English and Spanish-speaking guide
Small-group tour (up to 15 participants)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Pickup included
Check the Dates
This intensive 3-day Amazon tour from Cusco is a deep dive into the incredible biodiversity of the Manu National Park Cultural Zone. You will explore pre-Inca tombs and colonial towns before witnessing the stunning Cock-of-the-Rock lek in the Cloud Forest. The itinerary concludes with the spectacular Parrot Clay Lick and river exploration, offering a unique contrast to the high-altitude heritage of Cusco.
Highlights:
- Explore the distinct, rich ecosystems of the Cloud Forest and the tropical Manu jungle during guided hikes.
- Witness the spectacular Parrot Clay Lick and the unique courtship ritual of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Peru’s national bird).
- Search for diverse wildlife, including the Hoatzin bird, capybaras, monkeys, and caimans during night walks.
- Enjoy the thrill of zip-lining and swimming in the river during your stay at the jungle lodge.
- The seamless package covers all road and river transportation, accommodation, and expert guiding for the adventure.
About this tour:
Set out on an intensive, high-value 3-day Amazon tour from Cusco, featuring a deep dive into the incredible biodiversity of the Manu National Park Cultural Zone. This guided journey is designed to maximize your encounters with endemic wildlife, transitioning seamlessly from the cold altitude of the Andes to the humid, lush tropical forest, making it a perfect short immersion experience.
Day 1: Andean Crossing and Cloud Forest Wildlife. Your adventure begins early in the morning with a drive from Cusco, traveling through scenic Andes mountains and rural communities. You will explore the colonial town of Paucartambo, visit its local museum, and stop at the pre-Inca tombs of the Lupaca culture. After lunch in the Cloud Forest, you continue your descent into this misty ecosystem, a rich area for endemic species. Here, you will have the unique opportunity to observe the spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Peru’s national bird) performing its courtship ritual. You will also see diverse flora, including orchids and bromeliads, before settling into the Pilcopata Lodge for dinner.
Day 2: River Journey, Clay Lick, and Jungle Activities. Day two is dedicated to penetrating the jungle and experiencing its unique features. Following breakfast, you will travel to the Atalaya port and take a scenic 40-minute motorized boat ride to the Amazon Manu Lodge. After resting or taking a swim, you have the option to go thrilling zip-lining. In the afternoon, you will visit Machuwasi Lake, where you explore by boat to search for the unique, prehistoric-looking Hoatzin bird, with chances to spot capybaras and monkeys. The day concludes with a guided night walk through the forest to search for insects and amphibians before dinner.
Day 3: Parrot Clay Lick and Return to Cusco. Your final day features one of the Manu jungle’s most spectacular wildlife displays. You will take an early morning boat ride to the Parrot Clay Lick, a wall along the riverbank where different species of parrots gather to consume mineral-rich clay, a crucial activity for their digestion. After breakfast back at the lodge, you will take the boat back to the Atalaya port. Ground transportation awaits to take you through the changing landscapes back toward the Andes. You will stop for lunch along the way and arrive back in Cusco in the late afternoon, concluding this comprehensive 3-day tour to Amazon from Cusco.
Included:
- Inland transportation
- River transportation
- 2 nights in a lodge
- 3 meals and 1 snack each day (you can request a vegetarian option)
- Mineral water
- Professional bilingual guide
- Equipment: telescope, binoculars, first-aid kit
Essential Information:
- Pickup: Available from any hotel in Cusco (4:00 AM pickup time).
- Exclusions: Tips, personal expenses, travel insurance, soft/alcoholic drinks, dinner on the last day, and breakfast and water on the first day.
- Not Suitable For: Children under 12 years, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with heart problems, or wheelchair users.
- What to Bring: Valid passport for ID, comfortable hiking clothes/shoes, long-sleeved shirts, insect repellent, rain gear, a flashlight, and a hat.
- Restrictions: Smoking, littering, touching plants, feeding animals, and plastic bottles are not allowed.
Activity provider: Viaja con Amaru Explorer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the price of this 3-day Amazon tour from Cusco?
The comprehensive price includes 2 nights’ accommodation in jungle lodges (Pilcopata and Amazon Manu Lodge), all meals (3 meals and 1 snack each day, with vegetarian options) and mineral water. You receive all inland and river transportation, and the services of a professional bilingual guide, along with necessary equipment like a telescope and binoculars.
What is not covered by the tour price?
The price does not cover tips, personal expenses, or travel insurance. You are responsible for purchasing your own drinks (soft/alcoholic), dinner on the last day, and breakfast and water on the first day.
Who is this Cusco to Amazon 3-day tour not suitable for?
Due to the nature of the jungle travel and hikes, this tour is not suitable for children under 12 years old. It is also not recommended for pregnant women or people with pre-existing heart problems or back problems, nor is it suitable for wheelchair users.
What should I bring for this tour?
You must bring your valid passport for identification. Essential gear includes comfortable hiking clothes and shoes, long-sleeved shirts, insect repellent, rain gear, a flashlight, and a hat for protection.
What is not allowed on this tour?
For safety and environmental preservation, several restrictions apply in the Manu National Park area. You are strictly not allowed to smoke, litter, feed animals, or touch plants. Additionally, the use of plastic bottles is not permitted.
What should I know before I join this 3-day tour to Amazon from Cusco?
You should know the tour departs very early (4:00 AM pickup) from any hotel in Cusco. The service is subject to variation without prior notice due to weather conditions or local strikes, and the tour is non-refundable if canceled after the 24-hour free cancellation window.
What will I experience during this tour?
This adventure begins with a dramatic descent from the high Andes. You will visit pre-Inca tombs of the Lupaca culture and explore the colonial town of Paucartambo before entering the unique Cloud Forest. Here, you will have the unique opportunity to witness the spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-Rock performing its courtship ritual. Day 2 begins with a transfer to Puerto Atalaya, where your journey switches to a motorized boat for the river journey to the jungle lodge.
Your time in the Manu jungle is maximized for wildlife encounters. You will search for caimans during a guided night walk and visit Machuwasi Lake by raft to spot the prehistoric-looking Hoatzin bird. The final morning features the spectacular Parrot Clay Lick, watching hundreds of macaws and parrots consume mineral-rich clay. You also have the option to go thrilling zip-lining and participate in guided hikes.