Peru is located south of the equator. Therefore, the seasons are exactly the opposite of Europe. However, only two seasons are different in Peru: dry season (winter, May - November) and rainy season (summer, December - April). No matter in which region you are, spring or autumn like ours does not exist. Despite summer or winter, the temperatures in the different regions are serious.
Especially in the higher regions, the nights in winter can be very cold. Snowfall is not uncommon. The coldest months are July and August. For trekking, these months offer the best conditions. Nevertheless, temperatures in the Amazon region of at least 28 degrees prevail - usually the thermometer exceeds the limit of 35 degrees and more.
So what about a trip to Peru during the dry season and end up in the warm Amazon, before you return to the German autumn? At least that's how I did it. I was in Peru from the beginning of September until the beginning of October. For me the perfect travel time - at least that's what I felt. Although I have only experienced Lima in the fog, as humid and rarely with sun.
If you do not feel like reading the whole article in a nutshell:
When is the best time to go to Peru?
The best travel time for the coast: December - February, also okay: March - November
The best travel time for the highlands and the Andes: May - September, from October - April feasible, Inca Trail in February but closed.
Best travel time for hikes are July - September
High season is from May to September. Then in the highlands dry season, but the next can be very cold.
My advice:
Ideal is the travel time "between" the season, which means the months of September - mid-December and mid-March to May.
I was in Peru from early September to early October. These months are also ideal for hiking. The advantage is that the nights are not quite so cold, but it can rain more often. These rain (rather summer rain) a day were the real relief for hikes. We had really heavy rains only at night. These, too, were a redemption, since on the next day the dust on the ground was no longer so much agitated, and the breathing fell easier when walking.
More tips and travel stories for Peru:
Travel report for 4 weeks Peru
All travel stories & tips for your Peru trip
Best travel time for trekking in Peru
The best travel time for trekking is the months of June and August. Then it is dry, but the nights can be very cold. The dry season in the highlands is from May to September. Temperatures often fall below 0 degrees. On the Salkantay trek, the trek or the Rainbow Mountains, snowfall is not a rarity. These months are, however, also the high season and main tourist time for tourists.
You should avoid the rainy season from the middle of December to the end of February. The Inka Trail is closed in February anyway, but the Salkantay is walkable. Our guides, however, advised us not to come in December, since even after Choquequirao heavy rains make the steep paths uphill and downhill very dangerous. Not for nothing are some crosses here ...
Landslides happen more frequently. We have experienced one. But still a bit away.
In the Rainbow Mountains there is snow. In July and August very much, in the end of September on my visit only in the morning. Then the sun came out and the snow melted quickly.
Rainy season in Peru
The Peruvian summer lasts from December to March. Then a lot of rain falls, you are in the middle of the rainy season. In February, the Inca Trail is completely closed. All other (several-day) hikes are then possible, but it is strongly discouraged. There may be landslides that have already cost sacrifices (I have seen crosses of victims at the Choquequirao). Streets are often impassable.
Many arguments for a trip during the rainy season are that Peru is then beautifully green and the sun nevertheless almost always seems. That's true, of course. Above all, you can avoid the tourist masses. But: If you plan to walk, I recommend you to avoid other months. I found September / October optimal and also not so crowded.