Manu Jungle Motorcycle Tour from Cusco | 3-Day Amazon Ride

An exciting ride into the jungle: we set off early from our Cusco office, taking a paved route toward the beautiful town of Paucartambo. Along the way, we can optionally make a brief stop at the Ninamarca *chullpas* (well-preserved pre-Inca tombs of the Lupaca culture). The journey offers a dramatic landscape shift, transitioning from the Andes to a gradual descent into the jungle. To make the trip even more exciting, we can include stops to observe local wildlife and birds—such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, woolly monkeys, and other species native to the area. We conclude the first day by arriving in Pillcopata, where we will spend the night.

📌 Stage 01 – Riding Summary

Distance: 200 km / 124 mi
Route Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Asphalt and gravel, winding mountain roads, cloud forest and jungle descents
Riding Time: ~5 hours (including scenic and cultural stops)
Altitude: Cusco (3,400 m / 11,155 ft) → Paucartambo (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) → Acjanaco Pass (3,500 m / 11,483 ft) → Pillcopata (560 m / 1,837 ft)
Climate Zones: Andean Highlands → Cloud Forest → Amazon Rainforest
Lunch: On route (Not included)
Dinner: Pillcopata (Not included)
Overnight: Pillcopata – Lodge (breakfast included)

In this second stage of the ride, we venture deeper into the jungle and cross picturesque bridges; the route consists of paved sections interspersed with stretches of dirt and abundant vegetation. We will make initial stops at a hummingbird garden and an animal sanctuary. The itinerary continues across rivers to a cozy spot on the banks of the Madre de Dios River, where we have the option to catch our own lunch, take a walk, and explore the riverbanks while our meal—typically fried fish accompanied by jungle produce—is prepared. After this journey, we return to Pillcopata to spend the night.

📌 Stage 02 – Riding Summary

Distance: 120 km / 75 mi
Route Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Jungle dirt roads, riverbanks, mixed gravel and short paved sections
Riding Time: ~5 hours (including exploration and cultural stops)
Altitude: Pillcopata (560 m / 1,837 ft) → Salvacion → Jungle Deep → Pillcopata. 
Climate Zones: Amazon Rainforest → Manu Cultural Zone
Lunch: Salvacion ( Not Included)
Dinner:  Pillcopata (not included)
Overnight: Pillcopata

For this final stage, we have the option of taking a different route than the one used on the way out; from Paucartambo, we will drive through a small ravine that leads to Pisac (the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas).
We will stop in the colonial town of Pisac to buy souvenirs, have a coffee, or enjoy a snack; finally, a drive of approximately one hour awaits us to the city of Cusco, marking the official end of the Manu Jungle Ride.

📌 Stage 04 – Riding Summary

Distance: 280 km / 174 mi
Route Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Mountain roads, valley routes, asphalt with short dirt-road sections
Riding Time: ~5 hours (not including breaks)
Altitude: San Pedro (1,400 m / 4,593 ft) → Paucartambo (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) → Sacred Valley (2,800 m / 9,186 ft) → Cusco (3,400 m / 11,155 ft)
Climate Zones: Cloud Forest → Andean Highlands → Sacred Valley
Lunch: On the road in Pisac or Paucartambo (not included)
Estimated Arrival in Cusco: Around 5:00 PM
End of Tour