Manu Reserved Zone 8 Days

DAY 1.- CUSCO ANDES – CLOUD FOREST – AMAZON LODGE

Leaving early from Cusco, we will pass by the pre-Inca tombs of Ninamarca, the colonial town of Paucartambo known as the folkloric center of the region. The next stop is Acjanacu (3530 m / 11,870 ft), which is the entrance to the Manu biosphere, to get an overview of the Amazon basin. After that, we will descend through different ecological levels such as the puna, the elf forest, towards the lush cloud forest. Along the way, we can see endemic flora and fauna such as butterflies, giant ferns, orchids, monkeys, birds like toucans, tanagers, etc. The Cloud Forest is home to Peru’s national bird, the “Cock-of-the-Rock” (Rupicola peruviana, we visit its lek) and the spectacled bear (Tremarctus ornatus) – the only bear found in South America. We will spend the night in our comfortable and typical lodge. (L, D)

DAY 2. – AMAZON LODGE – ATALAYA PORT – LODGE

45-minute trip to Atalaya (500 m of tropical rainforest) where we will board our motorized canoe that will take us to our lodge (5 hours downstream) located on the banks of the mighty Alto Madre de Dios River. Here, we will spend the afternoon exploring the surroundings and the very interesting trails that will show us an incredible ecosystem. In a small lagoon and a mysterious swamp, we have the opportunity to see the prehistoric Hoatzin, some caimans, capybaras, squirrel monkeys, and different species of birds. After dinner, we will listen to the sounds of the Amazonian night such as the Night Monkey (Aotus trivirgatus), the Kalinowski Rat, frogs, Great Potoos, and the Pygmy Owl among many other night inhabitants during a nocturnal walk. (D, A, C)

TUESDAY 3. – LODGE – Upstream Manu River – MATSIGUENKA LODGE

Very early at 5 am, we start the boat ride, going upstream on the Manu River, approximately 6 hours. A great opportunity to see a flock of parrots where different species of parrots and parakeets will put on a colorful and impressive display; we will look for black caimans, capybaras, turtles, birds, monkeys, and the elusive jaguar!! In the late afternoon, a good opportunity for a nighttime walk; nights in the middle of the Amazon are unforgettable. (D, A, C)

DAY 4 – 5. – MATSIGUENKA LODGE – Manu River Walk – LODGE

On the fourth day, we have longer hikes and a visit to the oxbow lake, far from everything and deep in the jungle. It is the best opportunity to observe animals and enjoy the virgin forest, an early morning hike of 3 to 4 hours and another in the afternoon, and of course an optional nighttime hike will give us the best way to understand this unique wonder of our planet, as well as our visit to the oxbow lake to look for giant otters on a catamaran. Who knows what else we can find in this rich ecosystem.

The fifth day is a bit flexible, depending on time and requirements. We can explore this forest once more, still having the opportunity to visit a second meandering lake and use a 20-meter tower to observe more fauna. Then we navigate downstream on the Manu River, always searching for the jaguar!! (D, A, C)

DAY 6 – 7. – LODGE, Madre de Dios River – LODGE

Early at 6 am, we continue by boat on the Madre de Dios River. We have the opportunity to make a brief visit to a native community. Manu hosts different ethnic cultures, and talking about them is a lot, just to try, we visit Uno and try to know and understand the human importance to the Amazon. It takes some time to reach the lodge, and in the late afternoon, we can relax in the hot springs next to our resting place.

On day 7, we continue by boat, but there are still some hikes along the way, such as a small meandering lake and interesting trails. We arrive in the afternoon at the first lodge for our last night. (D, A, C)

DAY 8.- AMAZON LODGE – CUSCO

After breakfast, we will start the return journey to Cusco, a final hike, and we will conclude our activities in the cloud forest, arriving in Cusco at 5 pm. (B, L)