Peru: Manu National Park – Reserved Zone

Jungle Wildlife Tour in Manu National Park, unique experience in Peru

07 Days/06 Nights April to December Moderate/Hard

Manu Reserved Zone tours we travel through the mountains to enter cloud forest, where we do some walks to observe several species of birds, orchids and maybe monkeys.

After spending the night in our private lodge (Mirador) following day we continue 4h by boat to Manu Rainforest lodge deep in the jungle, visiting hot springs on the way. In the evening we do a night-walk to observe spiders (tarantulas), insects, frogs and snakes.

We continue travelling by boat to the Reserve Zone (Casa Matsiguenka Lodge). The following day we explore the primary rainforest (untouched), visiting the lakes Cocha Salvador and Cocha Otorongo.

We have the chance to see Jaguars, giant otters many monkey species, birds like parrots and an unbelievable variety of plants like giant trees, palms and medical plants.

The following day we go back by boat to M.R. lodge, spending night in a tree house besides a mammals clay lick to watch out for tapirs, deer and other animals.

The next morning we explore again the rainforest before going back by boat and bus to Rainforest Lodge.

On the last day we return to Cusco by bus.

Travel Program
Detailed Program
What’s included
Prices & Dates
Maps & Download

Travel Program

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cusco – Amazon Lodge
Day 2: Amazon Lodge – Manu Wildlife Lodge
Day 3: Manu Wildlife Lodge – Casa Matchiguenka Lodge
Day 4: Manu Reserved Zone “Casa Matchiguenka Lodge”
Day 5: Casa Matchiguenka Lodge – Manu Wildlife Lodge Camouflaged House(Mammals Clay Lick)
Day 6: Manu Wildlife Lodge – Amazon Lodge
Day 7: Amazon Lodge – Cusco

Detailed Program

Day 1: Cusco – Amazon Lodge
We leave from Cusco by private bus, first stopping to visit the pre-Inca burial towers of Ninamarca. We then drive through the mountains, to get to the typical folkloric town of Paucartambo.

Here we take a short walk around the town before carrying on to Tres Cruces, the entrance to the Cultural Zone of Manu and the cloud forest. From there we continue to San Pedro where will walk for around one hour to observe the national bird of Peru, the Cock of the Rock, monkeys and orchids.

We arrive at our private Manu Wildlife Lodge in the evening where we will stay for the night.

Day 2: Amazon Lodge – Manu Wildlife Lodge
After breakfast we continue by private bus to Atalaya. On the way we stop to observe a coca plantation and at a view point where you can get a good overview of the jungle and the river.

From Atalaya we leave by motorized boat to Aguas Calientes, where you can bath in the natural hot springs. During the boat trip we will see many different kinds of animals, especially birds, and a beautiful landscape. In the afternoon we arrive to Manu Wildlife Lodge where we will have a short rest.

In the evening we leave for a night walk in the jungle to look for spiders, insects and snakes. We return to Manu Rainforest Lodge for dinner and spend the night in our beautiful, comfortable lodge.

Day 3: Manu Wildlife Lodge – Casa Matchiguenka Lodge
We leave the lodge very early and continue our journey downriver (Alto Madre de Dios River) to go into the Manu Reserved Zone on the Manu River.

Our first stop there is a national park control point (Puesto de Vigilancia Limonal). Halfway to Casa Matchiguenka lodge we do a first short walk in the Reserve Zone.

Along the boat trip we will observe many different kinds of animals such as capybara, peccaries, monkeys, lots of birds and caimans, maybe even a jaguar. Late in the afternoon we arrive at Casa Matchiguenka Lodge where we spend the night. (Optional night walk there.) Casa Matchiguenka Lodge is owned and run by two indigenous communities of the tribe Matchiguenka. This lodge has a rustic design with 12 double rooms and provides mosquito nets.

Surrounding the lodge are private trails, where Matchiguenka act as local guides. They also have an interpretation house where they produce and sell craftwork.

Day 4: Manu Reserved Zone “Casa Matchiguenka Lodge”
In the morning we visit Cocha Salvador. From a catamaran we watch animals such as gamin herons and spider monkeys and enjoy watching the nearly extinct giant otters fishing.

After lunch we start our excursion thought the virgin jungle to Cocha Otorongo Lake, where there is a 20m high observation tower. From this tower we will have another chance to see giant otters and black caimans. For the rest of the day we will explore the jungle, looking for more species of monkeys.

The guide will also explain about the jungle lifestyle, flora and fauna, medical plants and jungle food. We might also find a group of peccaries. In the evening we can enjoy the beautiful sunset and return to Casa Matchiguenka Lodge, where we spend the night.

Day 5: Casa Matchiguenka Lodge – Manu Wildlife Lodge Camouflaged House(Mammals Clay Lick)
We leave the Casa Matchiguenka Lodge very early to have another opportunity to see a jaguar on our way out of the Manu Reserved Zone. We might also see tapirs, turtles and caimans.

After a short stop in Boca Manu a visit to the native community of Diamante is optional. We continue upriver (Alto Madre de Dios River) to Manu Wildlife Lodge

In the evening we walk to the mammals clay lick where we prepare our beds (protected by mosquito nets) in the tree house and wait to see wild pigs and tapirs feeding on the mineral salts. We stay there the whole night taking shifts to watch for nocturnal animals.

Day 6: Manu Wildlife Lodge – Amazon Lodge
In the morning we walk back to Manu Wildlife Lodge exploring this part of the jungle. Again we might see many different kinds of animals, birds, medicinal plants and the giant trees.

After breakfast we continue our adventure by boat traveling upriver for several hours to Atalaya, where our private bus will be waiting for us to bring us to Amazon Lodge for the night. There we will build a fire, relax and have some drinks and a BBQ.

Day 7: Amazon Lodge – Cusco
After breakfast we return by bus to Cusco via the cloud forest and Paucartambo. We will arrive in Cusco in the early afternoon.

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner