Peru travel guide 2025: Machu Picchu, safety, best time

TL;DR:

Dry season May–Oct is best for Andes trekking. Amazon peaks Nov–Apr.
Machu Picchu tickets are timed by circuit on the state site.
Daily capacity varies by season. Buy weeks in advance.
Inca Trail permits are capped and sell out early.
Peru is Level 2 advisory for crime and unrest. Stay alert.

This is a clear Peru primer for 2025. You will learn the best time to go, how Machu Picchu tickets work now, sample itineraries, health and safety basics, and on-the-ground tips that save time and stress.

When to go

Peru spans the coast, Andes, and Amazon, so seasons vary.

Andes and Machu Picchu. The dry season runs roughly from May to October. Trails are firmer, skies clearer, and crowds heavier in June–August. Shoulder months May and September bring good weather with fewer people.
Amazon (Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado). The rainy season from November to April raises river levels, which helps wildlife viewing by canoe. Expect frequent showers.

Quick season table

Region	Better months	Tough months	Why
Andes (Cusco, Sacred Valley, MP)	May–Oct	Jan–Mar	Dry paths vs heavy rain
Coast (Lima, Paracas)	Dec–Apr	Jun–Sep	Summer sun vs cool garúa
Amazon	Nov–Apr	May–Oct	High rivers vs hotter, lower water

Safety and health at altitude

Peru is at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and civil unrest. Check your route and avoid protests. Keep copies of documents and use licensed taxis or rideshare.

Cusco sits at 3,400 m. Spend your first day easy, drink water, and avoid heavy alcohol. Talk to your doctor about acetazolamide if you have prior altitude issues. The CDC advises gradual ascent to reduce acute mountain sickness.

Vaccines are routine plus trip-specific. Yellow fever is not needed for Lima, Cusco, or day trips to Machu Picchu, but it is advised for parts of the Amazon.

Machu Picchu in 2025: tickets, circuits, capacity

You no longer free-roam the citadel. Entry is timed and tied to a specific circuit. Buy only on the official Ministry of Culture platform. Allocate train and bus times around your slot.

Where to buy: tuboleto.cultura.pe (official). Many operators link to it.
Capacity: High season has more daily entries than low season. In 2025, low season windows reduce capacity and close select sub-routes to protect trails. Expect stricter time tolerance at the gate.
Getting up the mountain: The Consettur shuttle runs every few minutes from Aguas Calientes to the entrance. Tickets are flexible by time, so line up early enough to meet your entry slot.

Inca Trail permits

If you want to hike the Inca Trail, permits are capped around 500 per day including guides and porters, so only about 200 are for trekkers. You must go with a licensed operator. Popular months sell out months ahead.

Perfect 7–10 day Peru routes

Classic Andes, 9 days

Day 1–2: Lima. Eat in Barranco or Miraflores, visit the Larco Museum.
Day 3: Fly Lima → Cusco, transfer to Sacred Valley to sleep lower. See Pisac market and ruins.
Day 4: Sacred Valley. Chinchero textiles, Moray terraces, Maras salt pans.
Day 5: Train to Aguas Calientes. Evening soak, early night.
Day 6: Machu Picchu. Morning circuit, return to Cusco. Book tickets and trains first.
Day 7: Cusco city. Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha.
Day 8: Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake day trip, or museum day.
Day 9: Fly out.

Andes + Amazon, 10 days

Follow days 1–7 above, then
Days 8–10: Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos lodge for canopy walks and river wildlife. Pick lodges with included transfers and boats. Amazon is wetter Nov–Apr.

Booking checklist for Machu Picchu day

Buy an entry ticket for your chosen circuit and time.
Book train to and from Aguas Calientes that fits your slot.
Buy Consettur bus tickets or plan to hike up.
Carry passport, printed or offline ticket, and be at the gate within the allowed tolerance.

Money, transport, and connectivity

The currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN). ATMs are common in cities. Many places take cards, but carry small bills for markets and rural stops.

Domestic flights connect Lima with Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca, and Iquitos. Build buffer time if you have a same-day train or permit.

Buy a local SIM at Lima Airport or in town, or set up eSIM before flying. Intercity coaches and PeruRail or Inca Rail trains cover most tourist legs.

Packing list

Soft duffel or carry-on, plus daypack.
Layers, rain jacket, warm hat for Andean nights.
Hiking shoes with tread.
Sunblock, hat, and insect repellent for the Amazon.
Reusable bottle, electrolytes, basic meds, and copies of bookings.
Small bills for tips and markets.

Common mistakes

Do not plan Machu Picchu before ticket and train times. Do not go from sea level to a big hike on day one in Cusco. Do not assume free-roam entry at the site. Do not ignore protests or roadblocks posted by local authorities.

Why it matters

Peru rewards planning. Timed entry, seasonal capacity, and altitude can trip up first-timers. With the right season, tickets, and pace, you get smooth days, better photos, and fewer surprises.