Sacred Valley of the Incas Holidays

Peru has two main seasons: a dry season from May to September, and a wet season from October to April. While there are regional variations (the Amazon and northern coast have their own patterns), these two Andean seasons shape the weather in most of Peru’s popular spots.

These days, people visit Peru throughout the year. Travelling in the shoulder months (just before or after peak season) can be a great option — the weather is often still good, and you’ll find fewer crowds at key sites. We generally recommend avoiding January and February if you can, as these are the wettest months. The Inca Trail also closes every February for maintenance.

Peru’s high season, especially July and August, is very popular. If you’re planning to travel then, it’s important to book well in advance. Inca Trail permits and one-day hike tickets (from KM104) often sell out six to nine months ahead. Even if you’re not trekking, hotels in places like Cusco can fill quickly, especially those charming colonial-style stays with fewer rooms.

With restaurants like Ceviche and Lima London making waves on the UK foodie scene, Peruvian cuisine is finally getting the global attention it deserves. Lima is now a true culinary hotspot, boasting some of the best restaurants in the world. We always recommend carving out time for a food tour of the capital, it’s one of our favourite ways to experience the city.

Beyond the capital there are other superb restaurants to be found, and even informal dining can be a treat – grabbing a freshly baked empanada pasty from a street stall for example, followed by the sugary hit of a picaron, a type of sweet potato fritter.

Peruvian cuisine is shaped by its diverse regions: the Andes, the Amazon and the coast. Potatoes are everywhere (there are over 3,000 varieties in Peru), and a classic dish like lomo saltado – sautéed beef with potatoes – is served almost everywhere. You might also come across alpaca steak or guinea pig (cuy) on the menu, both worth trying at least once if you’re feeling adventurous.

The Amazon offers an incredible variety of tropical fruits, along with yucca, plantain and river fish. But it’s the coast that’s famous for seafood. Fresh ceviche is a must during your stay, don’t miss it!

When it comes to drinks, Peru’s national spirit is pisco, most famously served in a Pisco Sour. There’s a long-standing friendly rivalry with Chile over who makes the best version. You’ll also find chicha (a traditional corn beer) and plenty of refreshing local lagers to sample. While Peru does produce some wine, the quality can vary, so wine lovers best stick to Chilean or Argentinian bottles when dining out.

There are currently no direct flights from the UK to Lima, as British Airways has discontinued its previous non-stop service from London Gatwick. However, Peru remains well connected via a range of indirect flights, which often provide good value and convenient options, particularly for travellers departing from regional airports. You can fly to Lima from the UK with just one stop in cities such as Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, or Bogotá, making the journey relatively straightforward and hassle-free.

UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Peru, provided you plan to leave the country again within 90 days.

If you are flying to Peru via the USA, you’ll need to apply online for an ‘ESTA’ electronic travel authorisation, even if you are only in transit. This costs $14 per person, is valid for two years and should be applied for on the official Department of Homeland Security website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

You should contact your GP before booking a trip to Peru. We can provide some general guidelines, however we’re not medically trained, so it is essential to speak to a medical professional well in advance of your trip.

Zika Virus: Though instances of the Zika Virus in Peru have been few and isolated, the latest advice from the World Health Organisation recommends pregnant women or those planning to start a family to postpone travel to the country, and to practice safe sex up to six months after their return.

Yellow fever: If you are arriving in Peru from countries that have yellow fever, you may be asked to produce a certificate of vaccination against the disease. This is not an official entry requirement for Peru, but you should speak to your GP about whether they recommend the vaccination for your itinerary – particularly if you are visiting the Amazon. Many GPs will not recommend the vaccine for people over 60, so please discuss this with them if you are considering a trip to the Amazon.

Malaria: Many visitor attractions in Peru are low-risk or malaria free, but your GP will be able to advise whether anti-malarials are recommended for your specific itinerary (particularly if visiting the Amazon).

The best way to prevent transmission of all mosquito-borne diseases is to cover up. You should wear long trousers and sleeves while walking in the forests, at sunset, after rain showers and near standing water, and wear an insect repellent that contains a good percentage of DEET.

General: It's recommended that your general boosters for Diptheria, Polio, Tetanus and Hepatitis A are up-to-date before travel.

Some of Peru’s key visitor attractions are at high altitude. Machu Picchu rests at 2430 metres above sea level, Cusco at 3300 metres, Lake Titicaca and some areas around the Colca Canyon at approximately 3800 metres. As a result, many visitors will experience some mild symptoms when first at altitude such as a headache, fatigue and a dry throat. In most cases these symptoms pass relatively quickly and are rarely cause for concern, particularly if you stay well-hydrated, do not over-exert yourself and avoid heavy meals and alcohol during your first couple of days at altitude.

In rare cases, more severe altitude sickness (also known Acute Mountain Sickness) can develop, so if your symptoms persist or worsen then immediate medical attention should be sought.

If you are pregnant or taking the contraceptive pill, have high blood pressure, asthma, heart or lung conditions or any other underlying health condition you should consult your GP before booking your trip. Once you have booked, we recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance that includes medial cover for all destinations you are visiting (some policies only cover destinations up to 2000 metres). You should always declare any pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer – some may be able to provide cover for these conditions for an additional premium.

We can design itineraries at a slower pace following a gentle route of acclimatisation if altitude is of particular concern.

Staying safe in Peru is generally a matter of common-sense guidelines that you would apply when travelling anywhere in the world. You should exercise caution in cities after dark and only take licensed taxis. Your local guide or hotel concierge will be able to provide more detailed recommendations specific to where you are staying.

The local currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol, and at time of writing £1 GBP was worth 4 Soles. US dollars are also widely accepted in Peru – it is the second currency here, and you can choose to withdraw dollars from most ATMs. It is useful to bring some US dollars with you but ideally only the smaller denominations and notes in good condition. If you need to change money your guide will be able to recommend the best places, and most major debit and credit cards are widely accepted in Peru.

Tax of 18% will be added to bills in major restaurants and sometimes a service charge of 10%. Tipping in restaurants for good service is appreciated if service has not already been added to your bill. For guides, tipping is entirely discretionary but is a nice gesture if you have enjoyed your tour. US $5 – $10 per person would be around average for a regular tour, and you may also wish to tip drivers who have been with you for longer periods (though not as much as the guide).

We believe travel should be a force for good. That means exploring with open eyes, treading lightly, and respecting the people and places that make the world so special. Our code of conduct isn’t about rules, it’s simply a guide to help you travel thoughtfully, ethically, and with care. Because every small choice makes a big difference.

• If you choose to trust us with your holiday, we’ll send you a “Travel Facts” document when confirming your booking. This includes useful facts and travel advice, such as restaurant recommendations, reading tips, basic language information, cultural traditions, climate information, brief historical overviews, and more. We feel that this offers a useful insight and can help you interact with local residents in a more sensitive, well-informed manner. Please do try to take the time to read this information before your visit, it’s worth the time!

• A number of the countries in which we operate holidays are religious societies with a widely observed set of customs. Always respect these norms, particularly when visiting religious buildings.

• To the best of our knowledge, all hotels, lodges, and camps within our portfolio operate stringent measures to minimise water usage. All of our destinations have issues with water supplies to a certain extent, so feel free to raise any possible wastage should you encounter it during your stay, either with the accommodation or with us upon your return.

• Please ask permission before taking photographs of people, and respect their wishes if they are not happy to be photographed. We find that friendly requests and a smile are usually met with a ‘yes!’

• Strive, where possible, to make your own contribution to environmental practices as you travel. This might include minimising your electricity usage, not smoking in protected areas, avoiding coral while snorkelling, and safely disposing of all litter (recycling where possible).

• Where possible, try to purchase from local suppliers. This includes shopping for souvenirs, dining out at restaurants, and booking additional excursions during your free time. In areas where haggling is an accepted part of daily life, don’t be offended if you’re unable to obtain what you perceive as a fair price for an item.

• We emphasise to local suppliers that our clients should never be taken on unsolicited shopping trips, but if this does happen, try to retain your sense of humour, provide a firm refusal to participate and do let us know about it on your return. We pass on all feedback from every trip undertaken with us to our relevant local suppliers, who all share our commitment to travelling with sensitivity.

• Please don’t remove any indigenous items from their natural habitat and attempt to bring them home as a souvenir. This particularly applies to everything from coral, shells, plants and food in the natural world, to cultural artefacts and antiques.

If you’re unsure about anything relating to the above, please feel free to chat to us. We’ve travelled extensively in the country and will be more than happy to offer our considered advice.