English and Spanish-speaking guide
Small-group tour (up to 15 participants)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Check the Dates
This immersive Cusco to Amazon rainforest tour takes you on a 4-day expedition through the biodiverse Manu Cultural Zone. You will transition from high mountain vistas into the lush cloud forest and deep jungle, exploring the Machuwasi Lagoon and a vibrant Parrot Clay Lick. The package is all-inclusive, featuring lodge accommodation, expert guides, and all land and river transportation.
Highlights:
- Observe Peru’s national bird, the Cock-of-the-Rock, and exotic quetzals in the cloud forest.
- Visit a Parrot Clay Lick at dawn to see flocks of vibrant birds feeding on mineral walls.
- Explore the Machuwasi Lagoon to spot prehistoric shansho birds and diverse reptiles.
- Discover the jungle’s hidden world with specialized night walks focused on insects and amphibians.
- Enjoy an all-inclusive trip with lodge stays, land and river transport, and expert-led night walks.
About this tour:
This immersive Cusco to Amazon rainforest tour is a 4-day, 3-night expedition into the biodiverse Manu Cultural Zone. Designed for nature enthusiasts, this small-group adventure transitions from the high Andean peaks down through the misty cloud forest and into the heart of the Amazon basin, providing multiple opportunities to spot rare wildlife in their natural habitat.
Day 1: Cusco, Cloud Forest, and Hike. The journey begins with an early morning pickup in Cusco for a scenic drive ascending the Andes to the entrance of the jungle at Ajanaco. From this high point, you will descend into the lush cloud forest, an area rich with exotic vegetation like orchids, heliconias, and ferns. Your guide will help you spot endemic species such as the Cock-of-the-Rock, quetzals, and trogons before you arrive at the lodge to relax.
Day 2: Atalaya, Machuwasi Lagoon, and Night Walk. After a morning nature walk to observe monkeys and birds, you will take a bus to the port of Atalaya to board a motorized boat. Along the river, you can enjoy a swim or a medicinal mud bath before arriving at the next lodge. In the afternoon, you will explore the Machuwasi Lagoon on a traditional raft, observing prehistoric-looking shansho birds, dwarf caimans, and capybaras, followed by an intriguing night walk to find nocturnal wildlife.
Day 3: Parrot Clay Lick, Ceiba Tree, and Night Hiking. At dawn, you will sail to a nearby Parrot Clay Lick to witness vibrant flocks of parrots feeding on the nutrient-rich mineral walls. After breakfast, you will trek through primary forest to see the “Ceiba,” the jungle’s tallest and thickest tree, while searching for tapirs and other mammals. The day concludes with a specialized night hike focused on spotting the rainforest’s fascinating insects, amphibians, and snakes.
Day 4: Wildlife Hike and Return to Cusco. The final morning includes one last exploratory trail to observe wildlife in the early hours. After a final breakfast in the jungles, you will travel by boat back to Atalaya and then by van toward the Andes. The return trip offers a final chance to see waterfalls, orchids, and hummingbirds as the landscape shifts from lush jungle back to mountain vistas, arriving in Cusco by early evening. This all-inclusive package covers all land and river transport, lodge accommodation, and all meals except for breakfast on the first day.
Included:
- Land and river transportation by bus and boat
- Professional guides with binoculars and telescope
- Experienced crew, boat driver, and cook
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks (except for breakfast on the first day)
- The option of accommodation dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian
- Rooms with private or shared bathroom/shower
- Mineral water at the lodge
- Safety equipment
- Wellingtons
- First aid kit
Essential Information:
- Exclusions: Breakfast on the first day is NOT included. Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and water for the first morning are excluded.
- Meeting Point: View the meeting point for this 4-day Cusco to Amazon jungle tour on Google Maps.
Activity provider: Exploor Trip E.R.L
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this 4-day Cusco to Amazon rainforest tour include?
This comprehensive expedition is designed to be highly inclusive, covering all land and river transportation by bus and motorized boat for the duration of the trip. The package includes three nights of lodge accommodation, professional bilingual guides equipped with high-quality observation gear, and all meals from the first day’s lunch through the final breakfast. Additionally, the operator provides a dedicated cook, mineral water at the lodge, and essential safety equipment including wellingtons (rubber boots) for jungle treks.
What is not covered by the tour price?
It is important to plan ahead as breakfast on the first day is NOT included in the tour price. Furthermore, the package excludes alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled water for the first morning of the journey. Guests should also budget for any personal expenses or tips for the crew and guides that they may wish to provide during the excursion.
Where and when does this Amazon rainforest tour from Cusco begin?
What will I experience during this 4-day Cusco to Amazon jungle tour?
Your journey offers a dramatic ecological transition as you travel from the high-altitude Andean peaks down into the misty cloud forest and finally into the lowland Amazonian rainforest. You will have the rare opportunity to spot the Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru’s national bird, and explore the Machuwasi Lagoon on a traditional raft to observe dwarf caimans and prehistoric-looking shansho birds. The itinerary is designed to maximize wildlife viewing, from witnessing vibrant flocks at a Parrot Clay Lick at dawn to trekking deep into the forest to stand before a massive ancient Ceiba tree.
Beyond daytime exploration, you will delve into the hidden world of the rainforest through specialized night walks focused on locating nocturnal insects, amphibians, and reptiles. The experience is enhanced by the expertise of local guides who use telescopes to bring distant monkeys and exotic birds into clear view. Throughout the four days, you will alternate between thrilling river navigation and peaceful hikes, concluding with a scenic return journey through mountain vistas and hidden waterfalls back to Cusco.