Manu National Park 3 Day Tour Adventure in the Peruvian Amazon

when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. From there, we’ll start our journey from the Andes down into the Amazon, passing through diverse and changing landscapes. First stop: Ninamarca Our first stop is the small village of Ninamarca, home to pre-Incan tombs built by the Lupaca people. Your guide will explain their history and cultural significance.

You’ll get to see its historic church and traditional streets. It’s also a place where Quechua is still spoken, and many local traditions are preserved.

We’ll continue driving uphill to Acjanaco Pass at 11,646 feet (3,550 meters), which marks the entrance to Manu National Park. From there, we go even higher to the Tres Cruces viewpoint at 12,139 feet (3,700 meters), where you’ll enjoy a wide, scenic view of the Amazon Basin.

Then we begin our descent into the cloud forest. We’ll stop for lunch surrounded by lush vegetation. After eating, we’ll take a short walk to look for birds—especially the Andean Cock of the Rock, Peru’s national bird. This area is great for spotting hummingbirds, trogons, and other colorful species.

As the day ends, we’ll reach Pilcopata at 2,296 feet (700 meters), where we’ll spend the night in a comfortable jungle lodge.

capes and chances to experience its rich wildlife. Morning in Pilcopata We’ll start early with a traditional Amazonian breakfast at the Bambu Lodge. Afterward, we head to the Atalaya Port, where we begin our boat journey along the Madre de Dios River.

From Atalaya, we take a motorized boat down the river toward the Soga de Oro Lodge. This part of the trip is full of scenic views and wildlife sightings—perfect for birdwatching or nature photography. Along the riverbanks, you may spot various bird species and other animals going about their day. Arrival and Lunch at the Lodge Once we arrive, our team will help you settle into your jungle lodge. A homemade Amazonian lunch will be served, giving you the energy to explore more in the afternoon.

After lunch, we’ll walk the nearby trails to learn about the forest and its plants. One of the highlights is seeing medicinal plants, including the well-known San Pedro cactus. Later, we visit Machuwasi Lake, where we board a traditional wooden raft. Keep an eye out for birds like the hoatzin, reptiles, and black caimans quietly moving through the water. Optional Zip-lining and Night Walk If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try zip-lining through the forest canopy (optional). It’s a fun way to see the jungle from a new perspective. After dinner at the lodge, we’ll head out on a short night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife—frogs, insects, and other creatures that come alive after dark. Finally, we return to the lodge for a well-earned night’s rest.

Early Morning at the Clay Lick We begin before sunrise with a short 10-minute boat ride to reach the clay lick site. Located within Manu National Park, this is one of the most incredible wildlife spectacles in the region. You’ll see dozens of colorful parrots and macaws gathering to eat the clay, which is rich in minerals. These minerals help the birds detoxify what they’ve eaten from the forest—an important part of their survival. Watching them in their natural behavior is both peaceful and exciting.

After spending time at the clay lick, we return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Then, we begin our journey back to Cusco. We first travel by boat back to Atalaya Port, where our driver will be waiting. From there, we continue by van, retracing our route through the Andes. We expect to arrive in Cusco around 5:30 PM, bringing our three-day adventure through the Amazon to a close.