Home / Manu Cultural Zone / Manu Expedition 5D/4N
Manu Biosphere Reserve · Cultural Zone

Manu Expedition 5D/4N

5 Days / 4 Nights · From Cusco
5 Days · 4 Nights Max 8 guests Easy to Moderate Mar – Dec
Departure
Cusco → Cusco
Season
March to December
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Group type
Max 8 guests
Overview

5 days in the heart
of Manu

This adventure invites you to explore one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, where lush rainforests teem with unique wildlife and vibrant ecosystems. This is a expedition program to Manu Biosphere Reserve, exploring different altitudinal layers like the elfinwood Forest, Mountain Forest, Cloud Forest, high amazon jungle, and the lowland at Bonanza reserve you can visit mammals claylick, observation towers, trails, each day promises new discoveries and unforgettable moments as you navigate the pristine rivers and trails of Manu. Join us for an extraordinary experience that connects you with nature and the incredible beauty of the Amazon.

Daily itinerary

5 days in the heart
of Manu

Our adventure begins in the exciting Jungle of Manu, we will pick you up around 4:30AM from your hotels in Cusco in our private transport.

The first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains and afterward, we will pass throught town of Huancarani them we travel to Paucartambo, a small traditional town, which is know for its folklore.

At midmorning, we will arrive at Acjanacu the entrance of Manu National Park here we will do a short hike exploring the Puna Grassland Paramo this place is considered as the continental divide there we might see the Andean Fox, Gray-tailed Deer and in a lucky day we might encounter the Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus).

We will continue in our transport down throught Manu Road stopping at different ecosystems and ecological levels that contains waterfalls, open gaps, epiphytic forest and wonderfull views.

Eventually we will come to the home of the exotic Peruvian National Bird, the "Andean Cock of the Rock", you will be amazed by the spectacle in the Lek, we do have changes to see Gray Woolly Monkey and many others exotic birds like Blue-banded Tucanet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Crested Quetzal.

After that we continue driving to Rainforest Lodge where we will spend our first night. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cusco – Rainforest Lodge Manu Road — cloud forest and Andean foothills
Day highlights
1
Explore the Ecological levels at Manu Road (Enfinwood forest, Mountain Forest, Cloud Forest)
2
Visit the Andean Cock of the Rock LEK at Cloud Forest (Peruvian National Bird)
3
Bird Watching looking for Tanagers, toucans, barbets, hummingbirds, quetzals, trogons, motmots, woodpeckers and hawks and sightseeing, at the cloud forest where you can see beautiful landscape fog and mist natural scenary.

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.

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

Rainforest Lodge – Bonanza Ecological Reserve Bonanza Lodge — canopy observation tower at sunset
Day highlights
1
Hummingbird garden, at this place we can see several hummingbird species like Rufous-crested Coquete, Buff-tailed sicklebill, White-necked Jacobin, Gould´s Jewelfront.

Very early in the morning, we will leave for a hike through the lush jungle exploring different trail systems in order to encounter terrestrial mammals and arboreal animals including Southern Tamandua, lucky we might find Giant Anteater, this animals forage in varzea forest searching for large colonies of leaf Cutter Ants (Atta) and Monkeys like Red Howlers feeding on fig leaves, we will be returnning to our lodge for lunch.

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

Expedition in Bonanza Ecological Reserve – Camouflaged House Weddell's Saddle-back Tamarin — Bonanza Reserve trails
Day highlights
1
Bonanza Ecological Reserve a lush rainforest, explore vast jungle and the wildlife.
2
Our Birdwatching tower, of 20 meters high, best place to see several bird species, and monkeys.
3
Tapir Clay Lick a blinded wooden platform in front of Mammals Clay Lick, big wildlife can be seen at night like Brazilian Tapirs, Red-brocket Deers, bicolored porcupine, bats.

Early in the morning, we came back from the Camouflage House to Bonanza Lodge on our way we will experience the amazing sounds of birds like Tucans, Macaws, Motmots and different kind of Monkeys.

Bonanza Ecological Reserve is located at 320 mts above sea level which contains different habitats from the floodedforest to terra firme forest this is a special place where the both animal and plant life are diverse.Afterwards, we travel by boat upstream (4 hours) them we will make a stop to visit swampy wetland area, where we have the opportunity to see Capybaras, Caimans, Hoatzin and many river birds.

After arriving at Atalaya port, we will take our bus and drive to Rainforest Lodge where we will spend our last night.

There is an optional night walk. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Camouflaged House – Rainforest Lodge Machuwasi Wetland — unique meandering river habitat
Day highlights
1
The pristine primary forest: at the trails systems is fascinating to learn about flora and fauna interactions.
2
Visit the Machuwasi Wetland: this area features a meandering river section that was once traversed by river sources. The birdlife is abundant, including caimans and capybaras.
3
Night search: there are many nights walks on this tour best time to see reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, arachnids, and many others nocturnal creatures.

The fifth day will leave from Rainforest Lodge early in the morning by van and head to Cusco, passing through the Cloud Forest, where we can do wildlife spotting and arriving in Cusco at approximately 3:30PM. Breakfast, Lunch

Rainforest Lodge – Cusco Return to Cusco through the Manu cloud forest
Day highlights
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.
What's included

Everything you need

Tour includes
  • Private bus and boat
  • Rubber boots
  • Rain poncho
  • Duffle bag for personal belongings
  • Matrassess and Mosquitos nets for the Camouflage House
  • Accommodations and lodges
  • One night in our Camouflage House
  • Bilingual native guide
  • Mineral water
  • First aid kit (including Antidote for snake bites)
  • 3 meals per day including a vegan and vegetarian option
  • Midmorning snacks
  • Professional Cook
  • Entrance to Cock of the Rock (Lek)
  • Entrance to the natural Hot Springs
  • Entrance to Mammals Clay Lick
  • Entrance to Bonanza Ecological Reserve
  • Entrance to Machuwasi Oxbow Lake
Not included
  • International & domestic flights
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Personal expenses & tips
  • Optional binocular rental
  • Alcoholic beverages
Packing list

What to bring

Light sleeping bag or blanket
Insect Repellent with a minimum of 30% – 40% DEET
Good binoculars 10 x 42 (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 colored clothes
Route

The journey mapped