My wife and I are contemplating a hitchhiking trip to Peru, ideally involving some hiking, in late December/early January. We do not like to plan everything in advance, so we are looking to sleep either in our tent, or in whatever accommodation we can find on the spot in whatever cities we traverse.

Looking at the climate charts, the amount of rain (and lack of warmth) seems a little scary. Has anyone done a similar trip in that season? Do you think it would be one of those miserable “all-of-your-belongings-are-drenched-and-there-is-no-chance-to-get-them-dry-because-it-just-keeps-raining-and-raining” trips? I have seen, though, that a lot of people still do the Inca trail in the rainy season. Surely it must not be that bad?

Also, what are the chances of finding a hostel or cheap hostel on the spot when arriving to a new city?