Peru Vacation Packages

Peru is a land begging to be explored. Experience Peruvian culture as you ponder how this Incan civilization was built. The Incans paid meticulous attention to detail and built an entire stone empire by hand. Let us guide you on a hiking trip as you explore Peru on one of our luxury Machu Picchu vacation packages.

To learn more about our Peru and Machu Picchu vacation packages, view our webinar!

Explore Peru’s Land of the Inca by foot, bike, raft and Paso Fino with Austin Adventures.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO PERU?

When is the best time to travel to Peru? That can be answered by looking at the geographical diversity and the altitude of Peru. Basically there are two seasons in Peru; wet and dry. In addition the seasons are divided into three distinct regions. The coastal region; the highlands region and Rainforest region, the high season in Peru coincides with the driest months of the year May to October. If the Inca trail is included in your Machu Picchu vacation packages you should plan your trip at least 6 months in advance to secure your tickets for the Gates of the Sun hike (max allowance of 500 people per day).

Peru by the Seasons

There are two defined seasons in Peru. May to October is dry season with April to November being rainy season. In the highlands the four wettest months of the year are January to early April. Roads are nearly impassable because of the sheer volumes of mud. The climate in the three regions is very different during the same times of the year. For example in February in the mountains you can have rain and on the coast you can have nice summer days.

Seasons of the Coastal Region

In the north of the coastal region its warm all year round. Temperatures can average a high of 95 degrees in the summer months. In the central and southern areas of the coastal region there are two definite seasons, winter from April to October and summer from November to March.

Seasons of the Highlands Region

The highlands region again has two distinct seasons. Summer is dry from April to October. Winter is accompanied by sunshine and rains from November to March.

Seasons of the Rainforest Region

There are two types of rainforest in Peru. High rainforest (elevations greater than 2300 ft.) is temperate, subtropical with little variance of weather patterns in the course of the year and massive amounts of annual rainfall. In the lower rainforest (elevations under 2300 ft.) you will experience a summer season April to October (sunny and hot) and from November to March winter comes to the Amazon with its companion “seasonal downpours.”

WONDERING HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR PERUVIAN ADVENTURE VACATION?

When you’re getting ready for your trip to Peru, think of dressing in layers like an onion. In the mountains it can be cool and rainy in the mornings. Start out the day wearing layers that you can peel off as the morning sun warms you up. In the Amazon, if its wet season or dry season, you will need to have long sleeves and long pants. Dressing in this manner will protect you from the bugs and the sun. No matter where you are going in Peru, take your rain jacket, sunscreen, bug spray and a hat, you’ll be glad that you did.

Things to Know Before You Go

1. There are no vaccinations required to enter Peru. We do recommend making sure you’re up to date on all routine immunizations before you go. Or visit the WHO website for current updates.
2. Consult with your physician or travel clinic for medications for altitude sickness and upset stomach. the altitude on a Machu Picchu trip is significant.
3. If you’re planning on using a credit card for purchases you may be charged extra fees.

Insider Tips

1. Before you leave home notify your bank and Credit Card Company when and where you will be traveling. This will prevent their fraud detection departments from freezing your accounts.
2. Coca tea or mate de coca has long been used in South America for medicinal purposes. Coca tea helps with indigestion and altitude sickness. If you don’t like to drink the tea you can go to the market and purchase it in alternate forms of lozenges, gum and taffy.
3. Lima is comprised of 143 “neighborhoods” most popular with international visitors are Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro.
4. The official currency of Peru is Soles. It is ok to make purchases using USD, please make sure that the bills are in good condition and not tattered or torn.
5. If you are planning a trip to Peru that includes hiking The Inca Trail, plan your trip at least 6-9 months in advance. The Peruvian government only allows 500 people per day on the trail. Once the 500 tickets are sold there are no more tickets issued. Tickets cannot be transferred or sold to another individual.

Peru Seasons

The peak season for travel in Peru is between April and October. Although these months are winter south of the equator, it is locally considered summer in the Andes of Peru because it is the dry, sunny season, and the best time of year for travel and trekking. From mid-November through mid-March you can expect cloudy days and some rain, but it is nonetheless suitable to travel in Peru any time of year for non-trekking trips.

Climate is also determined by three distinct geographical regions. The Peruvian coast is warm and arid with temperatures ranging from 65° to 85° F. In the Andes temperatures range from 30°-40° F at night to 60- 75° F during the day. Trekkers approaching higher altitudes need to be prepared for temperatures near or below freezing at night. In the Andes, April and May have spring-like weather, with fewer tourists, wildflowers and vibrant green vegetation, and local crop harvests.

The lowland Amazon rain forest regions of Tambopata and Manu in Peru are far enough south of the equator that you can enjoy a somewhat cooler and drier climate compared to very hot regions of the Amazon like Iquitos, Peru. Do expect temperatures to be in the 80’s to 90’s F., and fairly high humidity. Occasionally, cold fronts from the south sweep in to southwestern Amazonia, pushing daytime highs down to 50° F and nighttime lows into the 40’s. Of course, always be prepared for rain any time of year in the Amazon. From November through April rain can continue for hours or occasionally even days. Around 80% of the annual rainfall occurs during this season.