As you already know, it is no mystery that the favorite circuit to reach Machu Picchu is the Inca Trail, which attracts thousands of visitors each year due to the combination of wonderful landscapes and spectacular ruins.
However, there is another hidden path, which reveals an unknown face of the area, winding its way through mountains, snow-capped peaks, and lagoons. Salkantay promises to take you through incredible landscapes and allow you to connect with the nature of the sacred mountains. Meanwhile, the National Park of Manu offers one of the best circuits for nature tourism.
Considered one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, this destination allows you to experience an intimate connection with nature in its most primitive and wild state.
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, Manu National Park tours from Cusco offer an unforgettable experience in one of the most biodiverse regions of the earth! Manu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and designated Biosphere Reserve, and it deserves a place on your travel bucket list. Manu National Park has an amazing diversity of habitats ranging from the highlands to the rainforest. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or taking photos, Manu National Park tours open the door to breathtaking natural beauty. Starting the journey from Cusco links your journey to the ancient Inca culture to the wild beauty of the Amazon basin of Peru.
An average Manu National Park Tour departing from Cusco runs for three to four days. Therefore, it allows visitors to see the cloud forest transition as well as the deeper Amazon.
The tour descends from the Andean slopes, steering through colorful forests of cloud before dropping into dense tropical lowlands. These days, you'll be surrounded by views, rare species of wildlife, and communities from the local area.
The adventure begins with an early pickup between 3:15 and 3:45 am from your accommodation, departing at 4:00 am on a private bus towards Mollepata, a small village at an altitude of 2,850m. The journey offers stunning views of the snow-capped Salkantay mountain range, which rises between 4,000 to 5,000 meters above sea level.
We’ll arrive in Mollepata around 7:00 am, where you can enjoy breakfast (optional) while taking in the magnificent views. Afterward, we’ll begin the hike, which will take approximately 7-8 hours, passing through lush jungle vegetation. We’ll stop for lunch along the way before reaching Soraypampa, our campsite for the night.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Minimum Altitude: 2,677 m.a.s.l. (Mollepata) | Maximum Altitude: 3,900 m.a.s.l. (Soraypampa)
Distance: 16 km approx.
The second day is the longest of the trek. After breakfast, we’ll start with a moderate ascent for about two hours until we reach the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m / 9800 ft), where we’ll leave a small gift for the mountains and take a group photo with the snow-capped Salkantay mountain in the background.
We’ll then descend for two hours to the lunch spot at Huayracmachay. After a short break, we’ll continue our descent into the jungle, arriving at Chaullay by the end of the day to camp for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4,630 m.a.s.l. (Salkantay Pass) | Minimum Altitude: 2,800 m.a.s.l. (Chaullay)
Distance: 22 km approx.
After breakfast at 6:30 am, we’ll continue through the high jungle, crossing the Lluskamayo River and a variety of small streams. Along the way, you’ll enjoy magnificent valleys, waterfalls, tropical plants, and fruits, including coca, the sacred leaf of the Inca Empire. The descent continues to Playa Sahuayaco and then to Santa Teresa, where we will camp for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 2,800 m.a.s.l. (Chaullay) | Minimum Altitude: 1,800 m.a.s.l. (Santa Teresa)
Distance: 16 km approx.
We begin our day in the tropical zone, surrounded by nature and history, with breakfast before continuing our journey to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Village). The hike will take approximately 7 hours, passing through the Hydroeléctrica (Hydroelectric Station) and stopping at scenic spots to enjoy waterfalls and stunning views. We will arrive in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hostel located at the base of Machu Picchu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hostel in Aguas Calientes
Minimum Altitude: 1,800 m.a.s.l. (Santa Teresa) | Maximum Altitude: 2,040 m.a.s.l. (Aguas Calientes)
Distance: 16 km approx.
On the final day, we’ll wake up early around 4:30 am to ascend to the majestic Inca city of Machu Picchu. We will have a guided tour of the citadel for approximately two hours, before having free time to explore the site further. You may visit Huayna Picchu (optional), Inti Punku, the Temple of the Moon, or simply take in the beauty of the citadel again.
In the afternoon, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes and depending on the train schedule, we’ll travel back to Cusco. A train transfer to Ollantaytambo will then connect us to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast
Minimum Altitude: 2,040 m.a.s.l. (Aguas Calientes) | Maximum Altitude: 2,430 m.a.s.l. (Machu Picchu)
Activity: Visit to Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
Your epic four day Manu National Park Tours from Cusco begins with an early morning transfer (0500 AM) from your hotel in Cusco. In our private transport, we will be driving you to a small Andean town called Huancarani. We will be stopping here for a traditional breakfast.
After relishing a traditional breakfast, we will continue our journey to the colonial and folkloric town of Paucartambo.
Our local expert will be explaining the importance of this traditional town. You will understand its significance to the Incas and how the locals have retained their age old traditions and customs unblemished.
We will then drive you up the hill to Acjanaco Pass, the entrance to Manu National Park. This is the point where Manu National Park begins. We will hike to the viewpoint, Balcon del Este. You will get to contemplate the panoramic view of the Amazon Basin and Manu National Park.
After soaking in the pristine views, we will start our downhill drive to San Pedro. This region is home to the Peruvian National Bird, El Gallito de Rocas or Andean Cock of the Rock. Accompanied by our local Amazonian expert tour guide, we will be doing a short hike, which will be your introduction to Manu National Park Peru.
Once you have had your fill of the first views of Manu National Park, we will be driving you to our Bambu Lodge. Here, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite lodge room for the night. The company staff will be serving delicious dinner.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner.
We will be serving you a delicious breakfast to kickstart your day to explore the rainforest of the Peruvian Amazon. We will be driving you to the boat pier in Atalaya. On our way, we will be stopping to see coca plantations. We will also visit an attraction center for hummingbirds, continuing with the journey. We will also stop at a viewpoint to get a staggering view of the Madre de Dios River snaking through the jungle.
Our journey by car will come to an end in Atalaya Port. We will be embarking on a boat ride on the Alto Madre de Dios River to Aguas Calientes in Manu. As the name suggests, this small village is home to hot springs. Along the boat ride, you will get to see more distinct species of birds and some mammals, including the River otters.
Once in Aguas Calientes, you can spend the morning taking a refreshing dip in the natural thermal waters. Once you have had your fill, we will be continuing our boat ride further into the jungle at our signature lodge in Palotoa Ecological Reserve. We will be accommodating you in an ensuite room here.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
The third day of your Manu National Park Tour from Cusco with an English-speaking local tour guide is designed to offer you a much deeper insight into the Amazon Jungle.
After relishing an Amazonian breakfast, we will set out on a hike to explore the jungle. We recommend that you carry some snacks and water in a small day pack for this hike. We will be spotting plenty of animals, including wild pigs, different species of monkeys, anteaters, and tapirs.
The region is also home to different species of butterflies. You will also see some iconic birds like harpy eagles, parrots, and toucans. We will also be introducing you to more medicinal plants, some giant trees, and different types of palm trees.
We will be unboxing our lunch amidst the jungle. Hiking through the wetlands, we will be able to spot alligators. Our local expert will give you some lessons on survival. You will learn how to climb trees, how to recognize edible fruits, and how to fetch water.
After getting an immersive tour of the jungle, we will be returning to our lodge for dinner. We will be setting up a bonfire.
Later in the evening, you will have the option of doing a nocturnal tour where you will be able to spot more distinct creatures and insects.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Our last day of the four-day Manu National Park Tour from Cusco begins with a delicious Amazonian breakfast. We will check out of the lodge and embark on a boat ride back to Atalaya port. Our driver will be waiting here with our transport for the ride back to Cusco.
Along the way, we will be having different stops so you can stretch your legs, use restrooms, and have lunch.
We will be reaching Cusco City by 5:00 PM.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.
The pickup starts between 3:15 a.m. and 3:45 a.m.
The highest altitude reached on Day 1 is 3,900 meters (Soraypampa).
After reaching the Salcantay Pass, the primary activity is descending for two hours before having lunch at Huayracmachay.
On Day 3, the trek passes through the high jungle, crossing rivers and streams, and encountering waterfalls and tropical plants.
The total trekking distance on Day 4 is approximately 16 kilometers.
On Day 5, visitors can choose to visit Huayna Picchu (for an additional fee), Inti Punku, or the Temple of the Moon.
The Salkantay Trek was one of the most challenging yet rewarding adventures I’ve ever done. The scenery was breathtaking, from snow-capped peaks to lush jungle landscapes. The trek is physically demanding, especially on the first day, but the reward of reaching Machu Picchu at the end made it all worth it. The guides were knowledgeable and kept the group motivated, and the campsites were well-organized. The food was surprisingly good for a trek of this kind. If you’re looking for an adventurous way to reach Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek is the way to go.
Le trek du Salkantay a été l’une des aventures les plus difficiles et les plus enrichissantes que j’aie jamais faites. Les paysages étaient à couper le souffle, des sommets enneigés aux paysages de jungle luxuriante. Le trek est physiquement exigeant, surtout le premier jour, mais la récompense d’atteindre le Machu Picchu à la fin en valait la peine. Les guides étaient compétents et ont su motiver le groupe, et les emplacements de camping étaient bien organisés. La nourriture était étonnamment bonne pour un trek de ce type. Si vous cherchez une façon aventureuse d’atteindre le Machu Picchu, le trek du Salkantay est fait pour vous.