Trip From Machu Picchu to Manu National Park 9 Days

Upon your arrival in Lima, the capital city of Peru, our representative will greet you at Jorge Chavez International Airport. You’ll then be privately transferred to your selected hotel to relax and settle in for the night.

• Meals: None.

In the early morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Cusco (11,152 ft or 3,399 m), a flight of around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Once you arrive in Cusco, you’ll be transferred directly to Ollantaytambo (9,160 ft or 2,792 m), where you’ll board a train to Aguas Calientes (6,693 ft or 2,040 m).

This train ride to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in South America. You’ll traverse stunning landscapes where the lush jungle meets the towering mountains. Machu Picchu, hidden for centuries due to its secluded location, sits perched high on a mountainside above the town. A short bus ride from Aguas Calientes will take you up a narrow, winding road to the ancient Inca city.

During your train journey, you’ll relax in comfortable seats while admiring the picturesque views, accompanied by relaxing background music and a selection of fresh local drinks and snacks. You’ll spend the night in Aguas Calientes, ready for the adventure ahead.

• Meals: Breakfast.

Early in the morning, you’ll head to the bus station for a 20-minute ride that ascends 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) to the entrance of Machu Picchu (7,972 ft or 2,430 m). After entering the Inca Citadel, you’ll begin your hike to Huayna Picchu (8,920 ft or 2,720 m), also known as Wayna Picchu, which towers 1,180 feet (360 meters) above Machu Picchu. This challenging hike offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and ruins, with limited access for only 200 people each day. The peak is thought to have been the residence of high priests and sacred virgins during Incan times.

Each morning, the high priest would lead a ceremonial group from Huayna Picchu to Machu Picchu to greet the rising sun. You’ll also explore other important sites, including the Temple of the Moon, located on the mountain’s side, as well as the Great Cavern, the Temple of the Condor, and the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where the sun shines perfectly through the stone gate each morning.

After your guided tour of Machu Picchu, you’ll take the train back to Cusco in the afternoon or early evening, where you’ll spend the night in your selected hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast.

Your journey into the wilds of Manu National Park begins today. Leaving Cusco (11,152 ft or 3,399 m) early in the morning, you’ll travel through beautiful valleys and traditional villages. Along the way, you’ll stop at pre-Incan tombs and visit the charming colonial town of Paucartambo (9,515 ft or 2,900 m), where you’ll tour a small but fascinating local museum.

The drive then continues into the lush cloud forest (5,577 ft or 1,700 m), home to many endemic species like the Andean Cock of the Rock and the Spectacled Bear. You’ll be surrounded by rich vegetation, including orchids and ferns, as you reach San Pedro de Orquideas Lodge for your first night, nestled in the heart of the cloud forest.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

In the early morning, you’ll have a chance to spot the Andean Cock of the Rock, Peru’s national bird, performing its distinctive mating dance. After breakfast, you’ll continue your journey, passing through the small town of Pilcopata before arriving at the Port of Atalaya (2,297 ft or 700 m) on the banks of the Madre de Dios River. Here, you’ll board a boat and head towards the Erika Private Reserve (1,312 ft or 400 m).

During your boat ride, you’ll observe a variety of bird species, including herons, vultures, and cormorants. Once at Erika Lodge, you’ll explore the trails that pass through the transition zone between highland and lowland jungle, offering an up-close look at the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon. A night walk will allow you to discover nocturnal wildlife such as amphibians and insects.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Free Option: Rafting in Pilcopata offers an exciting 90-minute rafting experience on the Koñeq or Madre de Dios Rivers, allowing you to take in the stunning scenery and even enjoy a swim in the cool waters.

After breakfast, your guide will take you on a morning walk to observe the area’s abundant wildlife. Next, you’ll board a boat to cross the river and embark on a short hike to Lake Machuwasi. Here, you’ll paddle across the lake on rafts, keeping an eye out for the ancient Hoatzin bird, along with monkeys, alligators, and capybaras.

In the evening, you’ll have the option of taking a night walk around Erika Lodge to spot a variety of nocturnal insects and amphibians.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Free Option: Canopy Zip Line – Glide through the treetops on a thrilling zip line ride in the heart of the Amazon, providing a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest.

An early morning boat ride will take you to Collpa, a clay lick by the river where various species of parrots, such as blue-headed parrots and white-eyed parakeets, gather to eat minerals that help supplement their diet. After this spectacle, you’ll return to Erika Lodge for breakfast before packing up and heading back to the Port of Atalaya. A vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, where you’ll arrive in the evening.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Take this day to unwind and explore Cusco at your own pace. Visit the artisan district of San Blas, the Temple of Koricancha, or some of the nearby ruins such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucará, and Tambomachay (12,139 ft or 3,700 m).

• Meals: Breakfast.

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and taken on a guided tour of Lima’s main attractions, including San Martin Square, the historic Plaza de Armas, and the Convent of San Francisco with its eerie catacombs. The tour continues through the modern district of Miraflores, where you’ll visit the Park of Love for stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Later in the evening, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your international flight back home.

• Meals: Breakfast.