Cuzco Oil Painting

Cuzco Oil Painting

Peru is one of those fantastic destinations that can be visited on a year-round basis. However, arguably the best time to visit is May to November when the dry season makes walking Peru a much more pleasurable pursuit. But if you brave the wet season of December to April, although you'll get showers in the afternoon you'll also discover beautiful Andean Christmas festivals, rare wildflowers and fewer crowds. There's a Peru for every season and here are some of the highlights for each:

Spring

In terms of the weather, the beginning of spring is thought to be the most preferable time to visit Peru as it is neither unbearably hot, nor damp and dismal. Arrive in the country around the second week of March and you can time walking Peru with the colourful Easter celebrations and Lord of the Earthquakes festival, both celebrated in Cuzco. The Lord of the Earthquakes festival has been celebrated since 1650 when it was believed that an oil painting of Christ held off a devastating earthquake that was encroaching on the city of Cuzco. The celebration gives visitors a glimpse of the fusion of ancient Andean religions and Christianity. The painting of Christ is housed in an ancient temple dedicated to the Pagan god - Apulla Tikse Wiracocha, but the Holy Week celebrations taking place around the ancient fiesta are typically Christian.

Summer

Summer coincides with the festival of Inti Raymi and many tourists choose to go walking Peru around the time of this festival which coincidentally celebrates the winter solstice. Summer in the northern hemisphere is winter time in the southern hemisphere, and the local harvests in the area are the driving force behind Peru's biggest festival. The festival honours the sun and, in particular, the God of the Sun, Inti Raymi. This ancient festival takes place in the town of Sacsayhuman, 2 km outside the city of Cuzco. The town can be easily reached on foot and as most Peru walking trips start in Cuzco, it is advisable to visit the festival before your walking tour begins.

Autumn

While the leaves are turning golden and falling off the trees in the northern hemisphere, Peru is celebrating new life with the International Spring Festival. This time of year is one of the most popular times for tourists to visit, and Peru walking companies make the most of the sunny spring weather on their treks around Machu Picchu and along the Inca Trail. The International Spring Festival isn't just celebrated in one area of Peru - it takes place all over the country and the celebrations close to the Amazon Rainforest are considered to be some of the most colourful.

Winter

It's easy to forget that winter in the northern hemisphere is the opposite to the southern hemisphere, so one thing you might not expect to do while walking Peru is to stroll around Christmas markets drinking hot mulled wine and selecting nativity figurines. However, that's exactly what you will be doing on a Peru walking trip in December, except for the fact that your hot mulled wine is more likely to be ponche - a hot and sweet rum punch. The Santuranticuy fair takes place in Cuzco throughout December and, although Christmas is celebrated, presents are not normally exchanged until January 6th when the Epiphany is celebrated.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 90 different countries. While walking Peru with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.