Five days give you three nights in the Manu rainforest instead of two. The trip starts with the road from Cusco through Paucartambo and the cloud forest, home of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, to Pilcopata, and continues by boat on the Alto Madre de Dios River into the forests of the Manu Cultural Zone, the buffer zone of Manu National Park. The park, created in 1973…
Five days give you three nights in the Manu rainforest instead of two. The trip starts with the road from Cusco through Paucartambo and the cloud forest, home of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, to Pilcopata, and continues by boat on the Alto Madre de Dios River into the forests of the Manu Cultural Zone, the buffer zone of Manu National Park. The park, created in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, protects 1,716,295 ha from the high Andes to the Amazon lowlands, and SERNANP counts more than 1,000 bird species in it.
Day 1 is the drive to Pilcopata, with a stop at the Ninamarca burial towers. On day 2 we visit a coca farm and a wildlife rescue center on the way to Atalaya, take the boat to the lodge and go out at night to look for caimans. Day 3 is a river safari, with hot springs and an oxbow lake with an observation tower. On day 4 we explore the river in the morning and walk to Machuwasi lake in the afternoon. On day 5 we return to Cusco.
A naturalist guide in English and Spanish is with you the whole trip. The transport, the boats, the accommodation, the meals from lunch on day 1, the hot springs and the entrance fees are included. Southern Peru Explorers is a local operator based in Cusco since 2009.
It is the middle option: one more night than the 4-day tour, so you have two full days on the river and in the forest, without the long boat journeys of the 7-day expedition. Short on time? The Manu National…
It is the middle option: one more night than the 4-day tour, so you have two full days on the river and in the forest, without the long boat journeys of the 7-day expedition.
Short on time? The Manu National Park Tour 4 Days covers the cloud forest and Machuwasi in three nights; the Manu Expedition 7 Days goes to Cocha Salvador. Compare all our Peru Amazon tours.
Daily trail breakdown, key milestones, altitudes, and campsites.
We leave Cusco early in the morning for Manu. The road climbs through the Andes of Paucartambo province, and on the way we stop at the Chullpas of Ninamarca, pre-Inca burial towers beside the road. Beyond Paucartambo, a colonial town about 110 km from Cusco, the road crosses the eastern range of the Andes, at up to 3,800 m, and begins a long descent into the cloud forest.
The cloud forest is one of the best places in Peru for birds. Look for trogons and tanagers and, with luck, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, Peru's national bird, with its bright red-orange feathers; the spectacled bear also lives here, but it is rarely seen. As we go down, the air becomes warmer and more humid. We arrive in Pilcopata, a quiet town at the edge of the lowlands, in the mid-afternoon, and spend the night there in a room with private bathroom and hot water.
Facts and figures
After breakfast we drive to the river port of Atalaya, about an hour with stops. On the way we visit a coca farm, to learn how local families grow it, and a rescue center that cares for animals of the region. Watch for herons, egrets, kingfishers and, with luck, the king vulture.
At Atalaya we board a motorboat and continue on the river to our lodge in the forest, where we arrive in the afternoon. After dinner we go out on a night excursion to look for caimans on the riverbanks; their eyes shine in the light of a torch.
Facts and figures
After breakfast we travel by boat up the river into quieter parts of the forest. Look for otters, turtles and capybaras resting at the water's edge, and listen to the calls of birds and monkeys from the banks.
In the afternoon we stop at natural hot springs to relax in the pools, and later visit an oxbow lake, a lake left behind by an old bend of the river, where we climb an observation tower to look over the water and the forest. Night at a campsite in the forest.
Facts and figures
After breakfast we go out on the river again with your naturalist guide, looking for birds in the treetops and monkeys moving through the branches.
After lunch and a rest we walk to Machuwasi lake, a calm lake in the forest. Your guide explains how plants, insects, birds and mammals depend on each other; look for macaws and parrots flying over. Jaguars live in Manu too, but they are rarely seen. Dinner and night at the lodge.
Facts and figures
We leave early, travel back to Atalaya and drive up through the cloud forest and over the Andes to Cusco, with stops on the way to stretch your legs and look at the views. We arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon or evening.
Facts and figures
Complete transparency for all equipment, meals, transport, and admissions.
Recommended gear and apparel checklist from our mountain guides.
Preparing for Manu requires you to pack for one of the most varied experiences in Peru. In a matter of days, you will move from the cold heights of the Andes to the humid rainforest of the Amazon, traversing the cloud forest and mountain valleys in between.
As you will face so much change in the weather during your trip, it is essential to pack clothes that you can layer and equipment that is appropriate for mountain terrain and rainforest exploration. Rain is possible at any time of the year, humidity is constant in the rainforest, and there are boat trips and nature hikes involved each day.
Packing smart will keep you comfortable and enable you to enjoy the wonderful scenery and wildlife at Manu.
Passport (Original)
The original passport is necessary for park registration and checkpoints on the way. It should be stored inside a waterproof pouch or dry bag to protect from moisture.
Cash (Peruvian Soles)
It is always good to bring some cash just in case you need it for personal expenses like snacks, drinks, or gifts. There are no possibilities to pay by cards in distant places.
Travel Insurance
Print out or save on your device information about your travel insurance. As you'll visit a distant area, it is better to have all the information with you.
Personal Medication
In case if you use medications, it is advisable to bring a supply for the whole trip, as well as the essentials that you might need. The medical help and pharmacies are practically absent in the Manu region.
Warm Jacket or Fleece
You start the adventure in the Andes, and mornings there are cold. So you'll need a jacket or a fleece to feel comfortable until you get into the tropics.
Long-Sleeved T-shirts (4–5 pieces)
Lightweight breathable long-sleeved t-shirts are perfect for the rainforest, because they will save you from sunburns and reduce the number of insect bites. Light-colored clothes is preferable, because they are cooler and less attracting for insects.
Lightweight Trekking Pants (3 pieces)
Quick-drying hiking pants are more comfortable than jeans in the jungle climate. They dry quickly, breathe and are great for walking.
Rain Jacket or Waterproof Poncho
Rain is possible any time of the year, including the dry season. Therefore, the waterproof layer is needed for trips by boat and jungle walks.
Swimsuit
It would be nice to bring a swimsuit to make a bath in one of the hot springs or do other water activities planned in your program.
Extra Socks
Hiking socks, which can absorb sweat and will keep your feet dry, will make walking easier and more comfortable for you.
Waterproof Hiking Boots
Comfy hiking boots that have a good grip on slippery surfaces are among the most vital things that you will pack.
Sandals or Lightweight Shoes
It's convenient to put on something more lightweight and comfy around the lodge when hiking boots are drying up after a long day of exploration.
Rubber Boots
Rubber boots are usually easy to get locally if the weather on the trails becomes really muddy. Anyway, we strongly recommend taking your own hiking boots for additional comfort.
Binoculars (Highly Recommended)
Manu wildlife tends to stay up high in the trees. Having binoculars will significantly increase your chances to see monkeys, macaws, toucans, parrots, and amazing Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.
Headlamp or Flashlight
There is a lot happening in the rainforest after dark time. Headlamp will be very useful for exploring at night, walking around the lodge, and observing nocturnal wildlife.
Daypack (25-30L)
This backpack will be very comfortable for carrying all your necessary items such as water, camera, rain protection, sunscreen, and other items on your daily excursions.
Dry Bags
It will protect all your electronics, passport, camera, and other valuable things from getting wet while riding boats.
Power Bank
There might be no electricity available in some rainforest lodges during limited hours. Power bank will be very helpful for charging your smartphone and camera.
Insect Repellent (30-50% DEET)
Insects are endemic to the Amazon forest habitat.
The use of insect repellent before walking and boat trips will keep you comfortable.
Sunscreen (SPF 50+), Lip balm
The tropical sun is quite harsh on many visitors, particularly during boat tours where little or no shade is provided.
Personal Hygiene
Items that can be packed in travel sizes include:
Small First Aid Kit
A basic kit that includes adhesive bandages, blister kits, antihistamines, painkillers, and oral rehydration salts is always advisable.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
Not required to enter Peru, but recommended by the US CDC for the lowlands of the Cusco region and Madre de Dios, including Manu. Get it at least 10 days before the trip, and ask your doctor about malaria prevention.
In preparation for this tour, we suggest bringing your clothes packed in a mid-size duffel bag that is waterproof.
The space is limited during the river transfers and therefore softer luggage is much easier to move around during the whole tour. All extra luggage that you do not need in the rainforest can be kept safe at our office in Cusco until your return.
Last but not least, do not forget that you will finish your tour in the Andes, where it is much colder than in the jungle. Therefore, having a sweater or a light jacket at hand would definitely help you to have the last day of your tour pleasant and warm.
With the right equipment and an adventurous spirit, you will be ready to explore one of the most amazing wilderness destinations on Earth. Have fun exploring the unique nature and wildlife of the Manu National Park!
6 photos from this tour.
Early-morning pick-up at your hotel in Cusco on day 1.
Back in Cusco in the late afternoon or evening of day 5.
1 night in Pilcopata (private bathroom and hot water), 2 nights at an eco-lodge and 1 night at a campsite in the forest.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and other diets, and food allergies, are catered for if you tell us when you book.
Manu can be visited all year. The drier months, from May to October, have less rain, lower rivers and easier travel on the road and the rivers. From November to April showers are more frequent and the rivers rise. From June to August cold fronts from the south, called friaje, can bring a few cool days to the lowlands; the road over the Andes, at up to 3,800 m, is cold all year.
Booking information for this tour.
For each traveler we need the details exactly as they appear in the passport: full name, passport number, nationality and date of birth, and a copy of the passport. We use them to register you at the protected-area checkpoints, so any difference can cause problems on the way. Please also send us the name and address of your hotel in Cusco for the pick-up.
To confirm your Manu tour, pay through our secure link: Contact us to confirm availability and request a payment link. As soon as we receive the payment we book the lodges, the boats and the entrance fees for your dates. Lodge space in Manu is limited, so early booking is recommended.
After the payment you receive an email with the schedule, the packing list and the final instructions. Our team in Cusco is available before, during and after the trip.
Answers to the most common questions regarding trail preparation and logistics.
Both drive from Cusco through Paucartambo and the cloud forest and enter the Manu lowlands by boat from Atalaya. The 5-day tour adds a night, a coca farm and a rescue center on day 2, a river safari with hot springs on day 3 and the walk to Machuwasi lake on day 4. It costs USD 600 (minimum 2 travelers), against USD 450 for the 4-day tour.
It takes place in the area known as the Manu Cultural Zone, the buffer zone of the national park, which is part of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. The park's tourist area on the Manu River, with Cocha Salvador, is visited on the Manu Expedition 7 Days.
In the cloud forest, birds such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, trogons and tanagers. In the lowlands, monkeys, macaws, parrots, caimans, capybaras, turtles and many river birds. Jaguars live in Manu but are rarely seen. Sightings depend on the season and on luck.
About 7 hours to Pilcopata on day 1, with stops, and about 8 to 10 hours back on day 5. The road crosses the Andes at up to 3,800 m.
One night in Pilcopata, in a room with private bathroom and hot water; two nights at an eco-lodge in the forest; and one night at a campsite in the forest after the river safari on day 3.
You can go all year. The drier months, from May to October, have less rain, lower rivers and easier trails. From November to April it rains more often and the rivers rise, but the forest is at its greenest. From June to August a cold front from the south, the friaje, can bring a few cool days to the lowlands, and the road over the Andes is cold at any time of year.
It is not required to enter Peru, but the US CDC recommends it for travelers aged 9 months or older going below 2,300 m in the Cusco region and Madre de Dios, which covers the Manu lowlands. Get it at least 10 days before the trip. The CDC also lists a malaria risk in the lowlands east of the Andes, so ask your doctor about prevention and use repellent.
Easy to moderate. There are no long hikes: the walks are guided and slow, on humid and sometimes muddy trails, and the rest is by boat and vehicle. The long drives on days 1 and 5 and the heat are the most tiring part.
Your original passport, light long-sleeved clothes, a rain jacket, a warm layer for the road over the Andes, walking boots and sandals, insect repellent, sunscreen, a headlamp, a swimsuit for the hot springs and binoculars, which help a lot with birds and monkeys high in the trees.
Yes, the price of USD 600 per person is for a minimum of 2 travelers. If you travel alone, ask us for a quote.
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Compare this tour with similar ones: duration, altitude, difficulty and price.
| Tour | Duration | Distance | Max altitude | Difficulty | Group | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tambopata Jungle Adventure: 3 Days | 3 Days / 2 Nights | – | – | Easy to Moderate | – | $540 |
| Tambopata National Reserve Tour: 4 Days | 4 Days / 3 Nights | – | – | Easy to Moderate | – | $690 |
| Manu National Park Tour: 4 Days | 4 Days / 3 Nights | 160 km | 3,800 m | Easy | – | $450 |
| Manu National Park Tour: 5 DaysThis tour | 5 Days / 4 Nights | 25 km | 3,800 m | Easy to Moderate | Minimum 2 travelers | $600 |
| Manu Expedition: 7 Days in the Reserved Zone | 7 Days / 6 Nights | 30 km | 3,800 m | Easy to Moderate | Minimum 2 travelers | $1,450 |
| Amazon and Machu Picchu Experience: 10 Days | 10 Days / 9 Nights | 45 km | 4,300 m | Moderate | – | $1,850 |
Travel guides from our team in Cusco to help you prepare.
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