By Equipo PAT
A Manu tour from Cusco takes a full day by road and river, because there are no flights into the park. We leave at 5:30 am and travel about 10 hours to the cloud forest. To enjoy the jungle you need at least three days. Our routes last 3, 4 and 5 days.
How do you get to Manu from Cusco?
You go overland first and then by boat. Manu National Park is a World Heritage Site in the southern Amazon. However, there is no airport in the area. For that reason, the route starts with a long bus ride from Cusco, dropping from the Andes toward the jungle.
First you climb to the highest point, at 4,000 m (13,100 ft). Then you descend through Andean valleys to Paucartambo, at 2,950 m. After that you reach Acjanaco, at 3,560 m, the park entrance. Finally you drop into the cloud forest, at about 1,500 m.
On the other hand, the last stretch is by boat on the Alto Madre de Dios River, from Puerto Atalaya to the lodge. That ride takes between 30 and 40 minutes.
How long is the trip from Cusco to Manu?
The first day is all road: we leave at 5:30 am and travel about 10 hours with guided stops. We stop at the pre-Inca chullpas of Ninamarca and in Paucartambo, the folk capital of Peru. In addition, at dusk we visit the lek of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, where Peru’s national bird performs its courtship dance.
The return also takes a good part of a day. You head back up the river, cross Acjanaco and descend through Paucartambo. You reach Cusco between 5 and 6:30 pm, depending on the program. For that reason, always count the first and last days as travel days.
How many days do I need for Manu?
It depends on how deep you want to go. With three days you see the cloud forest, the river and a parrot clay lick. If you pick four, you add one more night in the lowland jungle. With five, you enter the Reserved Zone and sleep one night in a camp.
| Tour | Length | Highlights | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manu Cultural Zone 3 days | 2 nights in a lodge | Cock-of-the-rock, Machuwasi Lake and a parrot clay lick | $329 |
| Manu Cultural Zone 4 days | 3 nights in a lodge | Cloud forest, Machuwasi and a macaw clay lick | $389 |
| Manu Cultural Zone 5 days | 3 nights in a lodge and 1 camping | Salvador Lake, giant otters and a macaw clay lick | $599 |
As you can see, the three-day program works if you are short on time. You can book it as Manu Cultural Zone 3 days. By contrast, the four-day route has a more relaxed pace, and it is the one we recommend most for a first visit: Manu Cultural Zone 4 days.
What happens each day on the four-day route?
The four-day route spreads the effort well. Here is the summary:
- Day 1: Cusco, the Ninamarca chullpas, Paucartambo, Acjanaco, cloud forest and the cock-of-the-rock lek. We sleep at Bambú Lodge.
- Day 2: bus to Atalaya, boat to Soga de Oro Lodge and walks. In the afternoon, Machuwasi Lake on a raft.
- Day 3: sunrise boat trip to a parrot clay lick, trails and a giant ceiba tree. In the afternoon, fishing or a swim in the river.
- Day 4: boat to Atalaya and the return to Cusco, with stops in the cloud forest.
If you want to learn more about the birds that come down to the clay, read our guide to the macaw clay lick in Tambopata.
What does the price of the Manu tours include?
The prices in our catalog include tourist transport, a boat, meals and lodge accommodation. The four-day route also adds a snack and entry to Machuwasi Lake. However, they do not include tips or entry to the botanical garden, and on the five-day route the sleeping bag is optional.
Also keep in mind that the Manu Reserved Zone can only be visited with authorized operators. You can check the rules for the area on the SERNANP website.
How do you avoid altitude sickness on the Manu route?
The route climbs to 4,000 m on the first day and then drops almost 3,000 meters. For that reason your body notices it, especially if you arrived in Cusco recently. Sleep one or two nights in the city before leaving, drink water and avoid alcohol. For more tips, read how to acclimatize to Cusco’s altitude.
On the other hand, the change in climate is sharp. The cloud forest is cool and damp, while the lowland jungle is hot. So pack layers, comfortable boots and insect repellent.
When should you go to Manu?
You can go all year. The dry season, from May to October, has less rain and better roads. By contrast, from November to March it rains more and the road may be delayed. For that reason, leave a free day before your international flight.
To learn more about the park, see the official PromPerú page on Manu National Park.
If you are torn between this jungle and Puerto Maldonado, compare both in Manu or Tambopata: which jungle to pick.
Frequently asked questions
Are there flights from Cusco to Manu?
No. Access is by road from Cusco to Puerto Atalaya and then by boat on the Alto Madre de Dios River to the lodge.
How many hours is the trip from Cusco to Manu?
The first day is about 10 hours with guided stops, leaving at 5:30 am. The return also takes a good part of the day.
How many days do you recommend for Manu?
Three days if you are short on time, and four for a more relaxed first visit. Five days let you enter the Reserved Zone, with camping.
How much does a Manu tour from Cusco cost?
Our tours start from $329 (3 days), $389 (4 days) and $599 (5 days). They include transport, a boat, meals and lodging.
How difficult is the Manu route?
It is rated moderate. It does not require experience, but the first day is long and crosses 4,000 m, so it helps to acclimatize first.
