Peru guide
No matter whether you’re looking for a 2 min summary or want to delve deeper and discover what we rate & what we don’t, our Peru travel guide is here to help you travel like a local, including a handy section on food, shopping & people.
Best time to go to the Andes
Remember - in the Andes, temperatures depend more on the altitude than on the season.![]()
Nov-Mar are the rainiest season in the Andes, plus the Inca Trail closes for renovation each Feb – the wettest month. The best time to visit the Andes is in May to Oct, when it is cooler (particularly the further south you go) but dry, with the best chance of blue skies and strikingly clear views. If you’re adding the Amazon into your trip, this is also a great time to visit. However, if you’re continuing on down to Patagonia, the far south all but shuts down for the southern hemisphere winter.
Our Andes Vacations
Peru tour, small group
Peru on an adventure from mountains & Altiplano to jungle,
From
US $2415 to US $2815
9 days
ex flights
Ecuador walking vacation, tailormade
Explore the heart of the Andes on fascinating day walks
From
£3620
15 days
ex flights
Birdwatching vacation in Northern Argentina
An authentic bird watching experience in Salta & Jujuy
From
US $1980
7 days
ex flights
Argentina & Chile vacation, crossing the Andes
Discover the beauty of the Lake region of Northern Patagonia
From
US $4248
11 days
ex flights
Ecuador activity vacation
Join an active tour of Ecuador
From
US $1295 to US $1595
7 days
ex flights
Ecuador tours, Andes and the Amazon
Active experience of Ecuador's beauty, wildlife and people.
From
£5700
15 days
ex flights
The Andes, month by month
If you can travel either side of the busy period, May to June and September to October offer great weather without the crowds and higher prices. April can also be a good time as the scenery is lush after the recent rains, and the Inca Trail has only recently reopened.
Things to do in the Andes
Things to do in the Andes…
Things not to do in the Andes…
Andes travel tips
Daniel Pawlyn and Martin Ruffo from our supplier, Intrepid Travel, share their advice on traveling in the Andes:
The Andes – country by country
Martin Ruffo is from Argentina. He shares his tips on the highlights of each Andean country:
“Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia offer the most culturally rich side of the Andes, where ancestry traditions remain alive today as much as they did in the times when the Incas ruled this land. Plus – there aren’t many mountain hikes in the world that lead you to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World like the Inca Trail does. In Bolivia, the three-day 4x4 tour of the Uyuni Region gives you access to one of the most remote and isolated sides of the Andes. Personally, I believe that Patagonia is one of the best hiking areas in South America. The beauty of this region is unparalleled. But I’m perhaps a little biased!”
“Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia offer the most culturally rich side of the Andes, where ancestry traditions remain alive today as much as they did in the times when the Incas ruled this land. Plus – there aren’t many mountain hikes in the world that lead you to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World like the Inca Trail does. In Bolivia, the three-day 4x4 tour of the Uyuni Region gives you access to one of the most remote and isolated sides of the Andes. Personally, I believe that Patagonia is one of the best hiking areas in South America. The beauty of this region is unparalleled. But I’m perhaps a little biased!”
How fit do you need to be?
Daniel Pawlyn:“Preparation depends a lot on your destination and planned trekking route. The treks to Machu Picchu can reach quite high altitudes (Dead Women’s Pass is 4,200m) so I would get fit and pack coca tablets to help combat the effects of altitude. The W Trek in Patagonia on the other hand is mostly under 1,000m altitude so is more like a mountain walk in the UK. In all cases you need to be prepared for changeable mountain weather with the correct clothing and gear.”
Why book a small group tour?
Daniel Pawlyn:“There are three main reasons for taking a small group vacation in the Andes. First, all the logistics of the trek are organised for you, including porterage of bags and meals, allowing you to simply enjoy the walking and scenery. Second, the trip leader and walking guides have incredible knowledge of the mountains’ flora, fauna and culture, so you’ll learn so much more. Finally, you’ll meet wonderful, likeminded people in your group, enjoying conversations while trekking, meals in the evening and just sharing the experience.”
Martin Ruffo:
“It is only because we travel in small groups that we can facilitate joint activities and interactions with local communities the way we do in Peru. Only small groups allow us to camp at quiet sites in Patagonia or to stay at smaller and cosy properties along the way. Of course, this style of travel is not for everyone but, for people that are after these kinds of experiences, small groups are the only way.”
Responsible tourism in the Andes
Heather MacBrayne, Director of our supplier Discover South America:
"Learn a few words of the local language (Quechua or Aymara depending where you are) and take coca leaves to help with the altitude. They are also a great gift for local people you may meet along the way who believe in the Andean concept of ayni or exchange.
"Learn a few words of the local language (Quechua or Aymara depending where you are) and take coca leaves to help with the altitude. They are also a great gift for local people you may meet along the way who believe in the Andean concept of ayni or exchange.
When booking a guided trek make sure that you are booking with a reputable operator. In several Andean countries many trek operators are still very informal and although there may be guidelines in terms of employment conditions for local staff these are often not enforced.
Sadly there are inadequate rubbish disposal facilities in many remote Andean villages and as plastic packaging becomes more popular it is more and more of a problem. Do your bit by taking minimal plastic packaging and carrying out what you carry in. If you notice litter while out on a walk you can pick that up too! There are recycling facilities in many Andean cities now.”
Preparing for Andes treks
Heather MacBrayne, Director of our supplier Discover South America:“If tackling a multiday trek in the Andes (such as the Inca Trail) focus your training walks on steep up and downhill treks. Consider rubber tipped walking poles to protect your knees on the downhills. Invest in a comfortable day pack with breathable panels and a waist strap. When walking for several hours at a time you will really feel the difference. Invest in a refillable water bottle and either water purification tablets or one with a built in filter. Andean power bars made from popped quinoa and kiwicha [amaranth – a type of seed] are available in Peru and Bolivia and make an excellent local alternative to imported power bars.”
Kathy Jarvis, from our supplier Andean Trails, on what to pack for the Inca Trail:
“The more acclimatised you are, the more you’ll enjoy it. You can suffer a lot if you try and force your body too high, too soon – as well as it being dangerous. So allow as much time as possible as you can before trekking. And then it’s a case of having the right clothes – good kit, jackets, waterproofs, warm gloves, hats. It’s better to bring your own sleeping bag. There are some for hire, but it’s quite a personal thing! If you’re camping at 4,000-5,000m, then you’ll need a good, four-season sleeping bag. On the Inca Trail, you actually camp at about 3,600m, so you could get away with a smaller bag.”
“The more acclimatised you are, the more you’ll enjoy it. You can suffer a lot if you try and force your body too high, too soon – as well as it being dangerous. So allow as much time as possible as you can before trekking. And then it’s a case of having the right clothes – good kit, jackets, waterproofs, warm gloves, hats. It’s better to bring your own sleeping bag. There are some for hire, but it’s quite a personal thing! If you’re camping at 4,000-5,000m, then you’ll need a good, four-season sleeping bag. On the Inca Trail, you actually camp at about 3,600m, so you could get away with a smaller bag.”
Our top Andes Vacation
Peru tour, small group
Peru on an adventure from mountains & Altiplano to jungle,
From
US $2415 to US $2815
9 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 3 Jun, 8 Jul, 15 Jul, 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 10 Sep, 16 Sep, 23 Sep, 30 Sep, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov, 9 Dec, 16 Dec, 23 Dec
2023: 13 Jan, 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 31 Mar, 14 Apr, 28 Apr, 12 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 23 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 28 Jul, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 1 Sep, 9 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 29 Sep, 13 Oct, 27 Oct, 10 Nov, 24 Nov, 8 Dec, 15 Dec, 22 Dec
2022: 3 Jun, 8 Jul, 15 Jul, 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 10 Sep, 16 Sep, 23 Sep, 30 Sep, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov, 9 Dec, 16 Dec, 23 Dec
2023: 13 Jan, 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 31 Mar, 14 Apr, 28 Apr, 12 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 23 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 28 Jul, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 1 Sep, 9 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 29 Sep, 13 Oct, 27 Oct, 10 Nov, 24 Nov, 8 Dec, 15 Dec, 22 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Andes or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Andes travel advice
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Andes travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Andes travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
Ecuador is incredibly diverse, people genuinely interested, especially when "the only Gringo on the Bus!"![]()
- Phil Madden
“Research your vacation well in advance and tailor your trip to meet individual needs. Allow time to acclimatise before moving on to high altitude. Ensure you build in time to rest and do your own thing… Local people are very tuned in to environmentally friendly behaviour and encourage visitors to do likewise. We were able to support local industries through local visits and purchases.” – Cicely Olive on a tailor made vacation in Peru
“Peru is a wonderful destination with so much more to offer than just the iconic Machu Picchu - all thoroughly recommended… As we did, do the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction, so that you finish up with Macchu Pichu as the jewel in the crown, but don't miss out Arequipa and Colca Canyon.” – Paul Mors
“Be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Wrap up warmly in the haciendas, especially at night. Wear plenty of warm clothes to watch the "last iceman". Yet be prepared for warm sunshine too, especially at lower altitudes and during the middle of the day.” – Andrew Wintersgill in Ecuador
“Peru is a wonderful destination with so much more to offer than just the iconic Machu Picchu - all thoroughly recommended… As we did, do the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction, so that you finish up with Macchu Pichu as the jewel in the crown, but don't miss out Arequipa and Colca Canyon.” – Paul Mors
“Be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions. Wrap up warmly in the haciendas, especially at night. Wear plenty of warm clothes to watch the "last iceman". Yet be prepared for warm sunshine too, especially at lower altitudes and during the middle of the day.” – Andrew Wintersgill in Ecuador
More about Andes
The Andes stretch 7,000km across seven South American countries, and are one of the world’s most diverse mountain ranges.
Escape the touristy towns and busy trails of the south and head instead for northern Peru, where the terrain is wild, empty and sprinkled with crumbling cities and temples that deliver stories and atmosphere in abundance.
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