Visiting the Amazon from Cusco

From the cobblestone streets of Cusco to the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, a world of wonder awaits.

Impressively, Cusco has over a million visitors each year gracing the city’s ancient streets. It was the hub and birthplace of the Inca Empire. The Inca would dominate Peru until the empire fell in 1572 at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors.

Because of its popularity, Cusco is often where you will end up or prioritize on your visit to Peru. If you are interested in Nature, you will also be drawn to the Amazon Rainforest. The vast forest covers almost half of the South American continent. And it's also the world’s largest container of wildlife.

Combination Cusco and Amazon Tours

If you would like to combine a tour of Cusco’s attractions and the Amazon Rainforest, there are the Cusco & Amazon 10 or 12-day tours.

You will embark on a journey that intertwines the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu with the wild beauty of the Amazon Rainforest, offering a seamless blend of adventure and cultural immersion.

These meticulously crafted package tours are designed to showcase the very best of these iconic destinations, ensuring an experience that resonates with the soul of every traveler.

The 10-day journey unveils the mystical Machu Picchu through the enchanting 2-day Inca Trail, harmoniously combined with the vibrant hues of Rainbow Mountain and the lush Amazon Rainforest. For those seeking a deeper connection, the 12-day tour extends the exploration with the 4-day Inca Trail, delving further into the heart of Incan history and scenic beauty.

And if you have time available for ultimate exploration, the 15-day tour not only offers these marvels but also includes a visit to the legendary Lake Titicaca, adding another layer of wonder to your adventure.

Regardless of the path you choose, each tour promises an unforgettable voyage into Peru's most cherished treasures, all while enjoying the comfort and expertise of the renowned and Rainforest Alliance certified Tambopata Ecolodge in the Amazon.

Click the tour bubbles below to learn more and check availability for your travel dates.

Amazon Rainforest Lodges

For an example of Amazon tours you can enjoy, see the video below from the Tambopata Research Center. This is a favorite deep rainforest tour for visitors coming from Cusco. And it's just a short flight down the Andes to Puerto Maldonado.

Note: This is a good place to point out that Cusco is 3,399 m above sea level. In other words, it's on top of the Andes mountains. And to visit the lowland Amazon Rainforest, you will travel off the mountains to either Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos (see below).

The good news is that Cusco is very central to the Amazon. And you have different options available to visit the Amazon Rainforest from Cusco.

For example, you are very close (about 45 minutes flight) to Puerto Maldonado. This is Peru’s gateway to the southern Amazon Rainforest. And this is where you can visit the Amazon of Tambopata. This is an incredible protected area of the Amazon Rainforest.

However, you can also visit the northern Amazon Rainforest along the Amazon River. This is by flying to Iquitos in the north. And there are direct flights from Cusco.

Here are some of the top choices to make the most of your Amazon Rainforest visit from Cusco.

Visiting the Amazon of Puerto Maldonado from Cusco

Puerto Maldonado is a very popular Amazon destination for visitors from Cusco.

It's located just a short flight down the Andes. And it's the closest section of lowland Amazon to Cusco. Puerto Maldonado is also home to some the best rainforest areas to visit in all of Amazonia.

The wildlife-rich Tambopata National Reserve is very close to Puerto Maldonado. This makes this area the best place to visit in the entire Amazon if you’re interested in a short visit of 3 or 4 days. And it only takes about 30 minutes to reach wildlife-rich areas. This is also a great choice for a deep rainforest experience, such as the Tambopata Research Center.

This means less travel and more time spent looking for fascinating Amazon wildlife.

The top lodges for short tours from Puerto Maldonado are the Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas Lodge.

To see colorful macaw parrots at clay licks, the recommended lodge is the Tambopata Research Center. This offers in depth experience of the Amazon and a 20% chance of spotting wild jaguar.

This deep rainforest lodge is one of the best lodges in the Amazon Rainforest for seeing the most wildlife and they offer a variety of accommodation options.

Visiting the Amazon of Iquitos from Cusco

The Tamshiyacu and Pacaya Samiria Amazon Rainforest areas
Iquitos is the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest near the Amazon River.

This is the best destination for fantastic Amazon River cruises. And it's a great choice for deep Amazon lodges to see abundant wildlife.

Because of the size of the city, Iquitos is not the best choice for a tour of 3 days or less. It takes time to reach the high wildlife areas. And our recommendations are the protected areas of the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve or Pacaya Samiria National Reserve if you want to maximize your wildlife experiences.

If you want to make the most of your time on a short tour in the Amazon, we recommend the Amazon Rainforest tours from Puerto Maldonado.

However, when you are in the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo or Pacaya Samiria reserve areas for deep rainforest experiences from Iquitos, the wildlife is extraordinary.

You can see:

• Different monkeys
• Many colorful birds
• Fascinating reptiles
• Giant river otters
• Large butterflies
• Poison dart frogs

For the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve, you can enjoy a custom and private Amazon Rainforest tour from the Tahuayo Lodge.

For a quick introduction, you can see the video below.

On stays of 6 days or more, you will also visit the Amazon Research Center with its 1000 acre primate trail grid and more pristine rainforest. Enjoy the longest zip line in Amazonia and a very long list of itinerary options. The lodge will also help with your connecting flight from Cusco.

Amazon Rainforest Cruises

If you’re in Cusco and want to experience the Amazon Rainforest on a cruise, you will need a short flight to Iquitos. There are some fantastic Iquitos Amazon River tours to enjoy.

To make the most of the experience, we recommend the luxury Amazon cruises such as the Delfin I and Delfin III.

See the short video below for an introduction.