Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Paucartambo – Cloud Forest – Pilcopata
Highlight of the Day: From the Andes to the cloud forest and the Cock of the Rock
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. We begin our journey through the Andes, passing beautiful valleys and small countryside communities on the way to Manu National Park.
Our first stops include the pre-Inca tombs of Ninamarca and the traditional town of Paucartambo. From here, we continue toward Acjanaco Pass, reaching approximately 3,550 m (11,647 ft). The landscape gradually changes as we leave the highlands and begin descending into the cloud forest.
Along the route, we pass waterfalls and dense vegetation with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and other native plants. We will also stop in the cloud forest to look for the Peruvian national bird, the Cock of the Rock. Your local guide will explain more about this remarkable bird and its habitat.
The changing scenery along the route makes this first day a beautiful introduction to the different environments of Manu.
We continue our descent toward Pilcopata and arrive at our jungle lodge, where you can rest after the day's journey.
- Accommodation: Jungle lodge
- Meals: Box lunch and dinner
Day 2: Pilcopata – Atalaya – Amazon Manu Lodge
Highlight of the Day: River journey and first wildlife encounters in the rainforest
After an early breakfast, we take a short guided walk around the lodge. Along the way, we can look for monkeys, birds, insects, and native Amazonian plants. We will also visit a coca plantation and a local wildlife rescue center.
We then continue by road to Atalaya, located along the Alto Madre de Dios River. Here we board our motorized boat and begin traveling deeper into the rainforest.
The boat journey gives us opportunities to observe herons, vultures, cormorants, and other birds along the riverbanks. We continue toward Amazon Manu Lodge, where we have lunch and time to settle in.
As we travel farther from the road, the river becomes an important part of the journey and gives us a closer view of the rainforest.
Later, we visit a nearby swamp to look for toucans, woodpeckers, macaws, and other rainforest birds. Before dinner, we take a short evening excursion to look for caimans, whose eyes can often be seen reflecting in the darkness.
- Accommodation: Amazon Manu Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Amazon Manu Lodge – Macaw Clay Lick – Machuwasi Lake
Highlight of the Day: Macaw clay lick and rainforest wildlife
We start very early and travel by boat to a clay lick along the riverbank. Different species of parrots and parakeets may gather here in the morning, and with favorable conditions, macaws may also be seen. Your guide will explain why these birds visit the clay lick and how the mineral-rich clay forms part of their natural diet.
After the visit, we return to the lodge for breakfast. We then take a guided walk through the rainforest for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The forest is home to many types of trees, plants, insects, birds, and monkeys, and your guide will share information about the rainforest ecosystem.
The morning walk offers time to observe the forest at a slower pace and notice details that are easy to miss from the river.
After lunch, you can relax at the lodge or enjoy a swim in the river. There is also an optional zip-line activity for travelers who want an additional adventure.
Later, we visit Machuwasi Lake, where we explore the calm waters by balsa raft. The area is known for hoatzins, caimans, monkeys, capybaras, and many bird species. In the evening, we take a night walk to look for insects, frogs, and other nocturnal wildlife.
- Accommodation: Amazon Manu Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Free Optional Activity – Zip Line
Guests staying at Amazon Manu Lodge can enjoy an optional zip-line experience through the jungle canopy. The activity uses platforms built among the trees and includes safety equipment. After crossing the canopy, you descend by rappel from the final platform.
Day 4: Amazon Manu Lodge – Rainforest Walk – Hot Springs
Highlight of the Day: Rainforest exploration and natural hot springs
We begin the day with breakfast before taking another guided walk around the lodge. The guide will help us look for wildlife and explain the plants and different layers of the primary rainforest.
After the morning walk, we return to the lodge for lunch and some time to rest. In the afternoon, we board the motorized boat and travel approximately two hours downstream toward the natural hot springs.
The boat ride is also part of the experience, with opportunities to watch the riverbanks and surrounding forest as we travel downstream.
The river journey offers another opportunity to observe birds and wildlife along the banks. Once we reach the hot springs, you can relax in the warm natural waters and enjoy the surrounding rainforest.
Later, we return to the lodge. After dinner, we take a final night walk to look for snakes, frogs, insects, spiders, and other animals that become active after sunset.
- Accommodation: Amazon Manu Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Amazon Manu Lodge – Atalaya – Cusco
Highlight of the Day: Final river journey and return through the cloud forest
We wake up early for breakfast before packing our belongings and boarding the boat back to Atalaya. The journey along the river gives us one last opportunity to enjoy the rainforest and look for birds and other wildlife.
At Atalaya, our vehicle will be waiting for the return journey to Cusco. We continue through the cloud forest and the Andean valleys, with short stops along the way when conditions allow.
We will have lunch during the journey and continue toward Cusco. Arrival is expected between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., depending on road and travel conditions.
- Accommodation: None
- Meals: Breakfast and box lunch
Important Notes
- Health: Manu is a rainforest area with mosquitoes and other insects. Bring a good insect repellent and light, long-sleeved clothing. For yellow fever and malaria prevention, please consult your doctor or a travel health professional before your trip.
- Itinerary changes: The program may change due to weather, river conditions, road conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control.
- Travel time: Manu is a remote rainforest destination. The 3-day tour includes several hours of travel by road and boat. This is necessary to reach the rainforest and its wildlife areas.
- Mixed groups: The group may include travelers who have booked 3, 4, 5,7 or 8 day Manu programs.