in the Andes

Plan around a celebration

Festivals Worth Timing Your Trip For

Peru’s festivals blend Inca and Catholic traditions with music, dance and color. Hotels fill quickly, so we plan early.

Inti Raymi · June 24

Cusco’s Festival of the Sun recreates the Inca winter-solstice ceremony at Sacsayhuamán, with hundreds of performers in traditional dress.

Virgen de la Candelaria · February

Puno’s UNESCO-recognized festival fills the shores of Lake Titicaca with thousands of dancers and musicians.

Corpus Christi · May or June

Saints from Cusco’s churches are paraded around the Plaza de Armas, followed by a feast of chiriuchu, a traditional festive dish.

Fiestas Patrias · July 28–29

Peru’s Independence Day brings parades, flags and fireworks nationwide, and busy travel as Peruvians head off on holiday.

Qoyllur Rit’i · May or June

A remarkable high-altitude pilgrimage near Ausangate glacier, and one of the most unique festivals in the Andes.

Señor de los Milagros · October

Lima’s largest procession, when the streets turn purple and the city enjoys turrón de Doña Pepa.

Want to see a festival? We’ll plan your route and stays around the date.

Plan Around a Festival

Work with One of Our Travel Experts

The average person takes over 11 hours researching their vacation. Take that time back and let us handle the nitty gritty of reading reviews, asking questions, comparing hotels and more.

Machu Picchu glowing in golden morning light

After a true deep dive into your requests, your travel agent will come back with a variety of suggested hotels, activities, and surprise experiences. You tell us which ones fit you best and we'll work through the logistics!

Cusco’s Plaza de Armas at dusk, framed by a colonial archway

You'll be equipped with an itinerary complete with the details of your trip. If anything happens along the way, you can relax knowing your travel agent will take care of everything!

Reed boats at the Uros floating islands on Lake Titicaca

Good to know

Best Time to Visit FAQs

What is the cheapest time to visit Peru?

The rainy season, from December to March (excluding the holidays), and the shoulder months of April and November typically offer better availability and value.

Can I visit Machu Picchu in the rainy season?

Yes, Machu Picchu is open all year. Expect showers and mist, which can be atmospheric, and pack a light rain jacket. Only the Inca Trail closes, during February.

What is the best time to do the Inca Trail?

May to September offers the driest conditions. Permits for these months often sell out several months ahead, so we recommend booking early.

When should I combine the Andes and the Amazon?

May to October works beautifully: dry in the mountains and drier in the rainforest, which is great for walking trails and wildlife.

Begin your journey

Your Dream Peru Getaway

Peru is a treasure trove of ancient history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture. Tell us about the trip you’re dreaming of, and one of our Peru specialists will start designing it with you.

  • A tailor-made itinerary, designed around you
  • Machu Picchu tickets, trains and permits handled
  • Hand-picked hotels with exclusive perks
  • Support before, during and after your trip

Complimentary consultation

Start Planning Your Tailor-Made Trip by Contacting One of Our Peru Specialists

1Details
2Trip type
3Date & time

Tell us about you

So we know who we’re chatting with.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter a valid email address.
Scroll to Top