Peru In September (Your Ultimate 2026 Guide)

Is It Worth Visiting Peru In September?

Quick Answer: September easily ranks within the top two months for a trip around the country, and for many good reasons.

Firstly the weather is still great, as rainfall doesn’t yet fall until the latter stages of October, which makes for ideal hiking conditions around the Andes and Amazon Jungle regions. Temperatures will also begin to warm up as we leave the cooler winter months behind, which is especially felt when in higher altitude regions like Cusco and Huaraz. Regardless you’ll still want to pack a range of both thin and thick clothes if planning to visit various destinations throughout Peru.

Peru in September also marks the shoulder season for the country, so we can expect less crowds than what we had in previous winter months (such as the month of June). This makes it a great time to head on hikes like the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and around Rainbow Mountain, given there will be less crowds around. Some of the more popular cities like Cusco, Lima and Arequipa will also be less crowded than usual.

Important Things To Know:

• September is still a relatively dry month, even as we move into the Spring for Peru.
• Crowds will be less as we move deep into September, which is ideal for seeing popular sites without the crowds.
• Temperatures begin to warm up around the country as we move out of the cooler winter season.

The Pros Of Visiting Peru In September:

• Hiking routes like the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek will still be great to hike, without as many crowds around.
• Temperatures around the country are warmer and ideal for getting outdoors.
• All destinations around Peru (along the coast, Andes and Amazon regions) are great to visit.

The Cons Of Visiting Peru In September:

• There can still be some crowds in the early weeks of September, so those after a more authentic experience will prefer the latter weeks of the month.
• Temperatures in high altitude areas will still be cold, so be sure to pack many layers when in these areas.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Peru In September

Below we’ll now explore what Peru in September is like. This includes what the weather will be like, the best things to do during this month as well as a solid Peru packing list for September.

Best Things To Do In Peru In September

Along with Peru in April, September is also one of the overall best months to explore this diverse South American country. Given there will be less crowds than previous months (as well as great weather still), it’s an ideal time to visit those must-see bucket list items with less tourists around. This includes visiting Machu Picchu on the iconic Four Day Inca Trail Trek, as well as Colca Canyon in Arequipa and the scenic Huacachina Desert.

If you’re after an even more authentic trip, then consider visiting some of the lesser-known regions of Peru in September which promise even less crowds. This includes Chachapoyas in the north where we can see the majestic Kuelap Ruins and roaring Gocta Waterfalls, as well as the coastal cities of Trujillo and Chiclayo for their mix of culture, surfing scenes and great food. Domestic flights with airlines like Sky and LATAM are very cheap, so it’s easy to get around Peru both quickly and without breaking the bank.

The Weather Of Peru In September 

During September we can start to see a change in the weather and climate patterns around the country, marking a slight difference from August in Peru.

Most noticeably, temperatures begin to warm-up as we move out of the cool winter and into the spring season for the country. This is mostly felt when up in the high altitude Andes, as the nights won’t be as chilly as they were in June or July. However as you’ll see in our packing list later on, it’s still important to bring thick layers anyhow. Temperatures will also be nicer when around Lima and in destinations along the coast (such as Paracas, Chiclayo and Piura).

The final month of the dry season, September is still absent of rain for the majority of the country. This makes it great for hiking, given showers are very rare for this month up in the Andes. Areas like Lima and the coast will be even drier (it’s quite possible that you’ll experience zero rainfall in these areas on your trip in this month), although the Amazon Jungle of course will have some rainfall – although it’s relatively low compared to what will come between November and April.

Packing List For Peru In September 

The packing list for September is quite similar to what we’ll find for the main months of the dry season, even though we are crossing into the shoulder season for Peru.

This means we will need a solid combination of both thin and thicker layers, a poncho (for the Amazon and the unlikely chance you’ll get a shower in the Andes) as well as specific equipment if planning on hiking or undertaking different types of activities. Below we’ll share an ideal starting point for getting together your own Peru packing list.

• Thin layers (such as Shorts and T-Shirts).
• Swimming trunks / Bikini.
• A warm coat.
• Thick layers (several jumpers and a coat).
• Comfortable hiking boots for treks.
• A baseball cap or Andean hat (especially needed in the Andes where the sun is more intense).
• A hand towel.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sun and glare (both for the Pacific Coast and high altitude Andean regions).
• High SPF sunscreen (we suggest using a minimum of SPF 30 when hiking).
• Be sure to bring a thick hat, scarf, and gloves for Andean hikes.
• Insect Repellent (especially in the latter stages of the month, or if spending more time in rainforest regions).
• A reusable water bottle.
• A day pack to hold everything you need during your treks and day trips.
• A quality camera or mobile phone.
• Medication for personal use.
• Padlocks which you can use for your bags when on longer treks or on public transport.
• Charging adaptors and power banks
• Extra batteries for your camera.

A Breakdown Of Peruvian Regions In September

Are you still wondering what each particular destination will be like in September? Although we can’t cover them all in just one post (there’s hundreds throughout Peru), below we’ll explore the main destinations and what to expect with each.

The Coastal Regions

September marks the start of the warming-up for the coastal regions of Peru, although it will still be quite cool in the south. This is the case for destinations like Lima, Paracas and Huacachina, where we will still need a jumper come the evenings. In the capital we can begin to experience a few more sunny blue skies, and tourist crowds in the southern areas will begin dropping as we reach the final weeks for September. Areas further north along the Pacific Coasts (such as Mancora and Chiclayo) will be great to visit this month – where temperatures will be nice and not too hot as they can get later in the year. Make sure to keep reapplying sunscreen regardless of how the temperatures feel, given the Peruvian sun is much more intense in these parts.

The Andes Regions

Out of the three regions of Peru, perhaps the Andes is the one that will begin to see the most changes in September (and especially in the latter weeks of the month). Although temperatures will still be cold at night, they’ll feel much better when compared with months like July around Peru. Rainfall will still be more or less absent too, so hiking around regions like Cusco, Huaraz and Arequipa is still very ideal during September. Perhaps the most notable difference for this month is how tourist crowds begin to slow-down in the final weeks of September and early weeks of October. This makes iconic destinations like Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain much better to visit, given there will be less crowds and queues to contend with.

The Amazon Jungle Regions

Still within the dry season for the Peruvian Amazon, September marks another ideal month to head on wildlife treks and experiences in these diverse regions. It’s the last month before the heavier rains begin to arrive, so it’s best for walking tours and seeing rare mammals such as Jaguars and Coati that prefer to walk along the exposed river banks. It’s important to know that temperatures are hotter in September compared with the latter months, so you’ll want to bring lots of water with you, thin layers as well as high SPF sunscreen. The main advantage of visiting the Amazon in September is that crowds will be less than what we had in previous months such as July and August – so is ideal for heading to the more popular destinations of Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado without so many crowds.

Our Top Tips For Visiting Peru In September 

Overall September is a great month for exploring all of the different regions and destinations throughout Peru, and as such it’s worth trying to combine them on a single trip here. Ideally you would need a couple of weeks, where you will be able to visit Lima and the nearby Pacific towns, go hiking around Cusco and on the Four Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, as well as seeing exotic wildlife within Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado.

If possible, we highly suggest planning your trip within the final two weeks of September. During this period we can note a rapid decline in the amount of crowds and overall tourism to the country, given this is when summer vacations usually finish. Instead we will find much smaller queues and groups on the more popular destinations, and will be better for experiencing cities like Cusco and Lima with a more authentic ambience. You’ll also get to have slightly warmer temperatures than in earlier weeks, without having to worry about the rains that arrive in later months.

Now while September is a shoulder season month and will be less popular than months like June and July, it’s still worth planning your trip in advance. This means booking flights and accommodation at least a few months before you visit to get better prices, and especially for the usually popular areas like Cusco and Lima. Popular bucket list destinations and experiences are also worth booking in advance, such as the Salkantay Trek (aim to book at least 4 months in advance) as well as the Inca Trail (aim for 4-6 months in advance).

Overview Of Visiting Peru In September 

And that’s all for this guide to visiting Peru in September.

As we begin to leave the cooler, dry winter months behind, September still allows us to enjoy Peru before the rainy weather arrives later in the year. This month as a result is one of the best of the entire year for exploring all areas of the country on a single trip, and as such it’s worth trying to fit as much in as you possibly can!

One of the best things to do during this month is to go hiking around the Andes, as rainfall is minimal and temperatures begin to get warmer. Book in your Four Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu hike now for the most unforgettable experience from Cusco – where we will explore ancient ruins, camp under starlit skies and see endemic wildlife of the region along the way.