Will you travel to Peru soon? This wonderful destination is one of the most touristic countries in South America. A perfect combo for those looking for mountains, history, beaches, trails and adventure, a lot of adventure! If you’d like to know some tips for travelling to Peru, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading our guide!
Peru is part of MERCOSUR (The Southern Common Market), so if you are a citizen of another member country, you only need your ID card to access. But, if you travel from Spain, for example, you need the passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry.
The maximum length of stay in Peru is 90 days. Although it seems to be three months, keep in mind that some months may have 30 days and others less, so it’s better to count the stay in days.
Check the countries that need a visa to enter Peru in the following link: Visa types to enter Peru
You can also read: Top 5 tourist attractions in Peru
The luggage for a trip to Peru may vary depending on the route you are going to make, because the country includes everything from beach destinations, desert areas and Andean villages to the depths of the Amazon.
However, there are basic classics that cannot fail on an adventure trip:
Pro tip: In addition to the right clothes, remember to prepare a good travel first-aid kit. If you’re in the middle of the jungle and you don’t feel well, it’ll come in handy. The kit must include gauze, bandages, disinfectant, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidiarrheals, thermometer, antihistamines, etc. Make room for the craft souvenirs you’ll want to bring along. There are a thousand precious things!
It is important that, before making a trip to Peru, you choose which route you are going to take, if you won’t stay many days. This will save you time at the destination because people in Peru are very quiet and sometimes it can be difficult to find fast options if you don’t want to waste time.
We recommend tracing your routes and also deciding if you will make them on bus or by plane. Buses are cool and allow you to see more things, but the plane makes you save time. In any case, keep in mind that there are two types of buses, those used by Peruvians and those who work only for tourists. Prices and benefits are quite different.
It is important that you consider these times of displacement and do not underestimate them. Roads in mountain areas or near the Amazon are complicated.
It is very unlikely that there is anyone who has travelled to Peru and has not visited Machu Picchu. Therefore, it is necessary to decide before the trip what kind of visit you are going to do. You can get to Aguas Calientes by train and from there visit Machu Picchu.
But there are also many people who prefer to get there by trekking. And there are some routes like the Inca Trail trip for which it is necessary to book well in advance. Therefore, we recommend reviewing the information well and deciding what kind of Machu Picchu tour you want to take.
You can also read: Learn about the history of Machu Picchu
In Peru the plugs are very varied, including type C plugs, but also of type A and B. That’s why, our advice for your trip to Peru is to pack a universal power adapter and an extension cord. In this way, you put the adapter and then plug in the extension cord everything you need to recharge (mobile phones, camera, external battery, etc.)
Peru is a country recognized worldwide for its gastronomy. Ceviche is just one of the star dishes you can eat on your trip. And not only can you but you must, because the food in Peru is delicious and varied. Here are some other Peruvian dishes that we advise you to try:
In addition to this, we recommend you try the daily menus. They are everywhere, super cheap and very tasty.
Pro tip: Avoid non-bottled water and ice drinks. Peel fruits and eat cooked vegetables. This prevents possible diarrhea. Maybe local people aren’t affected because they’re used to it, but it is common in foreigners.
Now you know how to prepare for your trip to Peru. This is a wonderful country with many different tourist attractions. Fall in love with nature, the Inca ruins, the beautiful views, the beaches and the delicious food. We hope this information has been useful to you. Good luck with your trip!
Colourful Peru invites you to experience our country. We are committed to offer you the best options so you can live a Colourful journey. If you want to know more about our suggested journeys, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Your trip to Peru will be one of the most unforgettable ones in South America, in which you will find Inca ruins, historic cities, the wild nature of the Amazon, incredible landscapes of valleys, deserts and beaches, along with one of the best cuisines in the world. If you haven’t decided where to go specifically, here is a list of the best places to visit in Peru.
Cusco, declared a World Heritage Site, is one of the most beautiful cities in America. This ancient capital of the Inca Empire preserves very few buildings of this era, although in some of the colonial buildings you can see Inca remains on its walls, as the stone of twelve angles.
The main square is the epicenter of the city, in which its cathedral stands out. This place is chosen by many inhabitants to spend some hours in the afternoon, enjoying the life of Cusco.
Other amazing activities you’ll be able to do if you take a city tour in Cusco is to stroll through the beautiful artisan neighborhood of San Blas, get lost in the market of San Pedro, see the Inca remains of the Temple of the Moon or enter the Convent of Santo Domingo, built on the Temple of the Sun.
You can also read: How to get to machu picchu?
The central massif of the Peruvian Andes is one of the most spectacular places you can visit in this area of the world. This mountain range, full of imposing snow-capped peaks, glaciers and lagoons is the perfect destination for all lovers of mountaineering and trekking.
Huaraz is the gateway to the area, the most touristic city and probably the one with the best views you will find in this country, surrounded by peaks on all four sides, among which the Huascarán and the national park of the same name stand out.
From here you can take advantage of nearby hiking to see lagoons such as the Parón lagoon or the 69 lagoon, and even trekkings of several days like that of Huayhuash.
The good thing about Peru is that you can see different types of climates and regions within the same country. One of the most interesting places you can visit is the Amazon rainforest.
For example, you can go to Puerto Maldonado, where you can immerse yourself in the Tambopata National Reserve or go on a Manu National Park tour. They are both very special places and a good choice for all those who are traveling around Cuzco or its surroundings.
Another option is to visit the jungle in Iquitos, for which you will have to take a plane. Or, if you are really adventurous and you go without hurry, you can opt for the “barco carguero”, a boat where you travel in hammocks.
Once there we recommend you to spend a few days discovering the Amazon and enjoying places like the spectacular Pacaya-Samiria reserve, an experience you’ll have trouble forgetting.
A little less than 4 hours by bus from Lima is the Paracas National Reserve, located along the Peruvian coast, and another of the best places to see in Peru. This national reserve forms a unique ecosystem in the world that combines a desert area with a great marine diversity, due to the great abundance of food in the form of plankton.
We recommend visiting this protected natural area with a guide, so you won’t miss places like the red beach, fossil sites, the fauna and archaeological remains of the ancient Paracas Culture. Explained by an expert, they will bring you much closer to the history of this area of the country.
Very close to Paracas is another place to visit in Peru: the Ballestas islands. They are small rocky islands that are surrounded by small boats during excursions departing from the Paracas pier, to see a large number of birds, the Humboldt penguin colony and the sea lions. Definitely, taking a Ballestas islands boat tour is the best you can do!
You can also read: Ballestas islands – Paracas
Very close to the Paracas National Reserve, walking distance to the city of Ica, is the well-known Huacachina oasis. If you’ve never been in an oasis and you imagine them as in the movies, this place will not let you down as it is exactly so, water and palm trees in the middle of the desert.
This has not gone unnoticed by tourists from around the world, who take a Huacachina tour from Lima and flock to this spot to surf their sand dunes, ride on noisy buggies at full speed and watch beautiful sunsets.
These were just 5 spectacular tourist attractions to visit in Peru. The list goes on. As you see, its contrasting nature, exquisite cuisine and impressive culture make traveling to Peru a very complete experience. We hope this information has been useful to you!
Colourful Peru invites you to experience our country. We are committed to offer you the best options so you can live a Colourful journey. If you want to know more about our suggested journeys, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
With Peru, you have already chosen an excellent travel destination because the land of the Incas has a lot to offer. You probably still don’t know when is the best time to go to Peru to discover this country with so much historical and cultural wealth. You should know that you can travel to Peru all year, but according to the province, there are months better than others.
One of the most important factors to consider when deciding to fly to this spectacular land is the climate. Temperature and rain vary greatly from region to region, so having this information in advance will help you know what to pack.
The first thing you should decide is which region you’re going to go to or if you’re going to take advantage of your stay to discover the whole country. In case you want to see everything, you’ll have to wear all kinds of clothes because it’s very likely that you will have rainy and sunny days. Temperatures will be diverse during your wonderful trip.
If you are a beach lover, surely you can’t resist to know some of the most famous beaches on the coast of Peru, such as Zorritos, Punta Sal o Pimentel. The particular geographical location of these beaches, many of them by the desert or a valley, makes them have a fairly temperate climate.
Therefore, you could visit the Peruvian beaches all year round without having to worry about time. In fact, the usual summer temperatures here range from 27°C to 37°C during the day. The typical winter temperature drop continues to bring temperatures we can consider high, between 22°C and 28°C.
Pro tip: In autumn, winter and spring, there’s a fog that generates shadows and darkens its wonderful landscapes. Therefore it is advisable to visit it in summer, thus avoiding the fog.
You can also read: What is the best time to visit Machu Picchu and its surroundings?
Two of the greatest tourist attractions for those who decide to visit Peru are Machu Picchu and the Peruvian Andes. If you decide to visit these magical places, you should keep in mind that the height of each area establishes its climate and can vary the temperature considerably.
In the Andes area you can find more sunny days between June and September, although the temperature can vary sharply between day and night. Also, from 4000 meters, it is very normal to find snow.
On the other hand, if you intend to visit Machu Picchu, our recommendation depends on whether you are looking for a sunny day or less crowded by tourists. From November to February, rains abound, but you can enjoy the area with greater tranquility, as it is low season in tourism. As of April, the number of tourists begin to increase, but in May the number of tourists increases considerably.
You can also read: Lake Titicaca – Puno
If you decide to enjoy the Peruvian Amazon you need to know that it has its own climate, which you need to know well to make the most of your trip. You have to keep in mind that between the months of November and March the rains are very abundant. If you love the rains you can enjoy it to the fullest, but if you don’t, it can make your trip very difficult. In contrast, from April to October rainfall is very low.
Once you’ve decided on the best time to travel to Peru, it’s your turn to pack. With our company you will have more than enough space to carry everything you need.
Peru has a wide range of climates. Its climate is known as intertropical. The Andean country has tropical, boreal, alpine and subtropical climate regions. This makes it essential that you carry a little bit of everything in your suitcase: warm clothes (because it’s usually fresh at night in the highest places), a good raincoat and at least two comfortable pairs of shoes.
Why at least two pairs? You will walk through a variety of places. You will travel to cities, beaches, forests, etc., so it is essential that you have the right footwear for any situation. In addition, it’s necessary to bring a spare, since the rain and mud can appear at some point in the journey.
Peru is one of the countries of Latin America where more adventure sports in groups are classified. Some of the most demanded activities in Peru are trekking, motocross, rafting at Lago Azul or boat ride on the Amazon River. So, there is no excuse not to visit Peru.
Colourful Peru invites you to experience our country. We are committed to offer you the best options so you can live a Colourful journey. If you want to know more about our suggested journeys, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Lima has been named the gastronomic capital of Latin America. With that fame, it’s very difficult for any restaurant to enter any list that is made about the best restaurants in Lima. Peruvians love to eat well, this means eating plenty, with a fair relationship between price-quality, and the best taste. So, if you’re travelling to Lima Peru, discover the best places to eat here!
This restaurant is a jewel in the crown of Peruvian gastronomy. Ranked 1st on the list of the 50 best Latin-American restaurants, Central has taken Peruvian food to another level. This project of the award-winning chef Virgilio Martinez, faithful believer and defender of native Peruvian ingredients from different regions, is a must stop for the most demanding palates (and the loosest budgets) who visit Lima.
Address: Av. Pedro de Osma 301, Barranco
This innovative restaurant combines Peruvian food with innovative cooking techniques, to achieve high quality dishes that maintain the traditional flavors of Peruvian coast cuisine. Saha Terraza has a new, pleasant and fresh atmosphere, and it’s a great choice for a hearty and delicious Peruvian meal.
Address: Calle Bolívar 164, Miraflores
This restaurant combines the best of Nikkei cuisine with Peruvian flavors. By definition, “nikkei” are people or traditions of Japanese descent. In the case of Maido, this is marked in a proposal that has managed to be named as the number 1 among the best restaurants in Lima, for two consecutive years. It is know as one of the Best Restaurants in Lima by the 50 Best.
Address: Calle San Martin 399, Miraflores
You can also read: Top 5 tourist attractions in Peru
Faithful to the tradition of not eating ceviche at night, La Mar is the perfect “cevichería” for lunch. The menu is very dynamic as it changes depending on what the sea has to offer in the day, so you can go several times without getting bored. They don’t attend at night, except private events. Definitely you can’t leave Lima without trying one of the best ceviches in the city. You get that at La Mar!
Address: Av. Mariscal La Mar 770, Miraflores
Isolina is one of the best restaurants in Lima to try traditional generously served food in a pleasant and casual atmosphere. The price-quality ratio is second to none. Also, the concept of tavern makes everything much more relaxed for diners. You don’t need a reservation, but you should probably wait a bit for a table because it fills up every day.
Address: Av San Martin 101, Barranco
Chifas are restaurants that merge Chinese and Peruvian cuisine. Thanks to the enormous influence of Chinese migration to Peru at the beginning of the last century, today we can enjoy a unique meal that combines oriental culinary techniques with the best flavors, both Chinese and Peruvian.
One of the best places to try this fusion food is Chifa Hong Kong in Miraflores: simple, cozy, with good prices and the best flavors.
Address: Jr. Unión 126, Barranco
Traveling to Lima is synonymous with tasting the traditional “jamón del país”, “chicharrón” and “pavo a la leña” sandwiches of La Lucha, always made with fresh ingredients and prepared at the moment. Huayro fries are some of the best you will taste in all of Peru. They have several venues so you have no excuses.
Address: Diagonal 308, Miraflores
You can also read: What to see in Lima?
Mayta is among The World’s Best Restaurants 2022 and The Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022. It’s a contemporary Peruvian cuisine restaurant and pisco bar in Lima, Peru, where the traceability of indigenous products is always sought, combining contemporary culinary techniques with local products to create sophisticated and modern dishes.
Address: Av. Mariscal La Mar 1285, Miraflores
Panchita is the restaurant of Gastón Acurio, one of the most recognized chefs of Peruvian cuisine. A few blocks from Kennedy Park in Miraflores, Panchita is one of the restaurants preferred by locals and tourists.
In its menu you will find the most traditional dishes of Peru as the “anticuchos” (beef heart skewers), tacu tacu (mixed rice and perfect seasoned beans), and desserts like picarones (Peruvian donuts).
Address: C. 2 de Mayo 298, Miraflores
With such a varied list of the best restaurants in Lima for all tastes, it’s impossible to run out of options to try the best of Peruvian cuisine in a city like Lima, known worldwide for its tasty food. We hope this information has been useful to you!
Colourful Peru invites you to experience our country. We are committed to offer you the best options so you can live a Colourful journey. If you want to know more about our suggested journeys, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Peru is a fascinating destination that stands out for its cultural richness, its natural and archaeological wonders and for being one of the best food destinations in the world. If you are planning to travel to Peru, get to know the best tourist attractions in Peru on a journey of discovery, landscapes full of magic and mysteries associated with powerful ancient civilizations.
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru and America. It is an ancient Inca city that is located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. It was built in the 15th century, during the Inca period. It is believed that this sacred city was an important place of religious worship and rest during the reign of the Inca Pachacutec.
In 2007, Machu Picchu was declared one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. The Inca llacta (city) of Machu Picchu has the most impressive Inca architecture because the city houses countless stone buildings, such as la Casa del Guardián, la Plaza Sagrada, el Reloj Solar, el Templo del Sol, el Templo del Cóndor, la Roca Sagrada, etc.
In the surroundings of the Inca city are also located Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains. Moreover, the Inca Trail, one of the most famous trekking routes, finishes here.
The Colca Valley is an extensive valley of fertile land bordering the Colca River. It is also known as the “Valley of Fire”. It is another of the most important attractions of Peru because here is the Colca Canyon (one of the deepest canyons in the world), los Baños Termales de la Calera, and the famous viewpoint la Cruz del Cóndor, where you can appreciate the flight of condors.
The Colca Valley also stands out for: the beauty of its landscapes and natural scenery, the customs and traditions of its people, its varied flora and fauna, and for the various pre-Inca and Incas archaeological complexes it houses in its extensive valley.
Another reason to visit the Colca Valley is to enjoy outdoor activities and practice adventure sports, such as canoeing, trekking, climbing, canopy and mountain biking.
Choquequirao Archaeological Park is another of the best tourist attractions in Peru. Therefore, in 2017 it was declared as one of the world’s best hiking trails. The Inca ruins of Choquequirao is considered as the last Inca refuge because the last Incas who resisted the Spanish invasion took refuge here.
The Inca city of Choquequirao is located between the foothills that form the Grand Canyon of Apurimac and the snow-capped Salkantay. Choquequirao stands out for its buildings, platforms, temples, water fountains and residential areas that are distributed among the mountains. In addition, it has an architectural resemblance to Machu Picchu, which is why it is considered the sacred sister of Machu Picchu.
You can also read: What is the best time to visit machu picchu and its surroundings?
The Nazca Lines are a group of ancient geoglyphs engraved on desert sand. They are located in the Nazca Valley, Palpa Valley and the Jumana Desert. These enigmatic geoglyphs were created by the men of the Nazca Culture (200 B.C. – 700 A.D.) and spread over an area of 450 km².
The size of the geoglyphs ranges between 50 and 300 meters and have various shapes: geometric, zoomorphic, phytomorphic and anthropomorphic figures. And among the most famous lines and geoglyphs we can mention: hummingbird, monkey, frigate bird, giant bird, spider.
For most scholars, the Nazca Lines were a huge astronomical calendar or a place of water worship. The best way to visit the Nazca Lines is to fly over. To do this, you should take an aircraft flight, from Pisco or Paracas.
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It is one of the largest freshwater reserves in South America. It is located on the Collao plateau, between Peru and Bolivia. It has an extension of 8562 km² and a depth of 281 meters. And according to Andean mythology, from the cold and clear waters of this lake emerged the founders of the great Inca empire.
In the surroundings of this beautiful lake, the pre-Inca cultures developed: Tiahuanaco and Pucará. And today, many customs and traditions of these aboriginal peoples still survive in the local population that inhabits the many islands that are within the lake Titicaca.
The most beautiful resorts you can visit within and around Lake Titicaca are: Uros floating islands (made from totora), Amantaní Island, Taquile Island and the Chullpas of Sillustani. And among the most recommended tourist activities you can enjoy here are: experiential tourism, adventure sports in flat waters and sport fishing.
These were 5 famous tourist attractions in Peru. Take advantage of your next vacation to create beautiful memories with your family, partner or friends. We hope this information has been useful to you!
Colourful Peru invites you to experience our country. We are committed to offer you the best options so you can live a Colourful journey. If you want to know more about our suggested journeys, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Are you going to take a tour to Machu Picchu? Near the Peruvian city of Cuzco, on top of a mountain, is the extraordinary historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Located at 2,453 meters above sea level and surrounded by a majestic mountain landscape, this place was once an important palace and religious sanctuary for the Incas, the largest empire in pre-Columbian America.
Given its location, symbolism and beauty, it is no surprise that this ancient archaeological site is one of Peru’s greatest treasures. Learn about Machu Picchu history, from its beginnings as an Inca settlement to the origin of its current popularity.
The ruins of Machu Picchu are located 80 kilometers from the city of Cusco, in the province of Urubamba, Peru. To get to them you have to climb to the top of the Andes, over the valley of the Urubamba river. The complex is located between the peaks of the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains, about 450 meters above the valley level and 2,360 meters above the sea level.
It is believed that the citadel of Machu Picchu was built around 1450 by orders of Pachacútec, the first great sovereign of the Inca Empire. The luxurious urban complex was built between the mountains of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, which rise above the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Besides being close to the Inca capital of Cuzco, the climatic and geographical conditions of this area were ideal for corn and coca cultivation, a medicinal plant of great ritual value for the Incas.
Machu Picchu was a classic Inca llacta (city), with a mobile population ranging from 300 to 1000 inhabitants. The citadel was divided into two areas: in the urban area were residences and religious sites, such as the Temple of the Sun or Torréon, while the agricultural area consisted of several staggered cultivation terraces built on the mountainside.
Despite its splendor, the Inca Empire was weakened by the start of a civil war in 1529, and in 1532 was annexed to the territories of the Spanish Crown. Although the Spaniards probably knew of its existence, the remote location of Machu Picchu made it considerably ignored by the colonial regime.
Proof of this is that no Christian temples were built in the citadel, something common in the “pagan” cult sites conquered by the Spaniards. Less than a century after its creation, Machu Picchu became uninhabited, and was soon covered by the dense vegetation of the mountain.
You can also read: What is the best time to visit Machu Picchu and its surroundings?
Beginning in the 19th century, various scientists and explorers began to talk about the existence of a “lost city” among the Peruvian Andes. These rumors reached Hiram Bingham, a professor of South American history at Yale University.
Intrigued by the possibility of finding it, Bingham decided to make an expedition through the Sacred Valley of the Incas in 1911. Guided by Melchor Arteaga, a local tenant, Bingham climbed the Huayna Picchu mountain and reached the ruins on July 24, 1911.
Although he was not a professional archaeologist, the professor was surprised by the majesty of the area, and got sponsorship from Yale University, the National Geographic magazine and the Peruvian government to study the site in depth.
Between 1912 and 1915, Bingham and his team made archaeological excavations in Machu Picchu, removing brushwood and exploring the tombs of the citadel. National Geographic published an article on the discovery in 1913. Thus, the citadel of Machu Picchu was placed under international spotlights.
The idea that Bingham “rediscovered” Machu Picchu is controversial, as the local inhabitants were always aware of its existence.
In addition, it is important to mention that although Bingham was the first to recognize the importance of making archaeological studies in the area, he is also credited with extracting more than 46,000 archaeological pieces, including mummies, bones and ceramic pieces, which were subsequently moved and sold illegally in the United States.
Many were sent to Yale University’s Peabody Museum. After years of dispute with the Peruvian government, the university began the repatriation of artifacts in 2011.
In 1981, the area surrounding Machu Picchu was declared a historic sanctuary by the Peruvian government, a name that protects both the archaeological site and the flora and fauna that inhabit it. Moreover, It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Today, the citadel of Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist site in Peru. Each year it receives 1.5 million visitors, who travel a long way to marvel at the beauty of this unique place in the world.
Now you know the history of Machu Picchu. Are you planning to visit the Inca citadel? We are sure you will be delighted with its beauty and majesty. We hope this information has been useful to you!
Colourful Peru invites you to experience our country. We are committed to offer you the best options so you can live a Colourful journey. If you want to know more about our suggested journeys, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
One of the most frequent questions asked by tourists when planning a trip to Machu Picchu is: how to get there? There are 3 ways to get to the Inca City: the Inca Trail, the alternative route through Santa Teresa and the train route. The latter is the fastest, most comfortable and safest way. Keep reading in order to discover how to get to Machu Picchu!
Machu Picchu is located in the Andes of Cusco, Peru. The shortest way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is by train. To do this you must travel approximately 120 kilometers (74 miles) of paved roads and rail tracks.
Another way to get there is through the alternative route of Santa Teresa (153 kilometers or 95 miles). This track combines a bus ride with a train (or walking) ride. Finally, the third way to get to Machu Picchu is with the Inca Trail. In Colorful Peru, we offer 2 options: the hiking trail that lasts 2 days and 1 night and the hiking trail that lasts 4 days and 3 nights.
To get from Cusco to Machu Picchu by train, you must follow these steps:
To get from Cusco to Machu Picchu through the alternative route of Santa Teresa, you must follow these steps:
Colorful Peru does not recommend this route because it is very long and dangerous, especially in the rainy season.
You can also read: What is the best time to visit Machu Picchu and its surroundings.
To get from Cusco to Machu Picchu with the Inca Trail, you just have to buy a tour online. Remember to do this 4 or 5 months in advance.
The itinerary of the Inca Trail is usually as follows:
These were 3 ways to get to Machu Picchu. This is a magical, mystical and very special place that is totally worth visiting. It is best to do it with a good guide, that makes you understand all the symbolism, spirituality and history of the place; you will definitely feel the energy. We hope this information has been useful!
Colourful Peru invites you to experience our country. We are committed to offer you the best options so you can live a Colourful journey. If you want to know more about our suggested journeys, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
There is no doubt that planning a trip to Machu Picchu will be an unforgettable journey. This magical place has features that make it the favorite for all types of tourists. Do you like millennial history and culture? In Machu Picchu you will know plenty of anecdotes related to this administrative, cultural and political Inca Empire, from old customs to how people lived at that time.
Are you a nature lover? Here, the fabulous scenery on your way to the Historical Sanctuary will fulfill this expectation. Machu Picchu is not only living history, it is also a great example of how ancient civilizations lived in harmony with the environment, making it part of their home. Do you like outdoor sports? There are also alternatives for you to release the accumulated energy.
But now the question arises: what is the best time to visit Machu Picchu? The answer would be during the dry season. Don’t worry, below we will give you all the necessary guidelines for you to schedule a successful trip to the southern region of Cusco!
The first thing to emphasize is that, unlike the four seasons we regularly know, in Cusco there are two: the dry season, which runs from April to September, and the rainy season, which takes place between October and March.
As it is well known, Cusco has an extreme climate. An intense drizzle could ruin the plans you meticulously organized. That is why the best time to visit Machu Picchu goes from the fourth to the ninth month of the year.
However, during the dry season there are rainy days, but the chances of prolonged rains or that they can ruin some walks are tiny. The months with the least probability of rain are May, June and July, which also coincide with the peak season. So go for your calendar and start separating the dates that best suit your days off so that your holiday will be unforgettable.
You can also read: What to visit in Cusco?
It is true that all those tourists who travel to Cusco have to make a necessary stop in Machu Picchu. But what’s around here? Lots of history and adventure. One of the most carried out activities among the attractions that connect you to the Historical Sanctuary is to take the Qhapaq Ñan route, also known as the Inca Trail.
This activity is ideal for lovers of outdoor sports such as hiking. You don’t need to be an expert in order to take it. Although, it is advisable to be in optimal conditions because, in addition to the long walks (which last between 2 to 4 days, depending on how experienced you are in trekking practice), you have to deal with the Cusco altitude (approximately, 3399 meters above the sea level).
Just like going to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail has an ideal season, which is during the months of April and October. Nevertheless, unlike the Historical Sanctuary, there is a month in which you cannot enter the Qhapaq Ñan, even if you want to. In February, the Inca Trail is closed because it is dangerous to take this route with the constant and heavy rains.
If you want to stay connected with the ancient history of Cusco, there is an archaeological center on the way to Machu Picchu. This is his ‘sacred sister’, Choquequirao, which was one of the last cities inhabited by the Incas. This city full of history, listed as Cultural Heritage of the Nation, is located in the hills near the Salkantay Glacier, another favorite destination for hiking and mountaineering enthusiasts.
You can also read: What to visit near Cusco?
To enjoy even more the Inca citadel, in any of the two seasons, we recommend you to bring the following:
Now you know what are the best months to travel to Machu Picchu. It does not matter if you are traveling alone, with your family, your partner or friends, we are sure that you will have an unforgettable experience here. We hope this information has been useful to you!
Colourful Peru invites you to experience our country. We are committed to offer you the best options so you can live a Colourful journey. If you want to know more about our suggested journeys, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
We update the measures to enter to Peru. If you are thinking of traveling to Peru, we have good news for you: Peru is an open destination for national and foreign tourists.
To enter to Peru, you must consider some points that we will share with you below:
First, you should check if you need a visa to enter Peru, this can be done through the consulate closest to your location to see if it is necessary to apply for a visa to enter Peru, since the requirements may vary at any time. For more information enter here:
At the moment, due to the pandemic, the entrance of people coming from South Africa is forbidden.
According to the latest update of the regulation of September 20th, every passenger entering Peru must have an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 issued up to 72 hours before boarding, and without obligatory character, the presentation of the vaccination card of the country where it was vaccinated. In this sense, the COVID-19 antigen detection test was no longer accepted for entry into the national territory. Children under 12 years old only need to hand in a good health medical certificate.People who have overcome the disease up to 3 months before the trip must hand in a health document from the country of origin that certifies discharge from the disease.
We have gradually made progress to obtain the Safe Travels seal, a global award that standardizes the biosafety protocols designed by the WHO (World Health Organization), and that must be followed in each destination for tourist care.
The destinations in Peru that have the Safe Travels seal are:
On the coast:
– The beaches of Piura: Máncora, El Amor, Las Pocitas, Los Órganos, Vichayito, Punta Veleros and Cabo Blanco.
– The beaches of Tumbes: Zorritos and Punta Sal.
– The Mangroves of Tumbes, Puerto Pizarro and the Cabeza Vaca archaeological circuit
– Lima
– Ica
In the Andes:
– Cusco: Cusco city, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
– Cajamarca: Namora, Cumbemayo, La Colpa and Llushcapampa
– Ayacucho: natural pools of Milpo, archaeological complex of Wari and Pampa de Ayacucho.
– Junín: Chanchamayo and Satipo
– Huaraz
– Puno and Lake Titicaca
– Arequipa & Colca Valley
In the Amazon:
– San Martín: Tarapoto and Altomayo
– Loreto: Iquitos, Amazon River and Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
– Tambopata
Yes, tourists can travel on their own in Peru using public transport. However, it must be considered that, by legal norm, the capacity of these is restricted to avoid the spread of the virus and that the priority is for locals. Colorful Peru recommends hiring tourist services, not only to support the sector that has been seriously affected by the pandemic, but also to avoid contagion to local people.
Due to the government’s regulations and under the biosafety policies of the Safe Travels seal, all excursions that are shared with several tourists are limited to 50% of the vehicle’s capacity. Likewise, the entrance to the archaeological centers is limited and the entrance hours are restricted until 3pm.
– The entrance is from 06:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
– Before entering the citadel of Machu Picchu, the personnel in charge will take all visitors temperature.
– The social distancing of 1.5 meters must be kept throughout the tour. There are staff verifying this.
– During the tourist visit the consumption of food will not be allowed.
– The correct use of a mask is mandatory throughout the tour.
– We recommend reading the “How to visit Machu Picchu Post Confinement” article.
To learn more about the protocols to follow during your visit to Peru, we recommend reading our article “Sanitary Protocol Against COVID-19“.
If you have any questions, contact us HERE.
Hi everyone! In this article, I am going to give you some tips to visit the Rainbow Mountain.
The Rainbow mountain has become one of Peru’s most visited attractions for the last years. What stands out the most of this destination is the impressive colorful landscape that nature offers us from the top of the mountain.
The Vinicunca mountain is also known as montaña de 7 colores or rainbow mountain. The mountain owes its colours to the minerals in the soil, such as clay, quartz, iron, magnesium, and sulphate.
Vinicunca is in the Pitumarca district, in the province of Canchis, in the department of Cusco. To get there you need to go by car up to the final stop, about 4 hours from Cusco city and two hours walking from the stop. Although the trip is a bit long, it is definitely worth it.
We recommend taking a one-day planned tour since the access is a bit rough and getting to the stop is not easy. To make the most of the day, the departure of the tourist cars that go to the mountain is very early, between 4 and 5 am. There is a stop on the way to have breakfast at a local restaurant. The trip continues on a dirt road for about two hours.
We suggest travelling light and taking plenty of water or coca tea. The walking distance is not very long, but the lack of oxygen due to the altitude hinders the climb. The maximum altitude is 5,200 m.a.s.l.
After visiting the mountain, you will go back to the car to return to Cusco. There will be a stop on the way to have lunch at a local restaurant.
The best season to visit the mountain is winter. Even though it is the coldest season, it also has the best views. During summer, (between November and March) the trip is a bit risky due to thunderstorms, rain and snow.
We recommend taking with you:
If you prefer going on your own, you should take a local bus to the Cusipata town. There, you can hire a taxi to take you to the final stop and wait for you there to go back to the stop. You will also have to pay for the entrance fee to the mountain.
Another way to visit the Vinicunca is by making a 7-day (approximately) trek to Ausangate. In this case, it is necessary to hire a travel agency.
Find out more about one of our suggested trips to visit the mountain HERE.
Until the next entry!
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