• EXPLORE MANU NATIONAL PARK 8 days
  with return via Atalaya
• EXPLORE MANU NATIONAL PARK 6 days
  with return via Colorado
• shorter tour options:
  • EXPLORE THE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE 5 Days 4 Nights
  • Explore Manu's Cultural Zone 4 Days 3 Nights

EXPLORE MANU NATIONAL PARK
8 DAYS (bus/ bus)

Fixed departures please see on the right

Price per Person:

• 8 days: 1360 US$ * (min 4 pers.);
• includes Park entrance fee! -- optional: Macaw Clay Lick (+ 70$)

Map of Manu
Bridge at Paucartambo

DAY 1 : CUSCO TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : We take an 11 hour private bus trip (with stops) from the city of Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 m (13,000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios River. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and may see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly coloured Tanagers, Quetzals and Hummingbirds and with some luck the first monkeys, e.g. the Woolly Monkey. In the afternoon we arrive to Atalaya (500m), from here it is only 15 minutes by boat to our Rio de Oro Lodge. Optional night walk.

squirrel monkey

DAY 2 : RIO DE ORO TO MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE : Early start to visit the small parrot clay lick 10 minutes downriver. After observing parrots, parakeets and small macaws (Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rarest Blue headed Macaw) we continue for an 8 hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. Today we have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive to Maquisapayoj ('place of the Black Spider Monkey'), where we spend the night in a lodge. Optional night walk before dinner and a shower!

Macaw Claylick

DAY 3 : BIG MACAW CLAY LICK & MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR LICK : Early in the morning we travel downriver to the big Macaw Clay Lick in Blanquillo. From a blind we watch flocks of Parakeets, Parrots and Macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao) congregating to eat the clay of the lick, which is essential for their digestion. Breakfast at the blind. After the spectacle we travel upstream to return to Maquisapayoj. From the river we walk into primary rainforest for about 1 1/2 hours to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. Optional night at the lodge, close to the river. (Optional night at the lodge.)

White caiman on the beach
foto: Ross Murphy

DAY 4 : MAQUISAPAYOJ TO ALBERGUE CASA MATSIGUENKA : Today we travel about 8 hours upriver into the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. We stop at Limonal Guard Station where our permit is checked. During this boat trip wildlife viewing along the banks of the Manu River is fabulous. White Caimans (Caiman crocodylus) sunning on the beaches, fish in the shallows, turtles, capybara and plenty of colourful birds as e.g. Black Skimmers and Terns may bee seen. And there is always the possibility of seeing larger animals such as Tapir and Jaguar. In the afternoon we arrive at Albergue Casa Matsiguenka, where we spend two nights in double rooms. The lodge is built in typical machiguenga style. Optional nightwalk ( to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

Giant river otters

DAY 5 : EXPLORING COCHA SALVADOR AND OTORONGO : After an early breakfast we leave for a day trip to explore the trails of the Reserved Zone of Manu and to visit Cocha (oxbow-lake) Salvador by catamaran looking for Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), caimans, hoatzins and monkeys. In the afternoon we go for a walk on some of the trails through the forest. You can climb the 18 m observation tower at Cocha (lake) Otorongo – a good place to observe birds - and enjoy the scenery. The night is spent at Albergue Matsiguenka, where we can meet the Machiguenga indians. Optional night walk.

Machiguenga indian
(Foto: J. Gottstein)

DAY 6 : ALBERGUE MATSIGUENKA TO CUSCO OR PANTIACOLLA OR YANAYACU LODGE : Today we start early to travel 6 hours down the Manu River, with ideal conditions to see wildlife. After a stop in Boca Manu village we make our way back upriver on the Alto Madre de Dios River for another 4 hours. We spend the night at Pantiacolla or Yanayacu Lodge, on the Rio Alto Madre de Dios. We explore some of the trails near the lodge and can also do a night walk.

Snake
(Foto: A.Averyanov)

DAY 7 : PANTIACOLLA OR YANAYACU TO BAMBOO LODGE : Today we continue travelling upriver, always looking for wildlife. Early in the morning we visit a parrot clay lick on the river bank. Later we make a stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) or can visit a small lake close to the river, which is a good place for bird watching. We arrive in Atalaya in the afternoon and continue with our van towards the cloud forest. We spend the night at Bamboo Lodge at 1000m. Optional night walk.

DAY 8 : BAMBOO LODGE – CLOUD FOREST TO CUSCO : We start early to drive to San Pedro in the could forest, where we can see the dance of the Cock of the Rocks. Afterwards we have breakfast and then continue through the cloud forest, with some more opportunities to see birds. We then travel up to the Andes again to return to Cusco in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private bus and boat transport
• Entrance fees to Tapir lick
• Entrance fees to Manu National Park and Salvador & Otorongo lakes
• Cook
• All food (vegetarian on request) + drinking water
• Lodge accommodation and camping equipment
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication

NOT INCLUDED:

• Optional: entrance fee to Macaw clay lick (70$)
• Binocular
• Alcoholic drinks etc.

itineraries and lodges may be changed without prior notice

EXPLORE MANU NATIONAL PARK
6 DAYS - with return via Colorado

Fixed departures please see on the right

Price p. person:

• 6 days: 1400 US$ * (min. 4 Pers.)
• * includes Park entrance fee! -- optional: Macaw Clay Lick (+ 70$)

DAY 1 : CUSCO TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : We take an 11 hour private bus trip (with stops) from the city of Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 m (13,000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios River. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and may see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly coloured Tanagers, Quetzals and Hummingbirds and with some luck the first monkeys, e.g. the Woolly Monkey. In the afternoon we arrive to Atalaya (500m), from here it is only 15 minutes by boat to our Rio de Oro Lodge. Optional night walk.

DAY 2 : RIO DE ORO TO ALBERGUE CASA MATSIGUENKA : Early start to visit the small parrot clay lick 10 minutes downriver. After observing parrots, parakeets and small macaws (Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rarest Blue headed Macaw) we continue our journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. Around midday we get to the mouth of the Manu river and travel about 5 hours upriver into the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. We stop at Limonal Guard Station where our permit is checked. During this boat trip wildlife viewing along the banks of the Manu River is fabulous. White Caimans (Caiman crocodylus) sunning on the beaches, fish in the shallows, turtles, capybara and plenty of colourful birds as e.g. Black Skimmers and Terns may bee seen. And there is always the possibility of seeing larger animals such as Tapir and Jaguar. In the afternoon we arrive at Albergue Casa Matsiguenka, where we spend two nights in double rooms. The lodge is built in typical machiguenga style. Optional nightwalk (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

DAY 3 : EXPLORING COCHA SALVADOR AND OTORONGO : After an early breakfast we leave for a day trip to explore the trails of the Reserved Zone of Manu and to visit Cocha (oxbow-lake) Salvador by catamaran looking for Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), caimans, hoatzins and monkeys. In the afternoon we go for a walk on some of the trails through the forest. You can climb the 18 m observation tower at Cocha (lake) Otorongo – a good place to observe birds - and enjoy the scenery. The night is spent at Albergue Matsiguenka, where we can meet the Machiguenga indians. Optional night walk.

DAY 4 : CASA MATSIGUENKA TO MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE: : Today we start early to travel 6 hours down the Manu River, with ideal conditions to see wildlife, such as herons, skimmers, vultures, capybaras and caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. After a stop in Boca Manu village we travel further downriver to Maquisapayoj (‘place of the Black Spider Monkey’), where we spend the night in a lodge. Optional night walk before dinner and a shower!

DAY 5 : BIG MACAW CLAY LICK & MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR LICK : Early in the morning we travel downriver to the big Macaw Clay Lick in Blanquillo. From a blind we watch flocks of Parakeets, Parrots and Macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao) congregating to eat the clay of the lick, which is essential for their digestion. Breakfast at the blind. After the spectacle we travel upstream to return to Maquisapayoj. From the river we walk into primary rainforest for about 1 1/2 hours to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. Optional night at the lodge, close to the river. (Optional night at the lodge.)

DAY 6: TRAVELLING TO COLORADO AND BACK TO CUSCO: We have breakfast at the lodge. Afterwards we take the boat from Blanquillo to Colorado (2 hours 20 min.), from where we take a car to Puerto Carlos (1 hour). We cross Rio Inambari (20 min.) and from there (Santa Rosa) we continue with our private van to get back to Cusco, arrival around 9 pm.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private bus and boat transport & taxi to Puerto Carlos
• Entrance fee to Tapir lick
• Entrance fees to Manu National Park and Salvador & Otorongo lakes
• Cook
• All food (vegetarian on request) + drinking water
• Lodge accommodation and camping equipment
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication

NOT INCLUDED:

• Optional: entrance fee to Macaw clay lick (70$)
• Binocular
• Alcoholic drinks etc.

itineraries and lodges may be changed without prior notice

Things you should bring for the Manu Trip:

vermillon flycatcher

• Mosquito repellent (with DEET is more effective)
• Long sleeved shirts (cotton or breathable fabric, but not too thin)
• T-Shirts
• Cotton socks (long enough to put them over your pants)
• Hiking shoes, ankle high
• Rain gear (rain poncho is good)
• Sweater (for Andes and cloud forest)
• Bathing suit (optional)
• long pants
• Sandals or light shoes to change/ for bathroom (optional)
• Binoculars (you can also rent them)
• Camera, extra batteries & camera charger
• Plastic bags for clothes and camera etc.
• Personal things (soap, toilet paper, small towel etc.)
• Hat (or handkerchief)
• Sun blocker, sun glasses
• Flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries)
• Water bottle (min. 1,5 litre)
• Day pack
• Rubber boots (provided by ATP)
• Passport copy
• Money (Soles) for soft drinks, handicrafts and tips

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