Exploring Inca ruins, watching Amazon wildlife, riding dune buggies, rafting on river rapids, petting alpaca, learning to make chocolate - Peru has so much that will captivate children and adults alike. So if you want to explore this fascinating country with your family, this guide will tell you all you need to know - from the best destinations and activities, to how to prepare for challenging terrain.
It's the last month of high season in and around Machu Picchu this month. Visitor numbers overall remain very high, temperature highs are creeping up again and some ultra-traditional Andean festivals are celebrated.
Peru may be world-renowned for its incredible cuisine, but it's also at the vanguard of the third-wave coffee movement. Today, gourmet beans are harvested in Peru's fertile coffee regions and finding their way to local artisans, who treat them with love—here are some of the best places to score a perfect cup.
Seven to nine days is the most popular trip length for Peru travelers interested in visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley, especially when also including Lima, Puno, or the Amazon. If you're not interested in adding extra stops, six to seven days is enough for your Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as four or five days. Read on for the best itineraries, including Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and beyond.
August is the busiest month of the year in the Sacred Valley. With warm, sunny days and crisp evenings, the ideal weather lends itself to enjoying all the attractions Peru has to offer, from admiring Machu Picchu to adventure sports in lesser-known areas of the country.
Each region of Peru has its own weather patterns and trip-planning considerations. The busy season for Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley runs from June-August, and you'll want to book far in advance. Try May instead—the rains have let up, and crowds are still manageable. Heading to the Amazon? Waterways are most navigable from September-November, and wildlife spotting is at its best. And you'll want to visit the coast between January-March.
Cusco is second only to Lima as Peru's culinary capital. It seems as if every arch, arcade, and alleyway of the Plaza de Armas harbors a serendipitous eatery—and the standard of dining is high and ever evolving. From hearty, carb-rich Andean fare to a gamut of international offerings, here are the best places to eat out in Cusco.
Trekking to Machu Picchu is a dream for many travelers—but there's more than one way to get there. The classic Inca Trail lets trekkers walk in the steps of the Incas, while the more remote Salkantay route offers solitude and wildlife. Compare your options for getting to Peru's most famous place on foot, from distance and cost to overnight options.
Interesting festivals start popping up across the Sacred Valley during May, as dry season continues and shoulder season approaches high season towards the end of the month. May is a great month to experience Machu Picchu in some of the year's best weather conditions without those high season crowds.
The Sacred Valley is one of Peru’s most popular destinations. Once the cultural and spiritual heartland of the Inca, it is chock-full of ancient ruins, picturesque villages and stone footpaths. Machu Picchu may be the main attraction, yet one could spend days exploring the cultural highlights and ancient ruins of the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River.