The five days Manu Jungle Tours from Cusco to Manu National Park Peru is designed by local experts to offer you an immersive experience of Amazon Peru.
Manu National Park Peru is spread over 1,717,295.22 Hectares. To make it more accessible, authorities have divided it into three zones. Manu Culture Zone, Reserved Zone or Biosphere Reserve and Intangible Zone.
Most short Manu Jungle Trips take you to the cultural zone where you will have the opportunity of witnessing the way of life of locals and see some distinct animal, birds and plant species. However, if you opt for the six or more days tour, you will be visiting the reserved zone where you will be amidst nature and visit the pristine areas of the virgin rainforest.
Manu National Park has different tiers of lush tropical forest rising from 150 meters above sea level to 4200 meters. In 1987, Manu was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Why choose us for Manu Jungle Tours?
Palotoa Amazon Travel is a family owned, local tour operating company from the Palotoa community in Manu National Park. We take pride in employing locals from the community.
As locals, our licensed English speaking tour guides have years of experience guiding tours in the Amazon Jungle. They have an extensive knowledge about the flora and fauna, trails and the indigenous culture and traditions.
Want to witness the Macaws Clay Lick? Check out our six days Manu Reserved Zone Tour which offers a complete tour of the Manu National Park.
Do take a moment to see our guest reviews on Tripadvisor.
MANU JUNGLE TOURS ITINERARY
PLEASE NOTE: Our Ecological Adventures Manu program involves several trips by bus and boat. The weather in certain areas is unpredictable. The program may be subject to change at any time without notice.
Day 1: Cusco – Paradise Lodge
Your epic five days Manu Jungle Tours to Manu National Park begins with an early morning transfer from your hotel in Cusco. We will embark on a drive to the east of Cusco city to a small Andean town called Huancarani.
We will be stopping here for a traditional breakfast.
After relishing a traditional breakfast, we will continue our journey to the colonial and folkloric town of Paucartambo.
Our local expert will be explaining the importance of this traditional town. You will understand its significance to the Incas and how the locals have retained their age old traditions and customs unblemished.
We will then drive you up the hill to Acjanaco Pass or Tres Cruces. Tres Cruces (Three Crosses) is a local name given to it after the three crosses that are perched here by locals.
Cusco to Manu National Park Peru:
This is the point where Manu National Park Peru begins. We will hike to the view point, Balcon del Este. You will get to contemplate the panoramic view of the Amazon Basin and Manu National Park.
After soaking in the pristine views, we will start our downhill drive through the cloud forests and lowland rainforest to San Pedro. This region is home to the Peruvian National Bird, El Gallito de Rocas or Andean Cock of the Rock.
Accompanied by our local Amazonian expert, we will be doing a short hike which will be your introduction to the Manu National Park Peru.
Once you have had your fill of the first views of Manu National Park, we will be driving you to our Paradise Lodge. Here, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night. The hotel staff will be serving delicious dinner.
Day 2: Paradise Lodge – Palotoa Ecological Reserve ( lodge)
We will be serving you a delicious breakfast to kickstart your day to explore the lowland rainforest of the Peruvian Amazon. We will be driving you to the boat pier in Atalaya. On our way, we will be stopping to see coca plantations. We will also stop at a viewpoint to get a staggering view of the Manu River snaking through the jungle.
Our journey by car will come to an end in Atalaya Port. We will be embarking on a boat ride on the Alto Madre de Dios River to Aguas Calientes de Manu. As the name suggests, this small village is home to a hot springs. Along the boat ride you will get to see more distinct species of birds and some mammals including the giant otters.
Once in Aguas Calientes, you can spend the morning taking a refreshing dip in the natural thermal waters. Once you have had your fill, we will be continuing our boat ride further into the jungle at our signature lodge in Palotoa Ecological Reserve. We will be accommodating you in an ensuite room here.
Manu National Park Hike:
After relishing your first authentic Amazonian lunch prepared exclusively using ingredients from the jungle, we will set out on a hike to witness more of the Manu National Park. The trail that runs around the lodge is dotted with different species of birds, butterflies and countless plant species.
Our guide will be explaining to you about them in detail. Locals here depend on these plants to cure any sickness.
After an immersive tour and after witnessing the sunset in the Amazon Jungle, we will be returning to the lodge for dinner.
After dinner, we will embark on a night safari. On this short tour, you will be able to spot different spiders and snakes.
Day 3: Palotoa Ecological Reserve (Lodge) – Camping Tents
The third day of your Manu National Park Tour from Cusco with an English speaking local tour guide is designed to offer you a much more deeper insight into the Amazon Jungle.
After relishing an Amazonian Breakfast, we will set out on a hike to explore the jungle. We recommend that you carry some snacks and water in a small day pack for this hike. We will be spotting plenty of animals including wild pigs, different species of monkeys, anteaters, and tapirs.
The region is also home to some iconic birds like harpy eagles, parrots and toucans. We will also be introducing you to more medicinal plants, some giant trees and different types of Palm trees.
We will be unboxing our lunch amidst the jungle.
Hiking through the wetlands, we will be able to spot alligators. Our local expert will give you some lessons on survival. You will learn how to climb trees, how to recogniZe edible fruits and how to fetch water.
After getting an immersive tour of the jungle, we will be setting up a bonfire and have dinner.
After dinner, we will do a short guided hike to spot nocturnal animals.
Day 4: Camp Site – Machuwasi lake – Soga De Oro ( lodge)
In the morning, after witnessing the sunrise, we will hike back to the Palotoa Lodge. You will have the opportunity to spot some mammals and animals on the shores.
Back in the lodge, our team will be serving a hearty breakfast, you will then have some time for a short nap. Around 10 am we will leave the lodge and travel by boat to Lake Machuwasi. We will be sailing on a typical native balsa raft. On this day trip, you will get to see many animals.
This long trail will take you through some pristine regions of the jungle. Our guide will give you an immersive tour here. You will understand the life of many native animals. For lunch, we will be stopping amidst the jungle.
We will be returning on a trail which is full of native plants which the locals use for medicinal purposes.
After witnessing the sunset, we will return to the lodge for a barbecue accompanied by some drinks.
Day 5: Soga de Oro Lodge – Cusco
At day break, we will travel by boat to see Macaws Clay Lick. It is an unmissable sight in the Peruvian Amazon. You will get to see hundreds of parrots and Macaws flying to the cliff to eat the clay.
The clay here is rich in minerals that helps them to flush any toxins they might have had through seeds, fruits and flowers. Once you have had your fill of this amazon sight, we will return to the lodge for breakfast.
After breakfast, we will check out of the lodge and embark on a boat ride back to Atalaya port. Our driver will be waiting here with our transport for the ride back to Cusco.
Along the way, we will be having different stops so you can stretch your legs, use restrooms and have lunch.
We will be reaching Cusco City by 0600 PM.
IMAGES OF MANU JUNGLE TOURS
MANU JUNGLE TOURS INCLUDES
- Private transportation (bus and boat 60 hp)
- All camping equipment (tent, mattress, sleeping bag)
- Professional bilingual native guide
- 3 meals per day optional vegetarian food
- snack (biscuit,candy,fruit,juice)
- Mineral water
- First aid kit
- Cook
- Duffel bag
- Rubber boots and rain poncho
- Entrance to the natural hot spring
- Entrance to Manu national park
YOU SHOULD BRING
- Repellent
- Binoculars
- Sun lotion
- Photographic camera
- Flashlight or head lamp
- Pocket money
- Day pack
- Water bottle
- Sun hat, hiking sandals
- Toilet paper
- Dark clothes and towel
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Manu national Park located?
Located in the southeast of Peru, in the provinces of Paucartambo in Cusco and Manu in Madre de Dios.
It has an area of 1’717’295.22 hectares.
How to get to Manu National Park Peru?
Manu is at 130 kilometers from Cusco city traveling by road, which interacts as a gateway to the Manu National Park. You can also get to Puerto Maldonado by land from Cusco or by air through Lima. From there you can ride the Madre de Dios river by boat. and you can get to the manu reserve. but it is more far and expensive.
Manu National Park when to visit?
The best time to visit the jungle of Peru is between April to September, during the dry season. The rainy season is from February to March, when access by road becomes more difficult and when the paths in the forest can be flooded.
What is the difference between the cultural zone and the reserved zone?
The Manu National Park is divided into three parts: cultural zone or buffer zone, reserved zone or core zone and the intangible zone. The cultural zone and the reserved zone are for tourist use. The intangible zone is used exclusively for scientific studies and with special permits. More details see section Manu.
Do I need to be in good physical condition to travel?
It is not a requirement, but one must be able to walk a path of several kilometers to fully enjoy what Manu has to offer.
Do vaccines are needed for yellow fever, malaria and malaria?
In the Manu National Park there are no reports of cases of yellow fever, malaria and malaria however if you want to stay longer in tropical places it is better to consult with your doctor.
