Best time to go to Peru

Having previously written about the Highlights of Peru, the best times to visit Peru, in this order, are:

1) April & May: travelling during this season you will avoid the busy summer months.  It is also the dry season but because it is right after the green (wet) season, you would get plenty of flowers blooming

2) September & October: travelling during these months you are again avoiding the busy summer months.  As you are further into the dry season, your chances of getting rained on are slim.  And with Inca Trail permits going on sale in February, your chances of scoring a permit are highest for these months as you are able to book months ahead of time.

3) June, July, August: these are busy summer months as families with children in school are forced to travel during these months.  As this is in the middle of the dry season you will be almost assured of good weather.  

4) November - March: this is the wet season.  It is not a great time for trekking (in fact, the Inca Trail is closed in February), but it is a fine time for sightseeing.  The crowds of summer are gone and landscapes are lush and green.

If you want to trek the Inca Trail, you should book at least 5 months ahead of time in order to get a permit, and even further ahead of time for popular months (June through October).


Related posts
Highlights of Peru
Inca Trail & its alternatives
Interesting Peru Articles
Best hikes, walks and treks in South America
Peru Reading List

Inca Trail and its alternatives

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Best hikes, walks and treks in Latin America

I have done lots of treks, hikes and walks in South and Central America and the Caribbean.  From high altitude Andean treks to low-level Patagonian hikes, here are some of my favourite experiences in the Latin American world of adventure travel.

1) Peru - approaching the magnificant ruins of Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail is one of South America's great adventurous trekking experiences.  On this alternative trip we spend a few days deep in the Cordillera Vilcabamba before joining the Inca Trail itself. Our high and remote route skirts many of the range's great peaks, adding a fantastic mountain dimension to the classic Inca Trail.

2) Chile - without a doubt, one of the biggest highlights of Torres del Paine, is to hike up to the base of the Towers of Paine. The walk itself is beautiful, offering some fantastic views across the park. The last part is a bit of a scramble but your reward at the Mirador is a staggering vista of sheer granite peaks.

3) Argentina - The Fitzroy range in Patagonia is less known than Torres  del Paine but offers similar incredible scenery and views along with a glacial lake whose still waters reflect the three main peaks of the range. And you can try your hand at Tyrolean river crossings, glacier walking and ice climbing!

4) Argentina - Tierra del Fuego has some of the most striking scenery on the continent.  Hike through dense beech forests and past giant beaver dams to glacial lakes, climb a mountain for views of the ocean, or walk along the shores of the Beagle Channel, taking in the fresh sea air and spectacular landscapes.

5) Northern Peru - Trekking around the Huayhuash Range makes for one of the world's most spectacular mountain circuits, rewarding you with unequalled views of its turquoise glacial lakes, jagged snow-capped peaks and stunning hanging glaciers that extend thousands of metres from the peaks.

6) Galapagos - walking is a great way to discover the Galapagos Islands, with its changing volcanic landscapes and unique wildlife.  Trek Isabela island, one of the last remaining habitats of the giant Galapagos tortoise, and home to many interesting species of endemic wildlife.

7) Ecuador - the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' is liberally sprinkled with some of the world's highest volcanic peaks.  The country is small enough to combine serious volcano climbing with cultural highlights such as markets and colonial towns.

8) Venezuela - towering above the tropical savannah stand the bare cliffs of Venezuela's tepuys. On a classic six-day trek you reach the summit of Mount Roraima, a maze of blackened rock and babbling streams harbouring a unique eco-system full of unusual plants including rare carnivorous species.
9) Costa Rica - Rincon de la Vieja National Park is regarded as one of Costa Rica's hidden gems. Hike through tropical forests to waterfalls, bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles and hot springs and watch howler monkeys, sloths and many of the birds present here.

10) Guatemala - the central highlands around beautiful Lake Atitlan are a true paradise for walkers. Hike through traditional Indian villages, coffee plantations and cloud forest as you climb peaks which offer staggering views.  Delve into the local culture and find out more about the Mayan Indians who live in the highlands.


11) Cuba - there are plenty of great hikes in this island nation.  Walk from farm to farm to get a real insight into the lives of campesinos (small-scale farmers), enjoy the limestone cliffs of Viñales rising from the tobacco fields or walk to the Comandancia, Castro's mountain hideout.

Hiking in Viñales, Cuba

Adventure Trips of a Lifetime

Having been blessed to have traveled through nearly 100 countries, you often ask me what the best adventure trip is I have ever done.  So here is a top-ten of trips, in no particular order, I think everyone interested in adventure travel should do in their life:

  

  1.  National Parks ofthe West –the mountains of Yosemite, stunning Bryce Canyon and Monument Valley and the awesome Grand Canyon – this USA South-West trip is a gem.  We have a walkingtrip too.

  

  2.  Essential Peru - the mysterious Nazca Lines, Machu Picchu in its incredible setting, spend the night in an island homestay, and the stunning Colca Canyon.   Want to hike the Inca Trail and upgrade your hotels?  Check out this adventure in comfort: Classic Peru.

  

  3.  Falklands, SouthGeorgia & Antarctica – the best trip, the best ship, the best guides, the best time for the ultimate expedition cruise.  Looking for a shorter trip? - maximize yourtime in Antarctica.

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  4.  Botswana Explorer – the best safari with the best guides and done in the most intimate way – best of all, no single supplements.  E-mail me for dates and rates.

  5.  Kiboko Safari – showcasing all the best parks in East Africa – ask me how you can get a great deal and still see the famous wildebeest migration.

  6.  Egyptology – as of writing this (SEP2013) not a safe destination, but what would a top-ten list be without it?  On this trip you will be guided by real Egyptologists and stay in 5-star hotels for a great price.  See the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings in style!

  7.  Best of Italy – the classic highlights of Italy in a 2-week trip.  If you want to experience more variety like stunning coastlines and small villages, ItalyUncovered is my best bet.  Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Umbria, Venice, the Amalfi Coast - they are all waiting for you!

  8.  Ganges, Taj andRaj visits two of my favorite Indian sites – the Taj Mahal and Varanasi - India in a nutshell.  If you want to do all of India in one trip, including Kerala, check out our IndiaExperience.

  9.  Best of Cambodiaand Vietnam - Angkor Wat is a must-see and can do easily be combined with Vietnam.  This trip runs in the opposite direction as well.

  10.Imperial Chinaand Yangtze River Cruise is arguably our best China trip as it covers Beijing, Shanghai, the Terracotta Warriors and so much more.   If you have only two weeks, pick this adventure trip, or this trip with upgraded hotels.

Adventure Travel of course goes beyond these destinations too.  The world is your oyster - email me to arrange your own perfect holiday!