Manu Cultural Zone 4D/3N

Availability: Available now
Group size: 2-10
Tour Type: Peruvian jungle trip in Manu
Max. Elevation: 3700 meters above sea level

350 USD Per person

The Cultural Zone of Manu covers the high mountains, cloud forest and the starting part of the lowland jungle. This area is home to small settlements of settlers and indigenous communities that support themselves through agriculture and wood production. In the Manu cultural territory, you will be able to see the cloud forest, one of the areas with the greatest biodiversity that maintains more than 1000 species of plants and birds in one place. You will be able to navigate through the Alto Madre de Dios river, one of the biggest Amazon river tributaries, take walks through interesting biological trails and observe the infinity of birds flying through the immense Amazonian sky.

Observe colorful birds of the cloud forest, learn about medicinal and psychedelic plants of Manu cultural zone, also see big trees that are staple for the local economy. Spot snakes, tarantulas, colorful frogs, and caimans. Also you will have the chance to observe tiger herons, neo-tropical cormorants, toucans, parrots, macaws and monkeys in the trees.

The Manu Biosphere Reserve: is divided into several areas, that must be understood, so as not to lead to misunderstandings. These are: the Manu National Park and the Manu Cultural Zone.

Manu National Park is the largest area; with 100% protection and in turn, it is also divided into two more zones:

The intangible zone: Is where the “uncontacted” tribes live in voluntary isolation; and where one of the world renowned biological stations, called: Cocha Cashu. As a tourist you are not allowed to access this area; since it is dedicated only to research and a special permit is required. It is located from the Pakitza checkpoint to the limits of the Manu river.

The reserved area or buffer zone: Where tourism has access only through 8 travel agencies that have special permission. It goes from the confluence of the Alto Madre de Dios and Manu rivers, from the Boca Manu village to Pakitza Checkpoint.

Manu cultural zone: It is located on the right bank of the Alto Madre de Dios river and some of its tributaries. Matsiguenka communities live here and the level of protection is not as high as in the Manu National Park. Tourism is also allowed here, although, as its name suggests, it is based more on knowing the local cultures than on wildlife observation.

Highlights of our Manu Cultural Zone

*In order to provide you a fantastic wildlife experience. We located our lodges in the best spots; and where there are more chances to see mammals and macaws.
*Our tour is in the Manu Cultural Zone; however we will locate our lodges as close as possible to the Reserved Zone.
*We design very well and plan in detail this jungle trip; so you see, the best bits of the Manu Cultural Zone in only 4-days.
*We have very well educated guides who are passionate about their work and nature.
*We have very well educated guides who are passionate about their work and nature.
*All our food is served as buffet.
*Because we going to be in the Amazon jungle, we will surprise you with delicious typical dishes from this region.
* We include, telescope equipment; and books to facilitate the sighting of animals and birds.
*Be part of our social and environmental projects.
*We prepare food for our tourists and team with 100% organic vegetables purchased from local producers.

Trip overview of our Manu Cultural Zone

Trek Type: Connection with nature. Wildlife observation. Typical jungle food and walks in the jungle.
Good for: Those in moderate shape or better
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. You need to understand that it is not about comfort; but in exchange you get to leave everything behind and live an amazing experience in the Amazon jungle.
Consideration: There is not hot showers in most of the lodges; we’ll be in the jungle where temperatures are around 35 °C. And shower water is not cold. In the lodges electricity is only two to three hours; and it is usually at night. (basic accomodation but clean). Always keep in mind, that you are going to the jungle; and you will be in direct contact with many types of insects (thick presence of mosquitoes) and animals. The weather is hot and humid. The paths are usually muddy, due the humidity of the amazon forest; and to see animals we need a little bit of luck and to keep our eyes up. The short night walks; are done every day. Because every night there is a great possibility; to see a different animal species.

In addition to all of the above, we have a unique itinerary of just 4 days that will take you into the depths of the cultural zone of the Manu National Park, one of the most biodiverse places in the world and least explored by tourists due to its remoteness; Keep in mind that there are many hours where we will be sitting in the car or on the boat observing wildlife.
Remember also, that our tour will be in the Manu Cultural Zone; where the probability of sighting large mammals: is much lower than in the Reserved Zone. However the lodges that we will use; They will be as close as possible to the beginning of the Reserved Zone.

Season: April to October

DAY 01. Cusco – Atalaya – Papaya Lodge.

Activities: Hike in a primary forest; and observe monkeys. Short night walk to see frogs, spiders and snakes.
Lodge altitude: 689 meters above sea level.
Considered: 7 hour car drive; and 3 hours by motor boat. We ride a lot, due we want to take you; to the deepest inside the Manu Cultural Zone. So you have more chances to see animals.
Weather: Warm, humid and with mosquito

We collect you from your hotel at 5:00 in the morning to then drive you for three and a half hours to the Manu National Park checkpoint. Along the way you will stop, to visit the pre-Inca tomb of Ninamarka, perched on the top of a hill. Once you get to the checkpoint you will leave the car for around 30 minutes, so your tour guide will take advantage to explain you about the Manu national park zones and the flora and fauna you will spot there. Then you’ll be driven for three hours to Atalaya, where you’ll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch.

Then you ride a motor boat for three hours to the first lodge. Along the way you’ll do a lot of stops, to observe herons, kingfishers, hoatzins and maybe capybaras. In the afternoon you’ll do a hike into a primary forest seeking for spider and howler monkeys. Then you will return to the lodge for tea time with popcorn, crackers, hot chocolate and milk and a delicious dinner. Afterwards you will do a short night walk looking for frogs, spiders, owls and snakes of the Manu park.

** In comparison with other Manu tour companies we drive the van and boat longer on the first day, due we want to get deeper in the cultural zone of the Manu, so you can see more animals in the wild habitat.

DAY 02.- Papaya Lodge – Animals and Trees Observation.

Activities: Hike in a primary forest; and observe different species of wildlife. Let’s see giant old trees. We will also do; piranha fishing.
Lodge altitude: 689 meters above sea level.
Considered: Cold shower; something that doesn’t matter in the tropics. Only 2 hours of light.
Weather: Warm, humid and with mosquito

Your tour guide will wake you up very early with a fresh fruit juice. Then you’ll hike in the jungle forest seeking for macaws, parrots, trogons, bush turkeys and other birds, to look for these fowls early in the morning gives you more chances to see them as they are very active looking for food. Then you come back to the lodge to taste a delicious organic buffet breakfast. After resting for a bit you’ll hike in the primary forest looking for giant trees such as: The Kapok tree, Brazilian chestnut tree and medicinal shrubs. Your guide will teach about the importance of these trees in the local native economy.

To continue with the Amazon jungle tour in Manu, you’ll return to the lodge to enjoy a yummy buffet lunch. In the afternoon you’ll head to a small oxbow lake to spot caimans and other alligator. You will also fish piranhas and other fish species. At night let’s enjoy a charming tea time and a delicious buffet dinner. Tonight you’ll sleep in a hidden wooden tower that is few meters away from a mammal clay lick in the cultural Manu zone.

** The highlight of today in the Manu cultural zone is the spotting of colorful birds and alligators.

DAY 3: Papaya Lodge – Mammal Clay Lick.

Activities: Observation of animals in a mammal clay lick; from a hidden wood tower. We´ll hike inside the forest looking for wildlife.
Lodge altitude: 689 meters above sea level.
Considered: We ride a motor boat; for three hours. We’ll sleep in a lodge located; in the community of Atalaya.
Weather: Warm, humid and with mosquito.

To start an amazing day in Manu cultural area, you’ll wake around 4 in the morning. Remember that you slept on a hidden wood tower, so at dawn you have to be ready to spot many mammals coming to lick clay full of minerals. Among the animals you can observe with a little bit of luck are: tapirs, peccaries, red deer and anteaters. A more recent explanation, which is in the process of being tested, is that high-sodium (salt) clay helps macaws, parrots and parakeets supplement their sodium-deficient diet. Salt, which is made up of sodium and chloride, is an essential nutrient for animals. Salt is necessary for the proper development and maintenance of bones, muscles, circulatory systems and even the nervous system. Salt is also an ideal carrier for a variety of essential trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and selenium.

The available salt in the Amazon decreases as one moves away from the Atlantic Ocean. This is because the prevailing winds pick up and transport salt from the ocean to the Amazon and, as expected, it accumulates in greater amounts in coastal areas than in areas further from the ocean. The western Amazon, which is the most distant region from the Atlantic Ocean within the Amazon, is the most deficient in salt. Therefore, the great need for sodium and other essential minerals in this region. The lack of salt may help explain why macaws, parrots, parakeets, and other birds and mammals visit clay licks in southeastern Peru.

Then you’ll return to the lodge to have a delicious buffet breakfast. After resting for a bit you hike for 2 hours to the Shipetiari community to learn about the lifestyle of native people from the Manu park. You will interact with them learning how to make bows, arrows and their traditional, cassava beer called Masato. Then we take our motor boat for 2 hours to a lodge located close to the Atalaya port.

** What a day in the Manu park to observe mammals, fingers cross to see as many as possible.

DAY 4: Atalaya – Parrot Clay Lick – Cock of the Rock Lek.

Activities: Observation of parrots, parakeets and macaws: from a clay lick. We´ll visit an animal rescue center. You’ll hike for 40 minutes to observe a fantastic dancing show; performed by cocks of the rocks.
Lodge altitude: 689 meters above sea level.
Considered: We´ll be driven; for seven hours to Cusco. We arrive there; around 21:00 pm.
Weather: Warm, humid and with mosquito on the first leg; and cold in the second leg.

We’ll wake up very early in the morning to ride our motor boat for 30 minutes to a stunning Manu parrot clay lick. We use our binoculars to see an explosion of colors in front of us. Then you’ll come back to the lodge to get ready your luggage and to enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast. you’ll visit an animal rescue center called: Dos Loritos; here you can observe: scarlet macaws, monkeys, capybaras, caimans, peccaries and anacondas. Then you’ll be driven for three hours to San Pedro, which is a spot located, in the Manu cloud forest. Let’s enjoy a delicious outdoor buffet lunch to then hike for 40 minutes to a special spot to spot some interesting birds. A LEK is a special place to observe an amazing dancing show performed by cocks of the rocks (The Peru’s national bird). Continuing with this amazing Manu amazon trip, you will be driven for 4 hours to Cusco. Where will arrive around 8:00 pm.

** Our Manu Cultural Zone service, is door to door.

Included on the Manu Peruvian Amazon Trip

Professional local english speaker Guides: all our super tour guides grewp up in Madre de Dios region and studied tourism for five years at university, they are friendly, funny charming, knowledgeable, professional and will care your safety into our manu jungle trip.

Permits: As soon as, we get your details and deposit; we will purchase your permits for the Manu Cultural Zone.

Briefing: The night before your trip; you will come to our office for your informative meeting. You will receive your duffle bag to you bring essential items for this Manu Peruvian Amazon Trip.

Lodge: This Manu Jungle Trip includes; seven nights in basic rustic lodges in Manu National Park. The lodge we book, will be listed on your invoice. Be aware, that there is not hot showers in the lodge; and electricity just works by generator for one hour at night. If you want charge any device.

Transportation: Incas Path will be providing all transportation for this Manu Peruvian Amazon Trip. You will be picked up from your hotel at 5 am. and brought to the peruvian amazon jungle. We also include all boat and car transportation that we will need; on this 8 day jungle trip.

Food: Our manu jungle trip.includes expert chefs who will cook delicious meals that many previous tourist have loved. We honor all food restrictions, so be sure to add any that you have on your booking form and let us know. Food is typically all served as buffet.

Water: From the first lunch to the end of our Manu Peruvian Amazon Trip; we include water. You must bring personal water bottles and or a camelback. We advise you, to bring a bottle or camelback of 1.5 liters; as being well hydrated, is the key to feeling great in the amazon jungle.

Details: We profess that it is the attention to small details; that separates us from other travel agencies. Each tourist receives wellington boots.

First Aid: Every guide has got training in first aid; from a clinic and firemen. We elaborate mandatory training sessions; every February on the Manu National Park. Which every Incas Path tour guide must attend. Your tour leader is going to have always a first-aid kit; for basic medical problems.

Not Included on the Manu Peruvian Amazon Trip

Due to the remote location of the Manu National Park and the lodges; some ítems listed below are not included:

Daypack: We suggest you to use a daypack that not exceed 25L to carry: passport, water, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, rain jacket; and a warm jacket.
Binocular
Hot Shower
Electricity
Snacks
Flight tickets or bus tickets
Gratuities for our staff: Incas Path ensures all staff are fairly paid; and therefore gratuities are optional and at your own discretion.
Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for all tourist.

Prices

We would love to tour this Manu Cultural Zone with you and your loved ones; and take care of immortalizing your visit to the peruvian jungle. We can leave any day from April to October; as it is the dry season in the Manu National Park.
Group Price (2020):

$900 per person

Private Tour:

Private tours are available and priced by party size.

2 Tourist: $980 per person
3 Tourist: $925 per person
4 Tourist: $870 per person
5 Tourist: $815 per person
6 Tourist: $760 per person
7 Tourist: $705 per person
8 or more Tourist: $650 per person

Please send everything to info@cuscodigital.com

Packing list

We suggest you to carry lightweight daypack; that the is key to feeling good during, the Manu Cultural Zone.
Essentials:

Original Passport,
Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
Bug spray; 100 DEET
Good daypack
Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
Comfortable hiking shoes (lightweight with good soles)

** we provide wellington boots

FFor Your Duffel: we will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items

04 long-sleeved shirts: (al least for the days you will be in the excursion and avoid black colors as they atract easily the flyes and mosquitoes)
03 tank top, for the nights as there is not air conditiong but there is mosquito nets in the beds.
02 quick dry full-length pants
05 Socks: you should have comfortable hiking style socks that are mid to long length.
Sunhat
Rain jacket and plastic poncho
Fleece
Rain jacket
Camera
Power bank
Headlamp
Binoculars
Swimming suit
Flip flops or sandals
Music (IPhone)
Handsanitizer
Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
Personal medication
Sunscreen
Face Wipes: the humidity will cause you to sweat
Deodorant, you will use more than normal due to the sweat
ziplocks or resealable plastic storage bags
Anti-Itch Cream

Journey Info

Arriving to Cusco

The airport in Cusco at the present time is only for domestic flights; so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier. You must grab your bags in Lima; and then check them back in.

The best way to arrive to Cusco is by air; and there are several options in airlines. LATAM tends to be the most expensive, but has the most options and flights.

Expect delays or flight cancellations; due to the high altitude of the andes, it tends to be difficult to land, and any weather inconvenience will stop air traffic.

Bus travel is always available and while the trip can be long; especially from Lima. The buses company such as: Cruz del Sur or Oltursa; are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like: Arequipa or Puno.

Luggage Storage

Any extra luggage you have with you, can be left safely in Cusco at either your hotel; or with us, at the Incas Path deposit. We will grab the extra luggage from you the morning of your tour; and return once you are back in Cusco.

Make sure your suitcase have some kind of identification on them so they are easy to locate.

Weather

Of course weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in the Manu National Park, is from April through October; but this does not stop rain, from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December. Just be prepared; no matter what month you are doing the Manu Amazon Trip; please make sure that you have rain gear, that includes a waterproof jacket, pants and plastic ponchos.

Travel Insurance

To protect your journey investment; we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Acquiring travel insurance before you leave home; is strongly encouraged and very easy.

These are the most used vaccines to travel to the Jungle

In this post, we cite the vaccines to travel to the Peruvian jungle; according to the activity that the traveler will perform in these jungle areas. In addition, the information was consulted from important sources such as: the websites of the Ministry of Health of Peru; and also of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States. Keep informing yourself!

Although at the Jorge Chavez Airport you will not be asked about your vaccination status; in some countries they do require a vaccination certificate, therefore it is better to be prevented and to inform yourself in the authorized International Vaccination Center of your country about what you should apply before traveling.

Remember that vaccines avoid possible infectious problems during the trip and also to keep your immunizations up to date.

What animal could infect it in the jungle?

Well, mosquitoes are the bearers of the fearsome diseases causing deaths on the planet. We are talking about insect bites infected with Malaria, Yellow Fever and even Dengue.

It is probably the most dangerous animal in the Amazon rainforest, even more so than piranhas, anacondas or fierce jaguars.

Without vaccination even the bite of an infected mosquito could ruin your vacation.

What do the authorities tell us about getting vaccinated?

According to the website of the Ministry of Health of Peru (MINSA), the risks of contracting Malaria is latent in many areas of Peru, with the exception of the departments of Arequipa, Moquegua, Puno, Tacna and Lima in its surroundings, nor in the coastal area South of Lima, also in the high tourist areas: Cuzco, Machu Pichu and Lake Titicaca. Likewise, Puerto Maldonado and the Manu National Park and other endemic geographical areas of Peru are mentioned as a risk zone.

If you travel to the Peruvian jungle it is better to consult the doctor who keeps your health history, at least 4 weeks before making the trip. So that the doctor explains you about the type of vaccine that you should apply and with enough anticipation for them to take effect in the body.

In the case of the Peruvian Ministry of Health, the Yellow Fever vaccine and Malaria prophylaxis in risk areas is recommended.

On the other hand, on the website of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (or CDC), it recommends to travelers that they will visit Peru, some important vaccines depending on particular cases.

For example, considering the type of tourism to be made, travel time or direct contact with animals or people due to visits for study or scientific purposes.

THESE ARE THE VACCINES TO TRAVEL TO THE JUNGLE OF PERU

Under this order of ideas, these are the vaccines referred by the CDC:

Hepatitis A: Vaccination is recommended to all travelers to Peru.

Hepatitis B: Vaccination is recommended to all people traveling to Peru, especially those who may have exposure to blood or body fluids through the granting or receipt of medical care, drug injections, tattoos or sexual contact with the local population.

Typhoid Fever: Vaccination is recommended to all visitors to tropical areas of South America. Especially for those who remain in rural areas where exposure could occur due to the consumption of contaminated food or water.

Yellow Fever: The vaccine against this viral infection is highly recommended for trips to the Amazon and the southern Amazon basin. The vaccination should be administered at least 10 days before your arrival and at 10-year intervals, if you decide to stay.

Rabies: Vaccination is only recommended for individuals with a higher risk of exposure in the performance of their work, which often develops for prolonged periods in areas considered high risk for this disease.

Let us mention the case of veterinarians or wildlife researchers, whose occupation requires them to have direct contact with bats, dogs, stray cats, or other mammals.

Where to get vaccinated in Lima?

The International Vaccination Center, located in the city of Lima, Avenida del ejército, block 17, San Isidro district.