Peru and its Andean llamas no longer appear! A mosaic destination stretching between the Pacific Ocean and the Andean mountain range, going beyond it even to the mighty Amazonian forest, you will most certainly get to know Lima, its capital. A vibrant metropolis, even a buzzing, even a little chaotic, whose streets, adorned with an impressive colonial architectural heritage, welcome shopkeepers by day and by night, where you can taste one of the finest gastronomies on the planet too (just like the excellent ceviche), recognized by UNESCO. Of course, the Peruvian tourist guide will take you to the south of the country, starting with Cuzco and its colonial alleys, a mythical city that was once the capital of the Inca civilization. From there, head for the Sacred Valley, which you trekking along the Inca Trail while chewing coca leaves, and which leads to the Portes du Soleil, then to the ruins of the dazzling Machu Picchu. Further south, we find Nazca towards Puno, Lake Titicaca and the floating islands of Uros made of straw that are revealed, while going up the Pacific coast we meet arid deserts sown with oases, beaches suitable for swimming, and archaeological sites nestled in the heart of nature, as in Kuélap for example. The third large Peruvian territory is humid and lush: the Amazon, with the amazing city of Iquitos as its capital, is a maze of wild flora, huge rivers and incredible sunsets. Going to Peru is an adventure trip!
When to go to Peru?
When to go to Peru? The Peruvian territory being made up of several very different environments (Pacific coast, Andean mountain range and Amazonian forest), the most suitable times to visit it vary.
On the heights of the Andes, the very high tourist season extends from mid-June to the end of August: it is then the best time to visit Machu Picchu and the other Inca sites (dry and sunny weather) but there are many people and often the queue for example to go by shuttle to the Machu Picchu site. The best time to visit Peru, at least its mountainous region, would therefore be from mid-April to mid-June ñ when the entire Sacred Valley is green and visitors are less numerous.
On the coast, the very high tourist season extends from mid-December to the end of February, this period corresponding to the Peruvian school holidays. Blue skies, hot weather but crowded beaches. If you're wondering when to go to Peru to visit its coastline, prefer March and April.
In the Amazon, the high tourist season extends from April to November, when it rains less. However, even in the heavy rainy season, the sun is never far away. The Amazon is still relatively spared by mass tourism.
In Peru, there are more than 3,000 traditional festivals; although most of them have been Christianized, the fact remains that pre-Columbian influences are still alive. The only celebration that attracts thousands of foreign travellers, and therefore requires you to book your accommodation well in advance, is the Inti Raymi Festival, on June 24 in Cusco.
Be careful, Peruvians are starting to travel much more in their country. Holy Week and the dates around July 28 and 29, national holiday, are often in high demand
