Main Info
Overview and Highlights
Starting from Cusco Beginning in Cusco, this adventure offers a wide variety of activities. Colonial towns, jungle villages and the expansive Amazon basin are part of this package, which allows you to tailor your experience to your preferences. The cultural zone encompasses the cloud forest of the mountains, which offers a pristine natural environment for abundantly, wild growing plants.
Some researchers believe that in the virgin areas of this reserve is the Paititi or lost city of the Incas. The Manu national park was created on May 29, 1973. In 1977, UNESCO recognized the park as a Biosphere Reserve and in 1987 declared it a World Natural Heritage Site.
Included
- Specialized Jungle bilingual guide.
- Accommodation in our private Paradise Lodge in the cloud forest (1 nights) and a typical lodge (1 night)- Total 2 nights.
- Private bus transportation.
- All meals indicated on the itinerary:.
- B= breakfast,.
- L= lunch,.
- D= dinner (soup, main dish and dessert),.
- BL= box lunch.
- No additional charge for vegetarian diets.
- Basic first-aid kit.
- Specialized books are available during the trip.
Not Included
- (*) Entrance fees to Manu National Park $75 USD.
- Domestic flight tickets and airport taxes.
- Personal items and medicines (e.g., gear, clothing, laundry, telephone calls).
- Tips to local staff (we recommend $8-10 USD per day of service per guide or driver).
What to bring and advices
- Binoculars (imperative).
- Flashlight with spare bulbs and extra batteries.
- Sleeping bag.
- Day pack.
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- T-shirts.
- Shorts/Bathing suit.
- Towel.
- Sweater or light jacket.
- 1 pair of hiking boots and 1 pair of light shoes or sandals.
- Long socks.
- Rain gear.
- Rubber boots (only in the rainy season—we provide them).
- Sunhat, sunglasses, sun block.
- Insect repellent (with at least 25% DEET) and after bite.
- Toilet-paper.
- Plastic bags (to keep everything dry).
- Water bottle (with water for the bus ride into Manu).
- Copy of a valid passport.
- Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations.
- Money for soft drinks or beers and handicrafts at the Boca Manu landing strip.
- A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature.
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions).
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold.
- Sun block.
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported.
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
- We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
- Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
- Small towel or sarong.
- Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs ).
- Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
- Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
- Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day).
- Binoculars (if you have them).
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Itinerary
Starting early from Cusco, you will travel through Andean landscapes of unmatched beauty, deep valleys, highlands and rural communities. Where you will enjoy highland birds such as the mountain caracara, Puna ibis and Andean flicker, as well as pre-Incan Lupacas burial towers before arriving at the picturesque colonial town of Paucartambo. Which has been the gateway to Manu forests since pre-Hispanic times. Here, you will visit the church with its image of the Virgin of Carmen and see the historic Carlos V Bridge. Once you pass through Acjanaco Pass (3,850 meters/12,630 feet), the official entrance of Manu National Park. The road descends through important, sparsely vegetated Andean grassland ecosystem before reaching the cloud forest in the afternoon. This area is a wealth of flora and fauna; it is the habitat of cock-of-the-rock (national bird of Peru), crested and golden quetzals, blue-crowned motmot, gray breasted mountain toucan, butterflies, ferns and orchids. To name just a few! After this big day, you will spend your first night enjoying the comforts of Paradise Lodge (1,470 meters/4,821 feet).
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Night: Paradise Lodge.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Relax to Moderate.
DRIVING DISTANCE: 181 km/113 mi
DRIVING TIME: 6 hours
HIKING TIME: 3-hour hike
MINIMUM ELEVATION: 1600m/5249 ft
LODGE ELEVATION: 1,470 meters/4,821 ft
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3,850 meters/12,630 ft
After your first night in the cloud forest, you will enjoy a pre-breakfast walk into the forest to observe the cock-of the- rock perform its daily ritual, in which a group of males puts on a show to attract females. You'll return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and spend the rest of the day exploring the surrounding forest at a relaxed pace. Visit local farmers on their pineapple and coca leaf plantations. There will be ample time for bird watching giving you the chance to look for quetzals and motmots, as well as the green jay, paradise, bay headed, orange eared and golden tanagers, in addition to observing fauna and learning about this unique environment. The road to Pillcopata provides birders with the ideal route for short hikes. Our bus is available to you at any time for transport to the area's principle attractions. Remember, you can always sign up for mountain biking and white water rafting (class II and III rapids) on the Kosñipata River. You will spend another night in the comforts of Paradise Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Night: Paradise Lodge.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Relaxing (optional activities)
MINIMUM ELEVATION: 1,470 meters/4,821 ft
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 1,470 meters/4,821 ft
This is the final day in the forest. After breakfast, you will have time to continue relaxing or explore the area before boarding the private bus to return to Cusco. Follow, the now familiar route as far as Paucartambo, from where the route follows the course of the Quencomayo River to Colquepata and over the high pass at Apacheta (4,100 meters/13,448 feet). From here, descend into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping along the way to enjoy the countryside dotted with traditional Andean villages inhabited by weavers, shepherds and farmers. You will enjoy spectacular views of Pisac archaeological site before arriving at the local village and continue on to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Night: Not included.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate
DRIVING DISTANCE: 192 km/120 mi
DRIVING TIME: 6 hours.
MINIMUM ELEVATION: 3399m/11151 ft
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: (4,100 meters/13,448 ft
