What to do in December in Peru ?

December is a significant month for Peruvians, as Christmas and New Year are celebrated, in addition to being the beginning of summer. Although the weather can be unpredictable, there are many festivities, such as:

1. Walking through the streets of different cities
2. Visiting Chavín
3. Exploring the Huascarán National Park
4. The Citadel of Machu Picchu
5. The mud city of Chan Chan
6. Etc.

Places to Travel in December in Peru

December is a great month to travel to Peru, as it allows you to enjoy the summer on the coast and the cool climate in the Andes, with places like Lima and Paracas offering ideal beaches and landscapes for relaxation.

Machu Picchu - Cusco

This destination amazes with its imposing structures and additional attractions that enrich the visit. Besides the citadel, the surroundings offer breathtaking landscapes and a fascinating history to explore.

Without a doubt, Machu Picchu is a place that captivates with its beauty and cultural heritage.

• Walking through the streets of Machu Picchu allows you to discover this village surrounded by mountains that give it a unique touch. Its panoramic views and the tranquility of the place create a special experience where nature and culture come together.
• The rock circuit surprises with carvings that show figures such as Pachamama, the Inca, and the woman, reflecting the connection to Andean culture.
• The Aguas Calientes artisan market offers alpaca and vicuña fiber garments, as well as jewelry, making it a perfect place to find authentic regional products.
• The thermal baths, perfect for relaxing after visiting the Inca citadel, offer a revitalizing experience.
• The Manuel Chávez Ballón Museum, seldom visited, exhibits over 250 objects found in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, including ceramics and photographs of the discovery, allowing a deeper understanding of its history.
• The Machu Picchu Butterfly House lets you discover local butterfly species and their life cycle, from eggs to their transformation into butterflies.
• The Allcamayo waterfall is an impressive natural place, ideal for relaxing and enjoying its landscape, as well as swimming in its crystal-clear waters.

Explore the city of Cusco

In Cusco, you can see important constructions like Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, and Tambomachay, which showcase the grandeur of Inca architecture and its history.

During December, the locals prepare for Christmas by setting up a nativity scene in the Plaza de Armas with figures from the Mendivil family, while the streets and markets are decorated with festive motifs.

A notable tradition is Santurantikuy, where artisans sell saints and herbs for the nativity scenes, reflecting the local art and customs, while churches compete for the most beautiful nativity scene.

Áncash - Chavín Archaeological Site

This ceremonial and religious center, declared a World Heritage Site in 1985, offers insight into its history and the hidden messages in its constructions. It was a key place for worshipping the gods.

• The temples and galleries of Chavín include the Old Temple and the New Temple, surrounded by round and square plazas. These structures showcase the trunk-pyramid architecture, helping to understand the complex's organization.

• The Lanzón Monolítico is the most important sculpture of the Chavín culture, a stone carved in the shape of a lance that represents the Smiling God. With a height of 5 meters, it symbolizes the seasons and the fertility of the land, being venerated by ancient inhabitants for centuries.

• The Raimondi Stela, found at the site, features an anthropomorphic figure with two staffs, claws on the hands and feet, and a headdress of snakes. This 2-meter-high monolith, which bears similarities to the god Wiracocha of Bolivia, is an important find of the Chavín culture.
  

• The headclaves, located outside the Castillo, are believed to have served to protect the sacred site. Although some were lost due to looting and the passage of time, one original headclave remains in its original location.

Huascarán National Park - Áncash

This place, declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, is home to glaciers that exceed 6,000 meters above sea level and more than 650 glaciers, making it one of the largest and most spectacular glacier systems on the planet.

It is also home to a great variety of species, such as birds, spectacled bears, pumas, and Andean foxes, making it an exceptional destination for nature lovers, with five impressive locations that stand out for their turquoise waters, making this site an unforgettable destination.

• The Parón Lagoon, the largest in the Cordillera Blanca, is surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks over 5,000 meters in altitude, offering a spectacular view.
• Laguna 69 is famous for its turquoise waters, making it an unmissable destination for nature lovers.
• Churup Lagoon is another beautiful destination in the Cordillera Blanca, known for its turquoise and green waters.
• The Nevado Pastoruri, located 5,000 meters above sea level, is perfect for extreme adventure lovers, as you can see snow and even experience snowfalls.
• The Raimondi Puyas, which grow in the Huascarán National Park, are a unique natural wonder in the world, with a lifespan ranging from 40 to 120 years, blooming only once.
• The Laguna Chinancocha also stands out for its vibrant turquoise color, surrounded by mountains and bushes, creating an impressive landscape.

Chan Chan Archaeological Complex

Chan Chan, the largest mud city in the Americas, is located in Trujillo and is recognized as both a National and World Heritage Site. Its name "Sol-Sol" refers to its great historical and cultural significance in northern Peru.

This ancient city stretches between 200 and 400 meters in length, distinguished by its trapezoidal walls reaching up to 12 meters in height. Exploring its structures allows one to dive into the history of pre-Inca civilizations, revealing the level of development of its inhabitants.

Visiting Chan Chan is not only a unique experience but also an opportunity to learn about the engineering and organization of its people. The city showcases the cultural richness of the region and how its inhabitants left a mark on Peru's history.

By exploring Chan Chan, visitors can appreciate the magnitude of a civilization that thrived in ancient times, offering a deep insight into pre-Inca history and the impressive architectural capabilities of its creators.

Manu National Park - Madre de Dios and Cusco

This natural space, with the greatest biological diversity in the world, is home to hundreds of species of fauna and flora. It spans the regions of Cusco and Madre de Dios, becoming a unique ecosystem.

This place has several natural sites to visit, such as:

• The Cloud Forest, known for being the place with the greatest biodiversity in the world, is located between the regions of Cusco and Madre de Dios, housing a wide variety of fauna and flora species.
• The Macaw Clay Licks, natural formations containing salty earth, are essential to the diet of various birds and mammals that visit the area.
• Cocha Machuhuasi, a lagoon with mysterious waters, offers an impressive yet somewhat eerie view, as it is home to crocodiles, monkeys, river wolves, capybaras, and many other species.
• By visiting the cultural area, you’ll have the chance to meet the people of Atalaya, taste the traditional hen broth, and travel to Salvación, where you can interact with the locals and enjoy a boat ride on the Cocha Machuhuasi Lake, surrounded by birds, immersing yourself in the authenticity of this vibrant and traditional Amazonian region.

Historic Center of Lima

Lima, known as the City of Kings, houses some of the best examples of Spanish colonial architecture in South America. As the capital of Peru, it is a place filled with history and culture, offering a wide range of sites to explore, from museums to historical areas that reflect its diversity and richness.

• Main Square, in the heart of Lima, is an iconic place that is not only the historical center of the city, but is also surrounded by some of the most important buildings, such as the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, and various typical Peruvian food stalls, where you can try the best of local cuisine while enjoying the colonial atmosphere.
• Chinatown is a must-see destination for food lovers, especially if you're a fan of chifa, the fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine.
• The Colonial Catacombs, located beneath the Church of San Francisco, are one of Lima's most fascinating sites, a place full of history and mystery.
• The Wall Park, originally designed to protect Lima from possible attacks, is now a public park offering a blend of history and recreation.

Nazca Lines and Hieroglyphs - Ica

From the heights, you can observe the impressive geometric, zoomorphic, and anthropomorphic figures created by the Paracas and Nazca cultures, which were likely ancient roads that connected different ceremonial sites.

• Flying over the Nazca Lines is a unique and impressive experience, as to fully appreciate the magnitude of these enigmatic figures, a flight in a small plane is necessary.
• If you're someone who feels uncomfortable with heights, the Nazca Lines Viewpoint offers an excellent alternative.

Visit Lake Titicaca - Puno,

The highest navigable lake in the world, located 3812 meters above sea level, is also the largest freshwater lake in South America, offering several unique sites to enjoy its impressive natural beauty.

• On the Uros Island, the inhabitants will invite you to discover their unique way of life, showing you how they use totora, an aquatic plant, to build both their homes and other floating structures.
• Community tourism, especially in places like Taquile Island and Amantaní, offers the opportunity to live a unique experience by sharing local customs and participating in various activities with the locals.

Visit the Colca Canyon, Arequipa

Considered one of the deepest and most fascinating natural wonders in the world, this impressive site ranks as the fourth deepest globally, with a depth of 4160 meters.

• From here, you can enjoy a unique view while observing the majestic flight of the condors, one of the largest birds in the world; it is recommended to arrive early to take advantage of the opportunity to see these imposing animals in their daily activity, as well as spot other local species that inhabit the area, making the visit an unforgettable experience.

Visit Iquitos, Peru Jungle

Iquitos offers numerous tourist destinations, exotic cuisine, and unique attractions to explore.

• Plaza 28 de Julio is an excellent meeting point to enjoy with family and relax outdoors; with various recreational activities like biking, roller skating, and playing, it is the perfect place to spend a pleasant time in a relaxed environment surrounded by nature and spacious areas where everyone can enjoy moments of fun and recreation.
• Monkey Island, located just 29 km from Iquitos, is a sanctuary for various species of monkeys that have been rescued and rehabilitated for release back into their natural habitat; this sanctuary not only allows visitors to get up close to these fascinating animals but also offers an educational and unique experience to learn about local wildlife and the importance of conservation in the Amazon region.
• Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is an impressive place where the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest can be explored in all its glory, walking through the jungle, especially at night, offers a unique experience that allows you to discover the region’s wildlife and flora from a completely different perspective, immersing yourself in a fascinating and lively environment.
• Belén District, known for its floating houses, offers an authentic view of the lives of Iquitos residents; this peculiar district reflects how people have adapted their homes to the aquatic environment of the Amazon River, creating a unique way of life that attracts both tourists and curious individuals wishing to experience the reality of living in a riverside area of the Peruvian jungle.
• The Museum of Amazonian Indigenous Cultures and the Amazon Library of Iquitos are fundamental spaces to understand the rich cultural diversity of the Amazon region, not only of Peru but also of Colombia and Brazil.

Tarma - Junin

Located in the central highlands, this city is known as "The Pearl of the Andes" due to its spring-like climate, which remains pleasant and temperate throughout the year, making it an ideal destination for those looking to enjoy moderate weather and natural landscapes.

• The Huagapo Cave, one of the deepest routes in South America, is perfect for adventure lovers, where you can explore its stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as see red cave paintings that tell the region's history.
• Tarmatambo is an important Inca archaeological site that served as an administrative center; the Inca structures are still preserved, offering visitors a direct view of the organization and architecture of the ancient Incas.
• The Pacchacoto Waterfall, located just 10 minutes from San Pedro de Cajas, is a perfect natural site, with a waterfall that is 10 meters tall and 5 meters wide, ideal for enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings.

Peru in December

Peru's geographical and climatic diversity makes December a complex month for travel, as conditions vary significantly from one region to another.

The Coast in December

Summer in Peru begins in December, with the coast being the ideal place to enjoy higher temperatures and lively beaches, as well as historic sites such as Chan Chan and Nazca.

December is also a good time to visit Lima, where the climate is more temperate, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C, before the arrival of winter and humidity, while the city becomes filled with social activities.

In the north, Máncora maintains its charm year-round with temperatures around 30°C, while Trujillo has a climate similar to Lima's, with temperatures between 17°C and 24°C. Paracas, with its 26°C climate, is an attractive destination for those seeking sun and stunning landscapes.

The Mountains and Jungle in December

In December, Peru's coast warms up and clears, while the mountains and jungle begin to receive rain, which is essential for the Amazon rainforest ecosystem due to the protection of the Andes.

Although the rain makes activities like trekking more difficult, prices in the jungle tend to drop, attracting those who are not bothered by the precipitation, although the trails can become impassable due to mud.

In the mountains, the rain and hail in Cusco decrease tourism, causing prices to drop, but views are limited due to cloudy skies. Meanwhile, in Áncash, the Cordillera Blanca receives snow, making trekking more challenging.

Plan Your Trip in December!

Many avoid traveling to Peru in December due to the rain, especially in places like Cusco and the Manu National Park, but at Tierras de los Andes, we believe that every season has its own charm.

If you decide to travel during this time, contact us at Phone +51 984 550 165 or Email ventascusco@terandes.com. We offer advice to help you enjoy both the summer on the coast and the rainy season.