Travel Information

WEATHER

SIERRA

Mid April - October. This period is the dry season, with hot, dry days (20-25°C) and cold, dry nights, often below freezing, particularly in June and July. May is perhaps the best month with the countryside exceptionally lush, yet with superb views and fine weather. You’ll find the flowers in full bloom, the grass green and the streams full. Peru’s peak season is from June to September. You’ll find Cusco a pretty cosmopolitan city with gringos from all over the globe converging on Machu Picchu. The famous pageant of Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the winter solstice (24 June) draws thousands of visitors to Cusco, so its best to arrive early or make hotel reservations in advance.

November - Mid April. This is the wet season with most rain in January and February. It’s usually clear and dry most mornings with outbursts of heavy rain in the afternoons. The daily temperatures are typically 18°C with only a small drop at night, 15°C. For trekking the locals say that the weather is best around full moon (and I tend to believe them) so if possible plan you’re backpacking then. The Inca Trail is much less crowded during this period and there’s a more abundant fresh water supply, but of course be well equipped for the rain. You’ll also find some roads may become impassable particularly when trying to visit villages off the beaten track. Many of Peru’s major festivals such as Carnival and Easter Week take place during this period.

THE COAST

December - April. This is summertime on the coast where the weather is hot and dry and ideal for swimming and getting a tan. Temperatures on average range from 25 - 35°C.

May - November. From May to November the temperature drops a bit and you’ll find blankets of sea mist engulfing the coast from the south right up to about 200 km north of Lima. At this time of year only the northern beaches near Tumbes are warm enough to provide pleasant swimming.

THE JUNGLE

April - October. This is the ‘dry’ season with daily temperatures averaging 30-35°C. However cold fronts from the South Atlantic are common when the temperatures can drop to 15°C during the day and 13°C at night. The dry season is the best time to visit the jungle regions … there are fewer mosquitoes and the rivers are low, exposing the beaches. It’s also a good time to see nesting and to view the animals at close range, as they stay close to the rivers and are more easily seen.

November - March. This is the wet season, hot and humid, when you can expect heavy rain at anytime. It only rains for a few hours at a time, so it’s not enough to spoil your trip. Wellington boots are a must though, as some of the jungle trails can become small rivers.

BOOKING FLIGHTS

It is recommended that you make your domestic flight reservations prior to arriving in Peru especially if you are on a tight schedule, otherwise you might find yourself waiting around in Lima airport for most of your holiday.

Making flight reservations has become easier in the last year with many of the major airlines having their own web site and reservation system. However make sure you reconfirm your flights 2 days in advance and check-in 2 hours beforehand or you'll find yourself 'bumped' onto a later flight possibly the next day.

Also note that January to March is the wet season in the highlands. There are frequent delays and cancellations at both Cusco and Puerto Maldonado airport so if you have an international connection in Lima it is best to return to Lima from these airports one day in advance to be on the safe side.

Lan Peru www.lanperu.com Chilean airline Lan Chile own this company. As well as domestic flights they also have some international flights. Member of One World Alliance so it should be possible to purchase these flights through your local travel agent. Their web site also allows online reservations and secure payments.
Domestic flights between the following major cities in Peru:
Lima - Cusco (3 flights per day each way), Lima - Arequipa (3 flights per day each way), Arequipa - Juliaca, Lake Titicaca (2 flights per day each way), Cusco - Puerto Maldonado (1 flight per day each way).

TACA www.taca.com Airline from Costa Rica. Operates international flights as well as one daily domestic flight each way between Lima and Cusco.

Special Programs

Charming Cusco 3D/2N

Programme 3D/2N $375 First Day: Cusco - A City Tour - Reception at the airport in the city of Cusco, transfer to the 3* hotel where you will tast

Amazing Cusco 4D/3N

Programme 4D/3N $440.00 First Day: Cusco - A Combined Excursion - Reception at the airport in the city of Cusco, transfer to the 3* hotel where you will

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