WE RECOMMEND:
- Casual dress in Lima.
- For Cusco:
- Clothes adequate for rain.
- Comfortable shoes for walking.
- Long sleeve shirts.
- Pants.
- Tee shirts and a jacket.
- Camera.
- Insect repellent and sunblock.
- Lip balm.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy foods, and long walks before acclimatizing.
- Medicine for altitude sickness, as well as stomach problems, after consulting your doctor.
- For Puerto Maldonado:
- Towel, swim suit, sandals, medicines and personal hygiene items
- Gym shoes and hiking boots
- Flashlight with batteries and replacement bulbs
- Hat or ball cap, sun glasses, sunblock
- Insect repellent (40% or more DEET recommended)
- Rain clothes, long sleeve shirts and cotton pants
- Warm clothes in case of a friaje (cold front)
- Binoculars, camera (sufficient film, 400 ISO recommended)
- Large backpack and small day pack, plastic bags
- One bottle of water for the first day
ALTITUDE:
Lima: 154m
City of Cusco: 3,399m
Machu Picchu: 2,400m
Puerto Maldonado: Up to 200m in the high Andean side
WEATHER:
Weather in Lima: summer is December to March which is humid and hot from 19 to 30ºC, winter is June to October which is humid with cloudy skies and cold from 13 to 20ºC, the spring and fall months are pleasant with moderate temperatures and some sunny days.
Weather in Cusco: Summer is considered to be December to March, temperatures reaching 16ºC, cold at night and rainy.
Winter is May to October, with dry weather and an average temperature of 11ºC.
Machu Picchu, has a semi-tropical climate where it rains from November to April. The average temperature in the capital is 12ºC with a maximum of 18ºC and minimum of around 4ºC.
Weather in Puerto Maldonado: From May to October: hot, humid, tropical. December to March: rainy in the summer. Between May an August, the friaje (cold front) is common. The average temperature in the lowlands is 35ºC and 25ºC at night, although friajes can develop with occasional strong rains. This can cause a high temperature of 18ºC during the day and a minimum of 10ºC at night.
GASTRONOMY:
In Lima, the capital of Peru, one can find international, local and vegetarian foods, as well as international franchise fast food restaurants.
In the city of Cusco, to enjoy the local food it is recommended to go to traditional locations such as picaterías and cicherías. One can also find international and vegetarian foods.
WATER:
The water is potable in all of Peru, but the chemicals vary everywhere. Because of this, drinking bottled water is recommended.
