Manu Reserve Zone
6D/5N
- Departure
From Cusco Returns to Cusco
- when
From March to December
- Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
- type
Group Service Private Service
overview
Amazon Wildlife Peru’s most popular program is designed for travelers with a general interest in wildlife, accommodating their travel schedules. All our wildlife sighting programs commence with an exploration of the high-altitude sections along the famous Manu Road, which traverses various altitudinal and ecological levels.We descend through the magic cloud forest, pass through the foothills, and continue our boat journey along the Madre de Dios River. This includes a visit to the Bonanza Ecological Reserve for a Tapir Clay Lick experience, followed by a boat trip deeper into the Amazon basin, towards the Rio Manu in the Reserve Zone. Our adventure features a two-night stay at the comfortable Jaguar Ecolodge, where we will also visit a Macaw Clay Lick. Each of these locations provides unique opportunities to observe diverse wildlife.
daily summary
Day 1
Cusco – Rainforest Lodge
Our adventure begins in the exciting jungle of Manu. We will pick you up around 4:30 AM from your hotel in Cusco using our private transport. The first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains, and afterward, we will pass through the town of Huancarani. Then, we will travel to Paucartambo, a small traditional town known for its rich folklore.
By mid-morning, we will arrive at Acjanacu, the entrance to Manu National Park. Here, we will embark on a short hike to explore the Puna Grassland Paramo, an area considered the continental divide. In this beautiful landscape, we may spot the Andean Fox, Gray-tailed Deer, and, with a bit of luck, the elusive Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus).Continuing our journey along Manu Road, we will stop at various ecosystems and ecological levels, experiencing breathtaking waterfalls, open gaps, epiphytic forests, and stunning views. Eventually, we will arrive at the habitat of the exotic Peruvian national bird, the Andean Cock of the Rock. You will be amazed by the spectacle at the lek, where we may also have the chance to see Gray Woolly Monkeys and other exotic birds, such as the Blue-banded Toucanet, Golden-headed Quetzal, and Crested Quetzal. After our birdwatching adventure, we will continue driving to the Rainforest Lodge, where we will spend our first night. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Highlights:
1. Explore the Ecological Zones of Manu Road: Discover the diverse ecological levels, including the enchanting Enfenwood Forest, the majestic Mountain Forest, and the lush Cloud Forest.
2.Visit the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Lek: Experience the vibrant display of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru’s national bird, in its natural habitat within the Cloud Forest.
3. Birdwatching and Scenic Views: Engage in birdwatching as you search for a variety of species, including tanagers, toucans, barbets, hummingbirds, quetzals, trogons, motmots, woodpeckers, and hawks. Enjoy breathtaking views of the cloud forest, where you can witness the stunning interplay of fog and mist in the landscape’s natural scenery.
Day 2
Rainforest Lodge – Bonanza Ecological Reserve - (Tapir Clay Lick)
Very early in the morning we will depart to Atalaya Port, on the way we will make a stop to sighting birds such Hummingbirds, Aracari Toucans, Amazonian Umbrella Bird. Later we will begin the boating part of our journey in river excursion on the Madre de Dios River a tributary of the famous Amazon River.We will make a stop at the natural hot springs to have a bath and relax, travelling by boat exist chances to see the famous Capybaras (worl’s largest rodents), Red Howler Monkeys, Rosiate Spoonbills, river scavengers like King Vulture, Caracaras, river Owls etc. After midday we will arrive to Bonanza Lodge after enjoying a short break we will start trekking through the jungle to hear the natural sounds of animals and see Monkeys like Dusky-titi Monkey, Brown Cappuchins we will spend the night at our Tapirs Clay Lick. This Camouflage House is strategically located near to the Mammal’s Clay Lick where we will have the opportunity to see the Brazilian Tapir, Red Brocket Deer, and Porcupines during the night time. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights:
1. Hummingbird Garden: In this enchanting garden, visitors can observe a variety of hummingbird species, including the Rufous-crested Coquette, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, White-necked Jacobin, and Gould’s Jewelfront. The vibrant colors and agile movements of these birds create a mesmerizing experience for nature enthusiasts.
2.Natural Hot Springs: Immerse yourself in authentic hot springs nestled within the lush surroundings of nature. These mineral-rich pools not only provide relaxation but also attract butterflies that come to lick the minerals from the rocks, creating a unique and tranquil atmosphere.
3. Tapir Clay Lick: Experience the excitement of wildlife viewing at the Tapir Clay Lick, where a sheltered wooden platform offers a prime vantage point. Here, you can observe a variety of mammals, including Brazilian Tapirs, Red-brocket Deer, bicolored porcupines, and bats, particularly during the evening hours when these fascinating creatures come to feed on the mineral-rich clay.
Day 3
Bonanza Ecological Reserve – Jaguar Ecolodge (Reserve Zone)
Very early in the morning, leaving the relatively clean waters of the Madre de Dios River behind and enter the clay-laden waters of the Manu River with a brief stop at the park ranger station at Limonal to present permits. We will travel by boat (five hours) upstream Manu River which specially in dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name but a few. Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans (Melanosuchus niger), South American relatives of the Alligators and the breeding Yellow-spotted River Turtles (Podocnemis unifilis), hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches and there is a chance of encountering a stunning Jaguar (Panthera onca), the world’s third largest cat. We will see some species of primates on this river trip, possibly Red Howler Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys, Tamarins monkeys. We’ll have the afternoon to explore some of the trails through the rainforest in the area. Before or after dinner you will have chance to go on an optional night walk with your guide in search of nocturnal creatures. We will spend the night at Jaguar Ecolodge a new lodge run by Amazon Wildlife Peru. There are confortable facilities available, carefully implemented with fine furniture, spacious rooms and bathrooms with single, double and king sized beds, covered with mosquitos nets. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights:
- Stunning Boat Ride: Enjoy a breathtaking journey along the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers. Navigate winding waterways while taking in the vibrant ecosystems and colorful riverbanks. Watch for wildlife, including caimans, turtles, monkeys, various bird species, and capybaras along the shores.
- Indigenous Communities: Along the banks of the Madre de Dios River, there is a chance to glimpse uncontacted indigenous people, specifically the Mashco Piro tribe, who inhabit this remote region of the Amazon.
- Explore Cocha Otorongo: Discover the Otorongo oxbow lakes, which serve as unique habitats for the endangered giant otters and black caimans. Along the trails, there is a great chance to see large groups of woolly monkeys. These lakes provide a crucial environment for these magnificent creatures, as well as a variety of other wildlife
Day 4
Jaguar Ecolodge – Cocha Salvador – Cocha Otorongo
After breakfast, we’ll spend the morning at the lake of Cocha Salvador. We plan to paddle across the lake on a floating platform (catamaran) observing the animal life on the lake. We may encounter the Agami Heron (Agamia agami), Hoatzin, Osprey, Sungrebe, and there are also Spider monkey, Brown Capuchin monkeys, White-fronted Capuchin monkeys, who are usually feeding on fruits nearby and therefore are relatively easy to sight. A specially constructed platform that looks out to the lake, enable us to look for a family of Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis the world’s largest freshwater carnivores) that lives here. This Otters are found in large families in Manu and each animal consumes between 4 and 5 kilos of fish per day. So with that in mind it’s most likely that they can be seen eating large fish on logs at the lakeside. After that we will continue exploring the forest, where we may encounter troops of monkeys. This is a particularly good trail to see Woolly and Black Spider monkeys we’ll pay special attention to the plant life on this walk and take it slowly listening for the rustle of vegetation or the soft sound of fruits falling to the rainforest floor that may betray the presence of animals or large birds. Later we will visit Otorongo Lake, where we can get up to 20 m high observation tower overlooking the lake to spot wildlife. We will also be on the lookout for a large family of Giant Otters that inhabit in this lake. We stay overnight at Jaguar Ecolodge. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights:
- Explore Cocha Salvador: Discover the Salvador oxbow lakes by paddling in a comfortable catamaran for a closer look at the endangered giant otters and black caimans. Abundant birdlife can be found along the shores, and a glimpse of the emperor tamarin monkey (Saguinus imperator) would be a rare delight. Along the banks of the Cocha, you may also encounter various wildlife, including capuchins, squirrels, and spider monkeys.
- Macaw Clay Lick: Just a 20-minute walk from Jaguar Ecolodge, the Macaw Clay Lick offers a spectacular display of avian life. As the day begins, you can witness parrots and parakeets arriving to partake in this natural phenomenon. Later in the day, the vibrant scarlet-red and green macaws make their appearance at the clay lick, although their arrival may vary depending on weather conditions.
- Pristine Primary Forest: The trails surrounding Jaguar Ecolodge lead you through pristine primary forest, providing a fascinating opportunity to learn about the intricate interactions between flora and fauna. As you explore, you’ll discover various plant species and their roles in the ecosystem, as well as the wildlife that depends on them for survival.
Day 5
Jaguar Ecolodge – Bonanza Ecological Reserve
Today we’ll early depart trying to spot the elusive Jaguar, one of the jewels of the Amazonian wildlife. Manu River offers great animal sights in the mornings including Tapir, Anteater, Anaconda and Three-toed Sloth. After 4 hours downstream we will arrive at Limonal checkpoint, here we have a short walk for covering ground in the area in search species of monkeys, which can be found in the forest, and your guide will explain some of the basics of rainforest ecosystems and point out some of the medicinal plants of the area that are used by indigenous groups. We may cross paths with a group of Peccaries, a species of wild boar found here, we might see some poisonous frogs too. Them we return upstream throught Alto Madre de Dios River arriving at Bonanza Lodge around midfternoon, During the afternoon we will visit our metal made 20 meters high bird watching tower. From there we will have an unique view of the evergreen forest, enjoying the flights of Macaws and many other colorful birds, the sunset, later at night we will spot some caimans and there is also optional night walk (herping activities). Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights:
- Early Morning Boat Ride: Begin your day with an exhilarating early morning boat ride in search of the elusive Jaguar (Phantera Onca). These magnificent big cats are experts at camouflage, making them a rare sighting, but with patience and an eagle eye, you may be fortunate enough to spot one. During this time, other wildlife such as capybaras, tapirs, and sloths are also active.
- Observation Towers: Ascend to the observation towers, constructed of sturdy metal, that reach the canopy level of the forest. From this height, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the lush, evergreen forest below. This vantage tower allows for excellent birdwatching activities, where you can spot a variety of species, including toucans, oropendolas, woodpeckers, and tanagers.
- Night Search: One of the most thrilling aspects of this tour is the night search. Taking a guided night walk allows you to explore the forest under the cover of darkness when many creatures are most active. This is the best time to observe reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, arachnids, and countless other nocturnal species. The sounds of the jungle come alive at night, creating an unforgettable atmosphere as you encounter the hidden wildlife that thrives after sunset.
Day 6
Bonanza Ecological Reserve - Cusco
The sixth day will be our final day, we depart early in the morning traveling upstream to Atalaya port, where our private transportation will be waiting for us for driving back passing through cloud forest, where we can do some wildlife sightseeing, and arriving in Cusco at approximately 6:30PM. Breakfast, Lunch
HIGHLIGHT
1. Farewell Journey: On our final day, enjoy an early morning trip upstream through the stunning cloud forest, spotting wildlife along the way, before returning to Cusco by late afternoon.
Tour Includes:
- Private boat and bus
- Rubber boot, rain poncho, duffle bag for personal belongings
- Matrassess and Mosquitos nets for the Camouflage House
- All accommodations and lodges
- Bilingual native guide
- Mineral water
- First aid kit (including Antidote for snack bites)
- 3 meals per day included vegan or vegetarian option
- Professional Cook
- Midmorning snacks
- Entrance to Cock of the Rock (Lek)
- Entrance to the Hot Springs
- Entrance to Bonanza Ecological Reserve
- Entrance fee to Manu National Park
What you need to take:
- Lights sleeping bag or blanket
- Insect Repellent with a minimum of 30% – 40% DEET
- Good binoculars (you can rent with us good quality binoculars)
- Camera with extra batteries, if you like taking pictures bring telephoto lens of 400mm.
- Flashlight/torch with extra batteries
- Sun lotion
- Pocket money
- Daypack
- Water bottle
- Sun hat
- Sandals with strapp
- Swimming suit and small towel
- Extra toilet paper, shampoo and soap
- Thick socks
- Long-sleeved T-shirt
- Dark color clothes