Manu National Park Tour

We’ll depart at 5:00 a.m. in our private minivan, traveling southeast towards Manu National Park, traversing fascinating Andean mountains and valleys. We’ll arrive in the colonial town of Paucartambo, known as the folkloric capital of Cusco, where we’ll stop for breakfast. From here, we’ll head towards the highest point of the trip, the Acjanaco Pass at 4,000 m (13,123 ft), entering the Manu Biosphere Reserve. After enjoying the breathtaking panorama, we’ll begin our descent through the cloud forest, a sea of ​​shrubs, trees, and flowering plants nourished by the mist rising from the mountains. Lichens and orchids abound in this area, adorning the landscape.
Birds that can be found in this area include hummingbirds, quetzals, trogons, toucans, parrots, and tanagers. We’ll stop in San Pedro for lunch, and then take a short hike to observe the Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s national bird, which is also a resident of Manu National Park. We’re also likely to see the woolly monkey, a species unique to the cloud forest, among the many waterfalls and cascades. Finally, we’ll arrive at our lodge, where we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and a good night’s rest.

We’ll wake you up with a delicious Amazonian breakfast to start your day off right. Then, we’ll head to the port of Atalaya. Along the way, we’ll stop at a viewpoint to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Peruvian Amazon and the Alto Madre de Dios River.

We’ll also visit a local farm, where you’ll see farmers cultivating different types of tropical fruits. We’ll make a brief stop at a coca plantation to learn more about this important crop in the region.
Once at the port of Atalaya, we’ll board our boat on the Madre de Dios River, where you can observe a wide variety of birds, including parrots, vultures, oropendolas, and many more. Capybaras, the largest rodents in the rainforest, also inhabit this region.
Around 5:00 PM, we’ll arrive at the tranquil Amazon Lodge, where you’ll have a private room with its own bathroom. After dinner, we’ll go on a night safari in search of nocturnal creatures such as tarantulas, snakes, and scorpions.

Early in the morning, after a delicious breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to Boca Manu Lodge and head towards the waters of the Manu River, leaving the clear Madre de Dios River behind. We’ll make a brief stop at the Limonal checkpoint, where we’ll hand over our permits to the Manu Park rangers. Then, we’ll navigate the Manu River for about five hours, observing beaches teeming with nesting birds, such as herons and egrets, and, if we’re lucky, some black and white caimans.
Along the way, it’s common to see jaguars resting on the sandy beaches, along with red howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys. We’ll pause in the heart of the jungle for lunch and to enjoy this unique natural environment. Upon arrival at Casa Matsiguenka, a lodge managed by the local community, you’ll have the opportunity to explore fascinating trails guided by the Matsiguenka people, experts on the region. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Lake Cocha Otorongo, where you can climb a 20-meter observation tower and enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake and its wildlife, including giant otters.
After dinner at the lodge, you’ll have the option to participate in an exciting nighttime excursion to observe creatures such as tarantulas, snakes, and perhaps even black caimans. It will be an unforgettable experience under the stars, navigating the rivers and discovering the nocturnal life of the rainforest.

The next day, after a delicious Amazonian breakfast, we’ll explore Lake Cocha Salvador. From our canoe and a floating platform, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the lake’s wildlife up close, including capuchin monkeys, herons, and families of giant otters, the largest aquatic predators in the rainforest.
We’ll end the day at the famous macaw clay lick, where these colorful birds feed on clay. We’ll spend two hours at an observation lodge to enjoy this spectacular natural phenomenon. At the end of the day, we’ll return to the Matsiguenka House for dinner and rest, concluding a day full of exciting discoveries.

After breakfast, we’ll depart from Casa Matsiguenka Lodge and navigate for four hours along the Boca Manu River, where you’ll have the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife along the riverbanks. Then, we’ll continue along the Madre de Dios River for five hours. Along the way, you can enjoy a refreshing soak in the hot springs.

Finally, we’ll arrive at Soga de Oro Lodge, nestled in the heart of the rainforest. After dinner, you can rest and relax in this breathtaking natural setting.

On the last day, after enjoying a delicious breakfast, we’ll board the boat that will take us to the port of Atalaya. From there, we’ll take our transport to Acjanaco, where we’ll stop for a tasty lunch. Afterward, we’ll continue our journey back to Cusco, where we expect to arrive around 5:30 PM, thus concluding this memorable adventure.