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Manu Reserve Zone 7D/6N

7 Days / 6 Nights · From Cusco
7 Days · 6 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

7 days in the heart
of Manu

The 7-day Manu Reserve program offers a comprehensive exploration of the diverse ecological ranges in the region, from the majestic mountains to the vibrant rainforest. Highlights include visits to the Mammals Clay Lick and the renowned Macaw Clay Lick, where you can witness a stunning array of wildlife. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the famous oxbow lakes, Cocha Salvador and Cocha Otorongo, known for their rich biodiversity. The journey begins with a scenic bus ride from Cusco to Atalaya Port, followed by an exhilarating boat navigation along the Madre de Dios River and the Manu River. Throughout the program, you will discover the incredible wonders of Manu National Park, all while being guided by an official Manu Tour Operator. This adventure promises to immerse you in the breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife that make Manu a truly exceptional destination.

Daily itinerary

7 days in the heart
of Manu

Our adventure begins in the exciting Jungle of Manu; we will pick you up around 4:30 AM 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 descent
Day highlights
1
Explore the Ecological Zones of Manu Road: Discover the diverse ecological levels, including the enchanting Elfinwood 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.

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

Rainforest Lodge – Bonanza Ecological Reserve - Tapir Clay Lick Capybara on the Madre de Dios River
Day 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.

Very early in the morning, living 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 especially 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. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bonanza Ecological Reserve – Jaguar Ecolodge (Reserve Zone) Entering the Manu Reserve Zone by river
Day highlights
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.

After breakfast, we'll spend the morning at the lake Cocha Salvador.

We plan to paddle across the lake on a floating platform (catamaran) observing the animal life on the lake.

We might 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 might encounter troops of monkeys.

This is a particularily 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 be try 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

Jaguar Ecolodge  – Cocha Salvador – Cocha Otorongo Giant Otters at Cocha Salvador oxbow lake
Day highlights
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.

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 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

Jaguar Ecolodge – Bonanza Ecological Reserve Extra day in the Reserve Zone primary forest
Day highlights
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.

We leave to explore the forest very early in the morning 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 throught the Alto Madre de Dios river (4 hours) to 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 around the Lodge. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bonanza Ecological Reserve – Rainforest Lodge Observation tower at Bonanza Reserve
Day highlights
1
Early Morning Forest Exploration: Begin your adventure with an early morning trek into the forest, where you’ll be captivated by the vibrant sounds of tropical birds such as toucans, macaws, and motmots, along with various species of monkeys. This immersive experience allows you to connect with the rich biodiversity of the Amazon.
2
Diverse Habitats at Bonanza Ecological Reserve: Visit Bonanza Ecological Reserve, situated 320 meters above sea level. This unique area showcases a variety of habitats, from flooded forests to terra firme forests, offering a remarkable opportunity to observe the diverse plant and animal life that thrives in this special ecosystem.
3
Scenic Boat Journey and Optional Night Walk: After exploring the reserve, enjoy a scenic four-hour boat ride upstream on the Alto Madre de Dios River to Atalaya Port. From there, we’ll travel by bus to the Rainforest Lodge for our final night.

We 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 via the Manu Road
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 with cherished memories of your Amazon adventure
What's included

Everything you need

Tour includes
  • Private boat and bus
  • Rubber boots
  • Rain poncho
  • Duffle bag for personal belongings
  • Matrassess and Mosquitos nets in the Camouflage House
  • All accommodations and Lodges
  • Bilingual guide from the jungle
  • Mineral water all the time
  • First aid kit (including Antidote for snakes 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 Spring
  • Entrance to Mammals Clay Lick
  • Entrance to Bonanza Ecological Reserve
  • Entrance to fee to Manu National Park
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 binocular (you can rent with us good quality binoculars)
Camera with extra batteries, if you like taking pictures bring telephoto lens of 400mm.
Flashlight with extra batteries
Sun lotion
Pocket money
Daypack
Water bottle
Sun hat
Sandals with strapp
Swimming suit
Extra toilet paper
Shampoo and soap
Small towel
Thick socks
Long-sleeved T-shirt
Dark color clothes
Route

The journey mapped