→ Manu Tour: Reserved Zone in 5D/4N

Manu 5-Day Tour: Reserved Zone Expedition of Manu National Park

Dive into the incredible biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon with our 5-day tour through the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. This once-in-a-lifetime journey takes you through extraordinary ecosystems, from cloud forests to the lush lowland rainforest.

Tour highlights:

Explore the pristine Cocha Otorongo.
Spot diverse wildlife, including macaws, monkeys, caimans, and giant otters.
Visit the famous clay licks for macaws and tapirs.
Immerse yourself in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Experience untouched nature, unique adventures, and a deep respect for the planet’s most diverse ecosystem.

Itinerary Overview:

Day 1: Cusco – Pona Lodge, Cloud Forest.
Day 2: Reserved Zone – Matsiguenka House, "Cocha" Otorongo Lake.
Day 3: Manu National Park Reserved Zone – Macaw Clay Lick.
Day 4: Manu National Park Reserved Zone – Tapir Clay Lick.
Day 5: Manu, Cloud Forest – Return to Cusco.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Manu

Cusco – Lodge Pona, Cloud Forest

Our journey into the Manu rainforest begins bright and early. At 5:00 AM, our private transport will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco, kicking off an unforgettable adventure.

Highlights of the Day:

Travel through the breathtaking Andean mountains.
Visit the charming village of Huancarani and its ancient funerary towers at Ninamarca.
Stop in Paucartambo, Cusco’s folkloric capital.
Enter Manu National Park, one of South America's most pristine and protected natural reserves.
Showstopper Moment: A potential encounter with the Andean cock-of-the-rock in the cloud forest. We’ll pause to witness Peru’s national bird perform its mesmerizing courtship display—an unforgettable spectacle of vibrant colors and unique sounds of the Amazon rainforest.

Distance traveled: 150 km / 93 mi
Arrival time at Pona Lodge: 5:00 PM
Difficulty: Easy.
Walking time: Maximum 2 hours.
Meals included: Lunch and dinner.
Accommodation: Pona Lodge

Day 2 | Manu

Reserved Area - Matsiguenka House, Cocha Otorongo Lake

Our Manu adventure continues with an early start at 3:30 AM as we journey to Puerto Atalaya and enter the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. This 5-hour boat trip along the Manu River offers remarkable opportunities for wildlife sightings. Keep your eyes peeled for herons, Orinoco geese, terns, caimans, turtles, and, if we’re lucky, even jaguars. Along the way, the sounds of howler monkeys and playful squirrel monkeys will accompany us.

The highlight of the day is Lake Cocha Otorongo. Here, we’ll climb a 20-meter observation tower to explore the rainforest canopy and search for a family of giant otters. These incredible creatures are a rare sight and a true treasure of the Amazon.

As night falls, you’ll have the option of a thrilling nocturnal excursion. This magical experience reveals the jungle's nightlife, where frogs and insects create an unforgettable symphony under the stars.

Distance: 250 km/ 155 mi
Difficulty: Easy.
Walking time: Maximum 2 hours.
Accommodation: Matsiguenka House
Amenities: Bathrooms and showers

Day 3 | Manu

Reserved Zone of Manu National Park - Macaw Clay Lick

On the third day of our adventure, we’ll rise early to explore Salvador Lake aboard a floating platform called a catamaran. The calm of dawn offers an unmatched opportunity to observe a diverse array of birds and mammals, including herons, cormorants, eagles, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and the awe-inspiring giant otter. These extraordinary creatures can grow up to 1.82 meters (6 feet) in length, weigh up to 31 kilograms (68 pounds), and consume 4 to 5 kilograms (9 to 11 pounds) of fish daily.

The highlight of the day will be our visit to the macaw clay lick, one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet. Around 10:00 AM, we’ll witness scarlet, red, and green macaws descending to feast on mineral-rich clay. This vibrant and noisy display lasts 20 to 40 minutes, only interrupted by the presence of predators such as hawks, eagles, or ocelots.

In the afternoon, we’ll hike through the jungle trails guided by our ecological expert, who will explain the intricate interactions between plants and insects. We’ll keep an eye out for smaller forest inhabitants like emperor tamarins and saddleback tamarins, with the added possibility of encountering peccaries, a species of wild boar native to the region.

Distance: 250 - 300 km/ 155 - 186 mi
Difficulty: Easy.
Walking time: Maximum 5 hours.
Accommodation: Matsiguenka House
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4 | Manu

Reserved Zone of Manu National Park - Tapir Clay Lick

On the fourth day of our Manu journey, we’ll start with an early morning nature walk or one last visit to the lake. As birds sing to mark their territories, the eastern sky will glow with a pale yellow sunrise. From the treetops, hawks and other predatory birds will perch patiently, scanning for their next meal.

After lunch, we’ll board our boat and travel downstream toward Boca Manu before heading upriver to our next lodge. The afternoon brings a unique experience: a visit to the tapir clay lick, where we’ll spend the night in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, surrounded by its enchanting sounds and mystery.

This day offers a profound connection to the soul of Manu National Park, immersing us in its breathtaking landscapes, captivating sounds, and extraordinary wildlife, making it one of the world’s most remarkable natural destinations.

Distance: 250 km
Difficulty: Easy.
Walking time: Maximum 2 hours.
Accommodation: Papaya Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5 | Manu

Manu, Cloud Forest - Return to Cusco

The fifth day marks the end of our adventure in Manu, as we journey back from the depths of the Amazon rainforest to the historic city of Cusco. We’ll start early with a boat ride, retracing the landscapes that have been our companions during these days of exploration. Upon reaching Atalaya, we’ll switch to ground transportation for the remainder of our return journey.

This final stretch is a perfect time to reflect on the incredible biodiversity we’ve witnessed, the jungle’s symphony still echoing in our minds, and the magical encounters with the wildlife of Manu National Park. Each passing mile may take us farther from the rainforest physically, but its spectacular ecosystem will remain vividly etched in our memories.

We expect to arrive in Cusco between 4 and 7 PM, bringing this unforgettable journey to a close.

Distance: 150 km
Difficulty: Easy.
Walking time: Maximum 2 hours.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

What's Included?

Pre-Departure Orientation: Meet your guide before the trip for a detailed briefing.
Transportation: Private minivan and motorized boat for both land and river travel.
Accommodation: 4 nights in comfortable lodges designed to blend harmoniously with the rainforest.
Bilingual Naturalist Guide: A local professional with extensive experience, proper equipment, and a passion for sharing knowledge.
Full Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided daily, with vegetarian options available.
Drinking Water: Mineral water supplied throughout the journey.
Gear Provided: Rubber boots and rain ponchos for navigating wet conditions.
First Aid: Trained guides with medical kits for emergencies.
Entrance Fees: Access to Oxbow Lakes, Manu National Park, and private nature reserves.
Professional Chef: Skilled in preparing local and energizing meals to keep you fueled.

What's not Included?

Travel Insurance: Not provided; it is recommended to purchase your own before the tour.
First Day Breakfast: Participants should arrange this meal independently.
First Day Drinking Water: Ensure you bring your own supply.
Last Day Dinner: Participants are responsible for covering this meal.
Alcoholic Beverages: Not included in the package.
Tips: Gratuities for the tour staff are optional and not included.