Travel to the hearth of the Manu jungle in only 5 days

Manu National Park

This trip allows you to have one of the best experiences in the Manu National Park which includes the Reserved Zone in only 5 days. We are starting from Cusco where the mountainous landscape dominates and a cold wind blows through the ichu grass growing along the steep hills, where the majestic Andean Condor watches over the land from high above. The people of this region call him “Apu Kañahuay” which means he who is close to god. As we descend the cloud forest suddenly surrounds us and the earth seems to be covered in lush vegetation of ferns and bamboo trees. The national bird of Peru awaits us down here, presenting his mating dance which we can observe from the viewing platform of the LEK. Afterward we will relax in our Eco-Lodge “Bambu Lodge”.

We will leave the realm of the clouds behind us and enter a zone of days heated by the sun and cool nights with of the scent of flowers. Along the winding river of the Manu, our motorized boat will take us further into the rainforest. Along the sandy beaches we can observe herons, caimans, turtles, capybaras and even jaguars.
In the Reserved Zone of the Manu we will set up camp at the “Casa matshiguenka” lodge which is run by the local community of the Matshiguenka. Feel free to explore the natural mirror lakes of Salvador and Otorongo in order to observe the curious and restless giant otters.

Once again we will change scenery driving further into the hushed zone of the Manu biosphere also known as Maquisapayoj. Her you can take plenty of photos of the macaws at one of the largest salt licks of the Manu, as well as visit the saltlick for the largest mammal in the Amazon, the tapir. With quite a bit of nostalgia we will leave the natural paradise behind us and head back to the business of the big city.

BINOCULARS 8X42: Manu Tours Peru owns several strong, waterproof binoculars 8X42 which you can rent for 5 US $ per day at the main office in Cusco (please inform us of your request at the initial booking). Binoculars are essential for a visit at Manu in order to appreciate the animals fully. Please bear in mind that you are visiting a natural rain forest, animals can only be observed from a distance.

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Overview

When to Go:	April - October and November - December
Trip Level:	Moderate
Activities:	Culture, Nature, Jungle, Amazonas, Wildlife, Fauna, Flora,
Places:	Cusco, Acjanaco, Manu Cloud forest, Manu National Park, Manu Biosphere
Transportation:	Private bus, Private boat and Hiking
Accommodation:	Bambu Lodge, Casa Matshiguenka, Manu Birding / Maquisapayoj Lodge
Starting Point:	Cusco
Ending Point:	Cusco or Puerto Maldonado
Small Groups:	(no more than 6 travelers)
Pick-up:	From your Hotel in Cusco city
Discounts 2025:	Ask for our special group rates when booking together with 3 or more people

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ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO - MANU CLOUDFOREST (Andean cock-of-the-rock) - BAMBU LODGE

We will leave Cusco at 5:30 am and start our 6-7 hour drive to the jungle. We will pass the highest point of our trip at an altitude of more than 4.000 msl. Along the way we will stop a few times, once to see the Chullpas of Ninamarca, a Pre-Inca cemetery. From here we will pass the pastures of the Andes until we reach the town of Paucartambo at an altitude of 2.900 msl. Paucartambo is a small town with a lot of history and tradition, it is also known as the folkloric capital of Peru. After a short visit to the pretty town center we continue to Acjanaco at 3.560 msl, which also marks the entrance to the National Park of Manu. From now we drop down towards the jungle. Along the way we'll get to see orchids and birds such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Toucan and Tangara. In San Pedro we'll come across a strategically perfect place to observe the national bird of Peru, the Andean cock-of-the-rock. Inside the LEK we will be able to observe these birds jumping and singing merrily while preforming their typical mating ritual. With a bit of luck we'll spot mammals like monkeys or the spectacled bear. We move on through tropical rain forest until we reach the "Ecological Bambu Lodge".

Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Dinner (Novo-Amazonian style).

Bambu Lodge (Double room with private bath and shower).
Natural mineral water (from noon).

LEK (A platform built to appreciate the Andean cock-of-the-rock)

DAY 2. BAMBU LODGE, RIO MANU, CASA MATSHIGUENKA, NATIONAL PARK OF MANU RESERVE.

After an early breakfast we head towards the Manu National Park Reserve. First passing the valley of Cosñipata where the holy coca plant has been cultivated for decades. We will get a close insight into the faring of the holy plant. From here we will head to Atalaya where we will head downstream on the Madre de Dios until reaching the estuary of the river Manu after about 4 hours. Here we will enter the actual Reserve of the Manu and after another 3 hours by boat we will reach the famous Casa Matshiguenka in the heart of the rain forest around 4:00 pm. Here we will spend the next 2 nights. During the boat ride we will be able to observe the breathtaking flora and fauna of this natural wonder. Many different species of birds, monkeys hopping through the tree tops and the scary black caiman. If really lucky you may even spot a jaguar along the river banks.

Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Dinner (Novo-Amazonian style).

Casa Matshiguenka lodge, Double room with shared bath and shower.
Natural mineral water.

Manu National Park (Reserved zone).

DAY 3: NATIONAL PARK OF MANU RESERVE - COCHA SALVADOR - COCHA OTORONGO.

Very early we will head out to the Cocha (=lake) Salvador which is located upstream deeper into the Reserve. The COCHA SALVADOR is one of the most important lakes within the Manu National Park. The eco system is home to many important animals like the giant river otter, the black caiman, anacondas, plenty of different species of birds and up to 13 species of monkeys. Using a small catamaran to navigate the lake gives you the opportunity to see these animals close up. After visiting the lake, we head back to our Lodge, the Casa Matshiguenka. In the later afternoon we will visit the COCHA OTORONGO, this lake can be appreciated from a 20 meter high observation platform. From here we then head back to the Lodge for our second night in the Manu National Park, Perú.

Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Dinner (Novo-Amazonian style).

Casa Matshiguenka lodge, Double room with shared bath and shower.
Natural mineral water.

DAY 4: CASA MATSHIGUENKA - MANU MAQUISAPAYOJ - COLLPA TAPIR.

Today we will leave the actual Reserve of the Manu National Park and head out to the so called buffer zone also known as Manu biosphere or Maquisapayoc. Here we will visit the most important clay lick (=collpa) for the mammals living in the jungle. The animals use these collpas in order to absorb salts and minerals from the clay, which they need to detoxify and digest their diet. Tapirs, deer, porcupines as well as monkeys pass by here on a regular basis. Since most animals are nocturnal, this is a night time activity. Your guide will coordinate the excursion with you accordingly. The ride from the Lodge Casa Matshiguenka to the Maquisapayoc Lodge takes about 6 hours. Breakfast will be taken during the boat ride. We will reach the Lodge around 3:30 pm.

TAPIR: The Tapir is the larges land mammal of the Amazon region with a length of up to 2,5 meters and height up to 70 ca. In spite of its enormous weigth of up to 300 kg, the Tapir is a very shy animal which is purely nocturnal. In order to see a tapir in the wild it takes luck and patience. Only the collpas offer the opportunity to see one. DURING THE NIGHTWATCH OF ANIMALS WE REQUIRE ABSOLUTE SILENCE. THE TAPIR HAS EXCEPTIONAL HEARING AND A VERY FINE SENSE OF SMELL. A MINIMAL SOUND AND THEY WILL DISAPPEAR. NONETHELESS IT IS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE!

Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Dinner (Novo-Amazonian style).

Manu Birding/Maquisapayoj Lodge, Double room with private bath and shower.
Natural mineral water.

Tapir clay lick

DAY 5: MANU MAQUISAPAYOJ - COLORADO - MAZUCO - CUSCO.

After breakfast we will start our way back in a 3 hour boat ride downstream to the town of Boca Colorado where we will say goodbye to our boat crew which as accompanied us through the Manu over the last couple of days. In a private taxi we drive for about one hour to Puerto Punkiri (why do we take a taxi? Our transport from Cusco cannot enter to Boca Colorado). We will have to cross the river Inambari till we reach Puerto Carlos where our transport from Cusco will wait for us. Along the asphalted Transozeanica we will head back to Cusco in a 7 to 8 hour bus ride, reaching Cusco around 6:00 pm.

NOTE: If you would like to avoid the long bus ride back to Cusco, we offer you to take private transport to Puerto Maldonado (about 2,5 hours) and head out the same day by plane to Lima. Please ask for additional costs for this option which includes airfare and transport.

Manu National Park

5 days / 4 nights

Manu National Park

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Overview

ITINERARY

HIGHLIGHTS

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FIXED DEPARTURES 2025