English and Spanish-speaking guide
Small-group tour (up to 10 participants)
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Pickup included
Check the Dates
Book a unique Manu tour from Cusco to experience the unparalleled biodiversity of Manu National Park’s cultural zone. You will witness the magnificent Parrot Clay Lick, explore the Machuwasi Lake by raft, and search for caimans and monkeys. The structured itinerary ensures a relaxing pace and expert commentary throughout the four days, while the package covers all road transfers, river transport, and comfortable lodge stays.
Highlights:
- Witness the spectacular Parrot Clay Lick and the unique courtship ritual of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Peru’s national bird).
- Explore the distinct ecosystems of the Cloud Forest and the Manu jungle during guided hikes.
- Search for diverse fauna, including caimans, monkeys, macaws, and the unique Hoatzin bird at Machuwasi Lake.
- Enjoy an optional ziplining excursion, followed by an evening night walk to observe insects and amphibians.
- The package includes all river and ground transport, lodge stays, and expert guide services for a seamless 4-day adventure.
About this tour:
Embark on an extensive 4-day Cusco to Manu tour, moving from the high Andes into the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. This guided journey offers an immersive experience in the cultural area of Manu National Park, providing distinctive wildlife encounters and insights into pre-Inca and colonial heritage.
Day 1: Andean Valleys and Cloud Forest Descent. Your journey begins very early in Cusco, traveling through scenic valleys and rural communities. You will visit the pre-Inca tombs of the Lupaca culture and stop in the charming colonial town of Paucartambo to explore the local museum. After ascending the Andes, you start your gradual descent through the Cloud Forest, where you will have lunch and look for endemic species, including the spectacular Andean Cock-of-the-Rock performing its unique courtship ritual. You will spend the first night in a comfortable lodge.
Day 2: River Adventure and Caiman Watching. Day two starts with an early morning walk to observe forest wildlife, such as monkeys and birds. You will visit a local coca plantation and a wildlife rescue center before reaching Puerto Atalaya. From there, your journey switches to a motorized boat, taking you down the Alto Madre de Dios River to your jungle lodge. Along the riverbanks, you will see a variety of bird species like herons and cormorants. After lunch and a swim in the river, you’ll visit a local swamp to look for macaws and toucans. In the evening, you’ll search for the glowing eyes of caimans in the dark. Optional fishing is also available.
Day 3: Wildlife, Ziplining, and Night Walk. Your third day highlights the park’s stunning wildlife. You will board your boat early to visit the Parrot Clay Lick, watching hundreds of parrots and macaws gather along the riverbank to lick mineral-rich clay. After a forest hike (2.5–3 hours), you have the option to try ziplining. In the afternoon, you will visit Machuwasi Lake and explore by raft to observe birds. The day ends with a night walk to search for insects and amphibians before dinner.
Day 4: Return to Cusco. After a final breakfast at the lodge, where you can watch hummingbirds that surround the area, you will board your boat back to Puerto Atalaya. Ground transportation will take you through the Cloud Forest and Andean valleys to Cusco. You will arrive back in the city between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, concluding your comprehensive 4-day Cusco to Manu National Park tour.
Included:
- Inland transportation
- River transportation
- Professional bilingual guide
- 1 night at Pilcopata Lodge
- 2 nights at the lodge in Manu National Park
- 3 meals and 1 snack every day (you can request vegetarian options in advance)
- Mineral water
- Equipment such as a first-aid kit, telescope, and binoculars
Essential Information:
- Pickup: Available from any hotel in Cusco. Please wait in the lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
- Exclusions: Tips, breakfast and water on the first day, dinner on the last day, extras (such as handicrafts), drinks.
- Not Suitable For: Pregnant women, people with heart problems, and people with back problems.
- What to Bring: Comfortable hiking clothes and shoes, long-sleeved shirts, insect repellent, rain gear, a flashlight, water, waterproof camera, and a hat.
- Safety: You must be prepared for changing weather and potential strenuous activity during jungle hikes.
- Not Allowed: Smoking, littering, and touching plants.
Activity provider: Viaja con Amaru Explorer
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this 4-day Cusco to Manu tour include?
The price covers 3 nights’ accommodation (1 night at Pilcopata Lodge and 2 nights at the lodge in Manu National Park) and 3 meals and 1 snack every day (vegetarian options available). The package also includes inland and river transportation, the services of a professional bilingual guide, and equipment such as binoculars, a telescope, and a first-aid kit.
What is not covered by the tour price?
The price does not cover tips, dinner on the last day, breakfast and water on the first day. Additionally, extras (such as handicrafts) and drinks are not included.
Where and when does this Manu jungle tour from Cusco begin?
This 4-day Manu jungle tour from Cusco begins very early in the morning on the date you select when booking. You will be picked up directly from your hotel in Cusco. You should wait in the lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Who is this Manu tour from Cusco not suitable for?
This tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems or back problems.
What should I bring for this tour?
You should bring comfortable hiking clothes and shoes, long-sleeved shirts, rain gear, a flashlight, and a hat. Additionally, insect repellent and mineral water are highly recommended.
What will I experience during this Cusco to Manu National Park tour?
This extensive adventure starts in the high Andes with a visit to the pre-Inca tombs of the Lupaca culture and the colonial town of Paucartambo. After descending into the Cloud Forest, you will seek out the magnificent Andean Cock-of-the-Rock performing its unique courtship ritual. The journey continues with river transportation down the Alto Madre de Dios River, offering opportunities for wildlife sightings, including caimans, capybaras, and various water birds.
The core of the tour involves intense jungle wildlife viewing, highlighted by an early morning visit to the Parrot Clay Lick to see hundreds of macaws and parrots gathering. You will also participate in a 2.5–3 hour forest hike, visit Machuwasi Lake by raft to observe the Hoatzin bird, and have the option for ziplining. The experience includes a visit to a coca plantation, a night walk to look for insects and amphibians, and evening caiman searching.