Tours Manu: The Adventurer 4D/3N

Itinerary of the Manu Tour: The Adventurer 

Day 1: Cusco – Manu

We will head to your hotel in Cusco to begin the journey to Manu, crossing the Andes.

Along the way, we will visit the town of Oropesa, known for its ovens that make the traditional Pan Chuta. We will continue towards the Huacarpay Lake, ideal for birdwatching, with aquatic, migratory, and endemic species. We will drive along a winding road through rocky landscapes, with trees, cliffs, and waterfalls, offering stunning views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will reach Paucartambo, a center of ancient Inca routes, to learn about the local customs, such as colorful clothing and traditional Catholic festivals.

Then, we will head to the top of Acjanaco (3,500 m.a.s.l.), the starting point toward the Amazon basin. During the journey, we will enjoy a box lunch as we cross the cloud forest, witnessing the landscape change from the tropical Andes to the meadows and trees of the dwarf forest. We will continue our journey through a lush and vibrant ecosystem with large trees, ferns, bromeliads, begonias, orchids, and a great diversity of birds, known for hosting species such as the Cock of the Rock, with its striking plumage.

The final destination of the day will be the Capilla in Águanos, from where we will take a 45-minute walk to embark on a boat that will take us along the winding Alto Madre de Dios River to the Lodge, where we will stay and enjoy a dinner accompanied by the sounds of the jungle. During the stay, we will learn about the history of Manu and the efforts to conserve this fragile environment with the help of researchers.

Day 2: Parrot and Macaw Clay Lick – Trail Exploration: Flora and Fauna of Manu

On this day, you will take part in the monitoring of the clay lick (a clay area), where parrots and species such as the blue-headed macaw, an endangered bird, are studied. Early in the morning, you will take a boat to observe the birds’ activity. At sunrise, you will be able to admire their vibrant colors as they gather on the clay walls. We recommend bringing binoculars to make the most of this activity.

Upon returning to the lodge, we will enjoy breakfast and then visit one of our projects, including the bio-garden, part of the sustainable development project that supplies the lodge’s kitchen. We will continue exploring the trails in the area, observing various species of flora and fauna, such as monkeys, birds, hummingbirds, parrots, and macaws. We recommend bringing binoculars to enjoy this activity even more.

At noon, we will return to have lunch and rest.

In the afternoon, we will embark on a new excursion to continue exploring the trails and delve deeper into the flora and fauna of Manu. At the end of the day, we will enjoy dinner with other visitors, sharing our experiences. Additionally, there will be an option to join a nocturnal project to observe night fauna.

Day 3: Cocha Machuwasi – Night Walk in the Jungle

After an early breakfast, we will head to Cocha Machuwasi to explore this small lake in a raft. We will circle the lake, capturing unique moments with photos and videos. After this experience, we will return to the lodge for lunch, and at night, those who wish can take a night walk to observe more species of wildlife.

Day 4: Manu – Cusco

At the break of dawn, we will wake up to enjoy breakfast and prepare for our boat return. After a safety briefing, we will begin the journey back, once again enjoying the Amazon landscape until Águanos. We will then take a 30-minute walk and use land transportation to return. As we ascend through the cloud forest towards the Andes, the landscape will change drastically.

On the way, you will enjoy a box lunch.

We will arrive at our respective hotels in the Historic Center of Cusco, concluding this wonderful experience in Manu.

Important Note: The activities in the itinerary are referential and may be subject to changes depending on weather conditions.

The price of the excursions to Manu 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) Including 1 night walk.
• Limited electricity from 7 pm to 9 pm
• Purified water. Other beverages are available at an additional cost
• Standard meals with local ingredients (lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on day 2, lunch and dinner on day 3, breakfast and lunch on day 4) Depending on the day, the lunch may be a box lunch.
• Rubber boots (only available in sizes smaller than 45 EU or 11 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.
• Clothing that protects from the sun and insects, with long slevees, made of thin, breathable fabric.
• Thin cotton socks, preferably darker in color.
• If your shoe size is 45 EU or 11 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, The Adventurer?

• What is the difference between the Manu El Aventurero 4D/3N Tour and the Manu El Pionero 4D/3N Tour? The main difference between both tours lies in the accommodation, meals, and activities:
  • The Manu El Aventurero Tour offers standard meals, similar to those consumed by the lodge’s volunteers and researchers, and the activities are primarily focused on the lodge’s surroundings, without the need for additional accommodation. 
  • On the other hand, the Manu El Pionero Tour provides more sophisticated meals, with an exclusive menu designed for tourists. This tour also stands out due to the accommodation in two different locations, including one night at a lodge in the cloud forest on the first day, offering the advantage of being able to enjoy a more complete birdwatching activity the following morning. This allows guests to take advantage of the early hours of the day when bird activity is at its peak, offering a richer and more diverse wildlife experience.
• 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.
• 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 the included activities are located in the Reserved Zone of the Manu Biosphere. To enter the Manu National Park, please refer to our itineraries of 8 days or more.
• Wildlife sightings in their natural habitat cannot be guaranteed, but each outing into the jungle offers the opportunity for authentic and unique experiences in contact with nature.

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 tour, 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.