RESERVE MANU BIOSPHERE ZONE 7D/6N

Our adventure kicks off in the stunning Manu Jungle with a morning pick-up at 5:00 am from your hotel in Cusco via private transport. The journey begins by crossing the breathtaking Andean mountains. Our first stop will be in Huancarani, where we’ll enjoy breakfast and visit the ancient Ninamarca Pre-Inca funeral towers. Next, we head to Paucartambo, a traditional town celebrated for its rich folklore.

By midday, we’ll reach the entrance to Manu National Park, one of South America's most protected and biodiverse natural areas. As we continue our drive along a scenic road through the cloud forest, you’ll have the chance to spot Peru's vibrant national bird, the "Cock of the Rock," alongside a variety of other bird species native to the region. The sounds and sights of this diverse ecosystem are truly captivating. We’ll wrap up our first day with an overnight stay at the Bamboo Lodge, surrounded by the wonders of the jungle.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Accommodation: Pona Lodge
Distance: 150 km / 155 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: There may be short walks or explorations, up to 2 hours maximum.

At 6:30 a.m., we’ll set off for the Atalaya port. Along the way, we’ll stop to visit local farmers, known for growing a wide variety of exotic jungle fruits, including the renowned coca plant. From Atalaya, we’ll begin an exciting boat journey along the Madre de Dios River, a major tributary of the legendary Amazon River.

As we navigate the river, you’ll have the opportunity to spot vibrant species of birds and immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of the region. We’ll also make a stop at natural hot springs and, with some luck, encounter wildlife like monkeys or capybaras. By around 3:00 p.m., we’ll arrive at our jungle lodge, where you can unwind and enjoy the available amenities, including showers.

In the evening, we’ll embark on a thrilling night walk, the perfect time to observe nocturnal creatures such as tarantulas, scorpions, and snakes, giving you an authentic jungle experience.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Accommodation: Pona Lodge – Papaya Lodge
Distance: 250 km / 155 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: There may be short walks or explorations, up to 2 hours maximum.

Exploring the Jungle: A Memorable Stay at Papaya Eco Lodge

As we journey through the jungle to our unique camouflage house, we bring along our dinner for the evening. Our destination is the Papaya Eco Lodge, a beautifully preserved ecological retreat where we arrive just before dusk. The night promises exciting activities, especially at the camouflage house where we'll be spending the night. Here, we might be lucky enough to witness a tapir visiting to lick the salt-rich muddy earth. If fortune is on our side, we could observe this fascinating behavior multiple times during our stay.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Accommodation: Pona lodge – Camouflage Lodge
Distance: 250 - 300 km / 186 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: There may be short walks or explorations, up to 5 hours maximum.

Journey Through the Manu River: An Unforgettable Experience at Casa Matsiguenka

After a hearty meal and a restful stay at Manu Eco Lodge, we depart, leaving behind the relatively clear waters of the Madre de Dios River. We navigate the clay-rich waters of the Manu River, with a brief stop at the Limonal ranger station to present our permits. Our five-hour journey up the Manu River offers a vibrant display of wildlife, especially during the dry season, including nesting birds and feeding herons, egrets, Orinoco geese, terns, and skimmers.

Along the way, we'll encounter sunning white and black caimans—South American relatives of alligators—as well as breeding side-necked turtles. Be on the lookout for hundreds of sand-colored nightjars roosting on logs and beaches, and if luck is on our side, we might spot a stunning Jaguar, the world’s third-largest cat. We’ll also have the opportunity to see various primates, such as red howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the rainforest trails in the vicinity. Before or after dinner, you can join an optional nighttime excursion with your guide to search for nocturnal wildlife. Our overnight stay will be at Casa Matsiguenka, a rustic, native-owned lodge managed by the Matsiguenka people themselves. The lodge features modern amenities, including toilets, warm showers, screened twin rooms with comfortable beds and mosquito nets, and an exclusive trail system for your exploration.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Accommodation: Papaya Lodge – Casa Matsinguenka (Biosphere Reserve).
Distance: 250 km / 155 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: There may be short walks or explorations, up to 2 hours maximum.

Adventures on the Manu River: A Unique Experience at Casa Matsiguenka

Well fed and rested, we depart from Manu Eco Lodge, leaving behind the relatively clean waters of the Madre de Dios River to enter the clay-laden waters of the Manu River. We will make a brief stop at the Limonal ranger station to present our permits. We will embark on a journey of approximately five hours along the Manu River, which, especially in the dry season, is full of nesting and feeding birds, such as herons, egrets, Orinoco geese, mockingbirds, and skimmers, among others.

Along the way, we will see black and white caimans sunbathing on the beaches, as well as nesting side-necked turtles. We will also see hundreds of sand-colored nightjars perching during the day on logs and beaches, and if we are lucky, we might encounter an impressive jaguar, the third largest feline in the world. In addition, we are likely to spot several species of primates, such as red howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys.

In the afternoon, we will have time to explore some of the trails in the surrounding jungle. Before or after dinner, you can participate in an optional night excursion with your guide in search of nocturnal creatures. Overnight at Casa Matsiguenka, a rustic, native-owned lodge managed by the Matsiguenkas themselves, with a unique trail system. The lodge offers modern amenities, such as bathrooms, reasonably warm showers, twin rooms with mosquito nets and comfortable beds, for a pleasant lodging experience.

Meals:Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Accommodation: Casa Matsinguenka – Cocha Salvador – Cocha Otorongo
Distance: 250 km / 155 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: There may be short walks or explorations, up to 2 hours maximum.

Exploring the Amazon: Search for Monkeys and Wildlife Adventures

Today, we’ll delve into the forest in search of some of the 13 monkey species that inhabit this rich ecosystem. Your guide will share insights into the rainforest environment and highlight various medicinal plants used by local indigenous communities. Along the way, we may encounter a group of peccaries, wild boar-like animals native to the area, and keep an eye out for poisonous frogs.

After lunch, we’ll navigate downstream at a leisurely pace to spot wildlife around the water. In the afternoon, we’ll focus on locating the majestic jaguar, one of the crown jewels of Amazonian wildlife. Following a four-hour river journey, we’ll arrive at Hummingbird Lodge, situated near Boca Manu village, where you can enjoy a stunning sunset. As with previous days, you’re welcome to join an optional night walk to discover nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat.

Meals:Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Accommodation: Casa Matsinguenka - Papaya Eco Lodge
Distance: 300 km / 187 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: There may be short walks or explorations, up to 2 hours maximum.

Journey from Manu Eco Lodge to Cusco: Scenic Drive Through the Cloud Forest

We’ll begin our day with an early morning departure from Manu Eco Lodge, traveling by van directly to Cusco. Along the way, we’ll pass through the stunning cloud forest, offering opportunities for sightseeing and appreciating the unique landscapes. We expect to arrive in Cusco around 8:30 PM.

Meals:Breakfast - Lunch
Distance: 150 km / 155 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Walking Time: There may be short walks or explorations, up to 2 hours maximum.