Avid hiker and kimkim traveler Kristin Monesmith lives in Peru halftime, working remotely and exploring the endless mountain trails. The Ausangate Trek checked all her boxes: incredibly beautiful, essentially devoid of tourists, and enough of a challenge to leave her feeling accomplished at the end. She spoke with us about her five-day adventure circumnavigating one of the most spectacular mountains in Southern Peru.
If you want the same sunny weather as the high season without high season crowds, September is the month to visit Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. As this is officially shoulder season, expect to get better deals on hotels and tours this month too.
December is a strange month in Cusco and the Sacred Valley: both quiet (at the beginning of the month) and hectic (over Christmas and New Year). Then again, the famous Christmas and New Year festivities in Cusco pull in a lot of Peruvian visitors as well as a fair few from overseas, and one of the biggest handicrafts fairs anywhere in the Andes takes place in Cusco too.
Peru has some of the best tracts of the Amazon in the world, and no better way to explore than by boat. Traveling around the Amazon by plane, you see precious little of its wondrous wildlife, and road access is a real challenge. To really experience Peru’s wild jungle, you need to take to its rivers and waterways. _x000D_
Seven to nine days is a great length for a Peru trip, with stops in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in five or six days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like the Amazon or Puno. Keep reading for more inspiring Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley itineraries.
The Inca Trail reopens, the wet weather starts to subside and, should Easter fall this month, Semana Santa brings in the crowds to Machu Picchu at levels not seen since the end of last season's shoulder period. Read on for more advice on traveling to Peru's most beloved attraction in March.
Sunny days with little rain and a series of great festivals ensure that July is a popular month for visiting the region. Expect festivities to be happening wherever you are staying as the aftermath of one festival or the build-up to another make this a lively and atmospheric time of high season.
Fun fact: Peruvian culture is incredibly family friendly. Whether you're exploring Incan ruins, visiting museums with hands-on activities, or getting up close and personal with wildlife, a family vacation to Cusco and the Sacred Valley can be enjoyable and educational for parents and kids alike. Here are some ideas to help you plan.
This is the very end of dry season in the Andes, even though rain will get more frequent as the month wears on. Still, compared to the five months that follow it, October has little wet weather and is still shoulder season, with tourists taking advantage of the last decent month for trekking and many other outdoor activities until the following April comes around.
Only a limited number of people are permitted to hike the Inca Trail each year. If you have your heart set on this classic trek to Machu Picchu, be sure to book your trek months in advance to get permits for your desired dates.