Culture and Nature Full of Colour
This Cusco and Manu National Park tour is a great mix to enjoy the culture and nature of our beatiful Peru. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Peru and have a colourful experience with its landscapes and many animal species.
A long time ago, Cusco’s Main Square was the central point of the Inca Empire. The four roads that linked the whole Inca Empire met at this point. The Inca Empire spread from Ecuador, part of Colombia to the north of Chile and Argentina and included the entire territories of Peru and Bolivia. The ruins, temples, churches, mansions and the varied architecture make Cusco a showcase that displays all the cultures and eras from our country: Pre-Inca, Inca, Colonial and Republican.
Cusco is an unforgettable destination, full of history and culture and a splendid heritage. It is a mandatory destination for everyone visiting Peru.
Cusco is as well the starting point for the tours to the Machu Picchu Inca citadel.
Located at the southeast of Peru, Manu covers the Cusco and Madre de Dios regions and has a 1,716,295.22-ha area. It is the core zone of the Manu Biosphere Reserve and was declared by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage in 1987. It is inhabited by 30 Quechua-speaking and farming communities and several native Amazonian populations such as the Matsiguenka, Amahuaca, Yaminahua, Piro, Amarakaeri, Huashipaire and Nahua. The park contributes to the acknowledgement and protection of cultural diversity preserving the archaeological heritage through investigation, education and leisure.
We can find more than 1,000 bird species such as harpy eagles, jabirus, Orinoco geese, Andean cocks-of-the-rocks and roseate spoonbills; 200 mammal species as the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, spider monkeys, river otters, jaguars, oncillas, spectacled bears, Andean deer and more than 100 bat species. We can also find trees that are more than 45 meters high and 3 meters in diameter, the lupuna or kapoktree, the cecropia, the balsa tree, the cedar, the tornillo and the strangler fig stand out.
**All our programs can be modified according to your requirements on duration, interests, activities, flight reservations or other additional destinations.**
Upon your arrival at the international airport of the city of Lima our staff will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Here you will receive a summary of the tour contracted, you will be given the vouchers for the provision of all the services included in the tour.
Meals: None
On arrival, you will be assisted and transferred to your hotel. We suggest resting the rest of the morning to acclimatize to the altitude.
In the afternoon, we will get to know Cusco city on a guided tour, visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. The tour continues outside the city to visit the Kenko, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara archaeological complexes and the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress which was strategically built on a hill dominating Cusco. It is famous for its huge carved stones, put together with amazing precision to form the external walls of the complex. Some of these stones are over 9 meters high and weight more than 350 tons.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, on the Vilcanota River where you will be able to see the typical Indian market and experience its people´s customs. (On Sundays, the mass is celebrated in Quechua the native language). Lunch in a valley’s local restaurant.
In the afternoon stop by Calca and Urubamba on our way to the Ollantaytambo fortress and citadel, built to guard the entrances to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions from the rainforest´s inhabitants. It is formed by a series of overlapping terraces. We will have the chance to walk through the towns’ streets so we can have a clear idea of how this military, religious and agricultural strategic center was during the Inca Empire.
Overnight stay in the Sacred Valley.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Visitors will be transferred to the train station early in the morning, to start their trip to the Machu Picchu citadel, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. They will get off the train at the Aguas Calientes station to take a bus that will take them to the wonderful citadel in a 30-minute-long trip through a zigzagging road. Once there, we will have a guided tour over the citadel, visiting the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial, the Royal Chambers, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. Lunch in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, they will return to Cusco to be taken to their hotels.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Depart Cusco after an early breakfast and start the fabulous journey that will take you from the high Andes, with spectacular views of the sacred valley, right down into the cloud forest. Arrive at Paucartambo, the centre of ancient trading routes of the Incas, and stop for a light refreshment. Here you will have the chance to experience some local culture, traditional dances and celebrations as well as learn about the Andean communities’ use of biodiversity within the forest. Continue your journey
on towards one of the highest points of the day at Acjanaco (3,500 m), a park rangers’ station and the entrance to Manu National Park. If weather conditions permit, you may have the chance of seeing the spectacular views of Peru’s largest National Park. Amidst the clouds, travel on towards San Pedro, where you will have lunch. Take in the dramatic changes of the landscape as you go until you reach the lodge in the afternoon, about 3pm, for your overnight stay.
Lodging: Cock of the Rock Lodge, Paradise Lodge or Wayquecha Biological Station
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
An early morning start takes you out into the cloud forest to see one of its main attractions, the Cock of The Rock bird, the national bird of Peru. Watch their dance spectacle right in front of you, an incredible sight! After a hearty breakfast at the lodge begin the journey down by road further into the cloud forest. The journey will be full of the sights and sounds of the forest, monkeys and some of the richest varieties of birds on earth as well as the spectacled bear. You will visit a coca plantation where you will learn about the uses of the coca leaves and their medicinal properties. After a short stop at Pillcopata you will head on to the port-town of Atalaya, and board a motorized canoe. A one-hour ride to the Manu Learning Centre gives you your first impression of the meandering Amazonian river, the Alto Madre de Dios, one of the most southern tributaries of the legendary Amazonas River. On arrival you will be shown round the lodge before lunch. In the afternoon, explore the local trail system with your naturalist guides, before relaxing at the lodge to the sounds of forest. During your stay at this beautiful lodge guests can learn about the human history of Manu and the challenges conserving this beautiful and fragile environment talking to the guides and researchers on site. Or perhaps you want to just relax and let the world go by sipping a cool drink and watching the sun set on the Amazon.
Lodging: Manu Learning Centre.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
One of the most interesting activities at the Manu Learning Centre is the monitoring of the clay lick or collpa where, among others, the endangered Blue Headed Macaw is observed and studied. Join the scientists and researchers on an early morning boat trip to the hide, five minutes up river, to observe the activity of macaws, parrots, and parakeets. As day breaks and the sun rises you will be able to see the magical colours of the birds as they flock together on the walls of the clay lick. On your way back for breakfast, head into the forest and visit a bio- garden; part of the centre’s sustainable project which also supplies the food to the lodge’s kitchen. From here head through multiple forest types, running into squirrel monkeys humming birds and razor-billed curassows, an incredible experience. Spend the afternoon at your own leisure or spend it with one of the specialist guides exploring the 25km of trails in the rainforest. After dinner that evening enjoy a presentation which helps put in context the work we do at crees on sustainability and conservation and learn more about the ongoing work the foundation does to help preserve the region. There is also always the possibility to head out on a night walk to spot all the nocturnal species.
Lodging: Manu Learning Centre.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
After breakfast, prepare for departure. Take the boat back to the port-town of Atalaya where you will board your transport to take you back to Cusco. The landscape will change dramatically as you climb up into the cloud forest towards the Andes and then down to Cusco. You will be dropped off at your hotel by your guide bringing your trip to an end but you will take with you the wonderful experience of Manu. You will arrive back at your hotel in time for dinner about 7pm.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
At the appropriate time transfer to the airport of Cusco to take your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, guided tour in the morning through the most important and attractive places in Lima, “The City of Kings”. We will begin our tour in Miraflores and San Isidro, both modern residential districts. We will go to the Financial Center, “El Golf”, “El Olivar” the “Huaca Pucllana” which is a pre-Inca ceremonial temple that has survived the urban expansion of the city. We will stop at “Parque del Amor” (The Love Park) where we will watch the Pacific Ocean.
We will continue our tour in Lima’s Historic Center, which was declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1991. It also was the center of the Spanish colony in the XVI century and the place where the first buildings were constructed. We will visit the Plaza San Martín, its balconies and old mansions, the Main Square and its important buildings as the Palace of Government, Lima´s Cathedral, the Archiepiscopal Palace and the City Hall, the Desamparados Station, among others.
We will enter one of the most important convents of the XVII century. We will visit the old Library, the choir, the Main Cloister and the underground vaults known as the “Catacumbas”. After we finish this tour, we will leave you at Lima airport to take your international flight.
Meals: Breakfast
| Destination | Tourist | Superior tourist | Superior | Deluxe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cusco |
Antawasi |
Casona Plaza Cusco |
Xima |
Casa Andina Premium |
|
Sacred Valley of the Incas |
Ollantaytambo Lodge |
San Agustín Urubamba & SPA |
Del Pilar Ollantaytambo |
Casa Andina Premium |
|
Manu National Park |
Cock of the Rock / Manu Learning Center |
Cock of the Rock / Manu Learning Center |
Cock of the Rock / Manu Learning Center |
Cock of the Rock / Manu Learning Center |
| Price per person: USD | 1871 | 1925 | 2175 | 2440 |
| Cusco | Antawasi |
| Sacred Valley of the Incas | Ollantaytambo Lodge |
| Manu National Park | Cock of the Rock / Manu Learning Center |
| Price per person: USD | 1871 |
|---|
| Cusco | Casona Plaza Cusco |
| Sacred Valley of the Incas | San Agustín Urubamba & SPA |
| Manu National Park | Cock of the Rock / Manu Learning Center |
| Price per person: USD | 1925 |
|---|
| Cusco | Xima |
| Sacred Valley of the Incas | Del Pilar Ollantaytambo |
| Manu National Park | Cock of the Rock / Manu Learning Center |
| Price per person: USD | 2175 |
|---|
| Cusco | Casa Andina Premium |
| Sacred Valley of the Incas | Casa Andina Premium |
| Manu National Park | Cock of the Rock / Manu Learning Center |
| Price per person: USD | 2440 |
|---|
Prices per person in US Dollars, based on double occupancy.
INCLUDES:
In Lima: City Tour and Larco Museum
In Cusco: City tour and nearby ruins
In the Sacred Valle of the Incas: Excursion in Pisac and Ollantaytambo
In Machu Picchu: Guided visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu
In Manu: Excursion 4 days / 3 nights, all inclusive
NOT INCLUDED:
PRICES
All rates are expressed in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice.
ITINERARY
All our itineraries have been very carefully prepared taking your trip’s best operation into account. However, changing the order of some tours or routes might be necessary in some cases. Although these changes occur in few instances, the itinerary details should be taken as a basic guide.
AIR TICKETS
If Colourful Peru oversees buying and issuing local-flight tickets, their prices may vary until the date of the flight’s booking and payment. Furthermore, the airline might change the flight number as well as its departure hour.
Once the flight reservation and payment are made, the latter will not be reimbursable. Changes regarding name, flight, route, trip’s date or cancellations are not allowed.
Hotel reservations that are not part of an organized trip
Cancellations and Reimbursements
Booked trips
Cancellations and Reimbursements
(*) Note: some suppliers consider stricter cancellation conditions, consequently, they reserve the right to charge additional fees for other penalties in such cases.
Regarding the Inca Trail: the reserve is subject to its payment and there will not be reimbursements in case of cancellations, moreover, neither name nor date changes are allowed.
During peak season, the company reserves the right to change the cancellation regulations in case the suppliers apply other penalties or make the aforementioned changes.
LIABILITY
Live Corporation carries out your trip’s arrangements, books transfer services, hotel rooms or other travel services required on your behalf, consequently, the company takes no responsibility for the loss of items, flight or tours delays due to events of force majeure, accidents or other events.
Important!
Live Corporation disclaims any liability for medical conditions, pregnancy, mental or physical limitations that might put at risk the health or integrity of the passenger or third parties during the operation of the booked tours or that might jeopardize the trip’s progress. Therefore, the company will not be obliged to any refunds or to address claims regarding the aforementioned reasons, even when there are not noticeable problems in normal circumstances.
Given this, it is important for the passengers to inform the company whether there is any of the aforementioned impediments, so we can offer and suggest suitable services according to the existing limitations.
CLIMATE
The climate in Peru can be divided by zones: the western Andes that has a dry and cold climate in winter and its very rainy during the summer. The rainforest that has a hot, wet and rainy climate and the desert coast with a warm climate without regular rainfall.
Cusco has a mild climate with temperatures that go from 14 ºC to 16ºC with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season is from December to March.
Machu Picchu has a semi-tropical climate with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season is from November to April.
Manu National Park has a warm and rainy climate throughout the year. The temperature can decrease in June and July because of the “friaje” (cold wave) due to the southern winds.
The weather doesn’t hold the trip back in general, except when the “El Niño” phenomenon is very aggressive.
TIME ZONE
Peru Time Zone according to Greenwich Mean Time is -5 (GMT -5), same as Bogotá and Mexico throughout the year and same as New York during summer. When it is midday in Peru the hour in the most important cities is:
| São Paulo | 14:00 |
| Frankfurt | 19:00 |
| Nueva York | 13:00 |
| Londres | 18:00 |
| Hong Kong | 01:00 + 1day |
| Singapur | 01:00 + 1day |
ALTITUDE
In Lima: 0 meters above sea level
In Cusco: 3,360 meters above sea level
In Machu Picchu: 2,400 meters above sea level
In the Sacred Valley: 2,850 meters above sea level
In Manu National Park: 300 meters above sea level
WE RECOMMEND
HEALTH
The Peruvian Andes are at high altitudes, so it is necessary to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness or “soroche”. It is important to rest a few hours, to walk slowly and to eat light before beginning any tour. We also recommend drinking coca tea that helps with acclimatization. Even though water is potable in most cities, it is advisable to drink bottled water to avoid any problems.
VISA
To know if you need a visa to enter Peru, please go to the closest consulate since the requirement may vary at any moment. For more information, please go to:
Visa types to enter Peru
LANGUAGE
Peru’s official language is Spanish, which is spoken by 80% of the population. However, there is a large portion of the population that speaks Quechua and Aymara (especially in the Peruvian Andes). Moreover, we can find 55 dialects in the Amazonian rainforest.
ELECTRICAL CURRENT
Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz. In some hotels, you may find dual voltage outlets, however, we suggest checking your appliances’ voltage and take precautions by having a power adapter or converter.
PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY
During the last years, the Peruvian gastronomy has become famous because of its variety and exquisiteness. Among the most known dishes you can find the ceviche, a dish made of fish and seafood marinated in lemon juice.
There is a new gastronomy trend in Cusco called “novoandina”. The novoandina cuisine is based on the creation of new dishes using local ingredients such as quinoa, quiwicha, potato, alpaca and trout. This way, we have dishes such as alpaca tenderloin with “quinotto” (risotto made of quinoa instead of rice) or grilled trout with sautéed vegetables and native potatoes.
Restaurants during your trip:
Cusco: international, local and vegetarian food restaurants.
Aguas Calientes: international and local food restaurants.
Manu National Park: all meals will be provided by the lodge.
IMPORTANT
Colourful Peru reserves the right to make any changes without prior notice due to weather conditions, river levels, transport departures or arrivals, etc., to assure a better development of your trip’s operation.
FOR THE RAINFOREST
Yellow Fever Vaccine:
We recommend receiving the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before your arrival to the rainforest. It is a must to have the vaccination certificate during your trip.
MANU
Attractions in the Cultural Zone:
The Manu Biosphere Reserve is divided in three zones: Cultural Zone, Reserved Zone and National Park. The Cultural Zone is also known as the Transition Zone since it goes from the Andes in Cusco to the cloud forest and the edge of the rainforest in Madre de Dios. This area is inhabited by settlers that carry out agricultural, forest and livestock activities controlled by the Ministry of Environment. The health, development and education services are basic.
We suggest taking a tour to the Reserved Zone to know the rainforest at its best.
The tour in the Cultural Zone is advisable for those who doesn’t have much time and want to experience and feel the Peruvian rainforest’s nature while they enjoy the cloud forest’s landscapes. They might have the chance to meet the Andean cock-of-the-rocks, Peru’s national bird. The adventure lovers can practice mountain biking, canopy, zip line and rafting in this zone.
Your team is fully qualified to guide you and to show you the best of the area’s flora and fauna. This amazing experience will be completed by the cooks.
IMPORTANT:
We ask the visitors to carry hand-luggage that doesn’t exceed 15 kilos (32 pounds) since it will be carried by hand from the boats to their room.
Culture and Nature Full of Colour
Our team will be contacting you as soon as possible.