The essentials
When to go to Peru, in brief
May to September: the dry Andean season
Clear skies, walkable trails, 19°C by day in Cusco. The prime window for Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail.
Cold nights at altitude
In Cusco (3,400 m), nights drop to 0°C in June-July, despite mild sunny days. Pack warm layers.
Amazon from June to November
The dry season lowers the water: wildlife concentrates on the banks, trails are less muddy. The best for wildlife watching.
The coast on the opposite clock
Lima and the Pacific beaches are at their best from December to March, the austral summer: 20-28°C and sun, while the Andes are under rain.
December to March: rain in the Andes
Muddy trails, often clouded views. The Inca Trail closes all of February for maintenance. The time to avoid for the mountains.
Inti Raymi to plan around
On 24 June in Cusco, the great Inca Festival of the Sun reenacted at Sacsayhuamán. Book 3 months ahead, the city is full.
The verdict
The best periods
May - September
Dry season in the Andes, clear skies over Machu Picchu. The best window for treks, but also the busiest (June-August).
April & October
Transition months: fewer people, still-dry trails, softer prices. A useful compromise just before or after high season.
December - March
Rainy season in the Andes, clouded views, muddy trails. The Inca Trail closes in February. Good for the coast, not the mountains.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
Cusco 12-19°C / Lima 26°C
Andes rain, coast summer
Cusco 12-19°C / Lima 27°C
Inca Trail closed
Cusco 12-20°C / Lima 26°C
Rain, wet season ending
Cusco 11-20°C
Transition, drying out
Cusco 8-19°C
Dry, green landscapes
Cusco 0-19°C
Dry, cold nights, Inti Raymi
Cusco 0-19°C
Dry, high season
Cusco 2-20°C
Dry, very busy
Cusco 5-20°C
Dry, crowds easing
Cusco 7-20°C
First showers
Cusco 9-20°C
Rains building
Cusco 11-20°C / Lima 25°C
Andes rain, coast summer
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andes (Cusco, Machu Picchu) | May-Sept: 0-19°C, dry | Dec-Mar: rain, clouded views | Ideal May-Sept |
| Coast & Lima | Dec-Mar: 20-28°C, sun | May-Oct: garúa, grey skies | Ideal Dec-Mar |
| Amazon | Jun-Nov: low water, wildlife | Dec-May: floods, muddy trails | Ideal Jun-Nov |
| Lake Titicaca (Puno) | May-Sept: dry, intense cold | Dec-Mar: rain, milder | Ideal May-Sept |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)
The great Inca solstice rite reenacted in Cusco, from Qoricancha to the Sacsayhuamán fortress. Book 3 months ahead, the city is packed.
🇵🇪 Cusco
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Striking processions, notably in Ayacucho and Cusco. The Señor de los Temblores parades through Cusco on Holy Monday.
🇵🇪 Cusco, Ayacucho
Virgen de la Candelaria
One of South America's largest folk festivals, in Puno: thousands of costumed dancers by the shore of Lake Titicaca.
🇵🇪 Puno
National holidays (Fiestas Patrias)
Peru's independence, parades and celebrations nationwide, in the heart of the dry Andean season. Crowds and prices rise.
🇵🇪 Nationwide
Our analysis
Peru runs on one simple flip: for the Andes, aim for the dry season, May to September. As this is the southern hemisphere, the austral winter falls in our summer, and it is the season that opens the sky over Machu Picchu. The coast and the Amazon run on other clocks.
The dry Andean season, May to September
This is the prime window for Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Skies clear, trails dry and days are mild: around 19°C in Cusco. But at 3,400 meters, June-July nights drop to 0°C, so pack warm layers. June to August are the busiest months, driven by Inti Raymi on 24 June and the national holidays in late July. The Inca Trail closes all of February for maintenance, worth planning around if you want the trek.
Three climate countries in one
Peru reads like three stacked climate zones. The Amazon is at its best from June to November, when water levels drop and wildlife gathers on the banks. The coast and Lima, by contrast, enjoy their austral summer from December to March: 20 to 28°C and sun, while the Andes take the rain. The rest of the year, Lima sits under the garúa, a grey mist that goes by no other name.
The late-season trade-off
April and October are underrated transition months: still-dry trails, fewer people, softer prices. A blunt opinion: if you want to dodge the June-August crowds, target September or April. You keep most of the weather without the full buses.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Peru? +
From May to September: dry season in the Andes, clear skies over Machu Picchu, 19°C by day in Cusco. It is the prime window for treks, and the busiest.
What is the worst time to visit Peru? +
December to March are the rainy season in the Andes: muddy trails, often clouded views. The Inca Trail closes all of February for maintenance.
When to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? +
From May to September, in the heart of the dry season. Note: the Inca Trail is closed all of February. Book permits several months ahead, they sell out fast.
When to visit the Peruvian Amazon? +
From June to November, the dry season: water levels drop, wildlife concentrates on the banks and trails are less muddy. The best time for wildlife watching.
When to enjoy the coast and Lima? +
From December to March, the austral summer: 20-28°C and sun on the Pacific beaches, while the Andes are under rain. The rest of the year, Lima sits under the garúa, a stubborn grey mist.
When is Inti Raymi in 2026? +
On 24 June in Cusco. This great Inca Festival of the Sun draws thousands of spectators to Sacsayhuamán. Book accommodation and tickets at least 3 months ahead.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026