Visiting the Amazon in Peru: A 3 Day Adventure
- travellingozourway
- May 11
- 9 min read
Updated: May 13
An Unforgettable Journey into the Amazon: Exploring Manu National Park
The Amazon has long been celebrated as one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, teeming with an extraordinary array of flora and fauna. Our trip to South America presented the perfect opportunity to experience this magnificent rainforest firsthand, so we embarked on a three-day journey through Manu National Park in Peru, eager to immerse ourselves in its magic. What an adventure it turned out to be! If you've ever dreamed of venturing into the Amazon, keep reading as we take you through the highlights of our experience and hopefully inspire you to plan your own expedition.
Day 1: From Cusco to the Cloud Forest
Our adventure began bright and early in Cusco, where we were picked up at 5:30 a.m. Our first stop was at the Chullpas de Ninamarca. The ancient stone funerary towers, located near Paucartambo, were built by the pre-Inca Lupaca culture. They functioned as burial chambers where bodies were laid in the fetal position, accompanied by offerings like ceramics, textiles and food, representing the voyage to the afterlife and utilised for ancestor worship. These communal tombs provided a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history, combining history and great views.
Our next stop was the folkloric town of Paucartambo, which is located three hours from the city of Cusco. Paucartambo is home to one of the most important high Andean communities, the community of the Q’eros, also known as the guardians of the wisdom of the Andes. Considered the “Last Inca Ayllu”, or the last Inca community in Peru, the Q’eros strive to preserve and promote their indigenous cultural and ethnic identity.
We walked along the narrow, stony streets, surrounded by houses with traditional balconies, a true nod to Spanish influence in the 1770s. We stopped at the town square where the fountain is surrounded by golden statues, each representing one of 15 different clans of dancers who fill the streets during the festival. Paucartambo's festival for the Virgin of Carmen is a 4-day extravaganza of dance, music, fireworks and theatre.
From there, we wandered along the cobbled streets to a potato museum with over 2000 varieties on display. After a quick breakfast that included warm buttery potatoes, we continued our journey as the rain fell. This charming colonial village of white houses with painted blue doors, known for its traditional bridge and vibrant festivals, was a brief but delightful stop.
Continuing our journey, we drove toward the Acjanaco Pass, the official gateway to Manu National Park. The scenic drive through the Peruvian highlands was breathtaking—literally, as we ascended to an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. The landscape shifted dramatically.
We stopped at the Manu National Park’s entry point to register and take in the map, which gave us a sense of our place within the vast Amazon Jungle. Once we entered the park, we were immediately immersed in the elfin cloud forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes. The road, however, is not for the faint of heart. It is narrow, unpaved and often wide enough for only one vehicle at a time, winding high above the river and over three hundred metres down. Fortunately, our driver Chino was highly experienced with this route, skillfully navigating the challenging terrain. Along the way, we were treated to the stunning sight of waterfalls cascading down the mountainside, their mist rising in the air, the water running across the road, and at times washing over the vehicle.
As we began our descent into the Cloud Forest, the atmosphere thickened with humidity, and the lush environment welcomed us with its incredible diversity of plants and wildlife. Driving down towards the jungle, our descent down the steep, narrow road was slow as our guide, Michele and our driver, Chino, scanned the forest for wildlife. We stopped several times to get out of the van to catch a sight of the many birds, walking the road, using binoculars and a telescope to watch the birds and monkeys. Our first sighting was the golden-headed quetzal, soon followed by the iconic Gallito de las Rocas, or Cock of the Rock—Peru’s national bird, known for its vibrant red-orange plumage. We were especially lucky to spot both a male and a female. As we continued, we encountered a stunning array of wildlife: more quetzals, trogons, eagles, vultures, and several species of monkeys. The biodiversity in this region was truly astounding.
Lunch was at a rest stop along the road with a picnic table and a simple shelter. Our cook fed us a traditional Peruvian bowl of rice, vegetables, meat and Quinoa.
As we descended further, the temperature and humidity rose noticeably. The transition from cloud forest to jungle was abrupt. We put away our jackets as the humidity settled over us, and we continued to climb in and out of the vehicle to explore the jungle. By late afternoon, we reached Pilcopata Lodge, a cozy, rustic retreat nestled in the forest. Our room was clean and tidy with a comfortable double bed, covered with netting and an ensuite. After a long but thrilling day, we settled into our simple yet comfortable room, enjoying the sounds of the jungle before drifting off to sleep.
Day 2: Into the Heart of the Amazon
We woke to the sounds of the rainforest and enjoyed a hearty breakfast before continuing deeper into the jungle. We started with a walk along the road, bird watching and enjoying the colours of the fauna.
We strolled to the Hummingbird Garden, Mirador Pico De Hoz. Mirador Pico de Hoz is a private reserve founded by Yonatan Puma and his wife. Situated near Pillcopata in the buffer zone of Manu National Park, the reserve comprises 6 hectares of reforested land, a viewpoint and multiple trails, featuring a bamboo area, wetlands, lakes, and a path along the Pilcopata River. We sat on the deck watching the hummingbirds feed on honey. They are so tiny and quick, making it difficult to get a photo yet fascinating to watch! We then wandered through the reserve looking for a sloth but only found many more birds and stunning flora.
The bus picked us up and we continued our journey through the winding, narrow road down to Atalaya Port. Our journey was halted as we came upon a truck carrying gas bottles balancing precariously on a steep incline, possibly having taken the corner too quickly. We weren't going anywhere as locals worked to rescue the truck and its contents. Our guide suggested we walk the 20 minutes to Atalaya Port...so we did.
What a strange sight for the locals to see three strangers walking into the small village of Atalaya. The town is a Port, located at the meeting of the Tambo and Urubamba Rivers, which form the Ucayali River. We waited for our bus driver and cook to arrive before we boarded a boat for the ride down the river. The boat was a motorised canopy canoe with experienced native drivers. Considering this area has a history of drug activity through the harvesting of coca leaves, we felt relatively safe.
Our boat was loaded with equipment and supplies for our stay at our next lodge, we set off on the great river. At this point, we felt we had truly arrived in the Amazon. Gliding along the river, we kept our eyes open and the binoculars handy for spotting monkeys, exotic birds and the elusive caiman lurking along the banks. The river is fierce, and there is no way we want to fall in.
After about 30 minutes, we stop at a seemingly random spot on the bank of the river, and our guide lets us know we have arrived! We stepped off the boat onto a steep, muddy embankment, making our way up about a metre to flat ground bordered by the forest. Our next adventure was about to start. We grabbed a branch fashioned into a walking stick to help us on our walk. The rain had left the ground thick with mud and pools of water. We followed our guide, Michele, along a windy, narrow track covered in tree roots and branches, thick with mud. It was exciting and somewhat daunting as the jungle was alive around us with flora and fauna. All I can say is thank goodness for the rubber boots we were given, they were our saviour in this terrain.
The slow trek took us about thirty minutes before we arrived at Paititi Lodge, our home for the night. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the lodge had private bathrooms and showers—simple, yet perfectly suited to the jungle environment. The bed has a net to keep out any bugs, an ensuite with a shower using only cold water...but that's all we need in this heat. We were hot and dirty yet so exhilarated. A shower, lunch and a siesta were on the itinerary before we set out again. There is not much downtime on this three-day adventure.
The afternoon activity is further down the river, where we will explore Machuwasi Lake. We navigate the muddy track back to the boat, where our crew is waiting. We travelled for around thirty minutes further up the Madre de Dios river and pulled up at another seemingly random spot to disembark on a flat rocky beach. Once again, we found a walking stick and began another thirty-minute trek through the jungle. This path is well trodden, with a variety of tracks, mud patches, water crossings, stone steps, sand bags, timber bridges and tree roots. It's a true jungle path, and thankfully, our guide knows this track well. A break in the canopy opens to expose the magnificent Machuwasi Lake.
Machu Wasi is an Oxbow lake, meaning it used to be a part of the big river, but has become a tranquil and isolated area with an abundance of wildlife. A highlight was boating on a traditional balsa wood raft, maneuvered with a long stick. Our guide helped us onto the raft and steered us along the calm water and through the rushes. We were the only people at the lake, so we could immerse ourselves in the sounds of the jungle. The small lake attracts diverse Amazonian birds, caymans, capybaras and giant river otters.
At the end of the lake is an observation tower. We disembarked the raft and climbed the three-story tower, and settled on the observation deck to spot animals and enjoy the environment. As the afternoon faded to evening, the jungle came alive. It was a magical experience standing high above the canopy to watch the animals. As the sun started to set, we headed back onto the lake and made our way back to the ranger station.
Before we left, we needed to sign the visitor book and our guide needed to pay the entry fees; however, he had forgotten to bring cash and we didn't have any either. The ranger suggested paying by card! Would you believe there is internet in parts of the Amazon Jungle? However, Michele was unable to get any service, so he left us and ran into the jungle to find a connection. We sat with the Ranger for a long time, and after some time, it crossed our mind that we had been left in the Jungle!! The sun had set, the light was fading, and we had no idea where we were. Just as we are getting a little nervous, our guide returned and success...he found a connection and has paid the fees.
We set off to trek back through the jungle along the narrow path, navigating the mud and many water crossings. Animals rustled and birds called as we moved through the trees. The light was fading as we landed back on the rocky beach, and our guide signalled the boat driver, who flashed a light for us to head towards. A storm was brewing, and in the distance we saw lightning and heard the rumble of thunder. What a surreal experience as we cruised back along the river to our lodgings. It was dark by the time we disembarked from the boat, and once again we scrambled up the bank. Michelle guided us along the track with our torches, careful not to slip in the mud or lose our way. The rain started just as we reached the lodge. What an adventure!
Hot, tired and dirty, we showered, ate and fell into bed, tired but so happy with our day. The rain lulled us to sleep with the knowledge that we have to navigate the mud again tomorrow.
Day 3: Parrot Clay Lick & The Journey Back
Our final day in the Amazon was meant to be an early morning boat ride to a parrot clay lick, where hundreds of vibrant parrots gather to feed on mineral-rich clay. Unfortunately, the rain had made the trip impossible. We enjoyed breakfast and began our return journey to Cusco. As we trudged for the last time along the narrow path to the boat, monkeys swarmed overhead to farewell us. We stood watching as they swung and climbed along the branches. This was the best experience and a bonus to our adventure in the jungle.
The boat ride back to Atalaya allowed us one last chance to soak in the experience and appreciate the strength of the river. From there, we drove back through the cloud forest, offering another chance to spot wildlife. We stopped at the Manu National Park’s entry point for lunch, then made our way through the country villages and towns of Peru before we finally arrived back in Cusco. Exhausted yet exhilarated, we knew this adventure would stay with us forever.
Conclusion: A Journey Like No Other
Exploring the Amazon was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the mystical cloud forests to the raging river journeys and the astonishing array of wildlife, every moment was filled with wonder. Whether spotting rare birds, cruising through jungle waterways, or hiking beneath towering trees, Manu National Park provided an adventure we will never forget. If you've ever dreamed of exploring the Amazon, start planning! If you're thinking about visiting, we say just do it.
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