Visiting Peru in June

If you’re wondering when to go to Peru, it’s hard to beat June – while it’s one of the busiest months of the year, it’s a fantastic time for a holiday in Peru, with great trekking through the Andes, drier weather in the Amazon and at Lake Titicaca, some unusual festivals and a chance to spot condors, just for starters.

Unless you’re very unlucky, you’ll get to see Machu Picchu in the sunshine, as well as some spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks in the Andes, glacial lakes, lush green valleys and more fascinating Inca sites. The Inca Trail is busy this month, so you’ll need to book well ahead for permits to trek here (and to visit Machu Picchu) – if you do miss out, you can also explore the Sacred Valley and the Lost City of the Incas by train or car. You can also find alternative routes including the Lares Trek and Salkantay Trek. Or arrive in adventurous fashion after mountain biking, rafting and ziplining to get your heart racing.

There are easier hikes as well if you’d prefer a gentler option (or you have less time to spend). Try a one-day hike rather than the complete Inca Trail or soak up the astonishing scenery on the Salkantay route without having to walk the whole thing, with a day trip from Cusco to the Humantay glacial lake. There are other challenges to tackle as well, including the unusual stripes of Vinicunca, better-known as Rainbow Mountain.

For another taste of the Andes, Huascarán National Park is home to the world’s highest tropical mountain range, and you’ll have perfect conditions to walk here as well, overshadowed by snowy peaks and overlooking blue mountain lagoons. Kuelap, called the Machu Picchu of the north and once home to the Warriors of the Cloud Forest, has its own dramatic mountain home and it’s easy to team this with the Gocta Falls, one of the world’s highest waterfalls.

Or head to the Colca Canyon where it’s one of the best months to see condors soaring on the thermals, especially if you arrive in the mornings – combine it with Arequipa, a visit to the Nazca Lines or a stay at Lake Titicaca. It’s busier than ever there this month, although you can escape out onto the world’s highest lake itself on an island-hopping trip. For another boat trip with a difference, head to the Amazon and the Tambopata National Reserve, where you can explore the rainforest along the river.

If you’re looking for beaches, it can be cool and foggy around Lima, including in the capital itself, but there’s sun to be found further north at Máncora.

Festivals: There’s a month of festivities based on indigenous traditions which build up to Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, on June 24, marking the Winter Solstice, for a chance to see what the original Inca celebrations might have been like.

Best for: Visiting Inca sites, trekking and hiking, condors in the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon

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