Manu National Park - Reserved Zone - 7 Days / 6 Nights
TOURS
Activity summary:
Explore the Manu Cloud Forest
7 days – round trip along the Manu road
Fixed departures. Groups of 2 to 8 people.
This tour takes you to the cloud forest, the foothills of the Andes, and the beginning of the Manu plains. 2 nights at Bamboo Manu Eco Lodge, 2 nights at Casa Matsiguenka Hostel and 1 night at Pantiacolla Lodge. Stunning landscapes and an ideal area for birdwatching! A short tour of Manu.
General Itinerary:
Departing early from Cusco, we begin our 8-hour journey by private minibus, climbing to the high mountain range at 3,900 m (13,000 ft). After a brief stop in Ninamarca to see the pre-Inca cemetery and the colonial village of Paucartambo, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads, etc.). We enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and may see wildlife such as our national bird, the brilliant red Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana), displaying its mating dance. Walking along the way, you may see tanagers, quetzals, trogons, toucanets, and brightly colored hummingbirds, as well as falcons and possibly your first monkeys, such as the woolly monkey. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Bamboo Lodge (900 m), where we spend the night.
After breakfast, we'll depart for the port of Atalaya to begin our boat journey along the majestic Madre de Dios River, a tributary of the legendary Amazon. Along the way, we'll stop at the natural hot springs of Shintuya, where we'll support a local indigenous family. Here, you can soak in the warm waters and relax in a unique setting surrounded by rainforest.
We continued our boat trip towards Boca Manu, enjoying the opportunity to observe the incredible Amazonian fauna: the enormous capybaras (the largest rodents in the world), red howler monkeys, colorful birds such as roseate spoonbills, as well as river scavengers, including the majestic king vulture, caracaras and river owls.
At sunset, we'll arrive at the Hummingbird Lodge, where, after a short rest, we'll take a walk in the garden—a perfect opportunity to observe different types of hummingbirds. We'll end the day with a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest at our lodge.
After breakfast, we'll travel by boat to Limonal, where we'll register our entry to the Manu Reserved Zone. There, we'll receive an awareness talk about responsible behavior within the park.
Once registered, we'll navigate the Manu River while enjoying the scenery and observing different wildlife species along the way. We'll arrive at Cocha Otorongo, where we'll hike to a 20-meter-high viewpoint. From there, we can admire the lake and, with a bit of luck, spot giant otters, birds, and other animals that inhabit this ecosystem.
After this experience, we will return to the boat to continue our journey to the Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, where a comforting dinner and rest await us in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
After breakfast, we'll sail on a catamaran across Lake Cocha Salvador, where we can observe unique birds such as the hoatzin, heron, and osprey, as well as spider monkeys and capuchins that often feed in the surrounding area. From the catamaran, we can also admire giant river otters hunting and socializing with their families.
After lunch, we'll enjoy a Matsigenka cultural demonstration on the traditional use of the bow and arrow, as well as learn about their handmade crafts. To conclude the day, we'll take a guided hike through the surrounding area, exploring the nearby rainforest in search of birds and other wildlife that inhabit this unique ecosystem.
After breakfast, we'll sail on a catamaran across Lake Cocha Salvador, where we can observe unique birds such as the hoatzin, agami heron, and osprey, as well as spider monkeys and capuchins feeding in the surrounding waters. From the catamaran, it's also possible to see the impressive giant river otters hunting and socializing with their families.
After lunch, we'll enjoy a cultural demonstration by the Matsigenka community, where we'll learn about the traditional use of the bow and arrow, as well as their handicrafts. Following this, we'll hike along nearby trails to explore the forest more deeply, searching for birds and other jungle species.
After dinner, you can optionally take a night hike, a fascinating experience to discover the wildlife that awakens in the darkness. During the hike, you may observe tarantulas, frogs, snakes, and other animals that are part of the mysterious nocturnal world of the Amazon.
Today we'll depart early in search of the elusive jaguar, an emblem of Amazonian wildlife. Along the Manu River, we may encounter tapirs, anteaters, anacondas, sloths, and a wide variety of birds. After four hours downstream, we'll reach the Limonal checkpoint, where we'll take a short walk to observe monkeys and, with luck, a variety of frogs. In the afternoon, we'll navigate upstream to Pantiacolla Lodge, where we can relax and, optionally, take a nighttime excursion in search of reptiles and amphibians.
In the morning we'll head out to the parrot clay lick, a natural spectacle at its most spectacular. From August to November, hundreds of parrots and macaws gather here to feed on the clay, creating a vibrant and unique experience.
Outside of these months, the activity continues, although in smaller quantities, ideal for those seeking a quieter environment closer to nature.
After this unforgettable experience, we'll return to our lodge for a delicious breakfast. Then, we'll continue by boat to the port of Atalaya, where we'll have lunch on board, surrounded by incredible views and panoramas of the rainforest.
Upon arrival in Atalaya, our private transport will be waiting to take us back to Bamboo Manu Eco Lodge. After a short rest, we'll enjoy a hearty dinner and spend the night at our lodge, in complete harmony with the Amazon rainforest.
After an early breakfast, we'll take a tour of the Bamboo Manu Eco Lodge gardens to identify plants, including the sacred coca plant, and observe different types of hummingbirds and birds at the rustic feeders. Then we'll participate in a reforestation activity. Once the activity is complete, we'll have lunch and then head to the city of Cusco.
Inclusions:
What does it include?
- Professional naturalist guide in English, with binoculars and telescope, who has conducted three months of conservation work in Manu Park.
- Tourist Transport.
- Tickets to the Cock of the Rocks Observatory.
- Alimentación, Cocinero profesional, toda la comida (con opción de comida típica de la zona y vegetarianas), agua mineral.
- 5 Noches de Alojamiento
- Entrada al Parque Nacional del Manu
- Entrada a los baños termales
- Snacks de media mañana
- First aid kit.
- Rubber boots.
What's not included?
- Binoculars.
- Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses.
- Tourist assistance card (traveler insurance).
What to bring
- Insect repellent with a minimum of 30% – 40% of DEET
- Good binoculars.
- extra batteries
- Flashlight
- Pocket money
- Backpack
- Canteen
- Sun hat
- Sandals
- Swimsuit and small towel.
- Extra toilet paper, shampoo and soap.
- thick socks
- long-sleeved t-shirt
- Dark-colored clothing
Price from: US$ 1570
Price from: US$ 1570