9 Day Travel Package in Peru
Trips to Machu Picchu
About this trip
The Andes to Amazon Grand Circle: From Incan Stones to Primal Jungle
Experience the full spectrum of Peru in one extraordinary 10-day journey. Begin in the heart of the Incan Empire with a cultural immersion through Cusco’s historic streets. Traverse the "Super" Sacred Valley to witness the genius of Incan engineering before spending an unforgettable morning at Machu Picchu and a full day Rainbow Mountain. Finally, trade the mountains for the rainforest as you venture deep into the Manu Reserved Zone - the most biodiverse place on Earth. From ancient ruins to spotting jaguars and giant river otters, this is the ultimate Peruvian expedition.
What’s included
Super Vally and Machu Picchu
Briefing
Pre-departure briefing
Bus transportation
Touristic bus for the tour the Sacred Valley in Group Service
Tour Guide
Bilingual guide for Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in Group Service
Meals
Lunch in Sacred Valley
Train Tickets
Round trip train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (can be upgraded to Vistadome train)
Hotel
1 night in Hostel in Aguas Calientes, 2-3 Star Hotel
Meals
1 breakfast
Machu Picchu Bus
Round way Bus Ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket
Entrance to Machu Picchu (we normally include the circuit 2 but if isnt available by the time you book your tour you might need to book an additional circuit in order to maximize your experience, the additional ticket is not included.)
Rainbow Mountain
Tour Bus
Touristic bus for the tour
Tour Guide
Bilingual Tour Guide
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Aid kit
First Aid kit and Oxygen bottle
Entrance Ticket
Entrance ticket to the Rainbow Mountain
Manu Reserved Zone
Tour guide
English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 10 people)
Transportation
Transportation (bus and boat)
Chef
Chef and cooking equipment
Meals
Meals (05B, 06L, 05D + daily morning snack. Vegetarian/vegan are available at no extra cost
Accommodations
All Nights in Lodge, a night in a blind might be included in the tour
Mineral Water
only during the jungle tour
Rain Poncho
for Jungle tour only
Rubber Boots
Rubber boots starting from second day
Entrance Fee
Entrance fee to Manu National Park
First-aid kit
First-aid kit
What’s not included
Breakfast
1st Breakfast on the Sacred Valley Tour and Manu Park
Lunch
in Machu Picchu
Dinner
In Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and last day Dinner in Manu Park
Mineral Water
Not included in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu. Also not included on the 1st day Manu Park Tour
Entrance Ticket
Sacred Valley entrance ticket
Hotel in Cusco
Hotels in Cusco are not included (we can add hotels with an addional fee of $150 per night)
Hot Springs
Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/15.00 (Peruvian Soles). Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes
Huaynapicchu entrance fee
if you would like to climb this mountain a new entrance fee applies (US$ 80)
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance that covers tour cancellation, lost, damage, health.
$1,370
Itinerary
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Destination: Cusco, Machu Picchui, The Rainbow Mountain and Manu National Park (Reserved Zone and Cultural Zone)
Start/Finish: Cusco / Cusco
Activity Level: Moderate (Hiking in the andes, Jungle hiking, boat travel)
Best For: Wildlife photographers, nature lovers, birdwatchers.
Day 1: Cusco - Walking Tour: Step Back in Time: A Walking Journey Through the Heart of the Incas
Discover the magic of Cusco, where ancient Incan foundations meet grand Spanish colonial architecture.This immersive walking tour takes you from the bustling Plaza de Armas to the legendary Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun). Wander through the narrow, cobblestone streets of the San Blas artisan quarter, marvel at the precision of the Twelve-Angle Stone, and soak in panoramic views of the city's red-tiled rooftops. Along the way, experience the vibrant colors and flavors of the San Pedro Market, where local life truly comes alive.
Day 2: Cusco - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu: The Super Sacred Valley (The "VIP" Route)
Pick-up: Approx. 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM
This is a fast-paced but rewarding day covering the most iconic landscapes and ruins in the valley.
- Chinchero: Known as the "Birthplace of the Rainbow." You’ll visit the colonial church built over Incan foundations and witness a traditional Andean textile demonstration where locals use natural plants and minerals to dye alpaca wool.
- Moray: Explore the mysterious circular agricultural terraces. These deep, amphitheater-like pits were used by the Incas as an experimental laboratory to grow crops at different microclimates.
- Maras Salt Mines: Marvel at over 3,000 ancient salt evaporation ponds carved into the mountainside. These are still hand-harvested by local families today.
- Urubamba (Lunch): A stop for a buffet lunch (usually included in most tours) featuring fresh Andean trout, quinoa, and local fruits.
- Ollantaytambo: Explore the "Living Inca Town." You’ll climb the massive fortress terraces where the Incas fought one of their last battles against the Spanish.
- Train to Aguas Calientes: In the late afternoon or evening, you will board the train from Ollantaytambo. The 1.5-hour journey follows the Urubamba River into the lush high jungle.
- Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town).
Day 3: Machu Picchu. - Cusco: The Lost City of the Incas (Machu Picchu)
Start: Early morning (usually between 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM)
- The Ascent: Take the 25-minute shuttle bus from town up the winding road to the Machu Picchu entrance.
- Guided Tour: A 2.5-hour professional guided tour of the citadel. You’ll visit the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, the Intihuatana (sun dial), and the Sacred Rock while learning about the engineering genius of the Incas.
- Free Exploration: Depending on your ticket circuit, you may have time for photos at the famous "Guard House" viewpoint.
- Return to Cusco: You’ll take the bus back down to town, have lunch, and then board the return train to Ollantaytambo. A private van or bus will meet you at the station to drive you back to your hotel in Cusco (arriving around 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM).
Day 4: Cusco - Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
A day trip to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) is one of the most visually stunning and physically demanding experiences in Peru. Because of the extreme altitude, this tour requires an early start to beat the crowds and the afternoon weather.
Tour Quick Facts
Max Altitude: 5,200 m (17,060 ft)
Difficulty: Challenging (due to altitude, not technicality)
Total Hiking Time: 3–4 hours (round trip)
Total Duration: 12–14 hours (from Cusco)
Detailed Itinerary
- 03:30 AM – 04:30 AM: Pickup & Departure
Most tours pick you up directly from your hotel or a central meeting point. You’ll head south from Cusco in a tourist van for about 3 hours. Tip: Bring a small pillow and a blanket; most people sleep during this drive. - 07:00 AM: Breakfast in Cusipata/Pitumarca
Stop in a small Andean village for a local breakfast (usually eggs, toast, fruit, and coca tea). This is your last chance for a proper restroom before the trailhead. - 08:30 AM: Arrival at the Trailhead (Phuluwasipata)
Your guide will give a safety briefing and provide walking sticks if needed. You will start the hike at approximately 4,600m (15,090 ft). - Optional: If the altitude feels too difficult, you can rent a horse from the local community here (approx. 60–90 soles / 15-25 USD). Note that horses cannot do the final 10-minute steep climb to the very top.
- 09:00 AM – 11:00 AM: The Ascent
The trail is a steady, gradual incline. You will pass through a high-altitude valley filled with hundreds of alpacas and llamas, with the snow-capped Ausangate Mountain (the tallest in the region) looming in the distance. - 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: The Summit of Vinicunca
Reach the iconic viewpoint! You’ll have about 30–45 minutes to take photos of the vibrant mineral stripes and enjoy the 360-degree Andean views. - Extension (Optional): Many tours offer a 20-minute detour to the Red Valley. It looks like the surface of Mars and is often less crowded than the Rainbow Mountain itself.
- 12:00 PM – 01:30 PM: The Descent
Walking down is much faster but can be hard on the knees. You’ll head back to the parking area where the van is waiting. - 02:00 PM: Buffet Lunch
A well-deserved Andean buffet lunch back in the village. This usually includes soup, quinoa, pasta, chicken, and vegetables. - 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Return to Cusco
Arrive back in Cusco. Most tours drop you off at Plaza Regocijo (one block from the main square).
Day 5: Cusco to Cloud Forest – The Gateway to the Amazon (5 day Tour to the Reserved Zone of Manu Park)
Highlights: Andean Landscapes, Cock of the Rock Lek, & Epiphyte-Rich Cloud Forest.
Your Manu National Park adventure begins at 5:00 AM. We depart Cusco in a private all-terrain vehicle, ascending the dramatic Andes to the pre-Inca tombs of Ninamarca. After exploring the colonial "Folkloric Capital of Peru," Paucartambo, we reach Acjanaco (3,500m)—the official entrance to Manu.
As we descend the eastern slopes, we enter the mystical Cloud Forest. This is a birdwatcher's paradise. We will stop at a "Lek" to witness the flamboyant courtship dance of the Peruvian National Bird, the Andean Cock of the Rock. Keep your binoculars ready for Woolly Monkeys and the vibrant Golden Quetzal.
- Accommodation: Pona Lodge (Private ensuite rooms)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Deep Into the Manu Reserved Zone – The Jaguar Corridor
Highlights: Manu River Safari, Jaguar Spotting, & Black Caiman.
We depart at dawn for Atalaya Port, transitioning from land to our motorized riverboat. We navigate the Madre de Dios River before entering the Manu Reserved Zone, a restricted area accessible only to a few licensed operators.
The Manu River is world-famous for wildlife. In the dry season (May–October), the beaches are teeming with Black Caiman, Orinoco Geese, and Side-neck Turtles. This is the world’s premier location for wild Jaguar sightings—we will scan the riverbanks closely. In the afternoon, we reach Casa Matsiguenka, an eco-lodge managed by indigenous communities.
- Accommodation: Casa Matsiguenka (Inside the Reserved Zone)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Salvador Oxbow Lake & The Macaw Spectacle
Highlights: Giant River Otters by Catamaran & Macaw Clay Licks.
Today features the "Big Three" of Manu. We start at Cocha Salvador, the largest oxbow lake in the park. Silent paddling on a catamaran allows us to get incredibly close to a resident family of Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis).
Next, we visit a Macaw Clay Lick (Collpa). Watch in awe as hundreds of Blue-headed Parrots, Scarlet Macaws, and Red-and-Green Macaws descend to eat mineral-rich clay—a riot of color and sound. We’ll spend the afternoon hiking primary forest trails to find Spider Monkeys and Emperor Tamarins.
- Accommodation: Casa Matsiguenka
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Jungle Giants & The Tapir Clay Lick
Highlights: Ancient Ceiba Trees & Nocturnal Tapir Observation.
After a final morning exploring the Manu Reserved Zone, we begin our boat journey downstream. We’ll stop to hike through primary forest to visit a Tapir Clay Lick. Using a specially designed "blind" (observation platform), we wait for the South American Tapir that is the largest land mammal in the Amazon to emerge under the cover of darkness.
This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner at Papaya Lodge, surrounded by the nocturnal symphony of the rainforest.
- Accommodation: Papaya Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: The Return Journey – From Jungle to Andes
Highlights: Final Wildlife Spotting & Scenic Mountain Pass.
We enjoy a final Amazonian breakfast before taking our boat back to Atalaya Port. Our private transport will be waiting to take us back up through the Cloud Forest. This is your last chance to spot Mountain Toucans or the elusive Spectacled Bear. We arrive back in Cusco between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM, concluding your 5-day Manu expedition.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Location
Your Organizer
Trips to Machu Picchu
Trips to Machu Picchu by Manu Explorers Peru specializes in authentic tours to one of the world’s wonders. Our offerings include the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay, Lares, and Choquequirao treks, alongside the high-adventure Inca Jungle Trek and scenic train tours to Machu Picchu. Looking for more adventure? We also provide expert-guided jungle expeditions to the Manu National Park Reserved Zone.
