Ancient wonders, modern flavours
Peru brings together Machu Picchu, the colonial streets of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, with Lima’s celebrated restaurants and the wildlife of the Amazon. It suits curious travellers, couples and active families looking for a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Where to go
The Inca citadel high in the cloud forest — reach it by train or on foot along the Inca Trail.
The old Inca capital, with colonial churches, markets and Andean villages along the Urubamba.
A coastal capital famous for ceviche and world-class dining, with clifftop walks in Miraflores.
Floating reed islands and high-altitude villages near Puno.
Rainforest lodges and wildlife trips from Puerto Maldonado.
Culture and customs
Peruvians are courteous and proud of their heritage, and a few words of Spanish are warmly appreciated.
Carry ID. Always carry ID — if police ask and you don’t have it, you may have to go to the nearest police station.
Don’t bring coca home. Coca leaves and coca tea are widely sold in the Andes, but it’s illegal to import them into the UK.
No photos of military sites. Photographing anything military is illegal and can lead to a prison sentence.
Zero tolerance on drugs. Drug offences carry long prison sentences. Pack your own bags and never carry anything for anyone else.
Book taxis, don’t hail them. Use licensed app-based or phone taxis, or ask your hotel to book one, rather than hailing cabs on the street.
Take altitude slowly. Cusco and Puno are above 3,000m. Ascend gradually and allow time to acclimatise.
How far is Peru from you?
Distances are great-circle estimates and flying times are typical, not timetabled. Message us for live fares and routes.
Peru, month by month
Hover overTap a month for average day and night temperatures and rainy days.
Long-term averages from national weather services (Cusco, Lima). Actual weather varies year to year.
Ready-made holidays, coming soon
We’re adding Peru packages you can browse and filter by trip type, length and budget. Until then, tell us what you’d like and we’ll send ideas and prices — usually the same day.
Tell us about your Peru trip
Holiday, flights only or just a hotel — send us the details and our team will come back with options and prices, usually the same day during opening hours.
- Flights issued by our own IATA-accredited team
- Internal flights, transfers and tours arranged
- Visa and passport help from our documents team
- One team to message before, during and after
Read the full official entry requirements
See the official GOV.UK entry requirements for Peru.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Updated automatically from GOV.UK travel advice.
Travelling to Peru — quick answers
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Do I need a visa for Peru with a British passport?
No. You can travel to Peru without a visa for tourism or short visits. You’ll normally be given permission to stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. Your entry is registered digitally on arrival at an international airport, and a separate Lima airport fee (TUUA) applies if you connect through Lima — it isn’t included in airline tickets.
How long is the flight from the UK to Peru?
There are no nonstop flights from the UK at present. Most travellers connect in Madrid, Amsterdam or Paris for a nonstop flight to Lima, with a total journey of around 15 to 17 hours. Cusco is then a short domestic flight from Lima.
When is the best time to visit Peru?
May to September is the dry season in the Andes and the best time for Machu Picchu and Cusco. December to March is the rainy season in the mountains, and the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. Lima and the coast are sunniest from December to April.
Do I need vaccinations or altitude advice for Peru?
TravelHealthPro recommends hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid for most travellers. Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for some Amazon and lowland areas, but not for trips limited to Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. Cusco and Puno are above 2,500m, so ascend gradually. Speak to a travel health professional before you go.
Are there any areas of Peru to avoid?
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the VRAEM (the valleys of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro rivers) and to areas within 20km of the Peru–Colombia border in the Loreto region, with some exceptions. Neither is on the classic Lima–Cusco–Machu Picchu route. Travelling against FCDO advice may invalidate your insurance, so read the latest GOV.UK advice before you go.
Please note: the information on this page is a general guide, checked when it was published. Entry rules, health advice, weather, seasons, flight routes and local conditions can change at any time and vary from person to person, so we can’t accept responsibility for changes or for decisions based on this page alone. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice and official travel health advice before you travel. It is your responsibility to check the entry, health and travel requirements that apply to you before you travel. See our terms and conditions.