Tour to Manu: Classic 5D/4N

Itinerary of the Manu Tour: Classic

Day 1: Cusco – Manu Cloud Forest -  Picnic in the jungle - Lodge

Start your day with an early breakfast at your hotel in Cusco before embarking on a unique journey to the Manu Cloud Forest, where the grandeur of the Andes meets the tropical jungle. The itinerary includes a visit to the Oropesa bakery, famous for its traditional bread known as "Pan Chuta." The tour continues to Huacarpay Lagoon, where you can observe a wide variety of birds, including hummingbirds and other water species. During the journey, you’ll have the chance to explore picturesque mountain villages and visit the chullpas, ancient pre-Inca burial sites located on hilltops.

As you descend into the Cloud Forest, enjoy stunning views of the Sacred Valley. Upon reaching Paucartambo, a historical crossroads of Inca trade routes, you can enjoy a light snack and visit its museum, where you’ll learn about the local culture and traditional dances.

Then, head towards Acjanaco, the highest point of the day at 3,500 meters above sea level, which serves as the gateway to Manu National Park. If weather permits, you might be lucky enough to witness breathtaking views of the park. Later, travel into the heart of the cloud forest, where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch near the Pacchayoc waterfall and then you will arrive at the lodge where you will spend the first night.

Day 2: Manu Cloud Forest – Lodge

Early in the morning, head out to observe one of the jungle’s most iconic species, the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, the national bird of Peru. After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, continue your journey through the cloud forest, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the local wildlife, including monkeys, birds, and possibly the spectacled bear. You will visit a coca plantation to learn about its uses and medicinal properties.

After a brief stop at Pillcopata, head towards La Capilla – Aguanos, where you will walk for 30 minutes before boarding a motorized canoe that will take you to the lodge, located on the banks of the Alto Madre de Dios River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. Upon arrival, explore the lodge, your accommodation for the next three nights, and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, explore the nearby trails with naturalist guides and learn about the local biodiversity. Alternatively, you can relax at the lodge or enjoy a quiet sunset while observing wildlife along the Madre de Dios River.

Day 3: Macaw Clay Lick – Trail – Machuhuasi Lake Boat Trip

At the lodge, one of the most exciting activities is observing macaws and other wildlife at the clay lick (collpa). Early in the morning, join the researchers for a boat trip along the river, where you can observe colorful macaws and parrots in their natural habitat. We recommend bringing binoculars to enjoy this activity even more.

Afterward, you will walk through a bio-garden, which is part of the center’s sustainable project, and continue exploring the jungle, where you might see squirrel monkeys, hummingbirds, and other species.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike the 25 km of rainforest trails or take a raft ride on Machuhuasi Lake, a meandering lake where you can enjoy the nature around you without disturbing it.

Day 4: Shintuya Hot Springs – Medicinal Plant and Orchid Garden

Today, take a boat trip to the Aguas Calientes hot springs in the native community of Shintuya. This community, made up of the Harakmbut people and migrants from the Andes, is known for its medicinal hot springs. After a relaxing soak, enjoy a picnic lunch and head back to the lodge. On the way back, you’ll have the chance to observe more wildlife, and before dinner, you can visit the medicinal plant garden to learn about local legends. You will also admire the orchid garden, home to some of the smallest orchids in the world.

Day 5: Lodge – Cusco

After breakfast, take a boat ride back to Aguanos, where you’ll walk to board your transport back to Cusco. As you ascend towards the Andes and then descend back to Cusco, the landscape will change dramatically. On the way, you will enjoy a box lunch.

Upon arrival, your guide will drop you off at your hotel, where the tour concludes, leaving you with unforgettable memories of your experience in Manu National Park. You will arrive at your hotel in time for dinner, around 7 pm.

Price of the Manu Tour includes:

• Accommodation in a double room. If traveling alone and wishing for a private room, an additional charge for exclusivity will apply. Otherwise, you will share the room with a person of the same gender.
• Round-trip transportation to Cusco
• Scheduled excursions (Spanish and English)
• Limited electricity from 7 pm to 9 pm
• Purified water. Other beverages are available at an additional cost
• Meals (lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on day 2, breakfast, lunch and dinner on day 3, breakfast, lunch and dinner on day 4, breakfast and lunch on day 5). Depending on the day, the lunch may be a box lunch.
• Rubber boots (only available in sizes smaller than 46 EU or 12 US)

Price of the Manu Tour excludes:

• Optional activities or those not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Alcoholic beverages, juices, or sodas.
• Personal expenses.
• Additional services.
• Wi-Fi. Only on certain days, during available electricity hours, the router is activated, but the browsing speed is very limited and unstable.
• Permanent electricity: The lodge has limited electricity. Electricity hours are from 7 pm to 9 pm.
• Heating or air conditioning.
• Travel insurance.

What to Bring to the Manu Tour?

• A backpack no larger than 35 liters to pack your personal items. You can leave excess luggage at our offices in Cusco.
• Swimsuit for the hot springs on day 4.
• Clothing that protects from the sun and insects, made of thin, breathable fabric.
• Thin cotton socks, preferably darker in color.
• If your shoe size is 46 EU or 12 US or larger, you must bring your own rubber boots.
• Rain poncho (avoid bright colors to not scare away animals during observation activities).
• A flashlight for the night walks, we recommend a headlamp for added comfort.
• Refillable water bottle.
• Binoculars.
• Hat.
• Bandana for the face.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Warm and comfortable clothing.
• We recommend wearing shoes that you can easily take off. Inside the lodge facilities, we avoid wearing shoes to prevent mud from being brought inside.
• Cash for personal expenses (local currency).
• Travel insurance.
• Passport or ID.

What considerations should you have when doing the Manu Tour, Classic?

• All guided excursions are shared with other tourists of different ages and nationalities.
• The US Travel Advisory for Peru usually recommends vaccinations for yellow fever and malaria prevention for tourists traveling to the jungle region. Please consult your doctor before traveling to the Amazon Basin. No cases of yellow fever or malaria have been reported at the lodge.
• The climate is tropical, with an average temperature of 32°C (89°F), ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 42°C (107°F). The summer season is between December and March, with frequent rain in the afternoon. Between June and September, you may need warmer clothing due to occasional cold fronts ("friajes") from Patagonia that can drop the temperature to 10°C (50°F). Therefore, it is recommended to wear cotton clothes to counter the heat during the day and bring warm sweaters and jackets for the night, as the cabins and rooms are not airtight and allow external temperatures to enter.
• Guru Explorers values your time and strives to respect the tour schedule; however, the timing may vary due to factors beyond our control (weather, natural disasters, field conditions, among other demonstrable reasons). We will do our best to provide efficient options and solutions for your enjoyment. 

Not allowed: 

• Pets
• Smoking
• Large suitcases or bags

Cancellation policy:

• NO SHOW: Any cancellation of reservations after the FINAL PAYMENT is considered a NO-SHOW.

• Early departure from the hotel, unused meals or excursions, reductions, or any other unutilized services that were reconfirmed or paid for are non-refundable and are considered consumed services. We recommend that our customers have travel cancellation insurance in case of emergencies, illness, logistical issues, or other unforeseen circumstances.

• All guests must present their original passport and Andean Migration Card upon arrival at the lodge for the corresponding photocopies to be taken. Photocopies of the passport will not be accepted due to current legal regulations. If a guest does not have the documentation to justify the exemption from the VAT (IGV), or if their stay in the country exceeds 60 days from their arrival, the corresponding VAT will be charged directly to the traveler.

¿WHY CHOOSING US?

The experience that makes you live the beauty of this mountain of colors is inexplicable, it is really a personal encounter between you and nature. We want to be part of that experience that you will live in the Manu Tour: Classic. If you are still wondering why choose us? We would like you to read 7 outstanding characteristics of our service:

QUALITY:

When you go to a teacher, it is because you want to answer all the questions. In a matter of travel, money, time and enjoyment, you have to choose the best options available and that is what “Guru Explorers” is all about, giving you the perfect balance for the adventure you DESERVE.

EXPERIENCE:

To become “Guru Explorers”, we are still world travelers, but experts in Cusco, Lima, and the most important destinations in Peru. We lived bad and good experiences, valuing that the main difference lies in the details, so we know what elements are essential for your trip. We are travelers and we strive to enhance your experience!

TRANSPARENCY:

We are here to provide you with the best and most accurate information and description of our tours. We are not supporters of hidden costs, that is why we provide the necessary information so you can choose the inclusions or upgrades you are looking for.

SECURITY:

You entrust us with your time, your money and your expectations and that is why we fine-tune every detail to guarantee the trip you dream of.

FLEXIBILITY:

Although we have pre-established packages; they can be adapted to your needs and to make plans that are suited to you, so that you can visit any place in Peru, with the expertise of “Guru Explorers”. We adapt trips for special occasions such as your corporate trips, honeymoon, birthday, social, cultural or sports event during your visit to Peru, offering you complete advice to achieve and exceed your expectations.

PASSION:

Before being tour guides, we are travelers, explorers, adventurers; That makes us passionate about creating the best experiences in the time you invest for yourself and those you love.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

We promote Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, not affecting the traveler, nor exploiting the communities that receive it or their environment. We create more human and respectful experiences of Heritage.

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