Machu Picchu & Manu Amazon Package – 5 Days

Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas – Aguas Calientes

The first day begins early, at 6:30 a.m., with pickup from the hotel or the Cusco airport in private transport. From there, a fascinating journey begins toward the Sacred Valley, one of the most complete routes for those who wish to connect the history of the Incas with the adventure to Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest.

Chinchero

The first stop is Chinchero, a charming Andean village known for its traditional textiles. At a local weaving center, you can see how llama and alpaca wool is extracted and transformed into colorful handicrafts.
Then, the archaeological site is visited, where a colonial church stands atop the remains of the ancient palace of Inca Pachacutec. This place combines history, living culture, and spectacular Andean landscapes. The guide also explains how the Incas made use of the valley’s fertile soils to develop advanced agricultural techniques.

Moray

After 25 minutes of travel, you arrive at Moray, known as the agricultural laboratory of the Incas. For about 40 minutes, you walk through this complex of circular terraces, each with different microclimates. Here, the Incas learned to cultivate in diverse conditions. A must-see stop for those who enjoy Inca history and innovation.

Maras Salt Mines

The next stop, just 25 minutes away, is the famous Maras Salt Mines. These geometric pools have been used since pre-Inca times to obtain salt through solar evaporation. The contrast of colors and the landscape make this place one of the most photogenic in the Sacred Valley. There is time to listen to the guide, take photos, and observe how locals still extract salt using traditional methods.

Urubamba

After so much exploration, it’s time to recharge. In Urubamba, after 20 minutes of travel, you enjoy a buffet lunch with fresh ingredients at a local restaurant run by farmers from the area.

Ollantaytambo

In the afternoon, the journey continues to Ollantaytambo, former Inca capital, surrounded by mountains with archaeological remains. Here, the main temple and ceremonial sites are visited. The place preserves impressive architecture and offers incredible views. There is also free time to take photos and enjoy the town’s atmosphere.

Train Station – Aguas Calientes

Finally, you board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes (at 3:30 p.m., 4:40 p.m., or 7:00 p.m.), with spectacular views of rivers, snow-capped mountains, and high jungle. Upon arrival, a representative will be waiting at the station and will accompany you to the hotel (Horizonte or similar).

Before resting, a brief informational talk is offered about the visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The second day begins very early. After breakfast at the hotel, a tourist bus is boarded for a 40-minute ascent along a mountain road to the entrance of the Inca citadel. From this point begins one of the most anticipated experiences of the trip: the visit to Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival, the tour guide will be waiting to assist with entry. Authorities will verify the entrance ticket along with each visitor’s original passport.

Tour of Machu Picchu

Once inside, you can admire the first rays of sunlight illuminating the stone structures. The guided tour lasts approximately two hours and begins with a panoramic view of the citadel.
During the visit, you’ll explore the most emblematic points such as the main square, the Temple of the Sun, ceremonial sites, temples, royal chambers, and the famous sundial.
After the explanation, you’ll have about one hour of free time to explore calmly or simply sit and enjoy the surroundings.

For those who have previously reserved the hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the guide will indicate the starting point of the corresponding trail.

Once the visit is over, the bus is taken again back to Aguas Calientes. There, you’ll have free time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or relax in the town’s natural hot springs.

In the afternoon, depending on your Machu Picchu entrance schedule, you’ll board the return train to Ollantaytambo station (2:45 p.m., 4:20 p.m., or even 7:00 p.m.). At the station, a driver will be waiting with a sign or will contact you via WhatsApp to coordinate your return.

The final leg of the journey to Cusco is done by private transportation and takes approximately 2 hours. The arrival time will depend on the train schedule; however, in total, considering both the train ride and the vehicle transfer, the journey takes around 4 hours.

Upon arrival in Cusco, we will take you directly to your hotel, whether it is the Hotel Turiwasi or any other accommodation of your choice.

Day 3: Cusco – Paucartambo – Cloud Forest – Pilcopata

This day begins at 5:30 a.m. with pickup from the hotel in Cusco in private transport. Thus begins the adventure toward Manu National Park, one of the most astonishing nature destinations in southern Peru.

The first stop comes after 1 hour and 30 minutes of travel, at the Chullpas of Ninamarca, ancient pre-Inca tombs. A brief explanation is given about this enigmatic archaeological site, surrounded by mountains and mystery.

After a short 30-minute drive, you reach the colonial town of Paucartambo, where breakfast is served in a local restaurant. Then, the guide offers an introduction to the town, known for its period houses, museums, and Andean traditions. One of the most important festivals of the southern Andes is celebrated here: the Virgen del Carmen, famous for its costumes, masks, and dances.

The journey then continues for 40 minutes to the Acjanaco viewpoint, located at 4,000 meters above sea level. Here, you go through the entrance checkpoint for Manu National Park. A 7-minute walk leads to the Ajanaco viewpoint, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains, the cloud forest, and the lowlands. This is the official entrance to the Andean Amazon.

The descent along the zigzagging road crosses the cloud forest, a life-filled ecosystem. Along the way, stops are made to observe tropical birds such as toucans, trogons, quetzals, and with luck, the elusive spectacled bear. You’ll also see waterfalls, orchids, mosses, and lichens covering the slopes in this stretch full of biodiversity.

In the San Pedro area, the group’s cook will be waiting with lunch served roadside, surrounded by lush vegetation.

After eating, the journey continues for 10 minutes to the cock-of-the-rock viewpoint, where it is possible to observe this colorful national bird of Peru in its natural habitat. Continuing along the route, there’s also a chance to see capuchin monkeys and woolly monkeys among the trees.

Around 5:00 p.m., you arrive at the accommodation in Bambu Lodge, a typical jungle lodge with rustic cabins, private bathrooms, mosquito-netted beds, showers, electricity, and internet. Once settled in, dinner is served along with a short briefing on the next day’s activities.

• Accommodation: Bambu Lodge
• Meals included: Lunch, dinner

Day 4: Bambu Lodge – Atalaya – Machuwasi Lake

After an Amazonian breakfast surrounded by nature, the day begins with a 30-minute visit to a nearby birdwatching viewpoint. In this area, it’s possible to observe hummingbirds, toucans, medicinal plants, and fruit trees typical of the Peruvian Amazon, as well as a coca plantation. With some luck, you may also spot snakes, spider monkeys, and other animals that inhabit this tropical zone.

Then, the journey continues toward the small town of Atalaya, located at 600 meters above sea level. There, rubber boots and life jackets are distributed, and the local boat crew is introduced. You board a motorized boat for a 40-minute navigation down the river toward the next lodge. Along the way, it’s common to see water birds, monkeys, reptiles, and more wildlife resting on the riverbanks.

Once at the lodge, rooms are assigned and lunch is served, followed by a short rest.

In the afternoon, you cross the Madre de Dios River to begin a 30-minute jungle walk toward Machuwasi Lake. This trail offers excellent chances to observe parrots, macaws, tropical birds, and wildlife in their natural habitat.

The lake is home to caimans, capybaras, and the prehistoric bird hoatzin, among other unique species. The ride takes place on a raft made of balsa wood, ideal for photographing birds, insects, and even monkeys, all in an atmosphere of total tranquility.

You also climb a viewing tower from where you can admire the landscape and fauna of the area. At nightfall, the return walk begins, looking for nocturnal animals such as caimans, spiders, snakes, and other creatures that only appear in the dark.

After this hike through the extraordinary Amazon rainforest, you return to the lodge for dinner and rest.

• Accommodation: Lodge
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5: Lodge – Parrot Clay Lick – Cusco

This final day begins very early. At 4:40 a.m., the boat is boarded to navigate the Madre de Dios River toward one of the most colorful experiences of the trip: the visit to the parrot clay lick.

After about 40 minutes of travel, you reach this special place where, if the weather allows, it is possible to observe parakeets, parrots, and, with some luck, pairs of macaws feeding on the clay walls. This clay is rich in minerals, and the birds consume it to supplement their diet and improve digestion.
The natural spectacle is breathtaking: hundreds of birds flying and landing on the clay lick, creating a scene full of color and life.

Then you return to the lodge to enjoy breakfast. After a short rest, final packing is done, and the return boat ride begins toward the town of Atalaya. From there, the journey continues by minivan along the cloud forest, where the landscape still surprises with its dense vegetation and panoramic views.

During the return trip, a stop is made in Acjanaco to have lunch. This point symbolically marks the exit from Manu National Park.

Finally, the trip continues to the city of Cusco, with an estimated arrival around 5:00 p.m. The transport drops each traveler off at their hotel, thus concluding this experience that combines adventure, Inca culture, and Amazonian nature in a single journey.

• Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
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