Accommodations for 3-Day Manu National Park tour from Cusco

Lodge 1st night

Lodge outside 1st night

Lodge 2nd night

Lodge outside 2nd night

Included on the 3-Day Manu National Park tour from Cusco trip

• Land and river transport
• Professional guide
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Safety equipment
• Radio communication
• Lodge accommodation (private rooms per 2 persons, single rooms available as well)
• First aid equipment
• Mineral water
• Professional staff including a motorist, crew member, and cook

Excluded on the 3-Day Manu National Park tour from Cusco trip

• Breakfast on the first day
• Alcoholic and soft drinks

What to bring on 3-Day Manu National Park tour from Cusco

• Warm clothes (mornings are cold by the river)
• Rain gear
• Canteen
• Binoculars
• Sunscreen
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Hat or cap
• Long-sleeve shirt and long pants
• Mosquito repellent (50% DEET recommended)
• Sandals, swimwear, and towel
• Personal hygiene items (toilet paper)
• Extra money, binoculars, mosquito repellent

Description of 3-Day Manu National Park tour from Cusco

The Manu National Park tour from Cusco is a perfect 3-day, 2-night Amazon adventure for travelers with limited time who still want to experience one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world. Located between the Andes mountains and the Amazon basin, this 3-day Manu jungle tour takes you deep into the Cultural Zone of Manu National Park in Peru, a region rich in wildlife, culture, and untouched nature.

Spanning nearly 2 million hectares, Manu National Park Peru is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique ecosystems and incredible biodiversity. It’s home to indigenous communities and iconic Amazon wildlife such as jaguars, giant otters, monkeys, and over 1,000 species of birds. This short Manu National Park Amazon tour lets you explore this stunning region while enjoying comfort, expert guidance, and immersive jungle experiences.

Join our 3-day Manu National Park Tour from Cusco and discover the wonders of the Amazon rainforest in a short, unforgettable journey.

Overview of the Manu National Park Amazon jungle tour

Day 1: Cusco – Cloud Forest – Pilcopata

Start your Manu tour from Cusco early in the morning aboard a comfortable tourist bus. The first stop is the pre-Incan funerary towers of Ninamarca. Continue through the lush cloud forest, full of orchids, heliconias, and fern trees. Spot colorful birds like the Andean Cock-of-the-rock and, with luck, the rare spectacled bear. Arrive in Pilcopata, where you’ll stay in a jungle lodge with private rooms and bathrooms.

Day 2 of the 3-Day Manu National Park tour: Pilcopata – Atalaya – Paititi Lodge – Machuhuasi

After breakfast, head to the port of Atalaya and board a boat for a scenic ride to Paititi Lodge, deep in the jungle. After lunch, explore Machuhuasi Lake by traditional raft. Watch for monkeys, birds, reptiles, dwarf caimans, turtles, and even capybaras. Return to the lodge for dinner and an optional night walk to see nocturnal wildlife.

Day 3: Paititi Lodge – Parrot Clay Lick – Atalaya – Cusco

Early in the morning, visit a vibrant parrot clay lick to see parrots, parakeets, and green macaws. After breakfast, return by boat and bus to Cusco, passing again through Pilcopata and the cloud forest. Arrive back around 6:00–6:30 PM, marking the end of your 3-day Manu National Park Amazon tour.

Wildlife and biodiversity in Manu National Park

The Manu National Park rainforest is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to countless species of plants and animals. In the Cultural Zone of Manu National Park, where our 3-day tours take you, you may encounter monkeys, capybaras, colorful birds like toucans and macaws, and fascinating insects such as butterflies and frogs. There’s a chance to see a butterfly from Manu National Park up close, or even a playful troop of tamarins in the trees. With some luck, you might even spot a capybara near the river or hear the calls of howler monkeys echo through the forest.

The animals in Manu National Park are part of a complex food web that includes predators like the elusive jaguar, though sightings of big cats are rare. The park is also home to over 1,000 bird species, dozens of reptile and amphibian species, and many types of mammals. This makes Manu National Park biodiversity some of the richest in the world. The region protects many endangered species in Manu National Park, including rare monkeys and forest cats.

The rainforest also supports an enormous variety of life through its dense vegetation. You’ll see unique plants in Manu National Park, from towering trees to medicinal herbs and exotic flowers.

Please note: This is the real Amazon jungle. Sightings of wild animals are never guaranteed. They live freely and move as they wish. If you want a higher chance of seeing rarer or more exotic species, like giant otters or possibly a jaguar, we recommend our longer tours to the Reserved Zone of Manu. These include our 5-day, 6-day, or 7-day Manu Reserved Zone tours, which take you deeper into the untouched Manu National Park Amazon, far from any human settlements.

What to expect on our 3-day Manu National Park tour to the Amazon jungle

Our Manu Amazon tour from Cusco takes you into a remote and pristine part of the rainforest. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Road travel: Travel involves long drives through the Andes and cloud forest. Some roads may be narrow or affected by rain. Our drivers are experienced, but delays can happen.
• Weather: Rain is common, especially from November to April. We adjust the schedule when needed, but some activities may be delayed for safety.
• Jungle walking: Some lodges require short hikes through muddy terrain. Hiking shoes are essential.
• Packing light: Bring only essentials. We offer free luggage storage in Cusco.
• Guide support: Our guides stay close to the group and are there to support you. Let them know if you need help at any time.

We want to keep things clear and honest, so you know what to expect. Questions before booking? Just ask — we’re happy to help!

How to get to Manu National Park from Cusco

Wondering how to get to Manu National Park from Cusco or how to get to Manu National Park Peru in general? With our tour, all transportation is included. We’ll pick you up directly at your accommodation in Cusco and begin the journey toward the Amazon. If you’re traveling from Lima, you’ll first need to fly or take a bus to Cusco. There are no direct routes from Lima to Manu.

On the first day, you’ll travel by a mini-bus through the breathtaking cloud forest. This is a scenic route full of waterfalls, orchids, and lush green landscapes. You drive there until you reach the edge of the Cultural Zone of Manu National Park. This is where the Amazon jungle begins.

The return from Manu National Park to Cusco is also fully arranged, with drop-off in the city in the late afternoon of the final day. You can easily locate the park by searching Manu National Park on a map. It stretches across the Madre de Dios and Cusco regions of southeastern Peru, deep in the untouched Amazon rainforest.

More about Manu National Park

Located in southeastern Peru, Manu National Park stretches across the Cusco and Madre de Dios regions and protects an amazing range of wildlife and ecosystems. With elevations from 150 to 4,200 meters, the park includes lowland Amazon rainforest, cloud forest, Andean grasslands, and high-altitude puna. Read more about all our Manu National Park tours.

Geography and ecosystems in the park

This variety in altitude creates a stunning range of habitats, making Manu National Park Peru one of the most important conservation areas on Earth. Visitors can explore everything from dense jungle to open mountain landscapes in one tour.

Biodiversity during the 3-Day Manu National Park Amazon jungle tour

Expect to see many animal species, including over 1,000 birds like macaws and the harpy eagle, monkeys, spectacled bears, and jaguars. The rainforest also shelters countless reptiles, amphibians, and insects, adding to its status as one of the most biodiverse places in the world.

Our 3-day Manu National Park tour from Cusco gives you a taste of this wild paradise. It’s ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking a real Amazon jungle experience in a short amount of time.