Cusco is one of the largest archaeological and tourist places in Peru. With attractions and museums everywhere, this place is a must-stop for every tourist. Its location on the heights gives incredible views added to the particular architecture that dominates the city. And one good thing about Cusco is that it borders the Peruvian Amazon, another wonderful place for those eager for adventure. That is why combining these two sites in one tour is a perfect opportunity to discover how much Peru has to offer. And, together with Machu Travel Peru, we have decided to create this informative article about the different Amazon tours from Cusco available.
Cusco is a good start for any tour within the Amazon. Inside the Imperial City, you will be a few steps from the most important attractions of the Andean country. During your trip to Peru, you can take Amazon tours from Cusco either by road or by air, so reaching the jungle is easy. To get an idea you can visit Machu Picchu and then take a flight to the most important jungle cities. From Cusco, flights to the jungle are very short and quite cheap compared to other places. Therefore, if you are looking to visit these important destinations, we recommend our Amazon tours from Cusco.
Some of the best Amazon tours from Cusco
- Amazon tours starting in Cusco
- Puerto Maldonado from Cusco
- Tambopata National Reserve
- Wildlife in the Tambopata Reserve
- Manu National Park
- Wildlife in Manu National Park
- Iquitos from Cusco
- The best time to go to the jungle
AMAZON TOURS STARTING IN CUSCO
The Imperial City is a perfect site to start any adventure or tour. From its incredible museums and attractions, they will make your guided tour a special one. If you want to know about tourism in Peru, you should not miss this imposing city. It is recommended to take a few days in the city for ideal acclimatization since Cusco is at a very high altitude above sea level. Usually, there are not many difficulties, but it is advisable, during the first day, to avoid large efforts and heavy meals. With so many things to do in Cusco, it is advisable to enjoy a few days in this beautiful city.
Also, from The Imperial City, you can visit various points of the Amazon from land or through different flights. Even if you want, you can visit the Amazonian cloud forest of the Manu National Park by road. For this reason, we recommend you start with this incredible city, where you will also have the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu and then continue with your adventure. You will kill two birds with one stone. If you are looking for the best way to travel in Peru we can recommend traveling by plane, as it does not take more than one hour to Puerto Maldonado
PUERTO MALDONADO FROM CUSCO
Among the many Amazon tours from Cusco, there will surely include the option of visiting Puerto Maldonado. Puerto Maldonado is one of the most popular cities within the Peruvian Amazon. It is made up of one of the best areas of the tropical Amazon to explore and see wildlife. And this city is just a few minutes from Cusco by plane. From here you have two great options to explore and visit, the Tambopata or Manu region. These two areas host a fascinating amount of Amazon wildlife to observe and take photos of. Throughout the year, you can enjoy these incredible and beautiful areas. So if you are looking for the best time to visit Peru, you can do it whenever you want.
TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE
Generally, if you want to go to areas with abundant wildlife to observe, you would have to take trips of 4 or 5 hours through the Amazon River. But Puerto Maldonado is not the case, at very short distances from the city, you can enjoy these beautiful and magical places. Very close to Cusco you can find the jungle city of Puerto Maldonado and the Tambopata National Reserve. The Tambopata area is located on the Madre de Dios River. The river is full of aquatic life, and you can see the amazing Caiman crocodile.
WILDLIFE IN THE TAMBOPATA RESERVE
The Tambopata National Reserve is located in the Amazon basin near Bolivia. It is one of the best places to observe the Black Caiman, the largest of the alligators. While the smaller and more common Spectacled Caiman can be easily seen on the river banks near Puerto Maldonado. The area is also famous for tapirs, capybaras, and the occasional jaguar. The Tambopata reserve has more than 14,500 species of animals and around 1,800 species of birds.
These places offer the perfect opportunity to see the heart of the Amazon without wasting too much time traveling. If you plan to immerse yourself in one of the many Machu Picchu and Amazon tours, you definitely cannot miss this reserve. You can choose to see the beautiful and colorful macaw parrots and if you have time, tour the incredible Tambopata Research Center for another type of experience. You can visit these areas on a tour of the Peruvian Amazon, so contact your travel agent for more details.
MANU NATIONAL PARK
Not far from Cusco is the Manu National Park. The Manu region is one of the best options to explore within all tours in Peru. This has been described as the best wildlife destination in the Amazon. And we highly recommend that you visit it. The Manu Biosphere Reserve has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is considered the richest natural reserve in the world.
The park is located in the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios on the borders of the Peruvian Amazon. The park is a protected area with some of the best species of flora and fauna that you will see anywhere. With the Peruvian government now looking after its assets, there are selected areas for tourists to visit. As well as off-limits areas and that entry are only allowed for investigation teams. In addition to the jungle shelters that offer guided tours for tourists, there is accommodation for scientists who study the jungle.
WILDLIFE IN MANU NATIONAL PARK
Part of the wildlife that you will see in the Manu Biosphere Reserve is the woolly monkey, named for its thick fur. Also known for its ability to swing from tree to tree with its strong tail. Due to its fur, it has been the target of smugglers in the past, but today it is protected and its numbers are growing. Manu is also home to howler, spider, capuchin, squirrel, and tamarin monkeys. The howler monkey is well known for its loud voice, which is why you will hear them in the jungle trees.
There are not only monkeys in the Manu area but also many species of birds. Including the cock of the rocks, which some consider the national bird of Peru. The mating ritual of the birds is in August and September, where you will see the male leaping and fluffing his colorful feathers trying to impress a female or two. Some tours even give the possibility of entering Manu National Park and its reserved areas. Don’t miss out on this fantastic site.
IQUITOS FROM CUSCO
From the Imperial City, you can take a quick flight to Lima and then to another of the most important cities in the Peruvian Amazon, Iquitos. Iquitos is considered the gateway to the Amazon jungle near the largest river in the world. It is that among all the Amazon tours from Cusco, Iquitos is one of the largest cities inaccessible by land. The only way to get here is by plane or boat. And this last option can be a very difficult one.
Due to the size of the city and the many things to do in Iquitos, it is recommended to take 3 days or more to get to know everything. Beautiful eco-lodges, luxurious cruises, active nightlife and much more will make this one of the best trips of your life.
THE BEST TIME TO GO TO THE JUNGLE
There are two main seasons within the Peruvian Amazon: First is the high water season, which runs from December to May. And then there is the low-water season, which runs from June to November. In both seasons, the chances of seeing wildlife are great. No matter what season you choose to travel, you will see wildlife, birds, and plants at any time of the year in the Amazon.
Be aware that there will be rain any time of the year you choose to travel as it is located in the jungle. Therefore, what is the best time to visit the Peruvian Amazon? According to some, it seems that December to May may be the best option to see wildlife. The Amazon Rainforest is lusher and temperatures are slightly cooler in these months. These months are special for you to feel comfortable, especially on whatever jungle hike you may take.
“STOP BEING AFRAID OF WHAT COULD GO WRONG, AND FOCUS ON WHAT COULD GO RIGHT”
As you may have noticed, there are many options for magical destinations full of wildlife for your next tour. And starting with The Imperial City will make your trip a much more incredible one. Do not miss this incredible opportunity to know everything that Peru has to offer. Remember that if you are looking to learn more about our tours around the Andean country, you can consult with our team of qualified advisers. They will be happy to help you schedule the trip of your dreams. Together with Machu Travel Peru, we look forward to your early visit to Peru.
