If you like adventure then this is the trip for you. This was an amazing fun-packed trip that we will remember forever! Extra things id recommend bringing that werent explicitly mentioned:
Motion sickness meds (Dramamine [US] or Gravol Peruvian), small room light battery operated ( electricity works in lodge room 6pm to 10pm and 430am to 530am) , sturdy bright flash light to walk in jungle at night. Ziplocs to put your devices in incase you fall in the water. Shampoo and body wash (they provide a small mini bar of soap.) Cash for tips. Pick up a duffle bag at their office day prior to repack in. 1 small power pack per person and 1 large power pack to charge other things. First morning there was no power so we got ready with flash lights, and second day same thing, but after breakfast they turned the power on for 20 minutes before we left. When we mentioned to locals in Cuzco we were going to Manu national park. They all said its great, you have yoir yellow fever shot (once in a lifetime) and other shots upto date right?. There wasnt mention of yellow fever shot from the tour operator. Make sure to do your research. Yellow fever shot requires 10 days time to start working before entering the jungle. So getting at Cuzco will mean it wont work. Bring metal water bottles other wise the plastic ones hear up and your drinking warm water. No ice machines anywhere.
The trip: Early start in Cuzco at 530 am followed by a very long day of driving, but with many cool stops inbetween, making it not feel as long. We arrived at the lodge 13 hours later around 630pm.On the drive, we stopped to drop off our luggage since they provided us 1 medium sized duffle bag for 2 people(but you can ask for another if needed). There isnt a lot of room on the minivan for lots of luggage. Everyone brought either large backpacks or duffle bags. On the drive out we got breakfast for 15 sol pp around 930am. Eggs, avocado, bread, coffee concentrate (essence) and mint tea.
Our driver was Alex, our tour guide was Alexis and Mayu was the assistant tour guide. They were all 5 star guides. They made the trip educational and you can see how proud and knowledgeable they are of their countries natural beauty and wildlife.
After breakfast we drove a few more hours into the mountains . We stopped at a ancient inka burial site, there is a lady there selling trinkets so bring cash.
After that, we entered the jungle roads that run along side steep mountains .The roads are rather windey.There were occasional rocks on the road that had fallen in part of mud/rock slides from the rain. The roads on the cliffs had no guard rails, and were very narrow which was an issue when opposite direction traffic came, however, our driver Alex was very skilled and squeezed to the sides of the road to let the large trucks get around our mini van.There were some road repair workers we waited on while they pushed the mudslides that covered the road along the cliffs off the edge to clear the road.This is the only road that takes you to manu national forest, so these issues would be the same with all tour companies. I just wanted to mention it so you'd have some sort of expectations, and it wouldnt come as a shock. We stopped by a waterfall and had lunch. They provided chicken fried rice and Drinks . We stopped at the entrance National Park and looked into a cloud filled Scenic valley.
When we arrived at the lodge they told us the electricity works 6pm to 10pm and 430 am to 530 am, this was not accurate with our experience. The next morning we needed to be ready at 5am . The electricity was turned on at 5am when we left our room, and There is no cell phone coverage and the wifi only works when the electricity is on.
After arrival at the lodge the first night we ate dinner and we went on a 90 min night hike. They provided rubber boots and we walked through wetlands . Bring a good flashlight and dont try to use your phones light. Its pitch black in the jungle and your trying to see where to step in the muddy water while avoiding branches. Our guide Alexis was awesome and pointed out all kinds of wildlife and vegetation. His English was great and he really loves the wildlife and nature. Afterwards we went to our rooms and had a short period of time before the electricity was turned off. The rooms are clean and have fly nets over the bed. The shower only had cold water, but it was refreshing to cool down before bed . The water for the sink is from the river so best use bottle water to brush your teeth. You cannot put toilet paper into the toilet or it will clog, as most places in Peru . Even the nice hotels in Lima and Cuzco had the same rules.
Next day we woke up at 430am we had to use flashlights to get ready and as we left the room to have breakfast at 5am they turned the electricity on. Breakfast was eggs ,bread, tomatoes, cheese, coffee or tea.
We drove for 1 hour to get to the boat. At the village we got on a long boat. We went down the scenic river for 30 minutes, Then saw a Capybara. Afterwards, we got off the boat and started our 4.5 hour hike in the jungle. Alexis showed us many plants , spiders, birds, and monkeys. Bring bug spray since there is all kinds of flying insects. Halfway through we stopped at a lake and got on rafts made from tree trunks tied together. We had 2 guides and the rafts could not hold more than 3 people so two people in our group voluntered to operate a raft themselves like a gondelier in Venice with the long stick. We went accross the lake and climbed up a metal observation tower, We could see the birds better up there. Then we walked back 2 hours to the rivers shore. Our guide Alexis and Mayu were great and knew a lot about the jungle. We got to taste termites (tastes like tree bark) and see nice wild life.
We got on the boat and it took us to a black sand beach on the river. We got Tupperware lunch with a pre cooked pork chop , spaghetti, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes and They provided passion fruit juice. You can swim in the water if you like, Its a little cool temperature but refreshing. Then we went back to the fishing village . The guide alex bought us beer . Afterwards we drove to a hummingbird observation deck,where for 15 sol you can feed hummingbird and buy drinking water if you need it, It was a great experience. Afterwards there was a 1 hour drive back to the lodge. 4pm to 6pm we rested (no electricity or wifi) afterwards we ate dinner which was Beef Rice, cooked vegetables, dessert was purple corn sweet syrupy gel. After dinner we went for a night hike again. Alecid showed us a large none venomous spider that can be placed on your Rain jacket for pictures. We saw frogs as well. Got back to the hotel had 90 minutes of electricy and wifi. 10pm electricity and wifi was shut . For the next morning they told us be ready at 6am. No electricity was turned on in the morning so we got ready in our rooms with flash lights, again . Alexis and Mayu took us to a bat cave near by . It was a 30 minute hike in total and was very cool and interesting. We came back and had breakfast. A pancake , jam, bread , tomatoes ,cheese, coffee.
After breakfast we got 20 minutes of electricity. Then got in the van 8am for our 9.5 hour Drive back to Cuzco. On all the drives, if the driver Alex or guide Alexis heard or saw something of interest while driving they stop the van and we get out to see unique birds or monkeys along the road.
Bring bug spray, rainjackets , neck gator, 2 little power banks , one large power bank. Cash for tipping guides. Large metal water bottles, shampoo , body wash, rechargeable neck fan for the jungle walks , light hat , wet wipes , long sleeve shirts, bathing suit, motion sickness meds, and consider a yellow fever shot