Peru

The dry season in the Andes and for Inca Trail / Machu Picchu access is roughly May to September—cool, clear mornings and chilly nights. The wetter months bring greener landscapes but trail mud and more cloud on peaks. Lima and the coast have their own pattern, with a grey “garúa” mist common in cooler months. Altitude affects every highland itinerary: plan acclimatisation days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Rain on the trail can cancel or delay climbs—build flexibility. Local festivals and school holidays can shift crowds even inside a “good” month, so a quick check of dates for your year is worth it.

Lima → fly to Cusco → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu is the classic first loop. Add Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and Colca, or the Amazon as separate legs. Buses take longer than maps suggest. Book Machu Picchu and popular treks well ahead. Don’t ascend and hike hard on the same day. Coca tea and slow first days are common acclimatisation habits; hard hikes wait until you sleep well at altitude. Leave one unscheduled half-day in each base; the best finds are rarely on the first draft of an itinerary.

Machu Picchu at opening time beats midday haze and crowds. Andean light is sharp in the dry season—sunrise over peaks is worth the early alarm. Markets and weaving villages are vivid; ask before portraits. Altitude and strong UV mean hats and battery care in cold. Condors at Colca are an early-morning outing; mist can hide them until the sun lifts the valley. Keep GPS on for valley day trips.