EXTRAS & UPGRADES

• Binoculars Rental – $5 USD per person per day (Professional waterproof 8×42 binoculars — absolutely essential for birdwatching and wildlife spotting in the jungle. Without binoculars, many species will be visible only as distant shapes in the canopy. Available at our Cusco office — please request at the time of booking)
• Night Walk in the Cloud Forest or Jungle – $15 USD per person (A guided after-dark expedition with torches searching for tarantulas, scorpions, tree frogs, armadillos, boa constrictors, night monkeys, and caimans along the river. Available on Day 1 and Day 2 of the itinerary)
• Night Boat Excursion on the River – $15 USD per person (Drift silently along the Madre de Dios or Manu River in a motorized canoe after dark, with headlamps scanning the riverbanks for the eyeshine of caimans, caimans, giant river otters, and nocturnal birds. Utterly unforgettable)
• Macaw Clay Lick Visit – Included as optional (Hundreds of scarlet, blue-and-yellow, and red-and-green macaws descend at dawn to eat the mineral-rich clay lick each morning. Subject to weather conditions — overcast or rainy mornings may reduce macaw activity. Included in itineraries that reach the Reserved Zone)
• Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek Observation – Included (Peru’s spectacular national bird performs its elaborate mating display at dawn in the cloud forest. Your guide will take you to the lek — the dedicated viewing platform — early on Day 1. No extra cost)
• Hummingbird Garden Visit – Included (A magical garden along the Manu Road hosting up to 20 different hummingbird species, as well as woolly monkeys and king vultures. Included as a standard stop on the morning of Day 2)
• Visit to Matsiguenka Indigenous Community – Included (Spend time at the Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, owned and operated by the indigenous Matsiguenka people using traditional building techniques. Their local guides walk you through private trails and the interactive interpretation center)
• Tapir Clay Lick Night Vigil – $20 USD per person (An optional night in a specially designed camouflaged jungle hide overlooking a mineral salt lick, watching tapirs, deer, porcupines, and other nocturnal mammals emerge to feed. One of the rarest wildlife experiences in all of Peru — please request at the time of booking)
• Catamaran Ride on Cocha Salvador – Included (A quiet paddled catamaran exploration of the pristine Salvador Oxbow Lake, home to Giant River Otters, black caimans, Hoatzin birds, and multiple monkey species. Included for tours that reach the Reserved Zone)
• Shintuya Natural Hot Springs Stop – $4 USD per person (Warm medicinal thermal baths along the Alto Madre de Dios River, available as a relaxing stop en route to the jungle lodges on Day 2. Cash only, paid to the local community)
• Upgrade to Treehouse Lodge Accommodation – from $40 USD per person per night (Available at certain lodges along the route. Sleep above the jungle floor in a traditional-style treehouse with private bathroom, hot shower, and mosquito nets. Please request at the time of booking to confirm availability)
• Return to Cusco by Plane (Puerto Maldonado) – from $120 USD per person (Upgrade your return on Day 5 to a 40-minute flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco instead of the 7–9 hour overland journey. Highly recommended for travelers with connecting flights. Subject to availability — must be booked in advance)
• Ninamarka Pre-Inca Funeral Towers Visit – Included (Ancient Lupaca culture stone chulpas (burial towers) dating back over 500 years, visited on the drive from Cusco on Day 1. No extra cost — a fascinating archaeological stop before the cloud forest descent)

Pricing & Availability – Manu National Park Peru 5 Days

The Manu National Park 5 Days / 4 Nights tour is available from March through November — the peak rainy season (December–February) makes the Manu Road and river access unreliable and is not recommended. The 5-day itinerary combines the Cultural Zone and the edge of the Reserved Zone, visiting the Cloud Forest, Macaw Clay Lick, Cocha Salvador, and the Casa Matsiguenka Lodge along the Manu River. A minimum of 2 travelers is required for private service and 3–5 for group service. A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is required at booking to secure all required SERNANP government permits. The remaining balance is due one week before departure. Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is at 5:30–6:00 AM on Day 1. Book at least 4–8 weeks in advance as Reserved Zone permits and lodge spaces are strictly limited. Only government-authorized operators are permitted to access the Manu National Park Reserved Zone.

GROUP SERVICE

• $950 USD per person (minimum 3 participants — Cultural + Reserved Zone combination)
• $750 USD per person (minimum 3 participants — Cultural Zone only)
• Discount of $50 USD per person for groups of 5 or more persons

PRIVATE SERVICE

• $1,250 USD per person – 2 persons
• $1,100 USD per person – 3 to 4 persons
• $950 USD per person – 5 to 6 persons
• $850 USD per person – 7 or more persons

DISCOUNTS

• Students (18–25 years old): Discount subject to Peruvian government SERNANP permit requirements. A valid ISIC card or university ID is required at the time of booking. Please contact us at booking to confirm the applicable amount.
• Under 18 years old: Discount available. Please send a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Children under 12 years old: Special rates available. The tour is suitable for children in good health who can handle long boat journeys and jungle conditions. Consult us before booking.

Important Notes: The Manu National Park 5-day tour is the most popular duration for first-time visitors to the Manu, combining a manageable itinerary with access to some of the park’s most iconic wildlife experiences — including the Macaw Clay Lick, Cocha Salvador Giant Otters, Cloud Forest birdwatching, and the Matsiguenka indigenous community. Unlike the 7-day deep Reserved Zone expedition, the 5-day format keeps river boat time more moderate (~5–6 hours total), making it suitable for a wider range of travelers. Essential items include: insect repellent with minimum 40% DEET, quality binoculars, rubber boots (provided), dark-colored clothing, flashlight with spare batteries, rain poncho, and sunscreen SPF 50+. There is no electricity or WiFi inside the park. Travel and medical insurance covering emergency evacuation is strongly recommended. Tips for guides, boat operators, cooks, and lodge staff are optional but warmly appreciated.