Manu Road — Cusco to Pilcopata viaAcjanaco.
Distance
230 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
1,800 m
Manu Road — Cusco to Pilcopata via Acjanaco.
The Manu Road drops from the Inca capital of Cusco across the Acjanaco pass and down through pristine cloud forest to the edge of the Amazon at Pilcopata. Few roads on Earth cross such an extreme biodiversity gradient in so short a distance — from 3,400m páramo to steaming 600m rainforest in a day and a half of riding.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance230 km
Days2
Total climb1,800 m
DifficultyChallenging
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2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 6 waypoints to discover along the way.
CuscoStart · Start in Cusco, the ancient Inca capital at 3,400m. Ahead lies one of the greatest biodiversity gradients on the planet.
PaucartamboScenic Point · Colonial town on the Mapacho River with cobbled streets and a famous stone bridge, renowned for its July Virgen del Carmen festival.
PaucartamboOvernight · Overnight here — the last town with proper lodging and fuel before Manu National Park.
Acjanaco Pass (3,550m)Mountain Pass · The Acjanaco pass at 3,550m is the gateway to Manu National Park. From here the road plunges off the Andes into cloud forest; weather flips within minutes.
Manu Cloud Forest — PillahuataPhoto Spot · Dripping cloud forest thick with orchids, bromeliads and the Andean cock-of-the-rock. Waterfalls cross the road — ride slowly on wet rock and mud.
PilcopataEnd · End in Pilcopata at 600m on the edge of the Amazon basin — humid, tropical and a world away from Cusco. Boats continue downriver into the rainforest.
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