Visiting Peru in April

The drier weather is finally beginning, although you can expect mixed conditions as the wettest months come to an end but before the best of the winter conditions. It does mean that if you’re willing to risk the showers, you can find it’s much quieter along the trails through the Andes, especially the popular Inca Trail but also alternative routes like the Lares Trek and Salkantay Trek past the spectacular Humantay glacial lake. It’s best to postpone more challenging hikes such as Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, until next month when conditions are even better though.

If you’re not keen on trekking until the weather picks up, you can also take a train journey through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, explore by car, or try a one-day hike for a taste without having to camp along the way. If you visit towards the start of the month, you could still be lucky enough to see the orchids in bloom. Depending when Easter falls, you could combine your visit to the Inca sites with time celebrating in Cusco – it’s worth a visit at any time, and the rains are starting to lessen here as well, although you’ll find the best weather towards the end of the month.

The dry season is beginning around Lake Titicaca as well, although you can still expect it to feel cool at altitude, especially outside the warmth of the day. Try an island-hopping trip to learn more about life on the world’s highest lake.

There are more ancient sites to discover elsewhere, such as Kuelap, called the Machu Picchu of the north, on its dramatic mountaintop home. The weather is often unsettled in this corner of Peru, but it’s the start of the driest months here as well. Add some beach time at Máncora where the temperatures are still gloriously hot but with fewer showers than the past few months.

There are more beaches to enjoy in the south as well, along the coast near Lima, with the hottest months over in the city but before the fog of winter rolls in. Save some time to see the wildlife of the protected Islas Ballestas reserve. You’re unlikely to see baby sea lions any more, but there’ll be plenty of adults as well as penguins and birds and it’s quieter this month; try to visit as early in the morning as possible for calmer seas. It’s also quieter at the Nazca Lines, and very slightly cooler than the summer highs, while the driest months are beginning at Arequipa – it’s easy to combine them all on a trip from the capital.

The drier weather is finally coming to the Amazon as well, with a better chance to spot some of the wildlife, although high water levels after the rainy months mean it’s trickier this early in the year. As you’re heading into the rainforest, you can still expect some showers year-round.

Festivals: Holy Week and Easter take place in April (or March) with religious ceremonies and processions, but also some more unusual celebrations. Ayacucho is one of the most memorable, with carpets of flowers and markets, and a huge party between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Cusco is another good place to celebrate the occasion.

Best for: Exploring without the crowds, Lima & the south, Inca sites, beaches

January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December

Region	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Coastal	● 26°C ☀️	● 27°C ☀️	● 27°C ☀️	● 24°C 🌤️	● 22°C 🌤️	● 20°C 🌥️	● 19°C 🌥️	● 19°C 🌥️	● 20°C 🌤️	● 21°C 🌤️	● 23°C ☀️	● 25°C ☀️
Machu Picchu	● 17°C 🌧️	● 17°C 🌧️	● 18°C 🌧️	● 18°C 🌦️	● 17°C ☀️	● 16°C ☀️	● 16°C ☀️	● 17°C ☀️	● 18°C 🌦️	● 19°C 🌦️	● 18°C 🌧️	● 17°C 🌧️
Amazon	● 28°C 🌧️	● 28°C 🌧️	● 28°C 🌧️	● 27°C 🌦️	● 27°C ☀️	● 26°C ☀️	● 26°C ☀️	● 27°C ☀️	● 28°C 🌦️	● 28°C 🌦️	● 28°C 🌧️	● 28°C 🌧️

Legend:
● Good weather
● Average weather
● Poor weather