Starting early from Cusco we will begin our 8-hour journey by private minibus, climbing up into the mountains to an altitude of 3900 m (13,000 ft). After a short stop in Ninamarca to visit a pre-Inca cemetery, and after passing through the colonial village of Paucartambo, we will descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through lush cloud forest vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads, etc.). Along the way, we’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and observe wildlife such as Peru’s national bird, the bright red cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana), which performs a fascinating mating dance. Brightly colored tanagers, quetzals, trogons and hummingbirds can also be observed in these forests, as well as the woolly monkey.

Overnight in San Pedro

After an early breakfast, we will continue down to the village of Pilcopata and cross the river of the same name on our way the small port of Atalaya (600 meters). On the way, we will stop our vehicle and walk along the road to look for monkeys and birds. From Atalaya, we will journey for about 5 hours in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Upper Madre de Dios River. During this river journey, we’ll be able to appreciate how the scenery changes, and enjoy the opportunity to observe wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as fasciated tiger herons, skimmers, kingfishers, vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkey that live in Manu National Park. In the afternoon (at around 16:30), we will reach our lodge. In the evening, we’ll take a night walk in the forest to look for spiders, insects, frogs, scorpions, snakes, etc.

Overnight in jungle lodge. 

B/L/D

Today, we will set off early to continue our boat ride, traveling into the Manu National Park Reserved Zone. After reaching the mouth of the Manu River, and after a stop at the Limonal Park Ranger Station, where our permits will be checked, we will travel upriver into the heart of Manu National Park. During this boat trip, the scenery and wildlife viewing along the banks of the Manu River is excellent, particularly in the dry season, when nesting birds and feeding herons, egrets, Orinoco geese, terns and skimmers can be seen, to name just a few species. Some of the beaches will also host sunning white and black caimans or river turtles. Hundreds of sand-colored nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches. In this part of the park, there is also a good chance of encountering a sunning jaguar. We will also see some species of primate during this river trip, possibly red howler monkeys or the smaller squirrel monkey.

In the afternoon, we will arrive at Casa Matsiguenka, where we will spend the next two nights. This is a rustic locally-owned lodge with shared bathrooms & showers.

Overnight in Casa Matsiguenka. 

B/L/D

Today we will set off early for a day excursion, exploring trails through the virgin forest of the Manu National Park Reserved Zone. As a highlight, we will visit the beautiful oxbow lake Cocha Salvador by catamaran, looking for giant river Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) the world’s largest freshwater carnivores, which remain common in Manu, having been hunted to extinction throughout most of their former range. Each otter consumes between 4 and 5 kilos of fish daily and often they can be seen eating large fish on logs at the lakeside. Other species found at oxbow lakes include caimans, monkeys, hoatzins and other birds. In the afternoon, we will take a walk along trails on the opposite side of the river. We will climb the 18-meter observation tower overlooking Lake Otorongo –a perfect place to observe birds, including toucans and woodpeckers. After a final walk through this biodiverse forest, we will return to Casa Matsiguenka, where we will have the opportunity to meet members of the Machiguenga ethnic group.  After dinner, there will also be an opportunity to take a night walk in the forest.

Overnight in Casa Matsiguenka

We will start today at first light for our river journey along the Manu and Madre de Dios rivers, (around 8 hours).

Dawn and dusk are the best times to see wildlife on the riverbanks. Capybaras, caimans, birds and -with luck- big cats can be seen. We will make a short stop at Boca Manu village, the main settlement in Manu named after the confluence of the sediment-rich Manu River with the Madre de Dios River. In the afternoon, we will arrive at our lodge in Tambo Blanquillo. Here, we will have the opportunity to experience a night walk and navigate in a small catamaran on Lake Blanquillo, listening to the sounds of the nighttime forest!

Overnight at Blanquillo

Very early in the morning, we drive by boat to the macaw clay lick, where hundreds of parakeets, parrots, and macaws arrive every day to feed on the clay essential to their diet.

We witness this natural wonder from the comfort of the blind constructed less than 50 meters from the clay lick. Some lucky nature lovers have seen jaguars and ocelots preying on Macaws and other birds at this clay lick. This is one of the best places in the Peruvian Amazon for nature photography. The keyword for today will be patience. We will spend between 4 and 5 hours experiencing this activity.

After lunch, we cross the river and hike for an hour to visit the Camungo oxbow lake, where we will have the opportunity to climb an observation tower, from where the rainforest canopy and the lake can be observed.

Overnight at Blanquillo

B/L/D

One distinctive habitat near “Tambo Blanquillo” is the shebonal forest. This type of forest is high in clay content, creating clay licks, locally known as collpas, which are used by macaws and other rainforest species as a dietary supplement that helps them remove toxins from their digestive tracts. Macaws ingest these noxious chemical substances from unripe fruits. Our lodge is just 10 minutes away from the macaw clay lick. A 10-meter-high blind had been built facing the clay lick, offering the chance to photograph activity at the lick without disturbing the birds. The blind contains 40 comfortable seats, each with a personal counter where your binoculars and cameras can be set up, enabling you to take great pictures of the macaws at the clay lick. Breakfast will be served at the blind, and a toilet facilities are available.

Overnight at Blanquillo

After an early breakfast at the lodge, we will travel downriver by boat to Colorado (3 hours), a small gold mining town. Together with our guide, we will take a car to Puerto Carlos (1 hour), before crossing the Inambari River to the small town of Santa Rosa, where our bus will be waiting to take us back to Cusco (around 7 hours). We will travel along the paved Transoceanic Highway, through cloud forest and up into the Andes, with spectacular views of Mount Ausangate (6300 meters)

2024 cost per person in US dollars