Peru Climate

Best April Through October

Peru is a year-round destination with the best season for adventure travel being the dry, cool season from April through October. This is the best time to visit Peru, optimal for hiking and trekking the Inca Trail and Amazon rainforest explorations. Expect some rain if traveling November through March.

Distinct Climates by Region

The climate of Peru is very diverse, with a large variety of climates and microclimates distinct between its geographical regions.

The Peruvian Coast & Andean Slopes

Characterized by a dry narrow band of deserts and fertile valley alongside the Pacific Ocean. During summer, from December through April the sky is clear with hot and humid climate often reaching 80°F. The Southern region is part of the Atacama Desert, the driest spot on the planet. In the city of Lima, rainfall is scarce or completely absent; apart from the garúa, a mist that occurs during winter, from June to September.

The Andes Mountains or Peruvian Highlands

Here the temperature is proportional to altitude. The dry season runs May to September with cold nights, dry weather and sunny days. The wettest season in the Andes Mountains runs from late January through March. Cusco is a quintessential city of the highlands and the jump-off point to Machu Picchu. It is relatively cool and very changeable, turning from radiant sun to rain in minutes.

Peruvian Amazon Lowlands

Conditions in the Peruvian Amazon are heavily influenced by its tropical location near the equator. While operations in the Amazon are year-round, jungle regions experience two extremely different seasons; the high water and low water seasons. For further data on the Peruvian Amazon see our Amazon climate page.

Altitude Sickness in Peru  

In thinner atmosphere above 9,842 ft, lack of oxygen is known to cause headaches, nausea, shortness of breath and physical weakness. In Peru this includes Cusco (11,154  ft) and Lake Titicaca (12,500 ft). Different tactics to mitigate the symptoms of oxygen deprivation-based illness range from simply staying hydrated, eating bland foods to booking a hotel room which offers supplemental oxygen or obtaining a prescription medication. Taking basic precautions will ease most altitude sickness concerns but we advise travelers consult with a physician well before their trip if they have a specific health concerns. Talk with an AdvenureSmith Peru expert today and discuss travel options like ending your journey with Cusco, a popular route for altitude sickness abatement.

High-Altitude Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca lays in a sub basin in the high Andes Mountains of southeastern Peru. Sitting higher than Cusco at 3,810 m (12,500 ft) above sea level the Puno region is cold and generally dry year-round with clear, sunny and warm days, but chilly evening and nights. The high altitude contributes to these conditions so travelers may experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness upon first arriving. The average temperature hovers around 45°F but can drop down to 30°F in the winter months from June to August. In the summer months of December and January the highest temperatures reach is 60°F.

Peru Trips for Any Season

No matter what season you seek to travel in Peru, AdventureSmith Explorations has an extensive, curated collection of Peru small ship cruises and cultural land trips to choose from. Learn more about our Peru trips, or go direct to our Trip Finder to search by location and your travel dates.

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