Sacred Valley + Machupicchu + Manu Cultural Zone + Red Valley With Rainbow Mountain 8 Days

Day 1: Reception at Cusco Airport and Free Walking Tour or City Tour

Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, our team will greet you with a warm welcome. We will transfer you directly to your hotel in the center of Cusco, where you can rest before starting the adventure in the historic city.

In the afternoon, we offer you two options: the Free Walking Tour in Cusco or the Cusco City Tour, both ideal for you to start acclimatizing to the altitude and discover the main attractions of the city.

• With the Cusco Free Walking Tour, you will walk through the most emblematic sites of the historic center, such as the iconic Plaza de Armas of Cusco, the ancient Inca temple Qoricancha, the Stone of the 12 Angles, and the picturesque neighborhoods of San Blas and San Cristóbal. This tour will allow you to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Cusco in a close and authentic way.
• If you prefer the Cusco City Tour, 1pm we will take you on a comfortable guided tour of important Inca archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, as well as a tour of the city of Cusco.

Both options are great for your first day in Cusco, full of history, culture, and breathtaking views, helping you acclimatize for upcoming adventures in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Manu Cultural Zone and Rainbow Mountain

• During this day, we will travel approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles), enjoying every step.
• We will reach a maximum altitude of about 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) at Sacsayhuaman, while the lowest point will be at Tambomachay, at approximately 3,600 meters (11,811 feet).
• The difficulty of this tour is moderate, making it accessible and enjoyable for most travelers.
• This tour is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in Cusco’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour with Connection to Machu Picchu

Our expert guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 6:10 and 6:35 am. We will start the trip in our comfortable minivan heading to Chinchero, a picturesque town about 40 minutes away. In Chinchero, you will be able to admire the impressive Inca agricultural terraces, the remains of the Royal Palace of Tupac Inca Yupanqui and the beautiful colonial church built on Inca foundations. In addition, you will learn about the complete process of wool, from washing and spinning to its transformation into fine textiles. This tour will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

We will then continue to the circular terraces of Moray, a 25-minute drive, where you will observe platforms that were used as agricultural experimentation laboratories by the Incas. You will have 30 minutes to enjoy this fascinating archaeological site.

Our next stop will be at the Maras Salt Mines, 25 minutes from Moray, where you will witness the natural process of salt extraction that has been maintained since the Inca period. Here we will take a walk of approximately 30 minutes to appreciate this impressive place.

Afterwards, we will head towards Urubamba, a 20-minute drive, where you will enjoy pleasant weather and have 40 minutes to enjoy a buffet lunch with local products.

Afterwards, we will travel for 30 minutes to the imposing Ollantaytambo Fortress, a key archaeological site that protected the entrance to the Sacred Valley. The tour in Ollantaytambo will last approximately 50 minutes, exploring its terraces, temples, and Inca structures.

From here, we will head to the Ollantaytambo train station, where we will board the train at 4:30 pm heading to Aguas Calientes. During the journey, you will enjoy spectacular views of the mountains, ravines and valleys with archaeological remains, some already discovered and others waiting to be revealed.

Upon arrival at the Machu Picchu train station in Aguas Calientes, our assistant will be waiting to take you to your hotel, where you will spend the night. The guide will give you all the necessary directions for the exciting Machu Picchu tour the next day.

• Today we will travel approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles), enjoying every corner.
• We will reach a maximum altitude of about 3,762 meters (12,343 feet) in Chinchero,
• While the lowest point will be Aguas Calientes, at about 2,040 meters (6,693 feet).
• The difficulty of this day is moderate, ensuring that all travelers have a wonderful experience.

This full-day tour will offer you an unforgettable experience, immersing you in the rich history of the Incas and revealing the amazing beauty of the Sacred Valley of Cusco, Peru.

Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour and Return to Cusco

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, our assistant will accompany you to the bus station to start the ascent to Machu Picchu. The bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes, taking you along a path full of breathtaking views until you reach the entrance of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival, your specialized guide will be waiting for you to accompany you through the entrance control. Here you will begin your tour of the breathtaking wonder of the world. During the visit, your guide will take you and accompany you to the most important sites of Machu Picchu, explaining the history, mysteries and grandeur of the Inca civilization. In addition, you will have time to admire the scenery and recharge your batteries in this magical place.

After exploring the Inca citadel, you will take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have the afternoon free to enjoy the place, tour the artisan market or simply relax before returning.

In the afternoon, you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our driver will be waiting for you at the Ollantaytambo station to take you back to Cusco and your hotel.

Day 4: First Day: Cusco to Manu Cultural Zone – Overnight at Bambu Lodge

We will start our adventure departing from Cusco at 6:00 am in a comfortable transport. During the journey, we will cross the majestic Andes Mountains, with breathtaking landscapes until we reach Ninamarca, where we will make a brief stop to explore the mysterious pre-Inca chullpas (funerary towers).

Our next stop will be the charming colonial village of Paucartambo, known for its history and tradition. Here, you will have time to walk through its streets and admire the famous colonial bridge. Afterward, we will continue to Ajanaco, the official entrance to Manu National Park, where we will make a 20-minute stop at the viewpoint to take pictures of the breathtaking views.

From this point, we will begin the descent into the jungle, crossing the magical Cloud Forest, home to an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to see exotic birds such as the of the rock, Peru’s national bird, as well as quetzals, butterflies, and orchids unique to the region.

Upon arrival in the San Pedro area, we will have our first lunch outdoors, enjoying the jungle environment. Then, we will take a short walk through the forest, with the possibility of spotting howler monkeys and other species of animals that inhabit this biodiverse region.

We will continue our journey until we reach Bambu Lodge, a charming eco-lodge located in the middle of nature. At approximately 5:00 pm we will be greeted with a warm welcome. You can relax surrounded by the Amazon rainforest and enjoy a delicious dinner. The afternoon will be free to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventures in the Manu Reserve.

Day 5: Coca Plantation, Watchtower and Lake Machuwasi

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the lodge, we will continue our adventure to a coca  and tropical fruit plantation. Here, you will have the opportunity to observe a great diversity of birds, including colorful hummingbirds, majestic toucans and with a bit of luck, the impressive jungle condor.

Then, we will continue our tour until we reach Atalaya, where our motor boat will be waiting for us. After putting on our life jackets, we will board the boat to start a 40-minute journey  downstream, going even deeper into the Amazon rainforest. Upon arrival at the second lodge, located deep within the jungle, you will have the opportunity to cool off with a dip in the river before enjoying a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, we will cross the river to visit the beautiful Lake Machuwasi, a place that offers a unique experience in the middle of nature, with landscapes that seem to be taken from a dream. As we explore this lake, you will be captivated by the constant whisper of the jungle, with its many ecosystems coexisting in perfect harmony.

We will board a stick canoe to cross the lake, where we will have the opportunity to observe a great diversity of birds, including the fascinating shanchos, as well as capybaras that roam in their natural habitat. In addition, we will go up to the observatory, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the jungle environment, surrounded by the unique wildlife that characterizes the Peruvian Amazon.

At the end of the afternoon, we will return to the lodge late at night, taking advantage of the darkness to look for alligators and other creatures that only come out at dusk. Upon arrival at the lodge, a comforting dinner will await us  , followed by a well-deserved rest.

Day 6: Amazon Lodge / Parrot Clay Lick / Jungle Hike

We will get up early to visit the famous Parrot Clay Lick, a spectacular place where you can observe colorful parrots, parakeets and macaws feeding on mineral-rich clay. This phenomenon creates a vibrant and unforgettable scene, perfect for nature and photography lovers. After this incredible show, we will return to our lodge to enjoy a delicious Amazonian breakfast.

Next, we will take an exciting hike through the jungle in search of wildlife. This region is home to a great diversity of species, such as sajinos, different types of monkeys, tapirs, and much more. During the tour, you will marvel at the impressive giant trees such as the Ceiba and the Lupuna, and when you reach the wetlands, you will have the opportunity to observe various species of amphibians up close.

Our native guide, an expert in the Amazon jungle, will give you valuable survival lessons, teaching you how to climb trees, identify edible plants and fruits, and take advantage of the natural resources offered by the jungle. Then, we will return to the lodge for a comforting lunch.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy an entertaining fishing session on the river, surrounded by the tranquility and beauty of the Amazon. Before returning to the lodge, we will make a special stop to witness the spectacular sunset, a magical sight that will mark the end of a day full of adventures. Back at the lodge, you will enjoy a delicious dinner before resting.

Day 7: Lodge/ Watchtower/ Cusco

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will take a short walk. Then, we will board a motor boat for a relaxing ride along the river to the Atalaya pier, where our driver will be waiting for you with a comfortable minivan to start the journey back to Cusco.

On the way, we will make a stop in Ajanaco, where you can enjoy lunch  surrounded by the majesty of the Andes Mountains and its breathtaking views. Our arrival in the city of Cusco is estimated around 6:00 pm, we will drop you off at the hotel, thus culminating an unforgettable adventure in the jungle of Manu. The jungle is unpredictable.

Day 8: Discover the Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain: An Unforgettable Experience

We will pick you up at your hotel between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to start our exciting tour to the Red Valley and Rainbow Mountain. The trip will begin with a 1-hour and 30-minute drive to the town of Cusipata, where you will enjoy an energetic breakfast with a variety of options to recharge your batteries.

Then, we will continue for 1 hour and 30 minutes more until we reach the starting point of our trek, at 4,400 meters above sea level. Here we will provide you with trekking poles and, after a brief explanation from the guide, we will start our hike. The first part of the tour is a light climb of about 1 hour to the Red Valley viewpoint at 5,067 meters altitude, from where you will enjoy breathtaking views and have time to take pictures.

We will continue with a 40-minute flat hike  to the famous Rainbow Mountain. At this location, you will have time to climb to the viewpoint at 5,076 meters above sea level, where you will be greeted by panoramic views of the Rainbow Mountain and the majestic Nevado Ausangate. This point is perfect to observe the different multicolored layers that make this place one of the most photographed in Peru.

For those who prefer a shorter hike, there is the option to do only the Rainbow Mountain and skip the Red Valley.

At the end, we will return on the other side of the Red Valley in a 1-hour descent  to the bus station. From there, we will return to Cusipata to enjoy a restorative lunch with vegetarian options, ideal to recharge your batteries. Finally, we will travel back to Cusco, where we will arrive at approximately 5:30 p.m. at your hotel, after having completed a total of 4 hours and 30 minutes of walking.

This tour offers you the opportunity to live a unique experience in the Peruvian Andes, touring the spectacular landscapes of the Red Valley and the impressive Rainbow Mountain. Don’t miss this adventure.

This concludes our unforgettable adventure! This 8-Day Tour Package has been meticulously designed to offer you an enriching experience, full of fascinating discoveries, stunning landscapes and magical moments that will last in your memory forever. Get ready to take with you indelible memories of the majesty of Peru!