7-Days Tour of Manu Reserved Zone in Peru

Day 1 Cusco - Paucartambo - Tres Cruces - Atalaya Port - Manu Rainforest Lodge

1. 1

   Cusco

   1 hour

   Your week-long adventure into the Manu Reserved Zone commences with an early dawn collection from your accommodation in Cusco. From here, our private transportation will carry us across the Andean plains towards the lush Amazon, offering breathtaking vistas of lofty Andean summits on our journey.

2. 2

   Paucartambo

   2 hours

   We will make a short stop in Paucartambo, a traditional Andean town perched at an altitude of 2906 meters (9534 ft.). Here, we will partake in a local breakfast while our guide enlightens you about the area's rich customs and cultural heritage.
   The residents of Paucartambo have preserved their ancient practices and traditions, remaining largely unaffected by modern influences.

3. 3

   1 hour

   After absorbing the unique history of this captivating town, we continue our journey to an enchanting viewpoint, the Tres Cruces or Acjano Pass. Perched at the highest point of our journey from Cusco at 3900 meters (12795 ft.), this vantage point provides staggering panoramas of the sprawling Amazon basin below.

4. 4

   Manu National Park

   2 hours

   After savoring the scenic overlook, we will guide you down the slope to the Manu Cloud Forest. Here, we will embark on a brief tour. You will have the opportunity to discover an array of plants and animals. We will also make stops at various orchid gardens.
   This region hosts the Peruvian National Bird, the Andean cock of the rock, as well as other species like the cappuccino monkey and the wooly monkey.

5. 5

   2 hours 30 min

   Having savored a local delicacy for lunch, we will escort you to Atalaya Port. From here, we will set sail on a motorboat journey along the Madre de Dios River. You'll have the chance to see various mammal species, including the giant otter and the giant armadillo, as we navigate towards Machuwasi Lake.
   Following a brief pause here, our river journey continues for an additional two hours, culminating at the Manu Rainforest Lodge nestled in the Peruvian Amazon's heart.
   Upon check-in, our team will present an Amazon-inspired dinner. If you're inclined, we can set out on a short night expedition to spot some of the forest's nocturnal inhabitants.

Day 2 Manu Rainforest Lodge - Casa Matsiguenka Lodge

1. 1

   1 hour 30 min

   At the break of dawn around 5:00 AM, we'll embark on a boat trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River, aiming for the Manu Reserved Zone. Breakfast will be enjoyed at sunrise during this journey.

2. 2

   3 hours

   Upon reaching Boca Manu, we'll change our course and navigate the Manu River.
   This voyage presents an abundance of opportunities to spot animals like jaguars, capybaras, and alligators sunning themselves along the banks. You may also catch sight of herons fishing in the Manu River within the Biosphere Reserve.
   Around noon, we'll arrive at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, where we'll indulge in a traditional Amazonian lunch. This lodge, run by the members of the Matsiguenka communities, offers 12 double bedrooms.

3. 3

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Following lunch, our exploration of the Manu Reserved Zone begins, with our first stop being Otorongo Lake, home to an observation tower. From here, you'll take in a panoramic view of the sprawling Amazon Rainforest.
   As the sun dips below the horizon, we'll retreat back to the lodge for dinner and a restful night's sleep.

Day 3 Casa Matsiguenka Lodge

1. 1

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   We will maximize our stay in the Manu Reserved Zone. After enjoying a local breakfast, we'll embark on a journey to Cocha Salvador using a typical jungle conveyance, the Catamaran.
   You'll have the chance to observe various wildlife including Giant river otters, black caimans, and alligators. There will also be opportunities to see diverse species of monkeys and birds, many unique to this region.

2. 2

   Manu National Park

   2 hours

   We'll return to the lodge for lunch, and the afternoon offers some free time. You can choose to swim, hike, or simply bask in the tranquility of the Amazon Rainforest.
   Post-dinner, we'll guide you on a night tour where you may see creatures such as alligators, tapirs, owls, and snakes. After this nocturnal adventure, we will return to the lodge for rest.

Day 4 Casa Matsiguenka Lodge - Treehouse Inn

1. 1

   Manu National Park

   2 hours

   At the early hour of 0430 AM, we'll check out from Casa Matsiguenka Lodge and set off on an approximately 12-hour expedition along the Manu and Palotoa Rivers. Our destination is the heart of Manu Jungle, where our private family-owned Treehouse INN is located.

2. 2

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Treehouse Inn, nestled deep within the Manu Jungle, is exclusive to our guests. The journey from Manu Rainforest Lodge to Treehouse INN offers breathtaking vistas of the cloud forests and a chance to observe a variety of mammal species, such as Capybaras.
   The journey unveils magnificent views of life along the riverbanks, with sightings of diverse birds, animals, and even Jaguars possible. As we approach Boca Manu with the sunrise, this unforgettable scene is sure to imprint itself in your memory.

3. 3

   2 hours

   As we approach Boca Manu, prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as we witness the mesmerizing sunrise together.
   To maximize your time, we'll serve breakfast onboard.

4. 4

   2 hours

   Our course then alters, directing us upstream through the churning waters of the Madre de Dios River and onto the Palotoa River. This leg of the journey, though long, offers rewarding spectacles. You can witness a variety of bird species, many enjoying a fish feast by the river.

5. 5

   5 hours

   Upon reaching the Palotoa River, we'll switch to a smaller boat (Peke Peke) and continue our upstream voyage to the Treehouse. We plan to arrive at the Treehouse by nightfall.

Day 5 Parrot Clay Lick/ Macaws Clay Lick - Manu Jungle Tour - River Tubing - Treehouse Inn

1. 1

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   We'll depart before sunrise to visit the Parrot Clay Lick, a must-see and certainly a high point of your Manu National Park journey.

2. 2

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   This cliff draws hundreds of vividly-hued parrots that gather to ingest the clay, which contains special minerals that aid in detoxifying their bodies. You'll have ample time to observe this spectacle before we make our return to the Treehouse INN for breakfast.

3. 3

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   Post breakfast, we'll trek along another significant trail that encircles the community, where various medicinal plants are found.

4. 4

   3 hours Admission ticket included

   Our guide will delve into the specifics usage of medicinal plants during the tour. Deeper into the forest, you can observe Jaguars, Pumas, Anteaters, Sloths, and Tapirs from a secure distance in their native environment. By midday, we'll trek back to our lodge for lunch.

5. 5

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Further inside, you will spot Jaguars, Pumas Anteaters, sloths, and Tapirs from a safe distance in their natural habitat. By noon, we will be hiking back to our lodge for lunch.
   You will have the evening to yourself. You can do some river tubing in the crystal clear waters of the Palotoa river. After witnessing the sunset in the Amazon, we will be serving dinner.
   At night, we will once again tour the jungle to spot a few more nocturnal creatures.

6. 6

   Amazon Rainforest

   3 hours

   The evening is yours to enjoy as you please. Feel free to indulge in the thrilling activity of river tubing amidst the crystal-clear waters of the Palotoa River.

7. 7

   2 hours

   After the sunset in the Amazon, we will be ready for dinner.

8. 8

   Amazon Rainforest

   2 hours

   Once again, we will tour the jungle to spot a few more nocturnal creatures.

Day 6 Treehouse Inn - Manu Rainforest Lodge

1. 1

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   Tour begins with an early breakfast at the Treehouse Inn. We'll then embark on a scenic journey along the Madre de Dios River

2. 2

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   We are going to visit a native community, where you will gain valuable insights into their rich traditions and customs.

3. 3

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   After visiting the native community, we will return to the lodge to have lunch. Also to do the check-out.

4. 4

   Amazon Rainforest

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Your day concludes with arrival at Manu Rainforest Lodge. Perfect time to have dinner and once again explore part of the Manu Rainforest.

Day 7 Manu Rainforest Lodge - Atalaya Port - Paucartambo - Cusco

1. 1

   Manu National Park

   1 hour 30 min

   Following breakfast, we'll embark to Atalaya pier, where our crew will be ready with private transport to take you back to Cusco city.

2. 2

   Paucartambo

   1 hour

   Along the return journey, we'll make another stop in Paucartambo for a delightful lunch.

3. 3

   Cusco

   1 hour

   Our estimated arrival time in Cusco is 06:00 PM.