08 Days/07 Nights April to December Moderate
Bearing in mind the uncontrollable forces of nature, the program could be subject to changes at any time without warning.
Manu is a rainforest that has remained intact because of it hidden location. This means the program involves much traveling by bus and boat. However, it also means you are in a part of the Amazon rainforest that has no comparison, with an untouched flora and fauna!
In this tour we travel through the mountains to enter cloud forest, where we do some walks to observe several species of birds, orchids and maybe monkeys.
After spending the night in our private lodge(Mirador), the following day we continue 4h by boat to Manu Rainforest lodge deep in the jungle, visiting hot springs on the way.
In the evening we do a night-walk to observe spiders (tarantulas), insects, frogs and snakes. The next day we explore the jungle, then spend the night in a tree house besides a mammals clay lick to watch out for tapirs, deer and other animals.
On day four we go by boat to the Reserve Zone (Casa Matsiguenka Lodge). The following day we explore the primary rainforest (untouched), visiting the lakes Cocha Salvador and Cocha Otorongo.
We have the chance to see Jaguars, giant otters, many monkey species, birds like parrots and an unbelievable variety of plants like giant trees, palms and medical plants.
The following day we continue 7h by boat to Cocha Camungo and do camping in the Blanquillo lodge. On day seven we visit the famous macaw clay lick, then we go by boat and car to Pto. Maldonado. On the last day we return to Cusco by plane or bus.
Day 1: Cusco – Amazon Lodge
Day 2: Amazon Lodge – Manu Wildlife Lodge
Day 3: Manu Wildlife Lodge – Mammals Clay Lick
Day 4: Manu Wildlife Lodge – Casa Matchiguenka Lodge
Day 5: Manu Reserved Zone – Casa Matchiguenka Lodge
Day 6: Casa Matchiguenca Lodge – Blanquillo
Day 7: Blanquillo – Pto. Maldonado
Day 8: Pto. Maldonado – Cusco
Day 1: Cusco – Amazon Lodge
We leave from Cusco by private bus, first stopping to visit the pre-Inca burial towers of Ninamarca. We then drive through the mountains, to get to the typical folkloric town of Paucartambo.
Here we take a short walk around the town before carrying on to Tres Cruces, the entrance to the Cultural Zone of Manu and the cloud forest.
From there we continue to San Pedro where will walk for around one hour to observe the national bird of Peru, the Cock of the Rock, monkeys and orchids. We arrive at our private Rainforest Lodge in the evening where we will stay for the night.
Day 2: Amazon Lodge – Manu Wildlife Lodge
After breakfast we continue by private bus to Atalaya. On the way we stop to observe a coca plantation and at a view point where you can get a good overview of the jungle and the river. From Atalaya we leave by motorized boat to Aguas Calientes, where you can bath in the natural hot springs.
During the boat trip we will see many different kinds of animals, especially birds, and a beautiful landscape. In the afternoon we arrive to Manu Wildlife Lodge where we will have a short rest.
In the evening we leave for a night walk in the jungle to look for spiders, insects and snakes. We return to Manu Rainforest Lodge for dinner and spend the night in our beautiful, comfortable lodge.
Day 3: Manu Wildlife Lodge – Mammals Clay Lick
This day we will explore the jungle on our vast trail system, carrying a small day pack including lunch. On the way we will see many different kinds of animals such as monkeys, collared peccaries, birds such as eagles, parrots and toucans and medicinal plants and giant trees.
In the evening we walk to the mammals clay lick where we prepare our beds (protected by mosquito nets) in the camouflaged house and waiting to see wildlife for example wild pigs and tapirs feeding on the mineral salts, etc. We stay there the whole night taking shifts to watch for nocturnal animals.
Day 4: Manu Wildlife Lodge – Casa Matchiguenka Lodge
We leave the lodge very early and continue our journey downriver (Alto Madre de Dios River) to go into the Manu Reserved Zone on the Manu River. Our first stop there is a national park control point (Puesto de Vigilancia Limonal). Halfway to Casa Matchiguenka lodge we do a first short walk in the Reserve Zone.
Along the boat trip we will observe many different kinds of animals such as capybara, peccaries, monkeys, lots of birds and caimans, maybe even a jaguar. Late in the afternoon we arrive at Casa Matchiguenka Lodge where we spend the night. (Optional night walk there.)
Casa Matchiguenka Lodge is owned and run by two indigenous communities of the tribe Matchiguenka. This lodge has a rustic design with 12 double rooms and provides mosquito nets.
Surrounding the lodge are private trails, where Matchiguenka act as local guides. They also have an interpretation house where they produce and sell craftwork.
Day 5: Manu Reserved Zone – Casa Matchiguenka Lodge
In the morning we visit Cocha Salvador. From a catamaran we watch animals such as gamin herons and spider monkeys and enjoy watching the nearly extinct giant otters fishing.
After lunch we start our excursion thought the virgin jungle to Cocha Otorongo Lake, where there is a 20m high observation tower. From this tower we will have another chance to see giant otters and black caimans. For the rest of the day we will explore the jungle, looking for more species of monkeys.
The guide will also explain about the jungle lifestyle, flora and fauna, medical plants and jungle food. We might also find a group of peccaries. In the evening we can enjoy the beautiful sunset and return to Casa Matchiguenka Lodge, where we spend the night.
Day 6: Casa Matchiguenca Lodge – Blanquillo
We leave the Casa Matchiguenka Lodge very early to have another opportunity to see a jaguar on our way out of the Reserve Zone. We might also see tapirs, turtles and caimans.
After a short stop in Boca Manu a visit to the native community of Barraca is optional. Then we continue our boat trip to Blanquillo where we visit the Camungo Lake with yet another chance to see giant otters and capybaras. This night we sleep in tents on a platform.
Day 7: Blanquillo – Pto. Maldonado
Today we will get up very early to see the parrots and macaws in the clay lick. After this we take our motorized boat downriver to Boca Colorado. From there we go on by bus to Puerto Maldonado and spend the night in a local lodge.
Day 8: Pto. Maldonado – Cusco
After breakfast we travel back to Cusco: you can choose to go by public bus (8h, included) or plane (45min, not included), also depending on the time of year. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the itinerary of the airline/bus.
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
Season: April to December
Difficulty: Moderate
Book Now
Ausangate Trek
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu
Trekking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
English
Español
Français
Portugués
Deutsch