Best Time to See: The Andes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The vast Andean mountain range includes fertile valleys marked by patchwork subsistence farming, traditional adobe cities with cobblestone streets and colorfully dressed locals, and the Incan ruins of fortresses, temples, and terracing. The glacial peaks provide a scenic challenge to the most intrepid travelers, and the jungle brow (high-altitude jungle) and cloud forests help make the Andes the region housing the most microclimates in Peru. Travelers visit to explore the former imperial capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, discover for themselves the iconic Machu Picchu Archeological Complex, and practice extreme sports along the mountainsides and river rapids.

The weather is extraordinarly varied, meaning that cold mornings and frigid nights can combine with sunny, very hot afternoons. During the rainy season, it can rain everyday of your stay, but generally in short bursts. Bring layers that will allow you to adjust to the temperature shifts, and don’t forget the sunblock even during the rainy season- the sun scorches at higher altitudes.

Dry Season: May to October 

Inti Raymi Festival & Cusco’s Anniversary (June)
Clearer Trails
Better Views- especially Machu Picchu
Hillsides Bloom (September)
Higher demand & more crowding
Higher prices

Wet Season: November to April

Uncomfortable for hiking (muddy paths, potential landslides)
Clouded views
Unexpected dangers & delays (flooded roads, derailed train tracks)
 Fewer people
 Great bargains
 New Years in Cusco
 Fiestas Patrias Independence Days throughout Peru (April)

What to do: explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, raft the Apurimac River rapids, hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, watch a traditional weaving demonstration, visit Sacsayhuaman Fortress, tour the former imperial capital of the Incas

Best Time to See: Desert Coast

 

 

 

Peru’s arid Pacific coast is home to the ancient cities of Chan Chan and Sipán, the Paracas   Reserve, and the Nazca Lines. While Nazca, Ica, and Paracas are hot and sunny throughout the year, epitomizing general conceptions of desert climes, you’ll notice some anomalies: Lima is very humid due to coastal fog and breezes from the Pacific, which regulate the city’s temperature so that it’s never too hot or too cold. Meanwhile, the cooling effects of the Humboldt current means you can see penguins off of the coast of Paracas, in the Ballestas Islands.

At least in Lima, one can categorize two seasons, summer and winter, with May and November acting as transitional months with dramatic temperature fluctuations:

Summer: December to April

 Temperatures average 78.8 F in Lima
 Clear skies most days
 “Cielo de Brujas” famously colorful sunsets
 Crowded beaches
 Ica & Nazca dry and sunny throughout year

Winter: June to October

 Averaging 59°C in Lima
 Mainly gray skies in Lima
 Omnipresent coastal fog known as Garúain Lima
 Sandstorms in Paracas
 Ica & Nazca dry and sunny throughout year
 Beaches along the north still sunny
 Low Tourist Season- Less Crowding
 Low Tourist Season- More Bargains
 Better waves for surfing
 Bullfighting season in Lima
 Lord of Miracles Festival in Lima (Oct/Nov)
 St Rose of Lima Festival in Lima

What to do: Hike one of the world’s deepest canyons, fly over the Nazca Lines, Sandboard giant sand dunes near Huacachina Oasis, surf in Mancora, watch the penguins and sea lions of the Ballestas Islands, tackle the glacial peaks of Chachani, bike down Misti Volcano

Best Time to See: The Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Amazon Rainforest houses an astounding diversity of exotic plants and animals, as well as tribes indigenous to the area, who still uphold their timeless traditions in the face of an ever-encroaching modernity. Although much of this treasure is forbidden to access in order to protect its pristine nature and delicate ecosystems, there is a border area where tourism and scientific study are permitted. (Between the two zones, there’s a buffer zone to protect the refuge area.) Along the rivers and the jungle paths of the outer zone, one can find commune with capybara, sloths, monkeys, and more.

In the rainforest, high heat, frequent rains and 85% humidity come with the terrain. Although a wet season and dry season is frequently referenced, there isn’t much actual variation in rainfall throughout the year. The river water levels, however, can vary up to 40 feet throughout the year, mainly due to runoff from snow melting along the eastern slopes of the Andes.

December Thru May: High Water Season  

 Cooler temperatures (averaging 86 F)
 Trails & paths flooded
 More mosquitoes
 More exuberant, blooming vegetation
 Carnaval (Feb/May)

June Thru November: Low Water Season

 Higher temperatures (averaging 98 F)
 More trails & paths accessible
 Fewer mosquitos
 Better fishing
 Migratory birds in flight
 Less exubuerant vegetation
 Riverways not navigable
More animals gather riverside (less dispersal due to loss of terrestrial water pools)
San Juan Festival (end of June)

What to do: visit an indigenous tribal community to learn about their way of life, swim with pink dolphins, visit a macaw clay lick, fish for piranha, visit monkey island, go on night canoe trip to see glowing cayman eyes, watch the sun set over the Amazon River, visit traditional river house