Peru
South America - Touring with local transport
Itinerary idea: Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu (+ Amazon at Puerto Maldonado)
Strengths: August is the best month, culture and nature together, scenic trains, very suitable for children
Weaknesses: Altitude above 3,400 m, cold nights, limited Machu Picchu entry tickets
Children and safety: Acclimatise gradually (Arequipa 2,300 m, Colca, Titicaca 3,800 m, Cusco 3,400 m); children love the trains and ruins
Weather: Dry season: days 18-22 °C, cold nights at altitude (even below 0 °C)
Book ahead: 6-9 months (Machu Picchu tickets)
Key facts
- Best time to go: May to September
- Flight from Milan: about 14 hours
- Rain days in August: 2
- Daylight hours in August: 11.5
- Driving: on the right
- Malaria: low
- Visa (EU citizens): No
- International licence: Not needed
- Currency: Sol (PEN)
- Language: Spanish
- Roads: No driving needed; mountain roads covered with a driver or bus
- Vaccinations: Hepatitis A, typhoid; yellow fever and malaria prophylaxis only for the Amazon
Ratings (1 to 5)
- Ease of getting around: 4
- Child friendly: 4
- Scenery and wildlife: 5
- August weather: 4
- Logistics ease: 4