Exploring the jungle by bicycle is a unique experience; this route is entirely downhill on a wide, paved road with a moderate level of difficulty. We’ll cross through a wealth of flora and fauna over 145 km during the 3 days of pure adventure in the Manu rainforest.

The Manu National Reserve is located on the border of Cusco and Madre de Dios, an Amazon rainforest that boasts over 2 million hectares of pure oxygen, more than 223 species of mammals, 156 amphibians, 132 species of reptiles, and over 1,005 species of birds.

For these reasons and more, you can’t miss this incredible Manu National Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1977.

I invite you to explore the Amazon rainforest, full of surprises, on this bicycle expedition to exotic Manu. Book now!

Complete itinerary

Day 1, Cusco, Chullpas de Ninamarca – Watoqto – Paucartambo Tour – Wayqecha Biological Station

Before venturing into the Manu rainforest itself, on our first day we’ll explore some Inca and pre-Inca sites located in the traditional town of Paucartambo. Our first cycling adventure begins at 3,700 meters above sea level, descending over 15 kilometers on paved roads and dirt tracks.

On this cycling route to Manu National Park, we’ll first discover the following cultural attractions:

Chullpas de Ninanmarca, an archaeological site.

Watoqto, a hidden archaeological site in the town of Paucartambo.

After discovering the history of Ninamarca and Watoqto, we will also visit the following sites in Paucartambo:

Paucartambo Main Square
Carlos III Colonial Bridge
Museum of Indigenous Dances (Museum of the Peoples of Paucartambo)
The Virgen del Carmen Church
Then our journey continues by transport to our hotel, Wayquecha, a comfortable cabin retreat where you can relax in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

Route details:

• Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
• Road type: Road
• Maximum and minimum altitude: 3,700m – 2,900m
• Total distance: 15km
• Route type: Off-road
• Elevation gain: 200 meters
• Tour duration: 7 hours
• Location: Paucartambo – Cusco

Time: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Meeting point: Hotel pick-up.

Includes:

Bicycle, helmet, gloves, experienced MTB guides trained in first aid and mechanics, private vehicle, boxed lunch, dinner, Cabin Hote at the Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station, hot shower, free Wi-Fi, two-way radio, photos and videos, first aid kit, full support, and a great experience!

Not include:

Entrance fees to Watoqto, Ninamarca, museums, breakfast, bicycle insurance, tips for the guide and driver

Day 2, Mirador tres cruces – Cock Of The Rock Lodge

Today our bike route takes us into the heart of Manu National Park. Starting at 4:30, we’ll travel by private vehicle to the famous Tres Cruces viewpoint to witness the breathtaking sunrise. From there, our bike tour into the Manu rainforest begins.

Please note that the peak season for Tres Cruces is July and August. This viewpoint is not visible during the other months. If you plan to visit during other months, we offer many other activities at the Wayquecha Biological Station.

The bike descent from this viewpoint is through the Andes Mountains. As we gradually descend, we’ll be able to appreciate the diverse flora and fauna of the Amazon: trees, rivers, waterfalls, birds, and even bears if we’re observant—they’re often close to the trail we’ll be cycling on.

Imagine descending from 3,600 meters to 1,600 meters above sea level—a simple change from a dry, cold climate to a warm, humid one. But descending by bicycle, you’ll hardly notice it because you’ll have the wind at your back.

What will we visit on this second day of the bike route?

We’ll take a walk through the Wayquecha Biological Station, home to a suspension bridge surrounded by imposing trees, abundant flora, fauna, and birds such as the Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana).

We’ll cross the San Pedro cloud forest, a lot of fun.

Route characteristics:

• Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
• Type of road: Highway
• Maximum and minimum altitude: 3,600m – 1,600m
• Total distance: 35km
• Route type: Cross-country
• Elevation gain: 250 meters
• Tour duration: 7 hours
• Location: Tres Cruces

Schedule: 9 am to 5 pm
Meeting point: Hotel pickup

Includes:

Bicycle, helmet, gloves, experienced MTB guide trained in first aid and mechanics, private vehicle, boxed lunch, dinner, accommodation at Cock Of The Rock Lodge, hot shower, free Wi-Fi, two-way radio, photos and videos, first aid kit, full support, and a great experience!

Not include:

Entrance fee, bicycle insurance, tips for the guide and driver

Day 3, Pillcopata – Picaflores Natural Viewpoint – Two Parrots – Salvation – Cocha Machu Wasi

On our third day of cycling to Manu, we’ll have 70% uphill and flat sections, and 30% downhill.

The distance from Pilcopata to Machu Cocha Wasi is 31 km. This part of the route requires considerable physical effort and stamina. If you’re unable to continue, don’t worry, you can board our private transport and continue the journey at your leisure.

What will we visit on this tour?

We’ll explore the natural wonder of the Hummingbird Garden, also known as the Pico de Hoz viewpoint, where we’ll observe hummingbirds up close as they feed from the artificial flower-filled water tanks created by a local family.

This is the perfect spot for a delicious breakfast. Here, you’ll see more than 30 species of hummingbirds, and we’ll explain the differences between them.

Continuing our bike tour through Manu National Park, we’ll stop at a wildlife rescue center known as Los Dos Loritos (The Two Parrots). This wildlife sanctuary is dedicated to preventing the hunting of animals.

Here, we’ll see:

• Two parrots
• Macaws
• Night monkeys
• Toucans
• Sloths
• Ocelots
• Turtles
• Caimans, and more.

We’ll also stop to take photos at the Atalaya Lookout, offering a spectacular view of the Rio Negro and the surrounding rainforest.

Our final stop on the Manu route will be Machu Cocha Wasi, one of the attractions located in the town of Salvación. We’ll take a boat ride on Machu Cocha Wasi Lake, using rafts built by local people.

After our tour of the Manu Rainforest, we’ll return to our accommodation in Pillcopata, where we’ll rest.

Route Features:

• Difficulty: Intermediate to challenging
• Road type: Road
• Maximum and minimum altitude: 1,400m – 600m
• Total distance: 31km
• Route type: Cross-country
• Elevation gain: 300 meters
• Tour duration: 7 hours
• Location: Pillcopata

Schedule: 9 am to 5 pm
Meeting point: Hotel pick-up

Includes:

Bicycle, helmet, gloves, experienced MTB guide trained in first aid and mechanics, private vehicle, box lunch, Hotel Pillcopata, shower, free Wi-Fi, two-way radio, photos and videos, first aid kit, full support, and a great experience!

Not include:

Entrance fee to Machu Cocha Wasi, tickets to other sites, bicycle insurance, tips for the guide and driver

Day 4, Pillcopata – Paucartambo – Cusco

On our last day, we’ll say goodbye to Manu National Park. We’ll board our transport very early, as the journey from Pillcopata to Cusco takes 5 hours. On our return from the jungle, we’ll have the opportunity to see birds, bears, and other wildlife along the way.

We’ll also pass through some picturesque villages near Cusco, known for their culture, food, and traditions, such as Saylla, Tipon, and Huasao.

Details of this day:

Road type: Highway
Maximum and minimum altitude: 3,400m – 600m
Tour duration: 7 hours
Location: Cusco

Time: 7 am to 5 pm
Meeting point: Pick-up at your hotel

Includes:

Guide, Private vehicle, Breakfast, Box lunch, Full assistance, and a great experience!

Not included:

Dinner, other items not mentioned, tips for the guide and driver