This 10-day tour of Peru strikes the perfect balance between culture and nature. Begin in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, which will be your base for trips to the Sacred Valley and legendary Machu Picchu. Spend the remaining five days in Manú National Park, where you’ll enjoy boat rides, nature walks (including a nocturnal expedition), and wildlife excursions to spot monkeys, macaws, and maybe even a jaguar.
Highlights
- Discover the rich culture of Cusco, the ancient Inca capital
- Visit the famed citadel of Machu Picchu on a guided tour
- Spend five days observing wildlife in Manú National Park
- 10 Days/ 9 Nights
- January to December
- Moderate
Difficulty
Condition
Travel Program
Day 1: Arrive in Cusco, Self-Guided Tour
Welcome to Peru! This wondrous South American nation enjoys a wealth of diversity, be it culturally, historically, and even geographically. Here, the scenery ranges from coastal metropolises to highland Inca ruins to the lush jungles of the Amazon Basin—and you’ll see all of it on this adventure.
It begins with your arrival in the capital of Lima. Once there, you’ll immediately transfer by plane about 45 minutes north to the highland city of Cusco, a former capital of the Inca empire from the 13th-16th centuries. At the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the city. Once you’ve settled in, you can explore on a self-guided tour. Just remember to take it easy. Cusco sits in the Andes mountains at 11,200 feet (3,400 m), and you’ll feel the effects. That said, you can mitigate altitude sickness by doing like the Peruvians and chewing mate de coca tea leaves.
When you’re ready, begin the tour in the historic center at the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square. Once a central meeting point during the Inca Empire, the Spanish founded the plaza in 1534, destroying and replacing the Inca buildings with colonial mansions and churches. The most famous is the Cusco Cathedral, which dates to 1654 and remains remarkably well-preserved. From there, you can wander the winding, cobbled streets of San Blas, a bohemian neighborhood with a wealth of Spanish-colonial landmarks, art galleries, handicraft shops, and cozy cafés.
Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour, Transfer to Ollantaytambo
Get ready for a full day of culture in Peru’s famous Sacred Valley, a historically rich area north of Cusco. It begins early with a pickup from your hotel and a drive into the valley and the village of Chinchero, believed by the Inca to be the birthplace of the rainbow. Here, you’ll tour Inca terraces and colonial-era churches, plus visit a weaver’s studio to learn about the town’s famous textile production. See firsthand the process of cleaning and weaving wool, then browse the selection of colorful textiles for the perfect gift or souvenir to take home.
Afterward, continue to the archaeological site of Moray, a series of circular stone terraces built by the Inca. These were likely developed for experimental agriculture in microclimates and thus are a fine example of the engineering prowess of that ancient civilization. From Moray, you’ll transfer to the nearby Maras Salt Flats, an intricate network of stone pools developed by the Inca to harvest salt through evaporation. Harvesting continues to this day, with local community members managing the flats according to traditions dating back to the time of the Inca.
From the salt flats, continue to the ancient city of Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. Once here, you’ll check into your hotel and can spend the remainder of the day wandering the town’s cobbled streets and exploring the nearby ruins and archaeological sites.
Day 3: Day Trip to Machu Picchu, Transfer to Cusco
After an early breakfast, you’ll board a train in Ollantaytambo for the 1.5-2-hour ride northwest to Aguas Calientes. This little mountain town is the main base for excursions to Machu Picchu. From town, you’ll take a 25-minute bus ride up a mountain and arrive at the “Lost City of the Incas,” a 15th-century Inca citadel sitting at 7,970 feet (2,430 m). This engineering masterpiece served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court; today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage status and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
During a two-hour tour led by an expert guide, you’ll hike to all corners of the complex and visit its most famous features and landmarks. These include astronomical/ritual stone structures like the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. Many landmarks, like the Sacred Plaza and Inca Bridge, showcase the Incas’ architectural prowess. The agricultural terraces are also impressive, demonstrating the Incas’ skill at cultivating crops on steep hillsides.
After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch in the town center before boarding a train back to Cusco via Ollantaytambo. You’ll check into your hotel in Cusco and have the evening free.
Day 4: Transfer to Manú National Park
It’s a 5:30 am wake-up call today when your driver will pick you up at your hotel. From Cusco, it’s an 8-9 hour drive into the Peruvian jungle. During this scenic road trip, you’ll pass the journey’s highest point at more than 13,000 feet (4,000 m). It’s certainly a long journey, but there will be plenty of stops to rest, grab food, and visit ancient landmarks. One highlight is the Cullpas of Ninamarca, a Pre-Inca cemetery.
From there, continue down the Andes until you reach Paucartambo, which sits at 9,514 feet (2,900 m). This small town boasts a lot of history and tradition, as it’s known as the folkloric capital of Peru. After a brief tour, you’ll get back in the car for the drive to Acjanaco (11,679 ft/3,560 m), which marks the entrance to Manú National Park. Covering an area of approximately 6,000 square miles (15,000 sq km), this is one of the largest protected areas in the country. Manú boasts exceptional biodiversity, including pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, and Indigenous communities.
You’ll first glimpse the region’s unique flora and fauna when you arrive at the San Pedro community, known for its orchids. There’s a viewing platform here where you can do some birding. With any luck, you’ll spot exotic avian species like toucans, tangaras, and (if you’re really lucky) the resplendent quetzal. You might also glimpse animals like monkeys and even the spectacled bear. Afterward, continue driving deeper into the jungle, eventually arriving at the ecolodge, where you’ll overnight.
Day 5: Boat Trip to Hummingbird Lodge, Nature Hikes
It’s another early start because, after breakfast, you’ll board a bus for the two-hour ride to Atalaya, a town on the Ucayali River. Upon arrival, you’ll trade the bus for a motorboat and travel about five hours down the waterways until you reach the Hummingbird Lodge, your accommodation for the night. The ride is scenic, as you’ll likely spot plenty of aquatic birds and parrots fluttering around, as well as monkeys and capybaras on the banks.
Lunch will be served on the boat, and around 3 pm, you’ll arrive at the lodge, which sits on the banks of the Madre de Dios River. The lodge is adjacent to the Manú reserve and offers great pathways to explore the jungle, which you can take advantage of on an optional nature hike this afternoon or evening.
Day 6: Boat Trip to Casa Matshiguenka
Leave the Hummingbird Lodge early and board another boat for a four-hour ride down the Madre de Dios River until it branches off into the Manú River. At this entrance to the reserve, park rangers will check your permits, and then you’ll continue deeper into the rainforest. As you continue down the Manú River, you’ll likely spot resident animals like monkeys, caimans, river otters, and perhaps even a jaguar.
After a while, you’ll reach Casa Matshiguenka, the next lodge where you’ll overnight. Sitting on the banks of the Manú, it’s home to a friendly family who will introduce you to the unique and traditional lifestyle people lead in this remote rainforest. After dinner, you’ll retire to your room and let the sounds of the jungle lull you into a peaceful sleep.
Day 7: Day Trip to Lake Salvador & Lake Otorongo
You’re in for a treat, as today you’ll travel up the river even deeper into the reserve. Your destination is Lake Salvador, one of the most vital lakes within the Manú National Park. Its diverse ecosystem is home to various animals, including giant river otters, black caiman, anacondas, many bird species, and around 13 species of monkeys.
Once at the lake, you’ll transfer to a small catamaran, allowing you to get up close with the native wildlife. You’ll return to the lodge after marveling at the animals and taking plenty of photos. Later in the afternoon, you’ll head out for another lake tour, this time to Lake Otorongo, which can be viewed from a 65-foot (20 m) observation platform. After some time here, you’ll return to the lodge.
Day 8: Boat Trip to Maquisapayoj, Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
This morning, you’ll leave the nature reserve area of Manú National Park and transfer about six hours by boat to a buffer zone known as the Maquisapayoj (Manú Biosphere). This region conserves local wildlife with the help of natural clay licks—steep walls of red clay along riverbanks. The mammals in this area absorb salts and minerals from the clay, which helps them detoxify and digest their food.
During a nocturnal wildlife tour, you’ll visit one of the most prominent clay licks in the area. With luck, you’ll spot some of the animals that routinely pass by here at night, like tapirs, deer, porcupines, and various species of monkeys. After the tour, you’ll return to Maquisapayoj Lodge, where you’ll overnight.
Day 9: Parrot Viewing Tour, Transfer to Cusco
At 5:00 am, leave the lodge on a one-hour boat ride to another clay lick. This one attracts various species of macaws, which you can observe safely from a platform hidden in the forest. With binoculars in hand, you’ll see plenty of these colorful birds congregating around the clay lick as they jockey to get their day’s nutrients. After some time admiring the birds, you’ll break for lunch.
Once you’ve eaten, you’ll begin the return trip to Cusco. It starts with a three-hour boat ride downstream to Boca Colorado, where you will say goodbye to the crew that has accompanied you through the park over the last few days. In a private taxi, you’ll drive about an hour to the town of Puerto Punkiri. Here, you’ll cross the Inambari River and continue to Puerto Carlos. From there, it’s a 7-8-hour bus ride back to Cusco, arriving around 10:00 pm. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 10: Fly to Lima, Depart
Alas, your grand Peruvian adventure has reached its conclusion. In the morning, a driver will pick you up at your hotel for the ride to Cusco’s airport, where you’ll board a flight back to Lima and catch your connecting flight home. ¡Buen viaje!
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
What's Included
Included
- English- and Spanish-speaking guide
- Entrance tickets as per itinerary
- Accommodation
- Trekking staff (if applicable)
- Camping equipment (if applicable)
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation as per itinerary
- Airport transfers (if specified)
Not included
- International or domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours or additional entrance tickets
- Personal equipment
What to Bring
What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition
This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, climbing or mountain expeditions tours is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.
Equipment Trekking
Hiking backpack for hiking 50 to 60 liters
Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)
Medium weight socks
Sleeping bag (-15º to 20ºC)
Small daypack for one day hiking 30 liters
Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
Hiking boots or shoes
Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down
Rain poncho (or rain gear)
Long-sleeved shirts
Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
Lightweight pants
Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
Water bottle for hiking or trekking
Strong waterproof duffel bag
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Towel for personal hygiene each participantFirst-aid kit
Regular and long underwear
Knife or multi-tool
Light cap and wool hat
Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips
The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike
Grooming and personal hygiene kit
One Hiking Buff per person
Equipment Mountain
3 Locking carabiners, we recommended per person
We recommend 2 ice screws for each client
1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person
2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommended GRIVEL company
1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains
2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)
Gloves(Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000meters
Harness for climbing
Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress
Crampons, we recommended GRIVEL company
Walking sticks – Trekking Poles (optional), a pair per person, we recommended GRIVEL company
Down Jacket for expedition
Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GOROTEX certification
First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients
Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things
Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair
Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.
In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.
Prices & Dates
FROM/TO
PRICE (USD)
TRAVEL STATUS
- Single Supplement (I want my own room and tent) – $000 on request.
Please note: Insurance for emergency evacuation is required for this trip. Call for more details.
» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays
Prices (per person):
| 1 PAX | 2 PAX | 4 PAX | 6 PAX | 8 PAX | 10 PAX | 12 PAX | 14 PAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD |
Deposit for reservations
— USD (– EUR) ✓ Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!
Places: 
*Available
Trip-code: Number ►BOL-000
Duration: 1 day
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 15
Members: We don’t have an open group to join – We can open a new group – Contact us!
Country / Location: Bolivia
Mountain Guide: Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!
3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2024
Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.
Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Expert guide certified by AGOMP
General Sales Manager of Peru Expeditions
- WhatsApp: +51 943 081 066
- E-Mail: office@peru-expeditions.org
Hans Honold | Certified Mountain and Ski Guide
For a trip with a Professional Certified Mountain Guide from abroad with your own language that you speak, please request us to get in touch. We have guides working for our company from all over the world who are members of IVBV/UIAGM/IFMGA Certified Guides.
- Tel: +49(0)7344 929144-0
It is very important to have accident coverage for trekking and climbing mountains, more if you go a technical mountains over 6 thousand meters, we oblige and recommend buying travel insurance with our partner Global Rescue, you get the peace of mind that the finest medical, security evacuation, field rescue, intelligence and telehealth.
- Tel: +1 (617) 459-4200
Only $1000 deposit to book
Pay over time, interest free
No booking fee, no change fee
24/7 support
Accommodations
Scroll through our exclusive accommodations for this trip below. Although very unlikely, we will be able to make substitutions when necessary. The comfortable accommodations that guests stay in every night offer comfort, the level that these options are are 3 stars and some hostels in some towns of first class quality to make your stay very pleasant.
*These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some cases, alternative accommodation of similar quality and location can be used.
Albergue Ecológico Tomarapi
Hoteles Taykas
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
What our travelers or clients always ask questions before joining our trips, tours & expeditions, read all the information provided here.
Suggested FAQs
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
For our mountain climbing trips: If they are easily accessible mountains: For easy-climb mountains, well, you don’t need much experience, but if you already want to climb mountains above 6,000 meters and the conditions become more difficult, we recommend if you already want to go through mountains above 6,000 meters, have a basic or intermediate course for a good preparation. It is very important to be physically, technically and psychologically prepared.
Regarding the preparation of children: Everything will depend on which mountain you want to climb with your children, once you are clear on which of our tours or mountains you want to go with your children, we can give you some advice or see how to prepare them before going with they.
Regarding older people: It all depends on the condition of experience and how well the person is in health, on many occasions older people are the best to walk in the mountains because they have more experience, so it is always good to ask and find out about their experience of older participant. If you have any other questions, please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
In all our trekking or mountaineering trips we do not include personal equipment in our prices, so you have to have your own equipment: Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc. ) and also within each page of the trips that we sell is a small list so you can see it on our website.
Our company can also rent the materials that you would need for your trip, see the list here on our website: https://peru-expeditions.org/equipment-rental/ . For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
Safe and effective vaccines are available that provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Billions of people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against COVID-19, help end the pandemic and stop new variants emerging.
We also recommend having accident insurance, we always recommend. We are Partners –Global Rescue. If you have any other questions about the trip we can schedule a date for a calling via WhatsApp. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
To do long-distance hiking you need to at least train or do some tours such as visiting lagoons to get the experience and feel comfortable with what you do, it is always good before doing a long-distance hiking tour to test yourself so as not to be with the problems of altitude sickness during the trekking, and if you travel with children it is good to first train them before taking them, if they are accompanied by an adult of legal age, they must do a good acclimatization before going on the long-distance tour or with high altitude camps If you want to know or learn more advice, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
The preparation is according to what type and what technical level you want to go and climb a trek or mountain, the preparation will always gain experience little by little.
For this type of demanding or technical climbing sports, it is recommended to do some summits above 5 thousand meters beforehand and have good knowledge of high mountain technical equipment such as the use of technical ice axes, ice screws, correct use of crampons, and of course all the technical material. For more information, we can schedule an appointment to be able to explain in more detail everything about the mountain equipment and the preparations prior to joining our outings. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
Every day we have active walks around approximately 4, to 5 sometimes 6 hours of walking, everything is according to your pace and physical condition of each person, in each of our travel programs you will find more detailed information, and if If you need more information about each day of the travel program, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts or questions, for this please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
In our trips, either hiking or mountaineering: Depending on the type or destination of the trip that you are going to book, in some parts of the treks you go with mules or donkeys or sometimes with horses, and within the mountain trips, the approach camps are also They go with mules or donkeys, but there are some stretches where pack animals can no longer reach. In this part, our logistics is fully supported by the porters.
Who are the porters? They are people from the area who were born and live in the heights of the towns, they are very strong and are very acclimatized, the reason is that after the tourist season ends they dedicate themselves to agriculture and livestock for that reason they are people They are used to the altitude and have lived in nature all their lives and they are happy to be in the mountains together with our expeditions. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
About accommodation or meals during the tour: Well, depending on the type of tour, when the tour is a classic cultural tour or a city tour, we eat during the route in tourist restaurants and sleep in category hotels that the client has requested.
If the tour is with camps and trekking: During the activity, logistics we include the service of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with traditional and typical meals of the region where you are going to travel with us, during the night we stay in tents, and we have a special tent for the kitchen and another for the dining room.
If the trip is at altitude or in the mountains: We bring special high mountain food, It are quicker meals to cook and we provide complete logistics such as Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and we sleep in special 4-season high mountain tents, with the best tents. If you have any questions or concerns, we can schedule an appointment via Whatsapp to clarify all your doubts and give you better information so that your trip is an unforgettable tour.
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
In mountains above 5000 meters: A local guide takes a maximum of 3 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide
In technical mountains: In large-big mountains we manage the travel policy, a guide and a maximum of 2 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Do I have what it takes to succeed on this expedition?
In the interest of the team’s enjoyment and success, we work with every single guest to ensure they are properly prepared and ready for this expedition. We pride ourselves on vetting every member to make sure that the team can bond and succeed together. It really sucks to be grouped with members that are much faster, or much slower, than you are. No one wants to the weakest link on a trip like this. By setting expectations and a solid training plan, we work to insure maximum cohesive success. Use this trip as an exercise motivator, and we will succeed together with style.
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
For the pick-ups of each trip, depending on the place or the trip that you are going to make with us, the meeting point is always at our office, in one of our trips we pick you up where you are staying or staying, or in some cases a A representative of our company will pick you up and then ship you to your transport to continue with your destination of the tour or trip you have booked with us. If you wish to request more information, do not hesitate to contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What happens in the event of bad weather?
About the meteorological conditions of the climate, we try to organize the trips of each tour in the best season to have the best views and enjoy the selected trip but sometimes even is good season we can have bad weather, in this case on hiking or treks trips The complications are minimal, but when this happens during high-altitude climbing expeditions, the complications can become very difficult, that is why the bosses or leaders of the local guides must always make the most correct decision for the safety of our passengers, so we always recommend listening to the best advice from the local guide assigned for each tour. If you have any other questions please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Can I join a group?
We as a local company and connoisseurs of tours have departures on different dates. The best thing to do is to join a travel group to take care of your budget, and of course you can join our groups, but on trips like mountaineering we recommend going in small groups. To join a group, ask us for the dates and we will send you the necessary information to be able to join any of our trips.
Why go in a private trip: For trips whether trekking or high mountains, going privately is the most recommended option, but the costs are more expensive. So, if one joins a group, the prices will be more reasonable. In the mountains, the only disadvantage is if you are in a wall with another partner and if one of the participants gets tired or gets sick. In this case, you have to abort or cancel the summit and return together. For more information, contact us. We can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify all your questions.
In a mountain, for example, if 3 people go and one of the participants falls ill on the route, for security reasons they have to cancel or abort the summit or return all together. The same in a technical mountain if the climbing partner gets sick they all have to return, for these reasons sometimes it is better to go private only because for a single person the costs are more expensive for the same reason that the trip would already be private .
For more information please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
The company Peru Expeditions Tours has the most experience in organizing commercial ascents and complex high-altitude expeditions. 
We have the most experienced and qualified guides for cultural trip, climbing tours, MTB tours, Ski tours, including famous climbers.
We always give away team jerseys-T-shits, buffs, or a cap as a gift
Good own personal tents to live in height and special big tents to dine inside the trekking or mountain.
The highest percentage of successful ascents.
We provide the best living and eating conditions. We take into account the peculiarities of nutrition (you can order a vegetarian menu).
Free conferences in the office with own videos material and photographs
