Peru Holidays 2026

PERÚ

Peru Capital: Lima

LIMA.

The sprawling capital, is daunting at first sight,but worth investigating for its museums, colonial architecture and nightlife. Routes radiate in every direction and great steps have been taken to improve major roads linking the pacific with the highlands. Travelling overland does, however, take time, so if on a short visit, flying is the best option.

NORTH OF LIMA

It is only seven hours to Huaraz, in the Cordillera Blanca, the country's climbing and trekkin centre. Mountaineering and hiking, can be easily linked with the archaeological site at Chavín, east to Huaraz, or  with the pre-inca cities Sechin and Chan Chán, the latter close to the colonial city of Trujillo. Heading up the coast, there is plendy of evidence of precolumbian cultura, particularly around Chiclayo, beaches for surfing (eg Chicama) or watching traditional fishing techniques, and wildlife parks in the far north near Tumbes. (Tumbes, and the nearby Piura-Sullana rout are the gateways to Ecuador). In the northern highlands, Cajamarca is a pleasant base for exploring more archaeological sites. thermal baths and beautiful countryside. From here, or by a route from Chiclayo, there is access to the remote Chachachapoyas region where a bewildering number of prehispanic cities and cultures are beginning  to be opened up visitors. Goin east from here is one the less travelled roads into the jungle lowlands.

SOUTH OF LIMA

Are Peru's most deservedly famous tourist destinations. The chief focus is Cusco where ispanish  colonial and Inca arcitecture are united, and the sacred valley of the treasure trove. Regular trips from Cusco extend to Puno on the shores of lake Titicaca (on the overland route to Bolivia), in whitch islands are frequenty visited to see a unique way of life.

Arequipa, a fine city atthe foot of .El misti volcano, gives acceses to the canyons of Colca and, for those with more time, the even deeper Cotahuasi. A much- travelled raiway links Cusco, Puno and Arequipa, but the Cusco-Puno road has now been paved, offering new opportunities for exploring thes high altitude regions.

On the souhthern coastalroutes ins the Paracas pininsula (near Pisco), reputed be home to the larges sea-lion colony on earth, and offshore Ballestas islands, one of the best places to see marine birdlife in the world.The mysterious Nasca lines, whose meanings stills stir debate,etchdin the stony desert, should not be missed if you are on the Lima-Arequipa road, or taking the Pan-American higghway south to Tacna and Chile.

THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

Can be reached by roads from Lima,Pisco and Nasca, the main centres being Huancayo,Huancavelica and Ayacucho. there is much of historicaln interest handicrafts. From Ayacucho you can continue to Cusco by plane or, if willing to rough it,by bus. Roads in this part of the sierra are being improved considerably, but check conditions if going far off the beaten track.

Another route into the Peruvian Jungle runs from the central highlands to Pucallpa, but the most popular journeys are by air to the Amazon city of Iquitos, from where boats can be taken  to Brasil,or from Cusco to the spectacular Manu biosphere Reserveand theTambopata area (accessed from Puerto Maldonado).This has some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world, providing wonderful opportunities for wachers of birds, butterflies and animals, and for plants lovers.

WHEN TO GO

Each of peru's geographical zones has its own climate coast:from Dec to Apr, summertime, temperatures from 25° to 35°C, hot and dry. These are best months for swimming,Wintertime, May -Nov; the temperature drops a bit and it is cloudy. On the coast climate is determined by cold sea-water adjoining deserts;prevailing inshore winds pick up so little moisture over cold peruvian current that only from May to Nov does it condense. the resultand Blanket of cloud and sea-mist extends fromthe south to about200km north of Lima. This gárua dampens isolated coast zones of vegetation (called lomas) and they are northem beaches near Tumbes are warm enough for pleasant swimming.

The Sierra from Apr to Oct is dry season, hot and dry during the day,around 20°-25°C, cold and dry at night,often below freezing. From Nov to Apr is the wet season,dry and clear most mornings,some rainfall in theafthernoon, withasmall temperature drop(18°C)and not much difference at night(15°C).

Peru's high season is from Jun to Aug, whichis best time for hiking the Inca Trail or trekking and climbing elsewhere in the country. At this time the days are generally clear and sunny,though nights can be very cold at high altitude. The highlands can be visited at other times of thhe year, though during the wettes months from Nov to Apr some roads become impassable and hiking trails can be very muddy.

The Jungle :Apr- oct dry season temperatures up to 35°C. This is the best time to visit the jungle, in the jungle areaas of the south, a cold front canpass through at night. Nov- Apr,wet seson, heavy rainfall at any time,humid and hot. During the wet season, it only rains for a few hours at a time which is not enough tospoliyourtrip, buet enough to make some roads virtually impassable.

The best destination of Peru

The best destination of Peru is Machu Picchu, you can take a traditional trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu or Machu Picchu tours from Lima. Usually you can add the extra activity such as Rainbow Mountain, or Sacred Valley. If you would like to hike to the lost city of the Incas, The Inca Trail tours are perfect for you. You can walk during the 4 day Inca Trail and on the last day, you can arrive in Inca city. In case you don´t have a long time to walk, the short Inca Trail is the best alternative or you want to complete the marvelous sacred mountain, the Salkantay Inca trail is the best destination for your holidays.

It is very important to book the Inca trail in advance, there are only 500 availity. included trekkers, cooks and porters. In case the Inca Trail permits are sold out, I recommend the alternative trek such as Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Inca Jungle or Choquequirao to Machu Picchu, this last trip is a 9 day hike to Machu Picchu.

The second best destination of Peru is the Peruvian Amazon or Chachapoyas, the citadel is the second Machu Picchu in the Amazon