Almost all the people who arrive in Cusco (or who plan to arrive) will at some point require an agency to be able to do one of the many tours that are in the city or to be able to go to Machu Picchu. Whether for one reason or another, I dedicate this article to Bloody Bueno Peru Travel Company; it belongs to Marco Gonzales, AKA. Charapa or Tupac. He is one of the closest friends I have to this day, along with his family, made up of Nathalie, Kai and little Willow.
I had the opportunity to meet Marco in 2010 when I first arrived in Cusco, and from that moment, our friendship was born. At that time, he started with the free walking tour project and was a pioneer. Due to the languages I speak, he decided to invite me to be part of his team, so I had the opportunity to work in the field of tourism, but at the same time, the incredible opportunity to learn many things about the city, the culture and history of Cusco and the Incas.
The most incredible thing was being able to share all that knowledge with the people who came to do the tours with us. I think we made a great team since we always gave our best but also created a pleasant atmosphere full of good vibes for tourists, so this is something that is guaranteed if you decide to do the “Blue Team” walking tour.
Marco has worked in the tourism sector for more than 15 years and is a certified guide (MINCETUR) fluent in Spanish, English and German, making him unique. We must add his great sense of humour, positivity at all times, knowledge of history and desire to help others. I learned a lot from him and feel lucky to call him my brother. Upon returning to Cusco, after living abroad for a few years, I met Nathalie (Marco’s partner), a woman who has travelled many places, is very determined, kind and a great complement to Bloody Bueno Peru, but also in the life of Marco, together they have 2 exceptional children, Kai and Willow, so if you are travelling with children, they are the best to help you plan your trips.
Recently, I had the opportunity to work with them again during my stay in Cusco, and I was able to appreciate the incredible family they formed and how strong the company has become compared to the beginning.
What everyone should know is that Bloody Bueno Peru offers services throughout Peru. Still, they focus more on Cusco and the jungle (Puerto Maldonado), so if you want to plan a trip to one or multiple areas of Peru, do not hesitate to contact them since they are the best option. They also have different services, from private (since they have a vehicle for groups of up to 8 pax) to medium and large groups, specialized tours and tourist packages.
Types of services
Private
This type of service is for small, medium and large groups who want to travel privately. Choose any of our tours from our catalogue or you can customize your programme depending on the needs and desires of the group. Small, medium or large you will travel in comfort whether it be in their spacious Honda Pilot (8 seats) or in a small mini bus or bus. Marco, the tour guide, will ensure that tours are memorable, leaving you with a desire to learn more.
Groups
This is a great option for anyone travelling on their own and wanting to meet new people; couples; small groups and anyone on a budget. Here you will join other travellers with similar interests and make new friends whilst visiting your desired location. Bloody Bueno Peru ensures the highest of quality; excellent customer service and fair prices guaranteeing an experience that will last a lifetime.
Specialized tours
In this option, they focus more on the specific needs of the passengers or groups, be it schools or universities, research trips, bachelor parties, documentaries (they recently made one for a German TV channel about potatoes), short or long-term spiritual retreats and can plan alternative routes depending on what the client wants and/or needs.
Packages
Here, they take care of planning trips around Peru (Lima, South Peru, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, Tarapoto, just to name a few!) so you don’t have to worry about anything. Upon your arrival in Lima (or elsewhere in South America), they can organize a detailed itinerary based on your availability, budget, and places you wish to visit (with a few suggestions in between). They can also help with accommodation, and they will surely recommend the best food options in the various cities, although if you want to know more about the best places to eat in Cusco, you can read it HERE
Tours
Machu Picchu
They offer various options to get to Machu Picchu: by train, by bus (partially, since there is no direct road to Aguas Calientes), or by foot. Some of the various treks you can choose from will take 3, 4 or up to 7 days, among them the most famous: “The Inca Trail”. These routes can vary in duration depending on the availability of time they have. There are full day options, 2d/1n, and so on up to 7d/6n (depending on the level of demand you want)
Sacred Valley
An unmissable place when you arrive in Cusco is the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is located less than 2 hours (depending on where you arrive) from the city of Cusco and has archaeological sites of great importance at the Inca time. We can find Pisac, Maras, Moray, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, all connected by the Urubamba River. This is a one-day tour where you visit the main places with a specialized guide and also includes a buffet lunch in a restaurant with an art show, music and delicious dishes between typical and international cuisine. This tour can also be done next to Machu Picchu, where you leave Cusco to do the whole day in the Sacred Valley, that afternoon you take the train to Aguas Calientes, and the following day you go up to visit Machu Picchu. I recommend this tour if you have little time to spend in Cusco. I have sent relatives to do it, and they were delighted with the service, tourist attractions and, of course, the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu.
Puerto Maldonado
This tour is becoming one of the favourites of many since it allows you to experience the Peruvian Amazon and do various activities during the 4 days this tour takes (recommended). Still, it can also be done in fewer days. Bloody Bueno Peru partners with “Collpas Tambopata”. When you arrive at the lodge, you will be completely immersed in the jungle since a boat is required to reach the destination. During the days of your stay, you will be able to learn about local flora and fauna, thanks to the information provided by the native guide in the area. You will be able to fish for piranhas in the river, watch monkeys, kayak and, the most essential activity, watch parrots and macaws eating clay from the “collpa” (clay lick). During the boat trips, you can see capybaras, caimans and, if you are very lucky, jaguars. Something important to mention is that food is included, and yes, they can adapt to your dietary requirements (allergies, vegetarian, vegan, etc.). If you book ahead of time you can even stay in your own private bungalow! I recommend this tour if you have a few extra days in Peru and want an unforgettable experience!
Madre de Dios
Manu (4D/3N)
Manu National Park is undoubtedly one of the best experiences in the Peruvian Amazon and one of my favourites since it is considered a World Heritage Site. It is located between the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios. It is essential due to its biodiversity, ecosystems and Andean grasslands. This route begins in Cusco, from where you will be picked up and then cross valleys between mountains and local communities, you will visit pre-Inca tombs, and after lunch, you will begin the descent into the jungle. You can see different endemic species during the tour until you arrive at the Lodge (Paraiso Lodge). The second day begins with an early breakfast and then a walk where you can see wildlife. It continues with a visit to coca plantations and a boat ride to the next Lodge (Amazon Manu Lodge), where you can enjoy the incredible views along the trip to your destination. After lunch, there is a walk around the lodge to appreciate the local species that live nearby. On the third day, you leave early by boat to visit the clay walls, where different species of parrots, macaws, and other birds gather every morning to consume the clay and cleanse their bodies of toxins. After breakfast, there is a walk of about 3 hours in the jungle. Then, we return to the lodge for lunch and rest before the afternoon activities, where we can see animals such as monkeys and capybaras, among others. On the way back, we will watch alligators, insects and amphibians before returning to the lodge for dinner. On the fourth and last day, you will leave the lodge after breakfast to board a boat that will take you to some hot springs to relax and enjoy once more before starting the return journey to Cusco.
Sandoval Lake (4D/3N)
This tour begins by picking up the passengers from the bus terminal or airport to be taken to the port, where they will go by boat for about 50 minutes to reach the lodge. On the first day, they will have the opportunity to fish and go caiman spotting on the river at night. On the second day, there is a full day at Lake Sandoval where we will look for animals of the region including monkeys; capybaras, birds and if we are lucky the king otter. On the third day, they will visit the Parrot Clay Lick and tour the jungle’s interior to learn about the vegetation, organic farms and local products. On the fourth day, activities such as zipline and tree canopy and walk are carried out, to finally be taken to the bus terminal or airport in Puerto Maldonado or in the centre (in case they want to spend one more night there).
Other Tours
Apart from all the options mentioned above, Bloody Bueno Peru has other alternatives such as ATVs, horseback riding, paragliding, spiritual retreats, a full day in Cusco by bike, the most famous Cusco Walking Tour and for those who have some extra days in Cusco, they also have full-day options such as 7 lagoons of Ausangate, Humantay Lagoon, Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca and Palcoyo) and WaqraPucara.
As I mentioned at the beginning, I was lucky to work with Bloody Bueno Peru since its inception (when we used another name), but the reason why I recommend them is not for the simple fact of having worked with them; it is because I know the quality of service they offer, I know of their commitment to the tourism sector, and how passionate they are when it comes to ensuring customer satisfaction. So if you are in Cusco or if you plan to travel to Cusco alone or with your family, they are the best option without hesitation. Oh, and if English is not your primary language, they can serve you in French and German with no problem! For this and many other reasons, if you plan a tour or trip to Cusco, I recommend them, who are my family more than my friends.
Just Cruising Around 