Although the MLC is only around 85 kilometres from Cusco (if you travelled in a straight line), the drive through the Andes is nearly three times that distance, stretching for around 250 kilometres. The journey takes you through stunning landscapes of the Andes, including high Andean grasslands and cloud forests, before you drop over 2,000 metres into the lowland forests of the Amazon.

Access to the MLC is approximately 8 hours from Cusco along an all weather road to the fluvial port of Atalaya. From there a boat takes you 45 minutes downstream to the MLC. The MLC can only be accessed by boat and has a port and fluvial transport (a 'peke peke') that provides year round access.

Although the road to Manu is open year round, there can be delays caused by landslides, bad weather and repair work. Visitors are advised to allow at least 24 hours at either end of their journey before arranging onward travel.

Road Transport Options:

	Large Bus Capacity: 32 people Speed: 10 hrs average travel time Cusco to Atalaya

	Bus Capacity: 16 people Speed: 9.5 hrs average travel time Cusco to Atalaya

	Minivan Capacity: 7 people Speed: 8.5 hrs average travel time Cusco to Atalaya

	Pick Up Truck Capacity: 4 people Speed: 8 hrs average travel time Cusco to Atalaya

The fastest way to get to Manu is to fly to Boca Manu, a small airfield located near the entrance to the Manu National Park. A 12-seater Foca light aircraft takes 45 minutes to fly from Cusco to Boca Manu. From Boca Manu it takes approximately an hour by boat to Refugio Romero and six hours to the Manu Learning Centre. (The return river journeys take roughly the same time).

* This service operates normally during the dry season but can be interrupted frequently during the rainy season.
* Flights are scheduled on a demand basis.

Once you have arrived in the rainforest the majority of your onward transport is likely to be by boat. We typically use two types of fluvial (river) transport depending on journey distance and group size.

	Fluvial Transport (16 hp) Capacity: 6 people Comfort: 3/5 Speed: 1 hour average travel time downstream from Atalaya to the MLC / 2 hour 30min upstream from MLC to Atalaya * The Dugout Canoe (traditionally known as a 'peke peke') is versitile and capable of operating during the dry season when larger boats have problems with the lower water levels.

	Fluvial Transport (55 hp) Capacity: 12 people   Comfort: 4/5 Speed: 45 mins average travel time downstream from Atalaya to the MLC / 1 hour upstream from MLC to Atalaya * Limited by river depth the 55Hp boats provide excellent service during the rainy season but can find their usage limited in the dry season.