Manu Zone

Early in the morning, we will leave Cusco by bus and travel to Huancarani for breakfast (not included). From there, we'll visit the funerary towers of Ninamarca before continuing to Paucartambo. Here, we'll enjoy a brief city tour to explore this charming colonial town known for its folkloric traditions. Our journey will then take us to Acjanaco (3560 m), the entrance to Manu National Park. Our guide will provide an overview of the Reserve, including its rules and features. From this point, we'll begin our descent through the Cloud Forest, an extraordinary ecosystem where we can admire orchids, heliconias, and primitive ferns. We may also observe various bird species such as the variable hawk, flycatchers, crested orioles, and, with some luck, monkeys, the Amazonian umbrella bird, and quetzals. Along the way, we'll make a stop to see the Gallito de las Rocas, Peru's national bird. We will spend our first night at the Bamboo Lodge.

After an early breakfast, we will continue our journey by bus, passing through Pillcopata (527 m/1729 ft) and arriving at Atalaya Port (500 m/1640 ft) on the banks of the Alto Madre de Dios River. From here, we'll embark on a boat trip downstream to witness the rich diversity of bird species, including egrets, vultures, and cormorants. We will also visit the Machuhuasi Amazonian pond, where we have a good chance of spotting the “shansho” or Hoatzin, among other bird species. Following this, we'll return to our boat for a trip to the hot springs, where we will enjoy lunch. After lunch, we will continue our boat journey to the Dorado Lodge (300 m/986 ft). Upon arrival, we will have the opportunity to visit the observation platform at the mammals clay lick area, which is accessible via a hike along the lodge’s trail system located at the edge of the lowland rainforest. Overnight at Dorado Lodge (300 m/986 ft).

With the first light of the day, we will set off by boat toward Manu National Park, entering just after the confluence of the Alto Madre de Dios and Manu rivers. We will make a brief stop at the Limonal ranger station (310 m/1017 ft) to register in the guest book for the Reserve Zone. Returning to our boat, we will continue upstream on the Manu River, enjoying breakfast on board as we transition from the western facilities into the tourist area. The journey will take approximately 5 hours until we reach Salvador Oxbow Lake, where we will spend the next two nights at Casa Machiguenga (370 m/1213 ft). During the boat ride, we will have the opportunity to observe a variety of bird species, including macaws, egrets, and spoonbills. We may also see capybaras, caimans, turtles, and monkeys feeding in the trees. With some luck, we might even spot a wild cat sunbathing along the beaches. Upon arrival, we can embark on a hike to explore the wildlife along the extensive trail system in this pristine rainforest. Overnight at Casa Machiguenga (370 m/1213 ft).

After breakfast, we will spend the morning exploring Cocha Salvador Lake. You'll have the opportunity to canoe across the lake on a catamaran, allowing you to observe the wildlife from the water. We may encounter an Agami heron or a Sungrebe, and the brown capuchin monkeys, often seen feeding on nearby fruits, are typically easy to spot. The specially built docks extending into the lake provide an excellent vantage point to search for a family of giant otters. These otters, the largest freshwater carnivores in the world, are now found only in Manu due to their extinction elsewhere. Each otter consumes between 4 and 5 kilos of fish daily and can often be seen eating large fish on logs at the lake shore. In the afternoon, we will explore the trails in the area, searching for some of the 13 species of monkeys that inhabit the forest. Your guide will provide insights into the rainforest ecosystem and highlight medicinal plants used by local indigenous groups. We might also encounter a group of peccaries, a wild boar species native to this region. We will end the day by enjoying the sunset. Overnight at Casa Matsiguenka.

Very early in the morning, we will visit the macaw clay lick located at Salvadorcillo Creek. This is an excellent opportunity to observe colorful macaws and other bird species that come to the clay lick to ingest essential minerals. Afterward, we will proceed by boat to Pakitza, where we will explore the forest, observing various plant species and birdlife. With a bit of luck, we may also spot additional wildlife. Upon returning to the lodge, you have the option to join a night walk, which provides a chance to see nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat. Overnight at the lodge.

Today we have another chance to explore the forest around the lodge. Keep an eye out for a group of Tamarins, the smallest monkeys in the world, as they might make a surprise appearance! We will also visit Cocha Otorongo Lake, where a 20-meter observation tower in the rainforest canopy offers an excellent vantage point for wildlife observation. After lunch, we will board our boat and travel for approximately four hours down the Manu River to our next lodge. Along the way, we might spot black caimans sunbathing on the riverbanks and, with a bit of luck, the elusive jaguar basking in the sun. In the evening, we will explore a different trail system, offering new and unique features to discover.

We’ll start our day early once more, enjoying a morning walk around the lodge before packing up and beginning our journey upstream. En route to our next lodge, we'll make a relaxing stop at a beautiful hot springs location, where you can unwind and swim. This serene spot is situated a short distance from the Alto Madre de Dios River. From the hot springs, we will continue our journey to Puerto Atalaya, where we'll transfer to a car for a 40-minute drive to Bamboo Lodge. We'll spend the night in this enchanting corner of the Amazon jungle, soaking in the final moments of our adventure.

Today marks our return from the captivating rainforest back to Cusco. After breakfast, we’ll journey through the cloud forest, taking advantage of a few final bird-watching opportunities. As we travel back through the Andes, we’ll make our way to Cusco, arriving in the afternoon to conclude our adventure.