Our three-day Manu tour begins early at 5:30 a.m. 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.

Next, we head to the colonial town of Paucartambo, located at 9,186 feet (2,800 meters) above sea level. 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.

Acjanaco Pass and Tres Cruces 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.

Cloud Forest and Short Hike 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.

Arrival in Pilcopata 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.