Introduction

From the coast’s beaches and cliffs, to the arid desert of the plateau, the high peaks of the Andes and finally the steamy rainforest of the Amazon basin – there is a little bit of everything in Peru. Against this fabulous backdrop Peru can boast some of the most colourful wildlife and one of the most enigmatic histories found anywhere in the world.

The Andes are the land of the condor, while the Amazonian forest contains the myriad creatures that make up that incredible eco-system, including pink dolphins, spider monkeys and the tropical caiman. Everywhere we can find evidence of the ancient tribes and civilisations that grew, lived and died here.

Most famous among these is, of course, the Incas. This amazingly sophisticated civilisation came to prominence in the 15th century and in just one hundred short years had established a culture that spanned the whole costa and even encroached on the most inaccessible peaks of the Andes. The most famous symbol of this age is of course, Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, located high in the Andes.

Although colonial rule didn’t suit the Peruvian people, for obvious reasons, Peru and its cities were once the pride of the Spanish Empire, and this is borne out in the pristine colonial architecture you find in Lima, Trujillo and most noticeably Arequipa.

For the visitor Peru is just about perfect; history, culture and natural beauty in equal measure.

Weather

Being an equatorial country of equable climate there is no specific season that is better than any other in Ecuador – although it still has the wet and dry seasons typical of the continent. The main climate variations are based on the area of the country you are visiting more than the time of year.

The mountains are cooler and wetter, the coast hot and dry and the Amazonian region is high in humidity.

High tourist season for foreigners is June, July and August with a shorter season in December and January. The Costa remains busy between January and June however, when it is at its hottest, as the Ecuadorians tend to holiday in this interim. The Galapagos islands are warm year round, but the rainy season in the first three months of the year is less popular with visitors – although the islands are ironically at their lushest and arguably most beautiful during the latter part of this period.

Average Weather Guide:

Temperature in Degrees Centigrade

Rainfall in Millimetres

The tables above are intended as guidelines only.