Our Manu National Park tour of 3 Days and 2 Nights commences in the historical city of Cusco and presents an array of activities that weave through colonial towns, jungle villages, and into the remarkable biodiversity of the Amazon basin.
This condensed journey to Manu or Tampbopata is ideal for visitors seeking to make the most of their limited time to explore the Amazon. We offer a comprehensive and comfortable 3-day, 2-night experience through our Manu National Park tour, enabling you to immerse yourself in the best of Peru’s jungle, wildlife, and adventure.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
05:30 AM
This tour caters to travelers with limited time who wish to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of Manu National Park.
The cultural zone, one of the park’s three zones, encompasses high mountains, cloud forests, and the primary rainforest. Within this zone, a handful of small indigenous communities still exist, sustaining themselves through agriculture and small-scale forestry. Farming and logging activities are closely regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Manu National Park Authorities (SERNANP).
The cultural zone encompasses the cloud forests of the mountains, providing a pristine habitat for a rich variety of wild plant species.
Over 8,000 flora species, 400 bird species, and 10 different mammals have been documented in Manu’s cloud forests. The zone includes a visit to Machuwasi Lagoon, accessible via rafts crafted from balsa wood, traditionally used by ancient inhabitants to navigate the Madre de Dios river. Additionally, you can explore a forest of towering Ceiba trees and observe parrots in their natural habitat.
The Manu National Park tour 3 Days and 2 Nights begins with a hotel pickup in Cusco. We embark on a journey towards Manu National Park, passing through picturesque inter-Andean valleys and the pre-Inca “chullpas” tombs of Ninamarca by noon. Our next stop is Paucartambo, a charming village renowned for its colonial houses and museums displaying ancient ceramics and diverse costumes and masks used in the celebrated “Virgen del Carmen” festival.
Approximately at noon we will be arriving at Paucartambo, a beautiful village that welcomes us with its colonial houses and museums where we can appreciate ceramics of ancient cultures, and different costumes and masks used in the different dances of the famous festival “Virgen del Carmen”.
Then we proceed to the lookout point at Acjanaco at the pass 4,000m (13,123 ft.) for an outstanding view over the cloud forest and lowlands. This is the entry point to Manu National Park. From here we travel down through pristine cloud forest which feeds the local flora unique to this clime.
The landscape is stunning: we will pass many waterfalls, sweeping views of the valley and dense cloud forest vegetation: mosses, lichens, orchids and birds unique to this part of the world ply the mountainside. The cock of the rock, trogons, tanagers; capuchin monkeys and wooly monkeys can also be seen. Then we arrive to our lodge in the evening, where we will sleep in a beautiful and rustic lodge.
Starting the day off we’ll take a guided tour around the lodge, with an emphasis on local medicinal plants, peruvian Amazon fruit trees and a coca plantation. Later we’ll pay a visit to the animal rescue center (donation only) for an hour. Once in the Rescue Center we can enjoy the free running, jumping spider monkey, titi monkey, and capuchins and pet the tapir. Volunteers will guide you around the wildlife and explain how they ended up here. After we continue to the small town of Atalaya, 600 m (1,968 ft), we will board the motorized boat and meet with the local crew. From Atalaya we leave by motorized boat to our lodge. A long the boat trip we will see many different kind of animals, birds, plants and flowers.
In the afternoon we will visit Machuwasi Lake, on the way there are great birding and wildlife spotting opportunities and in the oasis of the lake live caiman, the prehistoric bird hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), capybara and other Amazonian aquatic life. Have your cameras ready, as the trip on simple balsam pole rafts as the placid water is mirror like and we will encounter many birds, insect and some monkeys in this secluded lake.
After this walk in the extraordinary Amazon we return to our lodge
We will leave early to visit the parrot clay lick, we’ll board our river boat to visit the parrot clay lick nearby. Weather conditions permitting, we’ll have an unforgettable look at parakeets, parrots, and (with luck) macaw pairs dining on the mineral rich clay they use to help supplement their diet and improve their digestion. It’s a truly vibrant site with all the colors and movement. After returning for breakfast, we pack in to the boat and head for back up river to Atalaya where we rejoin our minivan for the winding and beautiful drive back through the cloud forest to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Q: How long is the journey from Cusco to Manu National Park?
A: Our tour, which is conducted by minivan, starts in Cusco and takes us to our first destination, Pilcopata. This journey takes about 8 to 9 hours, including stops in Paucartambo and at the Acjanaco viewpoint.
Q: What type of accommodation is offered during the Manu National Park Tour 3 Days?
A: During the tour, you’ll stay in rustic but comfortable lodges located in the middle of the cloud forest. These lodges allow you to enjoy a natural environment that immerses you in the Peruvian Amazon.
Q: What can be seen on the journey to Pilcopata on the first day of the Manu National Park Tour 3 Days?
A: On the first day, you’ll witness impressive landscapes and the rich biodiversity of the cloud forest. The flora and fauna include mosses, orchids, and species like the Andean cock-of-the-rock, trogons, and various monkey species such as the Capuchin monkey and the Woolly monkey.
Q: What activities are included in the visit to the Animal Rescue Center?
A: During this visit, you’ll meet protected animals such as spider monkeys, titi monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and the tapir. The volunteers working there provide additional information about each of these animals.
Q: What is the experience like navigating Machuwasi Lake?
A: The experience is calm and relaxing as you navigate on simple rafts. You’ll be able to observe prehistoric birds like the hoatzin, caimans, capybaras, and other forms of life that Machuwasi Lake offers.
Q: What is the Parrot Clay Lick and why is it so special?
A: The Parrot Clay Lick is a natural site where various species of parrots and macaws gather to consume clay rich in minerals. This phenomenon helps the birds neutralize toxins in their diet, offering a colorful and unique spectacle.
Q: What is the weather like during the Manu National Park Tour 3 Days?
A: The weather is highly variable. In the cloud forest region, you’ll encounter cooler and more humid conditions, while in the lower areas closer to the jungle, temperatures tend to be warm and humid. We recommend bringing appropriate clothing for various weather conditions.
Q: Is the Manu National Park Tour 3 Days suitable for all ages?
A: The Manu National Park tour is accessible to people of all ages with a reasonable level of physical fitness. Activities include moderate hikes, visits to natural points of interest, and simple raft navigation, making it ideal for families and adventurous individuals.
Q: What type of meals are offered during the Manu National Park Tour 3 Days?
A: Meals during the tour include breakfast, lunch (sometimes in the form of a box lunch), and dinner, focusing on local cuisine and fresh ingredients. The options are typically nutritious and suitable for maintaining energy during daily activities.
