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CLASSIC INCA TRAIL DAY 1 BY INKA TRAIL TREK
inka trail trek day 3
porters on the inca trail by inka trail trek
manu jungle trip by inka trail trek
MANU AMAZON JUNGLE TOURS BY INKA TRAIL TREK

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CLASSIC INCA TRAIL + MANU AMAZON JUNGLE 8 DAYS

Live an adventure full of unforgettable experiences, in the most fascinating landscapes of the Andes and jungles of Cusco. This tour will take you to the deepest knowledge of the history and tradition of the Incas, since its last refuge was the jungles of Qosñipata, Lacco and Manu. Where there are still many ethnic families that once belonged to the mighty Inca empire. Our guides who are very knowledgeable about the culture and experiences of the Quechuas will show you the route along the classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu, this path is very famous for its temples and sites of meditation and spirituality, which leads you to the most sacred place of the Incas And to understand more about the world of Matshiguenkas and Quechua priests, we visit Manu National Park, which still maintains its forests full of wildlife and a unique ecosystem in the world, since it has the largest number of amphibians, butterflies, mammals, orchids and medicinal plants. Our company is focused on working in small groups and with a high specialization in information and quality of services throughout the tours.

Basic Tour Information

Tour duration: 8 days

Travel Difficulty: easy

Maximum altitude: 4200 m

Trek distance: 493 km

Reservation from $950

CLASSIC INCA TRAIL + MANU JUNGLE 8 DAYS

DAY1: CUSCO- KM 82- LLAQTAPATA – HUAYLLABAMBA CAMPING SITE

  • Meals: Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
  • Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Highest point: 3,500 m / 11,482.9 ft
  • Lowest elevation: 2,300 m / 7,545.9 ft
  • Max T°:  25 c°
  • Min T°:  0 C°
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Windy / Cold
  • Highlights of the day: Inca ruins of Llaqtapata, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Andean Farmers

DAY 2: HIKE TO THE DEAD WOMAN PASS – CAMPING SITE OF PACAYMAYU

  • Meals: Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 12 km / 7.4miles
  • Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Highest point: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
  • Lowest elevation: 3,500 m / 7,545.9 ft
  • Max T°:  18 c°
  • Min T°:  0 C°
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Windy / Cold
  • Highlights of the day: Andean forest of Queuñas, Intimpas, Typical flora and fauna of the andes

DAY 3: WALKING INTO THE RAIN FOREST AND THE LOST RUINS OF THE INCAS

  • Meals: Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
  • Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours
  • Highest point: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
  • Lowest elevation: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
  • Max T°:  25 c°
  • Min T°:  8 C°
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Wet/Rainy
  • Highlights of the day: Rainforest with amazing views, several beautiful inca sites

DAY 4: VISIT OF MACHU PICCHU – CAME BACK TO CUSCO

  • Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
  • Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Highest point: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
  • Lowest elevation: 2,000 m / 6,560 ft
  • Max T°:  25 c°
  • Min T°:  8 C°
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Wet/Rainy
  • Highlights of the day: The visit of the Machu Pichu citadel

DAY 5: PICK UP FROM CUSCO ROAD TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF SAN PEDRO

  • Distance: 209 km / 130 miles
  • Approximate Time in Car : 5-6 hours
  • Highest point: 3,800 m / 12,460 ft
  • Lowest elevation: 650 m / 2,132 ft
  • Max T°:  30 c°
  • Min T°:  15 C°
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Wet/Rainy
  • Highlights of the day: rainforest of san pedro, birwatching and mokeys, orchids

DAY 6: TRAVEL BY MOTOR BOAT TO THE AMAZON LODGE- EXCURSION TO THE MACHUWASI LAKE

  • Distance: 30 km / 18 miles
  • Approximate Time in Boat : 45 min
  • Highest elevation: 650 m / 2,132 ft
  • Max T°:  30 c°
  • Min T°:  15 C°
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Wet/Rainy
  • Highlights of the day: Ride in the private reserve, bird watching, mammals, visit to Machuwasi Lake, observation of caiman and river otters.

DAY 7:  MACAW CLAY LICKS – WALK IN THE DEEP FOREST

  • Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
  • Approximate Time in boat : 15 min
  • Aprox. walking time: 2 hours
  • Highest  elevation: 300 m / 984 ft
  • Max T°:  30 c°
  • Min T°:  15 C°
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Wet/Rainy
  • Highlights of the day: Spectacle of birds, macaws and parrots eating clay, ride in the Amazon forest to discover their wonders

DAY 8: RETURN TO CUSCO

  • Distance: 209 km / 130 miles
  • Approximate Time in Car : 5-6 hours
  • Highest point: 3,800 m / 12,460 ft
  • Lowest elevation: 650 m / 2,132 ft
  • Max T°:  30 c°
  • Min T°:  15 C°
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Wet/Rainy
  • Highlights of the day: Amazing views of the cloud forest and typical andean villages

 

Day 1

CUSCO - KM 82 PISCACUCHO - LLAQTAPATA - HUAYLLABAMBA

Difficulty: moderate

Distance: 11

Altitude: 3500

Pick up from the hotel at 4:00 am, in private transportation that will take us to Km. 82, vía Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, at the checkpoint we will meet our porters, and we will weigh the equipment and control the passports and their tickets, for the Inca Trail, then we will start our trek along the Urubamba River until we reach Llactapata an important archaeological group, where we will learn a bit about the history and culture of the Incas, then at noon we will have lunch at the site of Tarayoc, to then continue 2 more hours of walking to our first camp of Huayllabamba, this site is the last town that we will see on the route, it is inhabited by farmers who still plant their plots of corn and potatoes. This day you can take advantage to charge your devices with electricity. In the afternoon it will be our presentation with our porters, and a very nutritious dinner to rest.

inka trail trek day 1
Day 2

AYAPATA - DEAD WOMAN PASS - PACAYMAYU

Difficulty: challenging

Distance: 12

Altitude: 4200

Your porters will wake up you, at 5:00 am  with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. Today is our longest day and we will start early. We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4200 meters/13829 feet). The first 2 hours , you will walk into highland forest, the way is steps and uphill. Then you will get the place of Llullucha, where we will stop a long time, from this point until the dead woman pass is one hour and a half , the landscape  gonna change , is a new microclimate, because the altitude it gonna be very hard, but not impossible to reach the pass, we’ll stop a  short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayo Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot,  usually time to arrive is at 2:00 pm , this day you will sleep there. In the afternoon is a free time, to relaxing , in case you like a cold shower there is , if not just enjoy the beauty of the landscape, this day we have also tea time and the dinner.

classic inca trail peru by inka trail trek
Day 3

SAYACMARKA - PHUYUPATAMARKA - WIÑAYHUAYNA

Difficulty: challenging

Distance: 16

Altitude: 3900

We begin early again, wake up at 5:30am to begin what is commonly felt to be the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It’s 2 hours to the pass and along the way we’ll stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village).

We’ll stop here for a rest and have a quick tour of the site and then watch the Vilcabamba mountain range. It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the lunch place, in Chaquicocha at 11:00 am (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After lunch, we hike for 2 hours along what we like to call “Inca flat” (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk we will have the opportunity to see the majesty of Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in Cusco. Towards the end of the Inca flats we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarca (3600 meters) from where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley we get our first views of Machu Picchu Mountain but the site itself is still hidden from view. From Phuyupatamarca it’s a 3 hour walk down several steps,  to our last campsite, arrival time  is at 16:00 pm. Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu.

 

short inca trail experience by inka trail trek
Day 4

SUN GATE - TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU - RETURN TO CUSCO PICCHU

Difficulty: moderate

Distance: 6

Altitude: 2700

Wake up time is at 4:00 AM. Then we will wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first team to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30AM. From here we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory. We reach the Sun Gate by 6:30am and then it’s just an hour trek downstairs to reach the Lost City of the Incas. As we approach MachuPicchu the views of the city just get better and better. At about 7:40AM we’ll reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hour private guided tour. After the tour you will have 1 hour extra to explore on yourself. Then you will go down to Aguas Calientes Town to take the train to Ollantaytambo, arriving to the train station of Ollantaytambo after 2 hours, then you will take the our private transportation to Cusco, arriving to your hotel at 6:45 pm.

machupicchu ruins by inka trail trek
Day 5

CUSCO - PAUCARTAMBO CLOUD FOREST - PILCOPATA

Difficulty: easy

Distance: 209

Altitude: 3300

This day the pickup will be from your hotel or lodging in the city of Cusco, at 6:00 am, and then we will head towards Paucartambo, the first stretch lasts 3 hours, this day you can buy your first breakfast in the town of Huancarani. Then we will visit the chullpas of Ninamarca, which was a pre-Inca funerary complex of great importance. From here it is another hour to the colonial town of Paucartambo, a beautiful colonial city. Continue to the cloud forest, an area rich in endemic species such as the spectacled bear, the cock of the rocks, you can also see the woolly monkey, the capuchin monkey. In this part we will make several stops to observe birds and mammals. Our lunch will be in the middle of the jungle enjoying the beautiful landscape with varieties of orchids, bromeliads and ferns, etc. This day we finish the tour at 5 pm, arriving at our lodge in the town of Pilcopata.

cock of the rock by inka trail trek
Day 6

ATALAYA- AMAZON LODGE-MACHUWASI LAKE

Difficulty: easy

Distance: 20

Altitude: 650

After breakfast we will continue on private transportation to the Atalaya Port, which is located on the banks of the Madre de Dios River (700 m). Here we will take a boat that will take us to the second lodge in the middle of the jungle, the trip takes 30 minutes, along the river you will see an enormous diversity of bird species, such as herons, vultures and cormorants, kingfishers, if You can also see Capibara one of the largest rodents in the world, leopard, etc. Upon arrival at the lodge you can enjoy the warm climate of the jungle. At 10 am, we will start the walk in the forest where the guide will point out and explain the interesting diversity of wildlife that surrounds you. In the afternoon there is a visit to Machuwasi Lake, here you can take a ride on a handmade raft, on the site you can see several endemic birds, it is also possible to see the alligator, monkeys, etc. This day we finish the adventure at 5:00 p.m.

amazon tours by inka trail trek
Day 7

AMAZON RAINFOREST WALK

Difficulty: easy

Distance: 10

Altitude: 300

Today we will get up very early (5:15 a.m.) to go to the lick of the parrots, by boat it is 15 minutes. If we are very lucky we will have a very beautiful show of the macaws, which have  reds, yellows, blues feathers, as well green parrots with turquoise, likewise many parakeets, who descend to the clay cliffs in search of minerals and sulfates very important for their diet of the birds. On our return we will have a delicious breakfast with lots of energy for a 3-hour walk in the forest, to learn about medicinal plants, fruits, if you are lucky you can also see the lazy bear, this day you will meet the largest tree “the ceiba ” In the afternoon after lunch you participate in a therapy activity with mud, you can also swim in the Madre de Dios river. To end the day we visit a small lake near our lodge, to know the family of capybaras and also nocturnal monkeys. Today we will have our special farewell dinner with all the work staff.

lake in amazon tour by inka trail trek
Day 8

RETURN TO CUSCO

Difficulty: easy

Distance: 209

Altitude: 3800

Our awake at the lodge is at 5:00 am, to have breakfast and pack all our stuff. Those who wish can also do the shooting activity of the bow and arrow. At 6.45 am we left our boat to the town of Atalaya, where we pick up the private transport to Cusco, this trip will last 7 hours. During the trip you can still see some observation of monkeys and birds if they did not have much luck the first day. Today we will have lunch at the Ajanacu pass at 12.00 pm. After descending to the valley of Challabamba, we pass Huancarani, and finally we reach the City of Cusco at between 4:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The final point will be the Kusipata square, which is very close to the city center.

national park of manu by inka trail trek

INCLUDED IN THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL  &  MANU JUNGLE 8  DAY S:

  • Pick up from the hotel in Cusco
  • Private transport from  Cusco to KM 82 start of the trek
  • Private transport from Cusco to the Manu Jungle
  • Motor boat to the  Jungle Lodges
  • Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • English tour guide
  • Camping Tent ( our tents has the capacity for 2 perons)
  • Amazon Lodges in Manu during 3 days
  • Foam matress for the Inca Trail
  • Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machupicchu
  • Vegetarian option
  • First aid kit equipment, Oxygen balloon
  • Bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
  • Train ticket for the return to Ollantaytambo
  • Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Sleeping Bag ($ 15 usd)
  • Trekking poles ($ 15 usd)
  • First day breakfast in the Inca Trail
  • Last day lunch in the Inca trail
  • Entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu ( consult availability )
  • Extra porter for 14 kg ($ 120 usd)
  • Tips for the staff

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING TO THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL & MANU JUNGLE:

  • Feather and fleece jackets
  • Rain jacket
  • Good trekking shoes
  • Trekking pants
  • 40 liter backpack
  • Wide-brimmed hat
  • Sunblock and mosquito repellent
  • Original passport
  • Water bottle for water
  • Trekking staff
  • Sunglasses
  • Roll of toilet paper
  • Headlamp
  • Batteries for your cell phone or camera
  • Extra money in soles
  • Personal medication

MANU AMAZON JUNGLE TOURS FAQ

  1. MANU AMAZON JUNGLE TOUR PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING?

You will have a pre-departure briefing at your hotel the day of your arrival or one day  before at 6:00 pm, we will send you one of our tour guides who will explain you all the manu jungle tour program day by day, also he will answer any remaining questions about the tour, then you can  finalize the  payments of your balance.

  1. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RESERVED ZON AND TEH CULTURAL AREA? HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN THE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE TOUR AND THE MANU CULTURAL ZONE?

The Manu National Park is divided into three parts: cultural zone , reserved zone or core zone and the intangible zone. The cultural zone and the reserved zone are for tourist use. The intangible zone is used exclusively for scientific studies and with special permits.

Manu Amazon Jungle is a relatively remote area with little human population, and is has an extremely high biodiversity and very good opportunities to observe animals in the rainforest (especially at the clay licks), which is not very easy due to the dense vegetation.Manu offers ideal conditions for nature and animal lovers, photographers and ornithologists.

You will not find mass tourism here. In August (high season) there are most visitors around, so it gets a bit busy.

Please note that it is not always possible to exactly stick to the program on a rain forest tour and small changes to the program may occur. In case of unusual situations caused by the weather (for example ) our guide will look for the best alternative and always try to include all activities of our program. The guide will explain the situation to the group and you are welcome to ask questions.

Both tours, the Manu Biosphere Tour and the Manu Cultural Area, take you to the lowland rainforest of Manu and you visit

A.- MANU CULTURAL AREA

In the cultural zone of Manu, you can see two types of ecological floors, the first place to visit will be the cloud forest, where two species of Monkeys can be seen, and the national bird of Peru. And it is also a good place to observe endemic birds, such as trogon, quetzal, eagles, owls, and several species of hummingbirds. You can also see a variety of orchids, begonias and medicinal trees. Then a boat tour is made to the lodge inside the jungle, where walks are made to identify mammals such as sachava, monkeys, alligators, jaguars. And also take the opportunity to visit the parrot and macaw collpa.

It is called a cultural zone or buffer due to its proximity to the native villages that inhabit the Manu National Park such as Matsiguenka, Nanti, Yora, Haranbut, Yine and Quechua divided into the towns of Callanga, Huacaria, Keros, Shintuya, Diamante and Palotoa and they feed on house and fish therefore there is not much diversity.

On the Manu Cultural Zone  you can enjoy the unique scenery of Rio Manu’s primary lowland forest. Inside the Reserved Zone (Tourist Zone) we visit the Machu Wasi lake to observe Giant Otters, birds, Mamals, Macawclaycliks, several insects. The scenery on Rio Manu is impressive and chances to observe wildlife on the river banks are very good. (If we are lucky we may see a jaguar.) But we spend considerably more time into the deep rainforest.

B.- MANU RESERVED ZONE

The Manu Biosphere Tour is the more active tour, we spend more of 5 days in the area of Limonal   and Blanquillo and we have plenty of time for walks on the trails. Our program is flexible and we have good opportunities to see a variety of animal species. Direfent lakes (to observe Giant River Otters), the big Macaw Clay Lick at Blanquillo as well as the Mammal Salt Lick, located at walking distance from our  Lodge.

  • The 5 day tour is the shortest tour to the Manu lowland, but shows you the highlights of Manu.
  • On the 7 day Biosphere tour we have one day (day 5) on which the group can decide what type of animals you would like to prospect for again. This day is especially rewarding for bird, tapir and monkey observation. In case of bad weather conditions we are flexible enough to modify the itinerary according to our needs and have more options to see animals. On this tour our return journey takes us back to Atalaya and through the cloud forest.
  • On the 8 day tour we have 2 full days inside the Reserved Zone which gives us better chances for giant otter and monkey observation.
  • Chances to observe animals are similar on both tours. The more time you spend in the rainforest the better the chance to see a bigger variety of animals.

 

  1. WHY IS THE RESERVED AREA MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE CULTURAL ZONE?

The trip to the area reserved by boat is approximately 7 to 8 hours every day and by bus only the first and last day according to your itinerary. Our company pays the Peruvian state for nature conservation, for the entry of each tourist, for each passenger and annually and this same money is for payments of the park guards of the Manu National Park. Each group of Eco Path Trek visits the Machiguenka house to buy their handicrafts that are made by themselves with plants, fruits and natural colors and we support in this way to generate economic income for the subsistence of the population of Tayacome and Yomibato. We also work directly with the natives of tayacome, yomibato, Diamante as crew members and boat riders in our company as connoisseurs guarantee our safety in the rivers of Alto Madre de Dios and Manu. Since they are native of the jungle.

  1. HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING?

300 to 400 soles should be taken for additional purchases on the tour such as handicrafts, soft drinks, moisturizers, beers and tips for the staff (motorcyclist, crewman, cooks and guides).

  1. WHY SHOULD I TRAVEL WITH ECO PATH TREK?

Eco Path Trek is peruvian  a local tour operator, offering an unforgettable experience since 2008 that works with social and environmental responsibility. Pay the Peruvian state to conserve nature to the National System of Protected Natural Areas. .All the guides and drivers are very knowledgeable professionals of the jungle that guarantee 100% their safety because they studied in the Peruvian jungle and specialized in Cusco.The company’s teams guarantee 100% YOUR SAFETY AND COMFORT. The prices are reasonable quality and price. Your trip is 100% guaranteed. If you travel with us you will be helping to protect the environment and therefore the economic sustainability of the native communities mentioned above.

  1. HOW BIG ARE THE TOUR GROUPS FOR MANU AMAZON JUNGLE TOUR WITH ECO PATH TREK?

On our Manu tours the maximum group size is 10 people per guide. This way everybody can hear what the guide says and the group is not too big to observe animals. If there are 8 to 12 participants on a tour we take one more guide to divide the group in two while walking on the trails, but you may be sharing the bus and/ or boat. If there are more than 12 participants on the same tour we split in 2 groups, each with its own guide  and boat.

  1. ARE WE GOING TO SEE LOTS OF LARGE ANIMALS IN THE MANU AMAZON JUNGLE?

Our tour guides are very well prepared, they use all of their senses listening for small sounds like the breaking of a branch or fruit falling from the canopy, sniffing for animal odors, scanning the leaves above and below for motion. With this heightened attention and care to make little noise, the chances of observing large and small creatures is greatly increased.

The Manu Amazon Jungle has the greatest collection of life on earth, and so understandably, many visitors to the Manu Amazon Jungle expect to see lots of mammals. But it should be kept in mind that the story of the Manu Amazon Jungle  is that it has high diversity, but low density. So on our trip we will see lots of kinds of creatures but not very many of each kind. But the beauty of this place is how the flora and fauna have evolved the wonderful and bizarre adaptations to thrive in this wilderness. With this perspective, travelers can directly experience and appreciate the infinite variability.

  1. ARE YOU GUARANTEED TO SEE BIRDS AT THE MACAW LICKS?

The dry season is a good season to see the birds. The most likely reason for them to come together and eat the clay is because at certain times of the year there are hardly any fruits available for them, just seeds. Seeds in general have a toxic layer, exactly to prevent animals eating them. If the macaws eat them anyway, they have a build up of poison in their stomach. To neutralize the acids that the poison produces in their stomachs, they eat the clay. In the rainy season up until the beginning of the dry season (May) there are many fruits. So the macaws eat fewer seeds and more non-toxic fruits and feel less necessity to eat the clay. Usually it means there are fewer macaws present in the beginning of the dry season. In the middle of the dry season there may be about 100 to 150 macaws visiting the clay lick in one morning, whereas there may only be 10 to 50 at the end of the rainy season/beginning of the dry season.

  1. IN MANU AMAZON JUNGLE THERE IS A LOT OF WALKING?

There is not a lot of walking in the sense of going far. All walking is done slowly. This is because most of what you find in the manu amazon jungle  is vegetation and to be able to pick out the animals you have to take your time to look around, and listen as well.

For the manu amazon jungle 7-days tour, there are the following walks: The first day of the tour has an afternoon walk of about two hours. The second day is mostly spent looking for birds and animals on the Alto Madre de Dios River, with less walking than the other days. The third and fourth days feature a short walk to Lake Salvador, and various different walks in the Reserved Zone and on trails around the accommodation. The 5th & 6th day you walk maybe one or two hours in the Blanquillo area. The seventh day there is no walking at all.

  1. WHEN IS THE BEST WEATHER TO VISIT THE MANU AMAZON JUNGLE ?

As local travel agency that we travel all the time and organize trips, We would recommend you to travel from April to January, this is the good time to visit the Manu Amazon Jungle and all over of Peru.

  • From April to May is the transition months of the end of the raining season with moderate rainfall usually is raining only one or three hours a day but not every day.
  • From June to October is our dry season, but the Manu Amazon Jungle is well known as the rainforest so even at this season we may have some rainfall not as much like in the rainy season.
  • From October to January is the transition months which is the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season and there is moderate rainfall usually is raining at nigh one or three hours by night, but not every day.
  • From the ends of January, February and March is really our rainy season until the beginning of April at this time of the year there are some big landslide that block roads and the rivers in some areas floatplanes at this time some village, towns and cities have no road connections just for a couple of days.
  1. WHAT ARE THE TEMPERATURES LIKE IN MANU AMAZON JUNGLE?

On the first day of your tour we travel over the Andes, where you should have a sweater and wind & waterproof jacket. In the afternoon, reaching the cloud forest temperatures are more pleasant.

The first night you spend in the cloud forest, at 1600 m., you can expect temperatures between 12 and 18°C (53 to 62°F), and reaching the lowland forest you should expect between 26 and 36°C (78 to 95°F) during the day and around 20 to 26°C (66 to 78°F) at night.

However, cold winds from Patagonia may reach Manu Amazon Jungle and the temperature may lower to about 10 degrees Celsius (50F). These “friajes” are more common during the southern hemisphere’s wintertime (between April and the end of August).

On some occasions we can get a cold front (“friaje”) from the south, this occurs mainly during the months of May to July/ August (dry season). When these winds reach the lowland forest, temperatures may go down as far as 14 or 10°C (50°F), which feels colder due to the humidity in the rainforest.

  1. DO I HAVE TO BE FIT FOR A MANU AMAZON JUNGLE TOUR? ARE THE WALKS CHALLENGING?

Manu Amazon Jungle  tours can be done with normal fitness by people of all age groups. You should be able to walk medium distances (for about 2 – 3 hours) and on often uneven surfaces. Make sure you bring good walking shoes.

If you are travelling with children, please let us know in advance for further recommendations, depending on the age of your children.

On a Manu Amazon Jungle tour you spend some time travelling by bus and by boat – this varies according to the tour (e.g. on the National Park Tour you spend more time in the boat) and we do walks that usually do not exceed 3 hours at a time. We don’t have to cover big distances on the walks; we will often walk slowly or stop to observe animals and plants on the way. Sometimes we need to listen, wait and have patience. You only need to bring a day pack on the walks. Night walks are optional and usually take about 1 hour. You are not expected to carry your luggage to the lodge, but help is appreciated.

Due to the humidity and warm temperatures some people may feel a bit weak or faint, but there normally is a short ‘siesta’ at midday and you have the possibility to stay at the lodge instead of participating in a walk. In the rain forest it ‘s important to drink a lot.

A rainforest tour is not a ‘comfort tour’, but if you bring appropriate gear (please see our packing list) you will have an incomparable experience.

  1. WHAT KIND OF TRANSPORTATION DO YOU PROVIDE FOR THE TRIP INTO MANU AMAZON JUNGLE TOURS?

As several days of our tours include road travel, Eco Path Trek  emphasises the importance of safety and travel comfort. All vehicles have special adaptations for driving unpaved roads. Depending on the number of people in your group, you can be traveling by 4-wheel drive truck, a mini van, or a medium sized bus. All drivers are experienced on the Manu Amazon Jungle Roads. Additionally, Eco Path Trek has its own set of rules to be followed by the drivers, to reach higher safety standards, giving you more pleasant travels.

  1. IS THERE A LUGGAGE LIMIT?

Please bring a maximum of 12 kg of luggage per person on your Manu Amazon Jungle Tour. Especially during the dry season (approx. from June to September) the water levels of the rivers are low; therefore we try to reduce the weight of our boat to make headway better and faster. We recommend to bring a waterproof bag or rucksack for the amazon jungle tours.

During the Manu Amazon Jungle  Tour you can store the rest of your luggage at your hotel in Cusco. In case you have special photo equipment with a considerable weight please let us know in advance.

  1. ARE PARTICIPANTS EXPECTED TO CARRY THEIR OWN LUGGAGE?

If possible, we ask you to carry your own luggage wherever necessary. While traveling, your luggage will be either in the van/bus or in the boat. One carries it only from the van/bus into the lodge or boat etc. However, for heavier luggage or parts hard to walk, the boatmen and the guide can carry it for you. Just let the guide know whenever you would like assistance

  1. WHAT ARE THE BOATS LIKE?

Our boats are 15 and 16 m long with Yamaha outboard motors. They have wooden seats with cushions and backrests as well as a roof. There are life vests for all passengers. When travelling on the river in the rain you may get wet, so you should have your rain gear at hand. Our boat staff will also provide plastic covers to protect you if it rains. There is no toilet on the boat; please just let your guide know if you need to use the bathroom, so he can stop the boat. And you can make your needs on the banks of the river

  1. DO THE BOATS HAVE A ROOF?

Yes the boats have a roof to protect you against the sun. However, if you are sitting on a moving boat, the rain always comes in on one side, and therefore we provide you with big plastic sheets to cover yourself without taking away your view of the rainforest.

  1. WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?

Peruvian cuisine is really delicious and there is a good cook for every excursion as a local tour company we really work with locals farmer  from the Andes and Amazon who produce organic products this are used in the different typical or Novo Amazon cuisine.  Peru today is recognized as the first dining destination in the world.

For breakfasts there are omelettes, scrambled eggs, pancakes etc. The lunches in general consist of cold salads, since it is usually hot at that time of the day. The dinners feature soups (great Peruvian soups), a main course with meat for the first part of the tour and beans or lentils at the end part (since meat cannot be kept cool forever without electricity) and desserts of fresh fruits or puddings etc. You can also ask for a special diet, such as vegetarian, saltless or anything else that you need or prefer.

For drinking we have mineral water as much as you need, plus lemonades, coffee, tea, chocolate and herbal teas. There are places where one can buy beer or soft drinks, but you have to pay for those yourself.

  1. IS DRINKING WATER PROVIDED DURING THE TOUR?, IS THE WATER SAFE TO DRINK?

We bring bottled mineral water from Cusco for the entire tour, for every excursion in big bottles and this is drinkable and perfectly safe during trip. The water in the bathroom is not for drink is only for body cleaning but this water is clean.Please bring a big water bottle for the first day of the tour (min. 3 lt) as it is complicated to get out water for you during the first day’s bus ride. Then please keep your water bottle and you can refill it every day in the morning and/ or evening.

Due to the high temperatures in Manu Amazon Jungle, it is important that you have to  drink plenty of water. Please help to protect the environment and avoid buying plastic bottles as these are not yet recycled properly in Peru.

  1. WHAT IS THE RISK OF CATCHING A TROPICAL DISEASE OR ATTACK BY WILD ANIMALS?

There is very little risk to get a disease on our trips. Especially in Manu Amazon Jungle  Area we are in the wilderness, far away from areas where diseases are. Our cook’s standards of cleanliness are very high and his splendid cuisine is designed for traveler around the world.  Most wild animals are extremely wary of contact than humans.

  1. WHAT MEANS OF COMMUNICATION ARE AVAILABLE IN MANU? CAN I FIND A DOCTOR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?

When visiting Manu Amazon Jungle  you should be aware that you travel to a remote area and there is no reliable mobile phone line nor internet access. In case of an emergency and for receiving short reports by our guides we have radio communication at the lodges. There is a satellite telephone in Boca Manu village and sometimes there is mobile phone access there as well.

Along our route there are 3 small hospital wards, apart from this the guide will carry a first aid kit throughout the tour.

Please inform us about diseases that may represent a risk on the tour, such as epilepsy or heart diseases (even if symptoms date back several years), before your tour.

In case of severe illness, a transport back to Cusco might become necessary. Please make sure that you have good and adequate travel health insurance.

  1. WHICH VACCINATIONS DO I NEED?

Yellow Fever: Yellow Fever is transmitted by the Yellow Fever Mosquito. It is recommended to have a Yellow Fever vaccination for the Manu Amazon Jungle rainforest, especially as there is no therapy. If you plan to visit the Reserved Zone of Manu (on the National Park Tour 7 days) the Yellow Fever vaccination is obligatory because it may be controlled at the guard station in Limonal. The yellow fever is now valid lifelong (before it was valid for 10 years) and the vaccination should be administered minimum 10 days before visiting the lowland.

It is also possible to get a yellow fever vaccination (at Hospital Regional) in Cusco (cost is about 30 US$).

Tetanus: Tetanus is a virus infection caused by bacteria. You should have a valid tetanus vaccination for the rainforest and for Peru in general. Please check if you need to renew your vaccination before travelling.

Rabies: Rabies is a virus infection. During our Manu tours we spend all nights under mosquito nets, therefore the risk of being bitten by a bat is very, very low.

  1. ARE THERE MOSQUITOS AND IS THERE MALARIA AND LEISHMANIASIS IN MANU AMAZON JUNGLE?

You need to be prepared for mosquitoes in the lowland of Manu Amazon Jungle (below 1000m). Please bring long sleeved clothes and mosquito repellent.

Malaria: The Malaria risk in Manu Amazon Jungle is extremely low (less than 0.1 %).

Long sleeved clothing and mosquito repellent is strongly recommended. Taking malaria prophylaxis is a personal decision, please consider that taking prophylaxis is not very secure (and check for the side effects of this medication !!). We suggest to bring a ‘stand by’ medicine in case you get Malaria (which can be detected by blood analysis), you can also get this medication here in Peru. In the south Peruvian rainforest there is only the Malaria type named ´Plasmodium vivax` which is completely curable.

Leishmaniasis: Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease that is transmitted by sand flies and affects the skin. The risk to get Leishmaniasis on a short stay in Manu is very low; the best form of protection is to wear long sleeves and use repellent.

  1. WHAT ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE?

All our excursion are very well organize, the vehicles, motor boats services are new and well prepare and have insurance and passenger insurance. The motor boats are equipped with life jackets, roof in all the boat and personal seat. Every excursion is assisted by a tour leader.

But we recommend that you get International Medical Insurance,if you gonna need it in emergency cases, this Insurance will find you a competent doctor who speaks English and also includes air evacuation.

  1. IS THERE ELECTRICITY AT THE LODGES IN MANU AMAZON JUNGLE?

At el Paraíso Amazon Lodge, where we spend the first night, there is electricity, but in the lowland there is none.

At Casa Matsiguenka a generator is normally available. Make sure you bring enough spare batteries for your camera and flashlight for the tour. We recommend to leave your, Laptop or IPad in Cusco.

There is no Internet access in Manu Amazon Jungle,there isn’t a mobile phone signal; only in some places you may receive calls occasionally.

We recommend to bring rechargeable batteries and to take used batteries back home, as they are not recycled in Peru.

  1. WHAT SHOULD I BRING (SLEEPING BAG AND BINOCULARS)?

We have good accommodation in the Amazon Eco Lodges. You don’t need a sleeping bag for our standard Amazon Manu Jungle tours. All the lodges provide sheets and blankets as well as mosquito nets. In the lowland, normally the temperature doesn’t drop very much during the night.

It can get cold in the Amazon and rain, always is good to bring a good rain jacket. Cusco is located over 3320 mt. At night and in the morning Cusco is very cold, so a hat, gloves, and polartec fleece would be nice to have.

Binoculars are essential to a better appreciation and recognition birds and other animals. Binocular and sleeping bag both can be rented in Cusco.

Binoculars are essential for a Manu tour: to spot animals and get a closer view of them.

8 x 40, 10 x 40 or 10 x 42 magnifications are recommended.

Quality binoculars (Zeiss, Eschenbach, Leica, Minox und Nikon brands)

  1. WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE DURING THE TOUR?

All nights in our standard tours are spent in lodges, some of them are our own lodges. All lodges have basic and clean private double rooms and clean bathrooms with showers. Sheets, blankets, towels and mosquito nets are provided.

On the Manu Amazon Jungle over 5 days , we spend 2 or 3 nights at Albergue Casa Matsiguenka. This lodge is built in typical Matsiguenka style and standard rooms are double rooms with shared bathrooms and showers. As in all other accommodations, sheets, blankets and mosquito nets are provided.

  1. HOW DO I PAY?

Please read the tour program carefully before you book a tour, if you have any questions we will be happy to answer them. Changes in the itinerary may occur, due to the natural circumstances in Manu.

For a booking we need your full name, address, age, passport number and nationality. To secure your booking we require a down payment of (minimum) 300 US $ per person for the longer tours and 200 US$ per person for short tours.

The deposit can be made to our Reservation formular in our web page. Then we confirm by email the reception of the deposit and your tour booking(s).

The balance will be paid in cash in Cusco the day of your arrival  (in Soles or US$). Payment by Visa or Master card is also possible, but has a fee of 5.5 %.

Credit card payment is not always possible and often expensive. We recommend checking credit card conditions (limits for ATMs) with your bank before travelling to Peru. There are ATMs at Banco de la Nacion and Banco de Credito where you can withdraw about 2000 Soles (aprox. 650 US$) per day or more. Note: the yellow “Globat Net” ATMs charge extra fees.

Please note that damaged US$ bills are not accepted in Peru, as it is foreign money. Even small rips are reasons for bills being refused.

  1. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WASTE WE PRODUCE DURING THE MANU AMAZON JUNGLE TOUR?

We try to reduce waste by avoiding tins and buying as much fresh produce as possible. All waste of our tour is gathered at the lodges and all  organic waste is used as natural humus soil for our gardens. All inorganic waste is returned to Cusco by our bus. Please help gathering all waste and do not throw any waste on the trails or roadside (including cigarettes).

In case you don’t see a rubbish bin please ask your cook or guide.