Exclusive
2 to 6 People
2 Days
The 2-Day Manu National Park tour is a unique experience that connects the Andes with the Peruvian Amazon, allowing travelers to explore one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Manu National Park, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, stands out for its ecological transition between mountains, cloud forest, and tropical rainforest, where nature remains virtually untouched. During this journey, you will venture into ever-changing landscapes, from Andean highlands to dense Amazonian areas full of wildlife, making it one of the most impressive routes in southern Peru.
This destination is ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and photography enthusiasts, as it is home to iconic species such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, quetzals, exotic birds, monkeys, and with some luck, you may even spot the Andean bear and the jaguar. This destination is considered one of the best places in the world for ecotourism and wildlife observation in its purest state.
The tour begins with an early pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 5:00 a.m., followed by a trip to Ninamarca to visit its pre-Inca chullpas built by the Lupaca culture, and continuation to Paucartambo for breakfast and a brief tour. Entrance into Manu National Park through the Ajanaco viewpoint with views of the cloud forest, descent with exploration hikes and wildlife observation (exotic birds and possible Andean bear), lunch along the route, visit to the area of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, and arrival at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay, with the option of a night walk.
On this day, you will depart very early to the port of Atalaya to board the boat and navigate along the Alto Madre de Dios River to the Parrot Clay Lick, where you can observe the spectacle of parrots and parakeets feeding on clay while enjoying breakfast. Then, return by boat and hike to Machuwasi Lake for raft exploration and birdwatching, return to the river for lunch, and later travel back to Cusco by land transportation, arriving in Cusco at approximately 8 p.m.
The tour to Manu National Park 2 Days begins very early, at 5:00 a.m., with pickup from your hotel in Cusco and the company of our bilingual guide. From that moment on, you will begin a journey to one of the most biodiverse natural areas in the world, where wildlife, cloud forest, and tropical rainforest come together.
After approximately an hour and a half of travel, we arrive at Ninamarca, an ancient archaeological site where pre-Inca funerary towers can be seen on top of a mountain. These structures, attributed to the pre-Inca Lupaca culture, were used as collective tombs and reflect the funerary beliefs of ancient Andean societies. At this point, the guide will provide a detailed explanation about their history and function in ancestral times.
We then continue for another 30 minutes to the town of Paucartambo, known for its cobblestone streets and traditional architecture. Here we will have time to enjoy a typical breakfast and take a short walk through the historic center, learning about some of its local customs.
After leaving Paucartambo, you will begin ascending along a scenic road until reaching Ajanaco, located at 3,600 meters above sea level. This is the entrance point to Manu National Park, a jewel of biodiversity and nature that was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
At this location, we will take a short walk of approximately 7 minutes to reach a natural viewpoint. From here, you will enjoy one of the most impressive views of the journey: the Tres Cruces mountains, the vastness of the Andean cloud forest, and the beginning of the Manu tropical rainforest. It is an ideal setting for taking photographs and appreciating how the landscape begins to transform as we approach the Amazon.
From Ajanaco, we begin descending toward the cloud forest, a unique ecosystem where constant mist envelops the landscape and creates a mystical atmosphere. Along the route, we will take walks along natural trails while you observe the incredible diversity of Amazonian flora and fauna that inhabits this area. With a bit of luck, we may spot exotic birds such as the blue-banded toucanet, the golden-headed quetzal, and the crested quetzal. There is also the possibility of seeing the elusive Andean bear, an emblematic and endangered species.
By mid-morning, we will arrive at the San Pedro sector, where you will enjoy a delicious outdoor lunch in a privileged setting, surrounded by nature and accompanied by the characteristic sounds of the tropical rainforest.
After lunch, we head to an area of the forest ideal for spotting the cock-of-the-rock, Peru’s national bird, known for its vibrant red plumage and fascinating courtship ritual. This is just one of the many spectacles that Manu’s nature has to offer.
During the journey, you will also have the opportunity to observe woolly monkeys, wild orchids, and a great diversity of tropical birds, making this experience a true paradise for nature and wildlife lovers.
Around 5:00 p.m., we will arrive at Bambu Lodge, a cozy lodge surrounded by jungle, where you can rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. If you dare, you can join our optional night walk, where with flashlights and rubber boots we explore the jungle at night. During this adventure, you may see fascinating creatures such as tarantulas, poison frogs, snakes, armadillos, and night monkeys. The jungle comes alive in a completely different way after dark.
This first day marks the beginning of a unique experience in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, a place where every step connects you with nature in its purest state. A day full of culture, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes, perfect for nature and adventure lovers.
The second day of the 2-day tour to Manu National Park begins very early in the morning. We will leave the lodge and head to the Atalaya dock on the Alto Madre de Dios River, where you will board the boat. We will navigate approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes upstream until reaching the Parrot Clay Lick, a special place where many birds gather to feed on clay, such as flocks of parrots and parakeets. One of the best places for wildlife observation. With a bit of luck, you may also see some macaws. During the journey, it is also possible to observe capybaras, tapirs, and different birds along the riverbanks.
Upon arriving at the parrot and parakeet clay lick, you will enjoy the impressive spectacle of flocks of parrots feeding on clay, an important behavior for their diet. While observing this natural activity, you will have breakfast surrounded by the Amazon rainforest.
We will then return by boat for about 40 minutes to the point where we will begin a hike of approximately 30 minutes through the jungle to reach Machuwasi Lake, a peaceful lagoon surrounded by tropical vegetation.
At Machuwasi Lake, you will board a handmade raft, ideal for slowly navigating and enjoying the scenery surrounding this incredible place. This location is perfect for birdwatching in Manu. It is common to see the hoatzin, a bird considered prehistoric, as well as herons, cormorants, and kingfishers. Sailing across this lagoon is a peaceful and very special experience within the ecosystem of Manu National Park.
After this activity, we will walk back along the same trail to the river to board the boat back to Atalaya, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch surrounded by nature. (If time permits, you may also take a refreshing swim in the river before beginning the return trip).
Around 2:00 p.m., we will begin the return trip to Cusco. Along the way, you will enjoy for the last time the landscapes of the cloud forest and the Andes. We will arrive in Cusco at approximately 8:30 p.m., and upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel so you can rest after this great adventure in Manu.
This second day concludes an unforgettable expedition through the Manu Biosphere, a place that will leave you with unforgettable memories of its biodiversity, vibrant landscapes, and incredible encounters with the Amazonian nature of Peru.
During this incredible 2-day expedition to Manu National Park, everything is carefully organized so you can enjoy nature without worrying about logistics. From transportation to meals and professional guidance, these are the services included in your experience:
Although the tour covers most of the necessary services, there are some aspects that are not included and that you should take into account when planning your trip:
To fully enjoy your trip that combines the Andes, cloud forest, and the Peruvian Amazon rainforest in just 2 days. The weather is variable (cold at higher altitudes and warm-humid in the jungle), so it is important to pack in a practical, lightweight, and functional way.
If you are planning to take the Manu tour, which travels through breathtaking landscapes from Cusco to the Amazon rainforest of Manu National Park in Peru, it is normal to have some questions before booking. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions to help you better organize your trip and fully enjoy this experience.
Manu National Park is located between the regions of Cusco and Madre de Dios, in southeastern Peru. This tour begins in the city of Cusco, from where travelers head by road to the park entrance in the Ajanaco sector.
During the trip, you will reach a maximum altitude of approximately 11,811 feet above sea level at the Ajanaco viewpoint, while the minimum altitude is around 2,133 feet above sea level in the high jungle area near Atalaya and the Alto Madre de Dios River.
The best time to visit Manu National Park is between April and October (dry season), when there is less rainfall and better wildlife viewing conditions. However, the tour operates all year round, and during the rainy season (November to March) the landscape becomes greener and more lush.
The weather varies depending on the altitude. In Ajanaco it can be cold (around 50 °F), while in the jungle near the Alto Madre de Dios River, the climate is warm and humid, with temperatures that can exceed 86 °F.
The tour has a moderate difficulty level. It includes short hikes in areas such as the cloud forest and Cocha Machuwasi, so a basic level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience.
The tour includes one night in a lodge located in the jungle, such as in the area near Bambu Lodge. These accommodations are rustic but comfortable, surrounded by nature.
In Manu National Park, you may observe birds such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, parrots at the Parrot Clay Lick, as well as monkeys, capybaras, tapirs, and with some luck, the Andean bear in the cloud forest.
Yes, the second day includes navigation along the Alto Madre de Dios River from the port of Atalaya, allowing access to more remote areas and wildlife observation in its natural habitat.
Yes, since the tour passes through high-altitude areas such as Ajanaco (11,811 feet above sea level), some people may experience mild altitude sickness symptoms. It is recommended to acclimatize in Cusco before starting the tour.
Yes, the tour is suitable for families, as long as participants are able to do short hikes and tolerate climate changes. Places such as Cocha Machuwasi offer relaxing activities like raft rides.
Along the Alto Madre de Dios River and surrounding areas, you may observe:
Biodiversity is one of the highest on the planet.
You do not need to arrange permits on your own. Entrance to Manu National Park is included in the tour, and the agency handles all the necessary procedures to access the authorized areas.
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
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