Cusco to Manu National Park: Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Experience (8 Days)

We start the first day of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Tour Package with a guided Cusco City Tour. At 1:30 PM, we head out to visit the main archaeological sites located just outside the city.

Our first stop is Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Inca fortress known for its massive stone walls and strategic location above Cusco. Here, your guide will explain its historical role and construction techniques.

We then continue to Q’enqo, a ceremonial site with carved stone passages and ritual spaces. From there, we visit Puca Pucara, a former military checkpoint and resting place for travelers. The tour ends at Tambomachay, a site dedicated to water worship, recognized for its fountains and channels.

Throughout the tour, our local guide provides clear explanations about each site and its importance in Inca history.

Distance: 15 km (9 miles)
Highest altitude: 3,700 m (12,140 ft) at Sacsayhuaman
Lowest altitude: 3,600 m (11,811 ft) at Tambomachay
Difficulty: Moderate

The second day begins at 7:00 AM as we travel into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is Chinchero, a traditional Andean village known for its weaving traditions and views of the surrounding mountains.

Next, we visit Maras, where you will see the famous salt mines that have been in use since pre-Inca times. We then continue to Moray, an archaeological site with circular terraces believed to have been used for agricultural research.

After visiting Moray, we head to Urubamba for lunch, enjoying the scenery of the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon, we explore Ollantaytambo, a well-preserved Inca town with an important fortress and ceremonial areas.

Later, we take the train to Aguas Calientes, traveling through the Andean landscape. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Distance: 75 km (47 miles)
Highest altitude: 3,762 m (12,343 ft) at Chinchero
Lowest altitude: 2,040 m (6,693 ft) at Aguas Calientes
Difficulty: Moderate

Early in the morning, we take one of the first buses from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu. This allows us to explore the site before it becomes crowded.

During the guided tour, you will walk through the main temples, terraces, and plazas of this Inca citadel. The guide will explain the site’s history, architecture, and cultural importance.

After the guided visit, you will have free time to explore on your own and take photos of the surrounding Andes Mountains. Later, we return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo, followed by private transport back to Cusco.

Distance: 90 km (56 miles)
Highest altitude: 2,430 m (7,972 ft) at Machu Picchu
Lowest altitude: 2,040 m (6,693 ft) at Aguas Calientes
Difficulty: Moderate

We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive through the South Sacred Valley toward Paucartambo. Along the way, we stop at Ninamarca to visit pre-Inca funerary towers.

After breakfast in Paucartambo, we continue toward the Manu Cloud Forest. The drive takes us through changing landscapes, where we may see orchids, native plants, and birds.

After lunch, we take a short walk in the forest, with the chance to spot the Andean cock-of-the-rock. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Bambu Lodge, located in the lower rainforest.

Distance: 220 km (136 miles)
Highest altitude: 3,399 m (11,152 ft) in Cusco
Lowest altitude: 700 m (2,297 ft) at Bambu Lodge

After breakfast at Bambu Lodge, we drive to Atalaya Port, where we board a boat on the Madre de Dios River. The boat ride offers views of the rainforest and chances to spot wildlife along the riverbanks.

Upon arrival at Soga de Oro Lodge, we settle into our rooms. After lunch, we visit Machuwasi Lake using traditional balsa rafts, where we may see birds and caimans.

Later, the guide explains the use of medicinal plants commonly found in the area. We return to the lodge in the evening for dinner.

Distance: 20 km (12.5 miles)
Highest altitude: 700 m (2,297 ft)
Lowest altitude: 450 m (1,476 ft)

After breakfast, we take a short boat ride to the Parrot Clay Lick, where parrots and macaws gather in the morning to consume mineral-rich clay. The guide explains why this behavior is important for their diet.

We return to the lodge for lunch, then head out on a jungle walk to observe monkeys, birds, large trees, and medicinal plants. In the evening, after dinner, we take part in a night walk to look for nocturnal wildlife such as frogs, insects, and snakes.

Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

After breakfast, we travel by boat back to Atalaya Port. From there, our private transport takes us back to Cusco, crossing from the Amazon lowlands back into the Andes.

This day is mainly dedicated to travel, offering time to reflect on the experience in the Manu Rainforest and the wildlife encountered during the tour.

Distance: 200 km (124 miles)
Duration: Approximately 8 hours

On the final day, we depart from Cusco around 4:00 AM to visit Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. After reaching the trailhead, we begin the hike through high-altitude landscapes.

Along the trail, you will see snow-capped peaks and wide mountain valleys. At the summit, located at 5,200 m (17,060 ft), we enjoy views of the natural colored layers that make this mountain unique.

After spending time at the top, we hike back down and return to Cusco in the afternoon, marking the end of the tour.

Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging