An eight-day circuit from Cusco to Machu Picchu and the Manu lowlands that pairs Inca archaeology with Amazon jungle wildlife. Expect high-altitude trekking, train transfers to Aguas Calientes, river boat travel and guided rainforest walks.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out into Cusco’s Plaza de Armas with cold sun and thin air pressing gently against your face. Stone walls at Sacsayhuamán loom above the city—blocks hewn and fitted without mortar—and the day’s itinerary threads from high-altitude Inca ruins to steamy lowland rainforest. Early buses climb through puna grass and alpaca herds; later a river will dare you into a different world of orchids and caimans.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
8 days
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness for multi-day travel, short hikes up to 3 hours with sustained altitude; be prepared for long transfer days.
Wildlife
History
The route moves through core Inca sites—Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo and Ollantaytambo—places reflecting Inca stonework, terrace agriculture and ritual landscapes.
Conservation
Manu and surrounding cloud forests are biodiversity hotspots under pressure from logging and development; follow lodge guidance, avoid single-use plastics and stick to trails to minimize impact.
Reserve your spot on the Cusco, Machu Picchu & Manu (8 Days Package Tour) today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize before high passes
Spend at least 48 hours in Cusco or another intermediate altitude to reduce risk of altitude illness before Rainbow Mountain or long Andean days.
Layer for extremes
Temperatures swing from frosty Andean mornings to warm rainforest afternoons—pack breathable base layers and a warm insulating layer.
Bring insect protection
Repellent with DEET or picaridin and long sleeves are essential for Manu lodge hikes and dusk wildlife walks.
Plan for early starts
Rainbow Mountain departures are around 03:00–03:15; expect pre-dawn pickups and a 3‑hour ascent from Quesiuno.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and traction for rocky Inca terraces and variable trail surfaces on Rainbow Mountain and Sacred Valley hikes.
Warm insulating layer
Thin down or fleece for cold Andean mornings at high elevations (4,300–5,020 m).
winter
Light rain shell
Waterproof protection for Amazon downpours and afternoon storms in the cloud forest.
summer
Insect repellent & headlamp
Repellent for jungle mosquitoes; headlamp useful for pre-dawn departures and lodge nights.