The ruins of Machu Picchu below the peak of Huayna Picchu

Peru · Andes

Peru

Inca stone terraces cling to the cloud forest at Machu Picchu, and the striped ridges of Rainbow Mountain rise to about 5,000 m, both within reach of Cusco, itself at 3,400 m.

Best months: May–Sep
Signature peak: Huascarán, 6,768 m
Fly into: Cusco (CUZ)
Destinations: 12

Explore Peru Best time to visit

Destinations in Peru

Where to go in Peru

12 of 12 destinations · Main season May–Sep

Best May–Sep

Cusco Region, Andes

Machu Picchu

The 15th-century Inca citadel above the Urubamba River, reached by train from Cusco or on foot along the Inca Trail.

2,430 m · May–Sep · Moderate

Good for: Villages & culture · Trekking

Stays Flights Tours

Visitors on a striped ridge of the Rainbow Mountain area near Cusco, Peru

Best May–Sep

Cusco Region, Andes

Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

Mineral-striped ridges close to 5,000 m, reached on a long day trip from Cusco.

About 5,000 m · May–Sep · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Terraces and a green valley at Patallacta on the Inca Trail

Best May–Sep

Cusco Region

Inca Trail

The classic four-day walk along an ancient stone path to Machu Picchu, through cloud forest, high passes and Inca ruins.

4,215 m · May–Sep · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Villages & culture · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Inca terraces curving along a hillside above the Sacred Valley at Pisac

Best Apr–Oct

Cusco Region

Sacred Valley

A broad Andean valley of Inca terraces, ruins, weaving villages and markets, lower and warmer than Cusco.

2,870 m · Apr–Oct · Easy

Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

A path below the snow-covered Salkantay massif in the Andes

Best May–Sep

Cusco Region

Salkantay Trek

A five-day walk beneath the glacier-capped Salkantay mountain, finishing near Machu Picchu.

4,630 m · May–Sep · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Best May–Oct

Apurímac

Choquequirao

A vast and quiet Inca site high above the Apurímac canyon, reached only on foot after a steep descent and climb.

3,050 m · May–Oct · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Villages & culture · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Green terraced fields and mountains in the Colca valley

Best Apr–Nov

Arequipa Region

Colca Canyon

A deep Andean canyon with terraced villages, hot springs and a viewpoint for Andean condors.

3,700 m · Apr–Nov · Moderate

Good for: Scenic views · Trekking · Villages & culture

Stays Flights Tours

Dusk over the reed islands of Lake Titicaca near Puno

Best Apr–Oct

Puno Region

Lake Titicaca

A huge high-altitude lake shared with Bolivia, with floating reed islands and island communities.

3,812 m · Apr–Oct · Easy

Good for: Lakes · Villages & culture · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Huascarán and Huandoy above the Llanganuco valley in the Cordillera Blanca

Best May–Sep

Ancash

Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca

The highest tropical mountain range in the world, with Peru's highest peak, glacier lakes and some of the best trekking in South America.

3,052 m · May–Sep · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views · Lakes

Stays Flights Tours

A glacial lake below snow-covered peaks on the path to Laguna 69

Best May–Sep

Huascarán National Park, Ancash

Laguna 69

A day hike from Huaraz to a bright turquoise glacier lake below Chacraraju.

4,600 m · May–Sep · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Jagged snow peaks above a lake in the Cordillera Huayhuash

Best Jun–Aug

Ancash and Huánuco

Huayhuash Circuit

A long, high circuit around the Cordillera Huayhuash, with ice peaks, turquoise lakes and passes above 4,600 m.

5,000 m · Jun–Aug · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Ausangate rising above a high Andean valley

Best May–Sep

Cusco Region

Ausangate

A high circuit around the sacred, glaciated Ausangate massif, through turquoise lakes, alpaca pastures and hot springs.

6,384 m · May–Sep · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

About Peru

Peru at a glance

Peru's mountains are the Andes, and its most famous destination, Machu Picchu, is an Inca citadel high on a forested ridge above the Urubamba River. The Cusco region also holds the Sacred Valley, the multi-day Inca Trail and the striped ridges of Rainbow Mountain.

Altitude is the main issue: Cusco sits at about 3,400 m, and many excursions go higher. Plan a day or two of acclimatisation, drink water, take it easy and speak to a doctor or travel clinic before you go.

The dry season runs from May to September, with the clearest skies. The wet season, from about November to March, brings rain and mist, and the Inca Trail closes every February. Book Machu Picchu tickets, trains and the Inca Trail well ahead.

Getting there

Fly to Lima (LIM), then take a connecting flight of about an hour and a half to Cusco (CUZ), the main airport for Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and the Sacred Valley. Trains and buses link Cusco with the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes.

Getting around

Trains run to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo and from Poroy, near Cusco. Shared minibuses and tourist buses link Cusco with the Sacred Valley, and day tours cover Rainbow Mountain. Taxis in Cusco are inexpensive, but agree the price first.

Entry and safety

Many nationalities can visit Peru without a visa for short stays, but rules vary. Check the official Peruvian government information, and carry your passport, which is needed for Machu Picchu entry.

Altitude sickness is the main health risk. Petty theft occurs in cities, and Andean roads can be poor, particularly in the rainy season. Use licensed guides and operators, and check your government's travel advice.

Official sources

Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Where to stay

Where to stay in Peru

Hotels in Peru are coming soon

We are adding the hotels, guesthouses and lodges that local owners register with us. Each one is reviewed before it appears here. Meanwhile, you can compare stays on our partner sites.

List your hotel Compare stays (opens a partner site in a new tab)

From the journal