In short
The best time to visit Peru is the dry season: generally May to September for Cusco and Machu Picchu, and April to October for the altiplano and the Amazon. June to August draws the biggest crowds, while April-May and September-October offer nearly the same clear skies with quieter trails.
- Best monthsMay to September for the Andes, April to October for the Amazon and altiplano
- AvoidJanuary and February, the heart of the rainy season
- Suggested length7 to 15 days to combine several regions
- Peak seasonJune to August: book Machu Picchu well ahead
When to go to Peru: a month-by-month guide
Between the coast, the Andes and the Amazon, Peru packs in dozens of microclimates. Two broad seasons still shape the year: a dry season generally running from April to October in the Andes and the Amazon, and a rainy season from November to March, heaviest in January and February. This dry window offers the best conditions for gaining altitude around Cusco and Machu Picchu, sailing on Lake Titicaca, or spotting wildlife in the rainforest.
Around Cusco, the Inca Trail generally closes for the whole of February for annual maintenance, on top of the year's heaviest rain, making it the least recommended month. June, July and August draw the most visitors instead: skies are clearest, but Machu Picchu tickets and lodges book up long in advance.
- JanRainy
- FebAvoid
- MarPossible
- AprGood
- MayIdeal
- JunIdeal
- JulIdeal
- AugIdeal
- SepIdeal
- OctGood
- NovPossible
- DecRainy
When to visit Machu Picchu and the Cusco region?
Our Cusco to Machu Picchu: the Sacred Valley of the Incas journey starts with a deliberately quiet day in Cusco to acclimatise, before heading into the Sacred Valley, the Pisac market and Ollantaytambo. The final approach to Machu Picchu is by train along the Urubamba to Aguas Calientes, with an early departure to reach the citadel ahead of the crowds. Between May and September, mornings there are generally dry and clear.
Our experts' tip
If you're aiming for July or August, book your Machu Picchu entry ticket well ahead: daily quotas fill up fast. For a quieter visit, April-May and September-October remain our favourite months.
Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon: which window to pick?
Further south, the Peru: Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon journey follows a slightly wider calendar, generally favourable from April to October. On the lake, the floating Uros islands and the island of Taquile can be visited year-round, but clear skies make a real difference to the light on the water and the distant Bolivian cordillera. At Colca Canyon, twice as deep as the American Grand Canyon, the best conditions for watching Andean condors from the Cruz del Condor also come in the dry season.
| Region | Best months | Avoid | Suggested length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cusco and Machu Picchu | May to September | February (trail closed) | 7 nights |
| Titicaca and Colca | April to October | January and February | 7 nights |
| Amazon (Puerto Maldonado) | May to September | December to March | 5 nights |
What about the Peruvian Amazon?
If you extend the trip into the Amazon around Puerto Maldonado, the dry season also makes wildlife easier to spot: lower water levels expose the banks of oxbow lakes such as Lake Sandoval, home to one of the region's last giant otter families, and make clay licks more accessible to macaws and parrots. Our Peru: The Amazon, Following the River trip is built around this window, generally from May to September.
Good to know
In the Amazon, brief unexpected cold spells known locally as "friaje" can drop temperatures for a day or two, even in the dry season: pack a warm layer just in case.
Our tailor-made trips in Peru
These three regions combine well in a single trip: the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu for Inca history, Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon for high-altitude landscapes, and the Amazon for biodiversity. Each itinerary below is a starting point we then adjust together with you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see Machu Picchu?
May, June and September generally offer the best balance between clear skies and still-reasonable crowds. July-August remain the driest months but also the busiest.
Should you avoid February for Machu Picchu?
In most cases, yes: the Inca Trail generally closes for the whole month for maintenance, and February sits at the heart of the Andean rainy season.
Can Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon be combined in one trip?
Yes, these three legs complement each other well over two to three weeks. We work out the order and length of each leg with you based on your dates.
Your tailor-made trip to Peru
Tell us about your dates: our team replies with a personalised proposal within 24h.