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. (The Park is not entered; it is observed only from a panoramic viewpoint.)

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  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 and Parrot Clay Lick – Trail – Machuhuasi Lake Boat Trip

In the morning, we will embark on an exciting boat excursion to the parrot clay lick, a natural site where various bird species gather to feed on the mineral-rich clay walls. Departing early, before sunrise, we’ll witness this natural spectacle at its peak: a vibrant display of colors and sounds as parrots—and with some luck, the endangered blue-headed macaw—arrive in flocks. The activity takes place in their natural habitat and offers a unique opportunity to connect with the jungle’s rich biodiversity. Binoculars are recommended to enhance the viewing experience. This activity is only available during the dry season.

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. 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 with local ingredients (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 for packing your personal items. You can leave additional luggage at our offices in Cusco.
• Clothing that offers protection from the sun and insects, made from lightweight and breathable fabric.
• Thin cotton socks — the darker, the better.
• If you wear size 45 EU / 11 US or larger, you must bring your own rubber boots.
• Rain poncho (avoid bright colors to prevent disturbing wildlife during observation activities).
• Flashlight for night excursions — we recommend a headlamp for greater convenience.
• Refillable water bottle.
• Binoculars.
• Hat.
• Face scarf or bandana.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Warm, comfortable clothing.
• We recommend bringing easy-to-remove shoes. Inside the lodge, we avoid wearing footwear to keep the space free of mud.
• Cash for personal expenses (local currency).
• Travel insurance.
• Passport or ID.
• Essential: Long-sleeved clothing that covers arms and legs for jungle hikes.

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. 
• Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.
• The lodge and included activities are located in the Reserved Zone of the Manu Biosphere. To enter the Manu National Park itself, please refer to our 7-day (or longer) itineraries.
• Wildlife sightings in their natural habitat cannot be guaranteed, but every excursion into the jungle offers the chance to enjoy authentic and unique experiences in close contact with nature.
• Although it can rain throughout the year in the region, we recommend visiting during the drier months (April to October). This increases the chances that all activities can take place as planned and that access to different areas remains open.
  
  
• Not allowed: 
• Pets
• Smoking
• Large suitcases or bags

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry.

For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

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.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.