What is the cheapest time to visit Peru?

The cheapest months are the wet season, November to March, when flights, hotels and tours drop and the crowds thin out. The landscapes are at their greenest, but skies are cloudier and rain is likely - and the Inca Trail closes in February. For low prices with better weather, target the shoulder months of April, May or October, when it's largely dry but quieter and cheaper than the June-August peak.

When is the rainy season in Peru?

In the Andes and around Machu Picchu, the wet season runs roughly November to March, peaking in January and February. Expect green landscapes but cloudier skies and afternoon rain, with muddy trails. Note that Peru's regions differ: the Amazon is humid and rainy much of the year, while the coast around Lima is driest and sunniest in the southern summer (December-March) - the opposite of the highlands.

What months should you avoid in Peru?

February is the one to plan around: it's the wettest month in the highlands and the classic Inca Trail closes entirely for maintenance. January is also very wet. If your trip centres on Machu Picchu and trekking, the wet-season months from November to March carry the highest chance of clouds and rain. For clear skies and open trails, come in the dry season, May to September.

Do I need to book the Inca Trail in advance?

Yes - permits for the classic four-day Inca Trail are strictly limited and sell out months ahead, especially for the dry-season peak of June to August, so book four to six months in advance. February is closed entirely. If permits are gone, excellent alternatives like the Salkantay and Lares treks (and the train to Machu Picchu) have far more availability and no permit cap.

How cold does it get in Peru at night?

In the high Andes - Cusco sits at around 3,400m - days are mild (19-21°C) year-round, but nights get cold, especially in the dry season. June and July nights can drop to around freezing, so pack warm layers even though the days are sunny. The wet-season nights are milder. The Amazon and the coast are far warmer; it's the altitude that brings the cold, not the latitude.

How far in advance should I book a trip to Peru?

For the dry-season peak (June to August) - and any Inca Trail trek - book three to six months ahead, as permits, the best hotels and the Machu Picchu entry slots sell out. For the shoulder and wet seasons, six to eight weeks is usually enough. Most trips route through Lima (LIM) then fly to Cusco (CUZ); build in a day or two to acclimatise to the altitude before trekking.

Month by monthPeru2026

The Best Time to Visit Peru

Best: May–September (dry season)Cheapest: November–March (wet season)

Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

For most travellers, Peru means the Andes and Machu Picchu - and there the calendar splits cleanly into a dry season and a wet one. Get the timing right and you'll have clear skies, open trails and sunny days. Here's every month rated for weather, crowds and cost.

Alice - Trip planning and when to go

Published July 6, 2026

Updated 6 July 2026

In Brief

When is the best time to visit Peru?

The best time to visit Peru is the dry season, May to September - clear, sunny days over Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, and open Inca trails. June to August is the peak, busiest and priciest, so May and September are the sweet spots for dry weather with fewer crowds. Note the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. The wet season (November to March) is greener and cheaper but cloudier, with January and February the wettest. Days in the Andes are mild year-round, but dry-season nights are cold.

Best time to go

May–September (dry season)

Cheapest time

November–March (wet season)

When to avoid

January–February (wettest; Inca Trail closed in Feb)

Peru climate at a glance

Avg daytime high (°C / °F) · rainfall · season

Peak seasonGreatShoulder / valueOff-peakmore drops = wetter

19°66°F
Jan
19°66°F
Feb
20°68°F
Mar
21°70°F
Apr
21°70°F
May
20°68°F
Jun
20°68°F
Jul
21°70°F
Aug
21°70°F
Sep
21°70°F
Oct
21°70°F
Nov
20°68°F
Dec

Find your month

Every month in Peru is rated for weather, crowds and price. Drag the slider to find your sweet spot - the greener the month, the better value the trip.

Sweet spot - best value

Cheapest window: November–March (wet season)

March: $ · Low crowds · 20°C day / 7°C night, easing

See March hotels

Flights to PeruCompare fares for your month on Trip.com Hotels in PeruBook earlier for peak-season dates Things to doTours & tickets in Peru

Peru month by month

Every month rated for weather, crowds and price, so you can match the trip to the month.

Peak seasonGreatShoulder / valueOff-peak

Month	Weather	Crowds	Price	What it's like
Jan	19°C day / 7°C night, wet	Low	$	Wet season in the Andes - green and lush but cloudy, with frequent afternoon rain. Low prices and thin crowds.
Feb	19°C day / 7°C night, wet	Low	$	The wettest month, and the classic Inca Trail closes all month for maintenance (Machu Picchu itself stays open).
Mar	20°C day / 7°C night, easing	Low	$	Rains ease through the month and landscapes are at their greenest; good value as the dry season approaches.
Apr	21°C day / 5°C night, drying	Moderate	$$	The dry season begins - clearer skies, green scenery from the rains and comfortable days, before the peak crowds.
May	21°C day / 3°C night, dry	Moderate	$$	One of the best months - reliably dry and clear, lush from the wet season, and quieter than the June-August rush.
Jun	20°C day / 1°C night, dry	Peak	$$$	Peak season begins - sunny, clear days and cold nights, with the spectacular Inti Raymi festival in Cusco on 24 June.
Jul	20°C day / 0°C night, dry	Peak	$$$	The driest, clearest month and the busiest - superb for Machu Picchu and trekking, but book trails and hotels well ahead.
Aug	21°C day / 2°C night, dry	Peak	$$$	Still dry, clear and cold at night, with peak crowds and prices continuing across the Sacred Valley and Cusco.
Sep	21°C day / 5°C night, dry	High then easing	$$	A sweet spot - still dry and clear, nights warming slightly, and the peak-season crowds thinning out. Great value.
Oct	21°C day / 6°C night	Moderate	$$	The tail of the dry season with the first showers returning; comfortable, quieter and good value before the rains.
Nov	21°C day / 6°C night, wet	Low	$	The wet season returns with building afternoon rain; landscapes green up and prices fall across the Andes.
Dec	20°C day / 7°C night, wet	Low then High	$$	Wet and cloudy, though the holidays bring a brief bump in visitors; pack for rain and flexible trekking plans.

When to book Peru

On the table above, Jan, Feb, Mar and Nov sit in the bottom price band and Jun, Jul and Aug in the top one. Find the row that sounds like your trip.

Booking windows for Peru, by what the traveller wants
If you want	Months	Why
The best trip for the money	Apr, May and Sep	Rated good above without hitting the top price band, so you are not paying peak rates for the conditions.
The lowest price, whatever the weather	Jan, Feb, Mar and Nov	The bottom price band. Check the weather column first, because some of these are cheap for a reason.
Peak season anyway	Jun, Jul and Aug	Busiest and dearest. This is the window where booking early changes the price, not just what is left.
To know what to skip	Jan, Feb, Nov and Dec	Rated off-peak here. The low price is the compensation, not a bargain.

Check Peru hotel pricesSee what Apr, May and Sep actually costs for your dates

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Time it right: Peru's seasonal highlights

Dry season (best trekking)
May–September
Clear skies, dry trails and reliable Machu Picchu views - the prime window for the Inca Trail, Salkantay and Rainbow Mountain.
Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)
24 June
Cusco's spectacular Inca sun-worship festival fills the city with costume, colour and ceremony - the cultural high point of the year.
Inca Trail closure
February
The classic four-day Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance and to let the route recover; Machu Picchu and alternative treks stay open.
Wet season (green & quiet)
November–March
Lush landscapes, thin crowds and low prices - but cloudier skies, muddy trails and a real chance of rain at the ruins.

Best time to visit Peru: FAQ

The timing questions travelers ask most before booking.

Staying in Peru? Book the area before the hotel

Picking the month is half of the decision. The other half is the area, because that is what sets how far you walk and what a room costs. We have no area guide for Peru yet, so start here:

Compare all hotels in PeruLive rates for the dates you picked

Free cancellation on most rooms
No booking fee
Prices on Trip.com

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Mid-December–April (dry season)

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December–April (dry season)

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March–May & September–November

Where to go, by month →

See the best destination for every month

Continue Planning Your Trip

Intelligent tools designed to simplify the complex.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons, used under their respective licences.

Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun): Cyntia Motta - CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Inca Trail closure: Wasif Malik - CC0 · source

The Best Time to Visit Peru

When is the best time to visit Peru?

Peru climate at a glance

Peru month by month

When to book Peru

Time it right: Peru's seasonal highlights

Dry season (best trekking)

Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)

Inca Trail closure

Wet season (green & quiet)

Best time to visit Peru: FAQ

Staying in Peru? Book the area before the hotel

Continue Planning Your Trip

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Best Time to Visit

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When is the best time to visit Peru?

Peru climate at a glance

Peru month by month

When to book Peru

Time it right: Peru's seasonal highlights

Dry season (best trekking)

Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)

Inca Trail closure

Wet season (green & quiet)

Best time to visit Peru: FAQ

What is the cheapest time to visit Peru?expand_more

When is the rainy season in Peru?expand_more

What months should you avoid in Peru?expand_more

Do I need to book the Inca Trail in advance?expand_more

How cold does it get in Peru at night?expand_more

How far in advance should I book a trip to Peru?expand_more

Staying in Peru? Book the area before the hotel

Compare other destinations

Continue Planning Your Trip

Things to Do

Where to Stay

Car Rental

Airport Transfers

All-Inclusive Guides

Best Time to Visit

Cheapest Places to Travel

Route Finder

Hotel Finder

AI Trip Planner

Budget Calculator