English and Spanish-speaking guide
Small-group tour (up to 15 participants)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Check the Dates
This small-group Amazon tour from Cusco is an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. The comprehensive itinerary includes cultural stops on the Manu Road, wildlife spotting during day and night walks, and motorboat travel to Machuhuasi Oxbow Lake. Your package covers all logistics, basic lodging, meals (excluding breakfast on day 1), and essential gear like rubber boots.
Highlights:
- Witness fascinating wildlife, including caymans, macaws, and various monkeys, in their natural habitat.
- Search for rare species during invigorating day and night walks through the jungle.
- Experience the thrill of navigating the Alto Madre de Dios River by motorboat.
- Discover ancient local traditions at Paucartambo Village and the Ninamarca burial sites.
- Travel comfortably with air-conditioned vehicles and motorized boat transportation.
- All major costs are included: 2 nights of basic lodging, guided activities, and attraction entrance tickets.
About this tour:
This intensive Cusco to Amazon tour is a 3-day, 2-night immersion into the breathtaking landscapes and incredible biodiversity of the Cultural Zone of Manu National Park, one of the world’s most pristine rainforests. Designed for nature enthusiasts, this small-group expedition combines scenic drives through the Andes and Cloud Forest with exhilarating boat trips and jungle hikes led by an expert bilingual guide.
The all-inclusive package covers 2 nights of lodging in a basic but comfortable hostel, all motorboat and air-conditioned vehicle transportation, entrance tickets to the attractions, all meals (excluding the first day’s breakfast), and essential gear like rubber boots and duffel bags.
Day 1: Cusco to the Cloud Forest Lodge. Your journey begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel or the Cusco airport at 6:00 AM, heading along the famous Manu Road. The drive features cultural stops, including the pre-Incan burial site of Ninamarca and a guided visit through the colonial Paucartambo village, famous for its market and colonial bridge. You will then start your descent into the cloud forest, a transition zone teeming with life, where guided walks focus on spotting unique wildlife, including the vibrant cock-of-the-rock (Peru’s national bird), quetzals, mountain toucans, and monkeys. The day concludes upon arrival at your basic hostel by mid-afternoon, followed by an exploration of a palm forest trail and a fascinating night walk in search of nocturnal reptiles, spiders, and amphibians.
Day 2: Boat Travel and Oxbow Lake Exploration. After an early breakfast, you will travel by land to Atalaya port, enjoying stunning viewpoints along the way before boarding a motorized boat. The thrilling boat ride up and downstream along the Alto Madre de Dios River offers unique perspectives of the jungle and excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting, including monkeys, caymans, and various riverine birds. The main highlight of the day is the exploration of the Machuhuasi Oxbow Lake, where you will navigate the channels to search for aquatic birds, giant caymans, and capybaras. You will also take guided walks to see giant Kapok trees and have the option to visit a local wildlife rescue center before returning to the lodge for dinner and an optional second night walk.
Day 3: Medicinal Plants and Return to Cusco. Day three starts with an insightful exploration of the lodge garden, where your guide will teach you about local medicinal plants like the coca leaf, cacao, bamboo water, and annatto. After a final breakfast at the hostel, the Cusco to Amazon jungle tour begins its return journey by vehicle. The drive retraces your path through the stunning cloud forest, with stops at waterfalls and viewpoints, and a final brief pause in Paucartambo for coffee. You will arrive back in Cusco and be dropped off at your hotel at approximately 4:00 PM, concluding your unforgettable rainforest adventure.
Included:
- 2-night stay in Manu
- English-speaking guide with equipment
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
- Transportation by motorized boat
- Meals (except for breakfast on day 1)
- Boxed lunch
- Entrance tickets
- Guided activities
- Rubber boots
- Duffel bags
- Storage room in Cusco
Essential Information:
- Exclusions: First-day breakfast is NOT included (must be purchased or eaten before pickup). Binoculars, alcoholic, and cold drinks are also excluded.
- What to Bring: Please confirm your contact number with the country code for WhatsApp communication.
Activity provider: Uyuni Experience EIRL
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this 3-day Cusco to Amazon tour include?
This comprehensive 3-day tour is almost all-inclusive, covering 2 nights of lodging in a basic hostel within Manu National Park and the services of an expert English/Spanish-speaking guide. All essential transport is provided, including air-conditioned vehicles and motorized boat travel on the rivers, ensuring safe and efficient movement through the jungle. Furthermore, the package covers all guided activities, attraction entrance tickets, and essential gear like rubber boots and duffel bags.
What is not covered by the tour price?
It is important to note that the tour does not cover breakfast on day 1, which must be arranged before the early morning pickup, and no other meals are excluded. The package also specifically excludes binoculars (which are highly recommended for optimal wildlife viewing), any alcoholic drinks or cold beverages purchased outside of the regular meals. Guests should plan to bring their own cash for any personal purchases or small expenditures.
What should I know before I go on this Amazon tour from Cusco?
This is an intensive, 3-day journey into one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, focusing on the cultural zone of Manu National Park, so be prepared for long travel days. Since the environment is remote, the accommodation provided is in a basic but comfortable hostel, but all necessary meals are included (except the first day’s breakfast). The tour operates in a small-group setting, limited to 15 participants, ensuring a more personalized guiding experience.
Where and when does this Cusco to Amazon jungle tour start?
This Cusco to Amazon jungle tour begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel or the airport in Cusco at approximately 6:00 AM. Since the transfer is a long drive down the Manu Road, this early start is necessary to maximize your time in the jungle. The operator, Uyuni Experience EIRL, will contact you one day prior to confirm the exact pickup time and details.
What will I experience during this Cusco to Amazon rainforest tour?
The first half of your expedition involves an exciting descent from the Andes into the humid cloud forest, a transitional habitat known for exceptional birdlife as the climate changes drastically. You will take invigorating guided walks focused on spotting unique species, including the vibrant cock-of-the-rock (Peru’s national bird), alongside quetzals, toucans, and various monkey species. This segment also includes cultural stops at pre-Incan burial sites and the charming colonial Paucartambo village, giving you a taste of Andean history before immersing yourself in the jungle.
The heart of the journey takes place on the water, featuring invigorating motorboat rides up and downstream the Alto Madre de Dios River, which offers unique perspectives for viewing riverine wildlife, including caimans and numerous birds. A major highlight is navigating the channels of the Machuhuasi Oxbow Lake on a small boat to search for aquatic life such as giant otters, capybaras, and caymans, followed by jungle walks to see giant Kapok trees and an exploration of local medicinal plants in the lodge garden on day 3.