For travelers searching for a luxury travel guide to Peru, leveraging local expertise is essential to making sure you don’t miss a thing. Peruvian native Mery Calderón—founder of Cusco-based luxury travel company Kuoda Travel—has spent over two decades crafting bespoke itineraries across the country. Since launching her company in 2004, she has designed thousands of high-end journeys, positioning herself as a true local expert in Peru travel planning, Machu Picchu access, and Sacred Valley luxury experiences.

With tourism to Peru surpassing four million visitors annually, planning a seamless journey now requires more than a checklist—it demands on-the-ground expertise. From knowing the best time to visit Machu Picchu to securing hotels with oxygen support at high altitude, Calderón and her team specialize in designing deeply personalized itineraries that avoid crowds and offer access to authentic cultural moments.

Calderón began her career with five-star training at Belmond Monasterio in Cusco before identifying a gap in the market for immersive, high-touch travel. “I wanted to create journeys that move at the guest’s pace and offer deeper cultural immersion,” she explains. What truly distinguishes Kuoda is access. Decades-long relationships open doors unavailable to most travelers—think private dinners in a chef’s home or unique Andean ceremonies—experiences that add memorable depth to a standard Peru itinerary.

Travel to Peru is on the upswing and these are Calderon’s most up-to-date expert tips on visiting Peru:

The Best Time To Visit Peru

When planning a Peru travel itinerary, timing is key. According to Calderón, there’s no single “best” time—only what aligns with your travel style. June through August marks peak season in Cusco, coinciding with festivals like Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun). These months offer dry weather but come with colder temperatures and larger crowds—important considerations for those planning a Machu Picchu trip.

For a balance of pleasant weather and fewer tourists, Calderón recommends the shoulder season from March to May. “The landscapes are lush and green, the weather is milder, and the high season hasn’t yet begun,” she notes. This window is often ideal for travelers seeking a refined Sacred Valley itinerary without peak-season congestion.

The Best Time to Visit Peru Without Crowds

If you are prioritizing privacy and exclusivity, Calderón notes that the rainy season (December through February) can be surprisingly appealing. While rainfall is more frequent, visitor numbers drop significantly, offering a quieter experience at major sites. “If your goal is to explore the Andes with as few people as possible, this can be a rewarding time,” says Calderón. The trade-off is potential weather disruptions, but for flexible travelers, the payoff is a more intimate Peru travel experience.

“Honestly,” notes Calderón, “there isn’t really a bad time to visit Peru, and the best months for each individual really depends on their travel preferences.” Calderón’s personal preference would be the shoulder season from March to May. “These as months are toward the end of the rainy season, and so everything is still very fresh and green, the nights are less chilly, but less chance of rain than what you’ll find during the rainy season of December - February. Also, this is before the high season picks up.”

How Far In Advance Should You Plan A Peru Trip?

Advance planning is essential for a seamless Peruvian itinerary, especially if Machu Picchu is on your list. Calderón advises booking at least three to six months in advance—particularly for peak travel periods like June or the December holidays. Says Calderón, “Machu Picchu permits have been selling out months in advance, especially the most complete circuits of the citadel. If Machu Picchu isn’t on your list (which for some people, it’s not, as Peru is more than just Machu Picchu), you can plan a trip with much less notice.” For travelers skipping Machu Picchu, timelines can be more flexible, though early planning still ensures access to the best guides, hotels, and experiences.

Essential Peru Travel Tips: Altitude, Culture, and Logistics

A successful and enjoyable trip to Peru is about more than just the itinerary, it also requires physical preparation for the realities of the journey. Altitude is one of the biggest challenges. Cusco sits at 11,500 feet, significantly higher than Machu Picchu at 7,900 feet. Calderón recommends consulting a doctor about altitude medication like Diamox and staying well hydrated. Roads in the Andes are steep and winding, so if motion sickness is an issue for you, best to travel with Dramamine. For natural remedies, she suggests muña (Andean mint) tea over coca tea. “Muña is more effective for headaches and nausea and won’t disrupt sleep,” she explains. Travelers should also embrace a slower pace. “Peru operates differently from the U.S. or Europe,” Calderón notes. “Letting go of rigid schedules allows for a more meaningful experience.

She also suggests that shoppers skip the bargaining with vendors, “The difference often ends up being a trifle, 10–20 soles ($3–$6). For the vendors that 10–20 soles can mean an extra meal or two for their family, so even if you feel the price is slightly inflated, I recommend paying the stated price.”

Unique Sacred Valley Experiences and Machu Picchu Alternatives

For those seeking unique things to do in Peru beyond Machu Picchu, Kuoda’s curated experiences in the Sacred Valley offer extraordinary access. One of the most immersive is participating in a traditional Andean wedding ceremony. Getting married at 13,000 feet above the Sacred Valley is unique enough, but Kuoda’s offering goes much deeper. Calderón spent years building a relationship with a tight-knit Andean community that was initially skeptical of working with visitors. After numerous conversations, the community agreed to work with Kuoda guests to recreate a traditional Andean wedding ceremony. The experience offers an authentic immersion into a traditional ritual (read: the priest will read your koka leaves and guinea pig is served at the wedding feast). For those focused on gastronomy, consider Kuoda’s partnership with Chef Tatiana Mendoza Mujica. Mujica usually only opens her home to students at the Culinary Institute of America, but she will host Kuoda clients because of her decades-long relationship with Mery Calderón. Guests are invited in for an exquisite private dining experience (and cooking classes if desired). Most of the menu comes from her beautiful garden and Mujica’s technique-driven cuisine is as photographic as it is delicious.