Manu National Park Tour: Boat, Raft & Night Walks

Wooden rafts, clay licks and five species of monkeys across three days in the jungle

This 3-day tour from Cusco takes you by bus into Manu National Park's cloud forest, then by boat and raft through the upper Madre de Dios river system to spot wildlife including capybaras, small alligators, five monkey species and hundreds of bird species like cocks of the rocks and ketzals. You stay in two ecolodges with private rooms, walk forest trails for 2 to 3 hours each day, and join free night walks to observe nocturnal animals. The operator has run tours since 1993 and includes a professional guide, all transport, lodging, meals and park entry.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Manu National Park

• Bus pick-up from Cusco early morning
• Visit funerary tombs of Ninamarca
• Visit native town of Paucartambo
• Arrive at Manu National Park (Acjanaco)
• Explore cloud forest and observe wildlife
• Stay at Manu Green Lodge

Day 2: Explore Manu Park and Machuwasi

• Bus transport to Atalaya village
• Observe birds and native plants en route
• Boat trip on river
• Afternoon 2-hour hike
• Raft rides in Machuwasi lagoon
• Observe capybara and monkeys
• Night walk to see nocturnal animals
• Stay at Paititi Lodge

Day 3: Return to Cusco via Cloud Forest

• Visit parrot clay lick
• Return by boat to Atalaya
• Bus trip back to Cusco
• Arrive in Cusco late afternoon

The experience

The tour starts with a 5:30 AM pickup from your Cusco hotel or the meeting point, then a 4-hour bus ride through Paucartambo to reach the cloud forest at Acjanaco. On the way you pass the funerary tombs of Ninamarca, a native settlement, before arriving at Manu Green Lodge for your first night. The cloud forest itself is where the bird watching begins: cocks of the rocks and ketzals move through the canopy, and you'll spot two monkey species in the primary trees around the lodge.

Day two moves you deeper into the park. A 45-minute bus ride takes you to Atalaya village, where you board a boat for the Madre de Dios river. The afternoon includes a 2-hour forest hike and then raft rides through Machuwasi lagoon, where capybaras and monkeys come down to the water's edge. You'll see native birds, fruit trees, medicinal plants and coca plantations along the way. A free night walk follows dinner, when armadillos, snakes, toads and nocturnal monkeys move through the forest. You sleep at Paititi Lodge in rooms with private bathrooms and mosquito nets.

The final morning takes you to the parrot clay lick (a riverbank where hundreds of parrots gather to feed on mineral-rich clay) before a boat ride back to Atalaya and a bus return to Cusco by 5:00 or 6:00 PM. The guide carries binoculars and a telescope for closer views of birds and distant wildlife. Rubber hiking boots, a first aid kit, mineral water and solar-powered battery recharging are all provided, and a professional cook prepares meals at both lodges.

What’s included

• All transport by bus and boat from Cusco.
• lodging in private rooms with bathrooms and mosquito nets at two ecolodges.
• meals prepared by a professional cook.
• entrance ticket to Manu National Park.
• a specialized guide with telescope and binoculars who speaks English or Spanish.
• rubber hiking boots.
• mineral water throughout.
• and solar-powered battery recharging at the lodges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:30 and 06:00

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Infant (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Manu Tour Operator Expediciones Vilca

Is this one for you?The 3-day length fits travelers who can leave Cusco for a full weekend but need to return by evening on day three. It reaches the parrot clay lick and the river lagoons without the week-long commitment of longer jungle tours. If you want to stay longer in the park or need to return to Cusco mid-morning, a different tour length may suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What animals will I actually see on the 3-day Manu tour?

The Madre de Dios river and cloud forest trails hold five monkey species, capybaras, small alligators, armadillos, snakes, toads and hundreds of bird species including cocks of the rocks, ketzals and parrots. Night walks target nocturnal animals like armadillos and nocturnal monkeys that stay hidden during the day.

How much walking is involved each day?

Day two includes a 2-hour forest hike in the afternoon. The other days involve shorter walks around the lodges and to the parrot clay lick. The trails are in primary jungle with a professional guide leading the way.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

You stay at Manu Green Lodge on night one and Paititi Lodge on night two. Both have private rooms with showers, bathrooms, mosquito nets, towels and biodegradable soap.

What's included in the price?

The 3-day tour includes all transport from Cusco, lodging, meals, entrance to Manu National Park, a professional guide who speaks English or Spanish, rubber hiking boots, mineral water, binoculars and telescope use, and solar battery recharging.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the meeting point?

No, the tour includes pickup from your Cusco hotel, airport or bus station between 5:30 and 6:00 AM on day one. If you prefer to meet the group elsewhere, that option is available.