Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Cusco – Cloud Forest – Pilcopata
Highlight of the Day: Traveling from the Andes into the Amazon Rainforest while Looking for the Cock-of-the-Rock and Cloud Forest Wildlife
Very early in the morning, we will leave Cusco in our private vehicle and begin our journey through the Andes. Along the way, we will visit the Chullpas of Ninamarca, a pre-Inca cemetery where we can learn more about the history of the area.
We will then continue to the picturesque colonial town of Paucartambo. Here, we will visit the local museum and learn more about the traditions and culture of this historic region before continuing toward the cloud forest.
As we descend through the cloud forest, we will have opportunities to see orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and different bird species, including the Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru's national bird. With luck, we may also see monkeys or a spectacled bear. After lunch along the route, we continue toward Pilcopata and arrive at our lodge in the afternoon. Once there, we will have time to settle into our rooms and enjoy the surroundings.
- Accommodation: Pilcopata Lodge
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 02: Pilcopata – Aguas Calientes – Boca Manu.
Highlight of the Day: Traveling Along the Alto Madre de Dios River and Relaxing in the Natural Hot Springs
After an early breakfast, we will take a short walk through the forest to look for monkeys, birds, and other wildlife. We will then visit a coca plantation and an animal rescue center, where we can learn more about the local area and conservation efforts.
We will continue by vehicle toward the Port of Atalaya on the Alto Madre de Dios River. From here, we will board our motorized boat and begin traveling deeper into the Amazon. Along the riverbanks, we may see herons, vultures, cormorants, kingfishers, and other bird species while enjoying the rainforest scenery.
Later, we will stop at the natural hot springs of Aguas Calientes, where we can take some time to relax surrounded by the rainforest. After lunch, we will continue downstream toward Boca Manu, where we will spend the night. The boat journey also gives us more opportunities to observe the changing landscapes along the river.
Accommodation: Boca Manu Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 03: Boca Manu – Reserved Zone – Casa Matsiguenka.
Highlight of the Day: Visiting the Parrot Clay Lick and Traveling Deep into the Manu Reserved Zone
We will leave very early in the morning to visit a nearby parrot clay lick, where several species of parrots gather to feed on the mineral-rich clay. After this visit, we will continue by boat toward the Manu Reserved Zone.
We will make a brief stop at the Limonal Ranger Station, where permits are checked before entering the protected area. We will then continue along the Manu River, looking for capybaras, caimans, river turtles, monkeys, macaws, toucans, and other birds along the riverbanks. With luck, we may even see a jaguar.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at Casa Matsiguenka, a remote eco-lodge operated by the Matsiguenka community. After settling into our rooms, we will explore nearby forest trails with our guide and look for wildlife around the lodge. This will be our first night deep inside the Manu Reserved Zone.
- Accommodation: Casa Matsiguenka
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 04: Casa Matsiguenka – Cocha Salvador – Cocha Otorongo.
Highlight of the Day: Exploring Cocha Salvador and Cocha Otorongo in Search of Wildlife
After breakfast, we will begin our exploration around Casa Matsiguenka and continue toward Cocha Salvador. The morning is a good time to walk through the forest and look for wildlife before the temperature becomes warmer.
At Cocha Salvador, we will travel by catamaran across the lake while looking for giant river otters. We may also see black caimans, monkeys, hoatzins, kingfishers, and other species around the lake and surrounding forest.
After lunch, we will continue through the rainforest toward Cocha Otorongo. We will visit the observation tower overlooking the lake and surrounding forest, providing another opportunity to observe birds and other wildlife before returning to Casa Matsiguenka. We will spend another night at the lodge after a full day exploring the Reserved Zone.
- Accommodation: Casa Matsiguenka
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 05: Casa Matsiguenka – Limonal – Boca Manu.
Highlight of the Day: Exploring the Rainforest One Final Time Before Traveling Downriver to Boca Manu
After breakfast, we will have time for one final exploration around Casa Matsiguenka before beginning our journey out of the Reserved Zone. We will continue looking for birds, monkeys, and other wildlife in the surrounding rainforest.
We will then board our boat and begin traveling downstream along the Manu River. During the journey, we may see caimans, turtles, capybaras, monkeys, and different bird species along the riverbanks.
At Limonal, we will make a short stop for a walk and additional wildlife observation before continuing by boat toward Boca Manu. We will arrive later in the day and spend the night at the lodge. The journey downstream marks the beginning of our return from the deeper areas of the Reserved Zone.
- Accommodation: Boca Manu Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 06: Boca Manu – Amazon Manu Lodge.
Highlight of the Day: Traveling Upstream Along the Alto Madre de Dios River Through the Amazon Rainforest
After breakfast, we will begin traveling upstream along the Alto Madre de Dios River. The journey gives us more opportunities to observe birds, monkeys, and other wildlife along the riverbanks while enjoying the rainforest scenery.
If conditions allow, we may stop again at the natural hot springs before continuing toward Amazon Manu Lodge. After arriving, we will have lunch and time to settle into our rooms.
In the afternoon, we will explore the trails around the lodge with our guide. During the walk, we can look for wildlife and learn about some of the plants and trees found in the rainforest before returning to the lodge to rest. We will spend the night surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon rainforest.
- Accommodation: Amazon Manu Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 07: Amazon Manu Lodge – Harpia Lodge Exploration.
Highlight of the Day: Exploring Rainforest Trails and Looking for Wildlife Around Harpia Lodge
After breakfast, we will spend the day exploring the rainforest around Harpia Lodge with our naturalist guide. We will walk through primary forest and look for monkeys, toucans, macaws, woodpeckers, frogs, butterflies, and other species.
During the walks, our guide will explain more about the trees, medicinal plants, and different relationships between the species that live in the forest. We will take our time observing the surroundings and looking for wildlife along the trails.
After lunch, we will continue exploring different areas around the lodge and enjoy more opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation. In the evening, we will return to the lodge for our final night in the Amazon rainforest. It is our last full day to enjoy the forest and observe wildlife before beginning the return journey.
- Accommodation: Harpia Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 08: Harpia Lodge – Atalaya – Cusco.
Highlight of the Day: Returning from the Amazon Rainforest to Cusco Through the Cloud Forest and Andes
After an early breakfast, we will travel by boat toward the Port of Atalaya. During the final river journey, we will have one more opportunity to observe the rainforest and look for wildlife along the riverbanks.
Once we arrive at Atalaya, our private vehicle will be waiting for us. We will begin the journey back toward Cusco, traveling through the cloud forest and across the Andes.
Along the way, we may make occasional stops for photographs and wildlife observation when conditions allow. We expect to arrive in Cusco between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, where we will transfer you to your hotel and finish our Manu National Park journey. This marks the end of our eight-day journey through the Andes, cloud forest, and Amazon rainforest.
- Accommodation: None
- Meals: Breakfast and Box Lunch