Peru

A coastal country of jungles and highlands, Peru is home to the Incas and one of the most visited countries in Latin America. Upon arrival, you will be captivated by the unique culture, gastronomy, and traditions. A plethora of tours in Peru await your discovery. With Howlanders, make the most of your trip and see why Morrissey once said “Peru, Peru, my heart’s lighthouse.”

Main destinations in Peru

• Colca Canyon: The fourth deepest canyon on earth and an essential tour if you are visiting Arequipa, the white city of Peru.
• Amazon: A vacation in Peru is not complete without visiting the Amazon. See the most popular jungle destinations, Iquitos, followed by Puerto Maldonado, and Manu National Park.
• Lake Titicaca: How can you leave Peru without visiting the highest lake in the world? Discover the floating islands of the Uros and stay with local communities. At Howlanders, you’ll find several excursions in Puno to discover Lake Titicaca.
• Cuzco: The capital of the Inca empire is Peru’s must-see destination and where many travelers spend a week. You’ll find tours ranging from all-day visits to the Rainbow Mountain to multi-day tours of Machu Picchu.

Sitting at the top of every traveler’s list is Machu Picchu. Without a doubt, the city’s allure and fame are well-deserved.

At Howlanders, we offer a variety of tours to Machu Picchu, categorized into two groups:

• Machu Picchu Train Tours: These tours feature the iconic scenic train connecting Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu. We offer a one-day tour, a two-day tour, and the most popular: Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley 2-Day Tour.
• Trekking to Machu Picchu: These are trekking routes with a duration of several days. Each trek leads into the Andean mountain range, traverses the whimsical cloud forest, and culminates with an ascent to Machu Picchu. Both the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the Salkantay trek routes are routinely booked and daresay, are iconic routes. 

If you are planning a trip to Peru, there are a few crucial details to keep in mind.

This country is located in the southern hemisphere therefore, the seasons are as follows:

• Fall: March 22 - June 21
• Winter: June 22nd - September 22nd
• Spring: September 23 - December 21
• Summer: December 22nd - March 21st

🌞 It’s important to take into account the regions you’ll be visiting, due to the various climates corresponding to each zone, for example, the Andean zone (Cuzco) vs. the jungle (Iquitos). Cuzco is located at 11,155 ft above sea level (3,400 m) with the high altitude creating cool nights meanwhile, Iquitos is located near the jungle, resulting in a consistent tropical climate with temperatures ranging between 85℉ and 90℉ with rain interspersed. Peru’s climate is divided into two seasons; the rainy season, from January to April, is the warmest and it usually rains in the afternoons, while the dry season lasts from May to December and is cooler with very little rain. In the Amazon region, the climate is hot throughout the year, the rainy season is from November to May, with heavy rains of short duration, and usually occurring throughout the afternoon. From June to October the probability of rain is much lower and the heat is less stifling.

The local currency is the Peruvian Sol. One US dollar ($) is equivalent to 3.80 soles.

Peru is in the GMT-5 time zone. That is, 12:00 pm in New York is 11:00 pm in Lima, or 8:30 am in Los Angeles is 10:30 am in Lima.  

🥄 Must-try dishes of Peruvian gastronomy? Ceviche, lomo saltado, aji de gallina, and papa huancaína!

😰 In areas like Cusco (3,399 meters above sea level), you may have difficulties adjusting to the altitude, resulting in altitude sickness or soroche (as they call it there). Symptoms of altitude sickness include: headaches, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, difficulty breathing, and a lack of appetite. To combat this, avoid overeating and get plenty of rest. Locals may offer you cocoa leaves, to reduce the symptoms, however, you can also purchase medicine to combat altitude sickness in any pharmacy.