Manu Park Reserved Zone Tours - Day 1 Trip Briefing

NOTE: This document should be used as a supplement to your office briefing. The information below can only be used for tours to the Manu Reserved Zone and is valid only for the first day, as the briefing for subsequent days will be given by the guide after dinner.

Trip Start Time: On the day of your trip, we will come to your hotel, house, or Airbnb to pick you up. Pick-up time is between 4:45 AM and 5:15 AM. You do not need to leave your hotel as we will knock on your door. To keep you updated, please leave your cell phone number at the office, as we will contact you via WhatsApp on the day of pick-up.
Day One Briefing (briefings for subsequent days will be given by the guide right after dinner): This day's journey will last about 12-13 hours. Our first stop will be in the town of Paucartambo, which is a 2-hour and 30-minute drive from Cusco. In Paucartambo, we will have breakfast (not included). After Paucartambo, we will arrive at Acjanacu, the entrance to Manu, which is only 1 hour from Paucartambo.

From Acjanacu, we will head towards the Amazon, passing through the Dwarf Forest, the Cloud Forest, and spending our first night at Pona Lodge. Since we have to cover long distances on the first day, what we normally do is drive the van and, upon finding something of interest, whether it's flocks of birds or a group of monkeys, we get out of the van, observe the animals, and then continue with the journey.
Species of the Day: Quetzals, Trogons, Motmots, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Capuchin monkeys, and Woolly monkeys.

Elevations:

- Cusco: 3,399 meters/11,152 feet above sea level.
- Paucartambo: 3,005 meters/9,858 feet above sea level.
- Acjanacu: 3,550 meters/11,646 feet above sea level.
- Pona Lodge: 700 meters/2,296 feet above sea level.

Type of Land Vehicle Used: For our tours, we use Mercedes Benz Vans for 17 passengers, but we will carry 10 tourists, a guide, a cook, and a driver.
Type of River Transport Used: To navigate the river, we use a 14m long boat, 2 meters wide, with a roof, open sides, reclining seats, and two outboard motors (one in front for emergencies and one operating at the back).
The Lodges: On our 6 and 7-day tours to the Reserved Zone, we use 3 lodges and 1 blind. On the 5-day tour, we use 2 lodges and 1 blind. Please note that we offer basic rooms on all our tours. Our lodges have the following:
- Pona Lodge: Private double rooms with en-suite bathrooms and showers, with warm water in the showers. The lodge has a common area for charging electrical items; there is no signal or Wi-Fi.
- Yanayacu Lodge: This lodge has double rooms with private showers and bathrooms inside the room. The lodge has a common area for charging electrical items, everything runs on solar energy, and it has Wi-Fi in all rooms.
- Casa Matsiguenka Lodge: In this lodge, we will offer double rooms with shared showers and bathrooms. Electricity runs on solar energy, and Wi-Fi is only available in the main dining room.

Equipment provided by Manu Explorers: For the trip, we will provide rain ponchos from the first day if necessary, and we will provide rubber boots for walks in the forest. The boots will be given to you on the second day in Atalaya.

Frequently Asked Questions!

What is the weather like during the tour? The morning part of the first day is cold as we will travel through the Andes. In the mid-morning in the cloud forest, it is humid and cold. In the lower part of Manu, the temperature is between 24-26 degrees Celsius with 90% humidity, which makes the perceived temperature higher.
What time do we return to Cusco? The arrival time in Cusco is between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Where can I leave my belongings that I don't need for the trip? For the trip, we will lend you 30L waterproof duffle bags. The rest of your belongings can be left at your hotel or our office. If you intend to leave your belongings at the office, please bring them, and we will gladly store them for you.
Is there hot water in the showers? No, the water in the showers is regular water.
Is there coverage/Wi-Fi? Connectivity is limited. In the first lodge, there is no coverage or Wi-Fi. In the subsequent lodges, we only have limited Wi-Fi.
What are the lodges like?We offer basic lodges! Double rooms with private bathrooms and showers in most lodges, but at Casa Matsiguenka, showers and bathrooms are shared. The rooms are covered by metal screens, and the beds have mosquito nets.

What animals can be seen? We wish to inform you that we will take you to places where your chances of seeing animals will increase; however, seeing animals in the wild is mostly due to luck. Our company does not guarantee the sighting of any species of flora or fauna.
What happens if I wish to cancel the trip during the journey? In this case, our company is not responsible for any additional expenses that may occur during your unscheduled return trip.
What is the road to Manu like? In general, the road is good with asphalt; however, there are sections of the road, especially in the cloud forest, where the road is narrow and single-lane.
Is it necessary to bring a first aid kit? Yes, please bring a first aid kit with you.
What tropical diseases exist in the area? Manu National Park does not have Malaria, Yellow Fever, or Dengue; however, there are active areas of "Leishmaniasis" (not lethal) in the zone. Although it is very rare to get infected with this illness, the risk should not be taken, and the only ways to protect ourselves are by using repellent properly and wearing long shirts and pants. Please be sure to bring a good spray mosquito repellent containing at least 30% DEET.
What is the boat like? The boats we use are 14m long, 2m wide, have a roof, open sides, two rows of reclining seats, and carry two engines, one operating and the other for emergencies.

What does the tour include? Below is the list.

- English and Spanish speaking tour guide with a spotting scope
- Transportation (bus and boat)
- Cook
- Three meals a day (excluding first breakfast and last dinner)
- 30L Waterproof Duffle Bag
Mineral water
- All nights in a Lodge, one night in a blind might be included in the tour
- Fresh fruit
- Snacks
- Rain ponchos
- Rubber boots
- Entrance to the oxbow lakes
- Entrance to Manu National Park
- Entrance to all private Natural Reserves
- First aid kit

What does the tour NOT include? Below is the list.

- Travel insurance
- First breakfast
- Mineral water on the first day
- Last day's dinner
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for the team

What to bring for the tour? Below is the list.

- Walking boots
- Warm clothing
- Camera with spare batteries.
- Long-range camera lenses (200mm, 400mm, or 600mm).
- Camera lens extension (1.4x or 2x).
- Repellent with a minimum of 30% DEET***
- Binoculars (if you want to bring your own).
- Flashlight with spare batteries***.
- Sunscreen.
- Money in soles.
- Backpack.
- Water bottle/canteen.
- Sandals.
- Long-sleeved shirts
- socks.
- Lightweight long pants
- Shorts and swimsuit (for 6 and 7-day tours).
- Hat.
- Toilet paper.
- Dark clothing (for walking days).
- Converter/adapter for electricity (plugs are usually the flat two-pin type used in the USA).