Pre-Tour Information & overnight stay
at Manu Lodge TAMBO PAITITI
in the Cloud Forest of the Manu National Park
and Manu Lodge TAMBO EORI in the Rainforest
Our way to the Manu
The Manu Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 2 Mio hectares with different altitudes and vegetation regions between 3.900 m/ 12.795 ft and 300 m/ 984 ft. The partially unpaved road leads from Cusco through the Andean Highlands, crosses the Acjanaco Pass and descends through the Elfin Forest to the Cloud Forest until reaching the Amazon Lowlands.
The diverse way from Cusco through different landscapes and remote communities will be accompanied by relevant explanations about native culture and nature from your guide. This means travelling by bus to the Manu becomes an important component of the tour and a worthwhile experience.
The travelling time between Cusco and our Manu Eco Lodge TAMBO PAITITI (at 1.470 m/ 4.826 ft) in the Manu Cloud Forest is about 5 hours. However, you will have a variety of stopovers during the journey in order to enjoy our picnic and different scenic views and photographic opportunities. Continuing your tour to the lowland you will spend approximately another 3 hours in bus from TAMBO PAITITI to Atalaya where a boat will take you in about 1 hour to the Manu Eco Lodge TAMBO EORI (at 470 m/ 1.542 ft). The actual length of the journey by bus depends on road and weather conditions and also on the number of brakes which will be taken upon request of our passengers.
Weather
You will travel through the Andean Highlands and descend the Eastern Slopes of the Andes to the Cloud Forest and further down to the Amazon Lowlands. Please be prepared for a variety of temperatures: In the Highland, it may feel like summer when the sun comes out but it always remains chilly in the shadow and quite cold at night. In the Cloud Forest the average temperature lies about 19°C/ 66°F, in the Lowlands about 28°C/ 82,4°F with highest temperatures about 34°C/ 93°F. Occasionally occurring cold fronts can lower the temperatures even in the jungle under 10° C/ 50°F. Rainfalls are usual throughout the year, not only during the so-called rainy season between November and April.
Baggage/ Clothing
During your journey through the Andean Highland you will cross two passes above 3.000 m/ 9.843 ft, please be prepared and take some warm clothing, also for possible fresh nights in the Manu Biosphere Reserve. A rain suit is an indispensable part of your equipment.
Do not use flashy colored clothes; otherwise you will be detected by any wild animal before having even the chance to see it.
Because of the humidity in the jungle you should store your clothes in waterproof bags or plastic bags and always pack away unneeded clothes.
Mosquitoes are less annoying in the Cloud Forest than in the Lowlands. The best protection is long sleeved shirts and trousers, we recommend to take along an insect repellent suitable for tropical climates.
In order to reach the lodges, you will have to walk about 10 – 15 minutes on a jungle trail. Please consider this by selecting your luggage: it is far more convenient to take a backpack or a travelling bag on your jungle tour than a heavy suitcase!
Accommodation in the Manu Eco Lodges TAMBO PAITITI and TAMBO EORI
The Manu Eco Lodges TAMBO PAITITI and TAMBO EORI have been built according to the traditional architecture of the native jungle inhabitants. They are made of wood and thatched with a special palm leave construction. The different platforms are connected by wooden bridges or trails. Instead of glass windows you will have a free view to nature from all platforms.
You will stay in (double bedded) rooms with beds & mosquito nets and a roofed terrace for relaxing and wildlife observation.
Toilets/ Washing facilities
In TAMBO PAITITI all rooms include a private area with water toilet & lavatory. In Tambo Eori we are offering individual water toilets & lavatories and showers in a common used area. Towels will be provided in both lodges.
*** Please use soap or shampoo only in the lavatories & showers, not in the river. ***
Electricity
Candle light will provide a friendly atmosphere in the lodges. We do not have no electricity at our lodges.
We recommend to recharge all batteries required for cameras or other equipment before starting the tour and, if necessary, take replacement batteries with you. In specific cases, we could provide a generator, if required please contact us for more details.
Cell phone coverage and internet connection are generally quite rare in the jungle; we have none of these technological achievements in or around our lodges. We are pleased to integrate this into our concept and invite you to turn off, tune out, decelerate your life and truly relax.
Wildlife observation
TAMBO PAITITI and TAMBO EORI offer you the possibility of wildlife observation even from your room. The terraces of all platforms are laid out for your convenience and trouble-free observation of nature.
Meals/ Drinks
During the journey, we will serve a picnic, snacks and soft drinks. In TAMBO PAITITI and TAMBO EORI you will be provided with full board, you are welcome to an unlimited consumption of bottled water and hot drinks.
For the journey by bus and the hikes around the lodges we recommend to take a plastic bottle (at least 0.5 liters) which can be refilled with bottled water.
Health/ Vaccinations
You should take general precautions for your trip to Peru by a vaccination against Hepatitis-A.
For your tour to jungle we highly recommend a yellow fever vaccination (at least 10 days prior to departure). If you are travelling between Peru, Bolivia and Brazil this may even be requested at the frontier.
A Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary for a visit to the Manu Biosphere Reserve!
Pre-Tour Briefing
On the evening before the tour starts we will meet you in order to explain the itinerary and other details of your tour and to give you the possibility to ask any further question. Time and place as agreed.
Recommended equipment
- Binoculars
- Camera + extra batteries (recharged)
- Flash-light + extra batteries
- Sunscreen lotion (SPF at least 30)
- Insect repellent
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Long pants
- Hiking shoes/ boots
- Sneakers/ sandals
- Rain suit
- Swimsuit
