Essential Peru

• 13 nights hotels and one night homestay
• Group normally five to 18, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
• Time spent at altitude
• Travel by internal flight, train, boat and private bus
• Several long drives and early starts

The diverse geography of Peru results in a very varied climate between different regions. Lima and Paracas fall within the coastal desert region of Peru, with a mild climate and very little rain all year. From April to November, the sky is almost always grey and cloudy and the air is humid. Average daytime temperatures in Lima remain between about 18C-24C (64F-75F) during this period, with July and August typically being the coolest. Nights are also mild – typically 15C-18C (59F-64F). From December to March, the skies in Lima are clear and temperatures at their warmest, but elsewhere in the country this is the rainy season.

Cuzco and the Andes have a temperate climate. December to March is the rainy season in Cuzco/the Andes and April to November is the dry season; characterised by clear skies and strong sunshine in the mornings, sometimes clouding over as the day progresses. Daytime temperatures are usually pleasant (around 20C/68F on average) but night times only 5C-10C (41F-50F), except for May, June, July and August when days are cooler and nights are often close to, or a few degrees below, freezing. In the Andes, however, anything is possible at any time of year, including cloud, rain or even snow, and rapid, unexpected changes.

Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon are high (12,460ft/3,800m and 11,810ft/3,600m above sea level respectively). The sun is strong but the air can be cold, and nights can be close to freezing. You will need to bring warm layers and a waterproof or windstopper. Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are in the cloud forest with large amounts of precipitation all year round as clouds move up from the Amazon Basin. Rain here can be heavy but is seldom prolonged. Cold fronts sometimes occur from July to August.

Peru is affected by the El Niño weather phenomenon where warming of Pacific Ocean surface water off South America drives a shift in the atmospheric circulation resulting in abnormally high levels of rainfall over parts of South America. These events occur at irregular intervals of two to seven years, and last nine months to two years. A strong El Niño event occurred in 2014-16. In El Niño years, temperatures in Lima can be much warmer than described above but it still rarely rains in Lima.

This is a busy itinerary encompassing the highlights of southern Peru. You should be aware that the size of Peru means this holiday involves some long drives and early starts. The longest drive is between Nazca and Abancay and takes around 10 hours. The private buses used are comfortable and the scenery is outstanding. There will be several stops to help break up long journeys. The road between Nazca and Cuzco becomes increasingly winding as we climb higher into the mountains, and this, combined with the increase in altitude, may affect you if you are prone to travel sickness.

Although graded Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate), the altitude can make physical activity feel more tiring than at sea level. As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for more information and advice on how to limit the effects of altitude sickness. The tour allows for gradual acclimatisation, visiting Abancay (7,874ft/2,400m) before moving on to Cuzco (11,155ft/3,400m), then Lake Titicaca (12,467ft/3,800m) and Colca Canyon (11,926ft/3,635m). Although we do not linger there, the maximum altitude visited on this trip is at Patapampa Pass (16,109ft/4,910m), which we drive over near Chivay, Colca Canyon. Please ensure your travel insurance covers you up to this altitude. It can be cold at these altitudes, particularly from May to August (although these months benefit from lower rainfall). You should bring appropriate clothing.

Cuzco, Arequipa and many of the Inca sites (including Machu Picchu) are built on hillsides and sightseeing often involves walking up and down steep streets or on uneven steps or terraces. As such, you should have a good level of mobility and a reasonable level of fitness.

Strikes are not uncommon in Peru and while these are generally peaceful protests, they can result in roadblocks and disruption to travel. In this event, your leader will amend your itinerary if necessary to minimise the impact.

List of regulations for visiting Machu Picchu. The main points impacting your visit are the following:

Tickets are valid for one entry only, which means you cannot leave the site and re-enter

Once you have done the chosen circuit with your guide, you cannot walk back to view anything already visited. Once you finish the circuit, you have to leave the site. You can no longer explore the site further after the guided tour.

The two visit times for visiting the site, either 6am to midday or midday to 4pm.

Local authorities have restricted temple visits at Machu Picchu. Visitation is dependent on the time you enter the site.

These regulations will affect how long you can spend at Machu Picchu and which temples you can visit. In the past, passengers could explore the site further after their guided tour – this is no longer possible. The alternative we implement on our visits is to explore the upper part of Machu Picchu (Sun Gate and Inca Bridge) before starting the guided tour. The guided tour will be about two hours’ long, after which you must exit the site. You can visit the Sun Temple, but not the Sun Dial Temple or the Condor’s Temple on this itinerary.

Schedule of visit to Machu Picchu on this itinerary:

Midday access to Machu Picchu and explore upper part with the tour leader

Start the guided tour at 2pm

Passengers leave Machu Picchu at 4.30pm

Please see our COVID Travel Guide for Peru for more information on current guidelines for travel in Peru.