Manu

Starting early from Cusco, you will travel through Andean landscapes of unmatched beauty: deep valleys, highlands and rural communities where you will enjoy highland birds such as the mountain caracara, Puna ibis and Andean flicker, as well as the pre-Inca Lupacas burial towers, before arriving at the picturesque colonial town of Paucartambo, which as been the gateway to the Manu forests since pre-Hispanic times. Here you will visit the church with its image of the Virgin of Carmen, and see the historic Carlos V bridge. Once you pass through Acjanaco Pass (3,850 meters/12,630 feet), the official entrance to Manu National Park, the road descends through the important, sparsely-vegetated Andean grassland ecosystem, before reaching the cloud forest in the afternoon. This area is a wealth of flora and fauna; it is the habitat of cock-of-the-rock, crested and golden quetzal, blue-crowned motmot, gray breasted mountain toucan, butterflies, ferns and orchids. To name just a few! After this big day you will spend your first night enjoying the comforts of Paradise Lodge (1,470 meters/4,821 feet).

Driving distance: 181 km/113 miles (6 to 8 hours, including 3-hour hike)
Included: lunch & dinner

After your first night in the cloud forest, you will enjoy a pre-breakfast walk into the forest to observe the cock-of-the-rock perform its daily ritual, in which a group of males puts on a show to attract females. You’ll return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and then spend the rest of the day exploring the surrounding forest at a relaxed pace, visiting local farmers on their pineapple and coca leaf plantations. Ample time for bird watching will give you the chance to look for quetzals and motmots, as well as the green jay, paradise tanager, bay headed tanager, orange eared tanager, golden tanager, in addition to observing fauna and learning about this unique environment. The road to Pillcopata provides birders with the ideal route for short hikes. Our bus is available to you at any time for transport to the area’s principle attractions. And remember, you can always sign up for mountain biking and white water rafting (class II and III rapids) on the Kosñipata River. Spend another night in the comforts of Paradise Lodge.

Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

This is the final day in the forest. After breakfast you will have time to continue relaxing or to explore the area before boarding the private bus for the return trip to Cusco. Follow the now-familiar route as far as Paucartambo, from where the route follows the course of the Quencomayo River to Colquepata and over the high pass at Apacheta (4,100 meters/13,448 feet). From here descend into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping along the way to enjoy the countryside dotted with traditional Andean villages inhabited by weavers, shepherds and farmers. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Pisac archaeological site before arriving at the local village and continue to Cusco.
Driving distance: 192 km/120 miles (6 hours)
Included: breakfast & lunch

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Specialized bilingual guide
• Accommodation in our exclusive Paradise Lodge in the cloud forest (2 nights) and a typical lodge (1 night)
• Private bus transportation
• All meals indicated on the itinerary:
B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner (soup, main dish and dessert),
BL= box lunch
No additional charge for vegetarian diets
• Basic first-aid kit
• Specialized books are available during the trip

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• Personal items and medicines e.g., gear, clothing, laundry, telephone calls)
• Tips to local staff (we recommend $8-10 USD per day of service per guide or driver)

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

• 1 photocopy of passport
• Daypack
• Hiking boots
• Sweater
• Light warm jacket
• Rain gear
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Hiking shorts
• Hat or bandana
• Swimsuit
• Sport sandals
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Insect repellant
• Flashlight
• Pocket knife
• Camera and film (ASA 200/400) or memory card
• Camera charger (220V)
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing (8 or 10X magnification)

Starting early from Cusco, you will travel through Andean landscapes of unmatched beauty: deep valleys, highlands and rural communities where you will enjoy highland birds such as the mountain caracara, Puna ibis and Andean flicker, as well as the pre-Inca Lupacas burial towers, before arriving at the picturesque colonial town of Paucartambo, which has been the gateway to the Manu forests since pre-Hispanic times. Here you wll visit the church with its image of the Virgin of Carmen, and see the historic Carlos V bridge. Once you pass through Acjanaco Pass (3,850 meters/12,630 feet), the official entrance to Manu National Park, the road descends through the bird-rich, sparsely-vegetated Andean grassland ecosystem, before reaching the cloud forest in the afternoon. This area is a wealth of flora and fauna: it is the habitat of cock-of-the-rock, crested and golden quetzal, blue-crowned motmot, gray breasted mountain toucan, butterflies, ferns and orchids. To name just a few! After this big day you will spend your first night enjoying the comforts of Paradise Lodge (1,470 meters/4,821 feet).
Driving distance: 181 km/113 miles (6 to 8 hours, including 3 hours of hiking)
Included: lunch & dinner

After your first night in the cloud forest, you will enjoy a pre-breakfast walk to observe the cock-of-the-rock perform its daily ritual, in which a group of males put on an impressive show to attract females. Then you will return to the lodge for a healthy breakfast before continuing the trip to Pillcopata, embarking from the port of Atalaya. During this trip you will see plantations growing manioc, papaya, pineapple and coca, as well as local fauna such as squarel monkeys and brown capuchin monkeys. And of course birds, including spix guans, plumbeous kites and black vultures. After dinner a short hike will present the opportunity to observe nocturnal life on trails surrounding the local Amazon forest lodge at which you’ll spend the night.
Driving distance: 71.6 km/44.8 miles (5 hours)
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

One of the highlights of a trip to the Peruvian rainforest is an early-morning visit to the parrot clay lick. You will never forget watching hundreds of parrots gather at the mineral-rich riverbank clay deposit, where their noisy feeding display is a kaleidoscope of color. You will observe Cuvier’s toucans, red and green macaws, blue-headed parrots and other species as they feed on the minerals. Afterward we will return to the lodge for breakfast. Your adventure continues with a several hour trail hike, returning to the lodge for a typical regional lunch. After lunch return to the river where you will ride a boat to Atalaya, where our car will be waiting to drive you back to Paradise Lodge in comfort.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

This is our last day in the forest. You will enjoy another opportunity to observe the cock-of-the-rock perform its daily ritual at the lick. After breakfast you will board the private bus for the return trip to Cusco, following the now-familiar route to Paucartambo. From here the trip follows the course of the Qenqomayo River to Colquepata and on to the high pass at Apacheta (4,100 meters/13,448 feet). From the high pass the bus descends into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping along the way to enjoy the countryside, which is dotted with traditional Andean villages inhabited by weavers, llama herders and farmers. Along the way you will have the opportunity to take in spectacular views of the Pisac
archaeological site. Choose hotel accommodation in either the Sacred Valley or Cusco.
Driving distance: 192 km/120 miles (6 hours)
Included: breakfast & lunch

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Specialized bilingual guide
• Accommodation in our private Paradise Lodge in the cloud forest (2 nights) and a typical lodge (1 night)
• Private bus transportation
• Motorized boat with cushioned seats, roof and life jacket
• All meals indicated on the itinerary:
B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner (soup, main dish and dessert),
BL= box lunch
No additional charge for vegetarian diets
• Drinking water from Cusco
• Basic first-aid kit
• Specialized books are available during the trip

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• Personal items and medicines (e.g., gear, clothing, laundry service, telephone calls)
• Tips to local staff (we recommend $8-10 USD per day of service per guide or driver)

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

• 1 photocopy of passport
• Daypack
• Hiking boots
• Sweater
• Light warm jacket
• Rain gear (poncho)
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Hiking shorts
• Hat/bandana
• Swimsuit
• Sport sandals
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Insect repellant
• Flashlight
• Pocket knife
• Camera and film (ASA 200/400) or memory card
• Battery charger (220 V)
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing (8 or 10X magnification)
• Zipper lock bags and garbage bags for keeping clothes and other personal items dry.
• Book Birds of Peru (optional)

Starting early from Cusco, you will travel by van to the high pass at Huachuccasa (elevation 4,100 meters/1,344 feet). Here you will mount your bike and descend through an Andean landscape of deep valleys and rural communities where you will see highland birds such as the mountain caracara and Andean flicker on the way to the colonial town of Paucartambo, which is known as the folkloric capital of the Cusco region. Here you will visit the church with its image of the Virgin of Carmen, as well as the Carlos V Bridge spanning the river. This bridge has been the gateway to Manu forests since pre-hispanic times. You will spend your first night in a restored colonial house (Manicomnio Azul) with plenty of time to explore some of the local wood bakeries and mask factories.
Driving distance: 110 km/69 miles
Biking distance: 30 km/18 miles
Included: lunch & dinner

After a typical breakfast, continue your journey by crossing the Acjanacu Pass (3,850 meters/10,988 feet), the official entrance to Manu National Park. From here descend to the cloud forest, passing through Andean grasslands. The sparse vegetation of this zone is home to birds such as the Andean guan, white-collared jay, crimson-mantled woodpecker and the endemic Puna thistle tail.

You will have plenty of time to enjoy local flora and fauna, including the cock-of-the-rock, golden-headed quetzal, blue-crowned motmots, mountain toucans and other birds, as well as butterflies, ferns and orchids. Spend your second night embraced by the comforts of Paradise Lodge (1,470 meters/4,821 feet).
Driving distance: 71.6 km/44.8 miles (5 hours)
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

After your first night in the cloud forest, you will enjoy a pre-breakfast walk to observe the cock-of-the-rock perform its daily ritual, in which a group of males put on an impressive show to attract females. Then you will return to the lodge for a healthy breakfast before continuing our bike ride to Pillcopata, embarking from the port of Atalaya. During this trip you will see plantations growing manioc, papaya, pineapple and coca, as well as local fauna such as spider monkeys and brown capuchin monkeys. And of course birds, including spix guans, plumbeous kites and black vultures. After dinner a short hike will present the opportunity to observe nocturnal life on trails surrounding the local Amazon forest lodge at which you’ll spend the night.
Driving distance: 71.6 km/44.8 miles (5 hours)
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

One of the highlights of a trip to the Peruvian rainforest is an early-morning visit to the macaw clay lick. You will never forget watching hundreds of parrots and macaws gather at the mineral-rich riverbank clay deposit, where their noisy feeding display is a kaleidoscope of color. You will observe Cuvier’s toucans, red and green macaws, blue-headed parrots and other species as they feed on the minerals. Afterward we will return to the lodge for breakfast. Your adventure continues with a several hour trail hike, returning to the lodge for a typical regional lunch. After lunch return to the river where you will ride a boat to Atalaya, where our car will be waiting to drive you back to Paradise Lodge in comfort.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Your final day in the rainforest will begin with a post-breakfast walk. Then you will board a private bus for the return trip to Cusco. Follow the now familiar route to Paucartambo. Your journey continues to Ninamarca, the burial towers of the pre-Inca Lupacas culture, and continues with spectacular views of the Ausangate and Sawasiray mountains before arriving in picturesque Cusco.
Driving distance: 182 km/113 miles (6 to 8 hours)
Included: breakfast & lunch

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Specialized bilingual guide
• Accommodation in our private Paradise Lodge in the cloud forest (2 nights) and 1 night at restored colonial house Manicomnio Azul.
• Private bus transportation
• All meals indicated on the itinerary:
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner (soup, main dish and dessert),
BL=box lunch
No additional charge for vegetarian diets
• Drinking water from Cusco
• Basic first-aid kit
• Specialized books are available during the trip
• Mountain bikes with front suspensions and 21 gears; helmet

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• Special bike shoes, personal pedals with clips (regular pedals included), and gloves
• Personal items and medicines (e.g., gear, clothing, laundry service, telephone calls)
• Tips to local staff (we suggest $8-10 USD per day of service per guide or driver)

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

• 1 photocopy of passport
• Daypack
• Hiking boots
• Sweater
• Light warm jacket
• Rain gear
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Hiking shorts
• Sun hat or bandana
• Swimsuit
• Sport sandals
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Insect repellant
• Flashlight
• Pocket knife
• Camera and film (ASA 200/400) or memory card
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing (8 or 10X magnification)
• Zipper lock plastic bags and garbage bags for keeping clothes and other personal items dry

 

An early start from Cusco gives you limitless opportunities to enjoy Peru’s many jewels. The trip to the cloud forest takes you through Andean landscapes of unmatched beauty; deep valleys and highlands are decorated with rural communities. Along the way you will observe highland birds such as the mountain caracara, Puna ibis and Andean flicker. Cultural sites include the burial towers of the Lupacas pre-Inca culture and the colonial town of Paucartambo, which is known as the folkloric capital of the Cusco region. Here you will visit the church with its image of the Virgin of Carmen, and the Carlos V colonial bridge spanning the river. This bridge has been the gateway to the Manu forests since pre-Hispanic times. After Paucartambo the journey continues by crossing the Acjanacu Pass (3,850 meters/12,628 feet), the official entrance to the Manu National Park. From here the road descends to the cloud forest, passing through Andean grasslands where the sparse vegetation is the habitat of birds such as the Andean guan, white-collared jay, crimson-mantled woodpecker and the endemic Puna thistle tail. You’ll have ample time to walk along the road and enjoy the area’s flora and fauna, which includes the cock-of-the-rock, golden-headed quetzal, blue-crowned motmot, mountain toucan and many tanagers, flycatchers, jays and hummingbirds. South America’s only bear, the spectacled bear, also shares this area with white-tailed deer, butterflies, ferns and orchids. You will spend the first night in the comforts of Paradise Lodge (1,470 meters/4,821 feet).
Driving distance: 181 km/113 miles (6 to 8 hours)
Included: lunch & dinner

Your day begins with a pre-breakfast forest walk to see Peru’s national bird, the cock-of-the-rock, in its daily ritual in which 8 to 10 males perform an amazing show to attract female attention. After returning to the lodge for a delicious typical breakfast, the rest of the day will be spent hiking and looking for local species of birds, monkeys, mammals, plants and insects in the cloud forest, and also enjoying a refreshing swim in a nearby small stream. Late in the afternoon you will board the private bus to the port of Atalaya, from where you will take the boat downstream to the lodge for an evening meal and a good night’s rest. After dinner you’ll enjoy the opportunity to take a short hike around the lodge to observe the nocturnal forest life.
Driving distance: 71.6 km/44.8 miles
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Begin day 3 with a nice breakfast before continuing downstream to the village of Boca Manu. Along the way you will observe a variety of birds, including great billed terns, tiger herons, snowy egrets, black skimmers and black vultures among the trees, and also caiman on the river. After a short stop in the village continue to the private Blanqillo reserve, enjoying more bird watching and seeing birds of prey such as the harpy eagle, falcons and vultures. After dinner at the reserve you will take a nocturnal walk to Lake Blanquillo to observe caiman and listen to the spectacular sounds made by night monkeys (musmuqui), the world’s only nocturnal primate, accompanied in its symphony by the bamboo rat and numerous species of toads, insects and other forest inhabitants that only emerge at night.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Before breakfast, a 30-minute hike takes us to a position just 30 meters (90 feet) from the “collpa,” a rich riverbank deposit of minerals and clay. From a blind camouflaged with palm leaves, you will observe several species of parrots and macaws in a colorful show as they feed on minerals. After this unforgettable spectacle we will return to camp for a well-deserved breakfast. The rest of the day will be devoted to exploring Lake Blanco, where visitors often see a family of rare giant river otters, caiman, turtles and many other species native to this oxbow lake ecosystem. You also have the option to walk the game trails in the afternoon, walk around the lake at night and take an after-dark canoe ride to see caiman up close.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

After an early breakfast, you board the boat again and head downstream toward the mining town of Colorado, where the private vehicle will be waiting to take you to the Inambari River. After crossing the river, continue by bus to Puerto Maldonado, arriving late in the afternoon. Here you will spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer by bus to the airport for the breathtaking flight back to Cusco or Lima. Flight times depend on airline schedule and weather conditions. If your flight is to Cusco, we will provide transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Included: breakfast

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Specialized bilingual guide
• Accommodation in private lodges (4 nights) and hotel (1 night)
• Private bus transportation
• Motorized boat with cushioned seats, roof and life jackets
• All meals indicated on the itinerary:
B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner (soup, main dish and dessert),
BL= box lunch
No additional charge for vegetarian diets
• Drinking water from Cusco
• Basic first-aid kit
• Specialized books are available during the trip

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• Plane tickets from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco or Lime (approximately $140)
• Excess baggage charges for plane (maximum 20 kilos per person)
• Personal items and medicines (gear, clothing, laundry service, telephone calls, etc.)
• Tips to local staff (we recommend $8-10 per day of service per guide or driver)
• Airport departure taxes

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

• 1 photocopy of passport
• Daypack
• Hiking boots
• Sweater
• Light warm jacket
• Rain gear (poncho)
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Hiking shorts
• Hat or bandana
• Swimsuit
• Sport sandals
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Insect repellant
• Flashlight
• Pocket knife
• Camera and film (ASA 200/400) or memory card
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing (8 or 10X magnification)
• Zipper lock bags and garbage bags for keeping clothes and other personal items dry

Starting early from Cusco, you will travel through Andean landscapes of unmatched beauty: deep valleys, highlands and rural communities where you will enjoy highland birds such as the mountain caracara, Puna ibis and Andean flicker, as well as the pre-Inca Lupacas burial towers, before arriving at the picturesque colonial town of Paucartambo, which has been the gateway to the Manu forests since pre-Hispanic times. Here you wll visit the church with its image of the Virgin of Carmen, and see the historic Carlos V bridge. Once you pass through Acjanaco Pass (3,850 meters/12,630 feet), the official entrance to Manu National Park, the road descends through the important, sparsely-vegetated Andean grassland ecosystem, before reaching the cloud forest in the afternoon. This area is a wealth of flora and fauna: it is the habitat of cock-of-the-rock, crested and golden quetzal, blue-crowned motmot, gray breasted mountain toucan, butterflies, ferns and orchids. To name just a few! After this big day you will spend your first night enjoying the comforts of Paradise Lodge (1,470 meters/4,821 feet).
Driving distance: 181 km/113 miles (6 to 8 hours, including 3-hour hike)
Included: lunch & dinner

After your first night in the cloud forest, you will enjoy a pre-breakfast walk to watch the cock-of-the-rock perform its daily ritual, in which a group of males put on a show to attract females. Then you will return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before continuing the trip to Pillcopata. Our private bus will take you to the port of Atalaya (650 meters), where you will board a motorized canoe to navigate approximately 5 hours down the turbulent and exciting Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. As night falls you will stay in a basic lodge, or camp next to the lodge depending on availability.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today your journey continues along the Manu River as far as the CAMP, inside the Reserve Zone. Passing Limonal ranger station, you will register before entering the Reserve Zone. Along the way enjoy birds such as toucans, macaws and parrots, and mammals such as capybara, tapirs, peccaries and many varieties of turtles, caiman and, with luck, an impressive, lone jaguar. In mid-afternoon you will arrive at the camp near Salvador Oxbow Lake, where you will spend two nights camping on comfortable platforms.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4 begins early with a walk of 3 to 4 hours, traveling from the Manu River banks to Otorongo Lake, where you will climb a 15 meter high observation tower. From this vantage point you will enjoy birds such as the exuberantly feathered and primitive shansho (hoatzin), as well as monkeys feeding on fruits. Flowers and butterflies add breathtaking color to the scene. Return to camp via canoe for a delicious lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring Salvador Oxbow Lake and the surrounding area aboard our private catamaran, from which you will marvel at the mega diversity attracted by this lake: black caiman, white caiman, waterfowl and a family of giant otters are among the inhabitants that call this area home. In the evening you will return to the camp.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Rising early will provide you with another opportunity to enjoy a nature walk or one more visit to the lake. You will also hear the choirs of birds defining their territory in song. As the sun rises, the eastern sky changes to pale yellow and exposes falcons and other predatory birds patiently searching for prey from the treetops. After these morning delights, board the boat and head downstream toward Boca Manu. After visiting the local village, continue via the Madre de Dios River to Blanquillo Lodge, near the macaw clay lick.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Before breakfast, a 15-minute boat ride and 20-minute walk through the forest take you to a position just 30 meters/90 feet from the collpa: a rich deposit of natural minerals and clay in the riverbank, and a daily stop for countless species of birds. From this vantage point, in a blind constructed from a catamaran camouflaged with palm leaves, you will observe the daily routine. The first to arrive are several species of parrots, followed soon after by macaws in a colorful and impressive show as they feed on the mineral-rich clay. After this unforgettable spectacle you will return to the lodge for a well-deserved breakfast. The rest of the day will be devoted to exploring Lake Blanco: caiman, turtles and many other species are native to this ecosystem. You may walk the game trails in the afternoon. After dark you will have the opportunity to take a night walk around the lake and, time permitting, take a canoe ride to observe caiman close up.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Early in the morning you will have another chance for a short nature walk or one more visit to the Oxbow Lake, home to giant otters and black caiman. You will then board our boat and head upstream to the Boca Manu airstrip for the 45-minute return flight to Cusco, enjoying spectacular views of the river as it meanders through the forest, and of the Andes beyond the forest. We will transfer you from the Cusco airport to your hotel. Your other option is to continue by boat up river to Pantiacolla Lodge, and spend one more night in the cloud forest with more great opportunities for birding, exploring the jungle and relaxing.
Included: breakfast, lunch & dinner

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Specialized bilingual guide
• Accommodations (6 nights)
• Private transportation
• All meals indicated on the itinerary:
B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner (soup, main dish and dessert),
BL= box lunch
No additional charge for vegetarian diets
• Drinking water from Cusco
• Basic first-aid kit
• Specialized books are available during the trip

 

 

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• Personal items and medicines (e.g., gear, clothing, laundry, telephone calls)
• Tips to local staff (we recommend $8-10 USD per day of service per guide or driver)

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

• 1 photocopy of passport
• Daypack
• Hiking boots
• Sweater
• Light warm jacket
• Rain gear
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Hiking shorts
• Hat or bandana
• Swimsuit
• Sport sandals
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Insect repellant
• Flashlight
• Pocket knife
• Camera and film (ASA 200/400) or memory card
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing (8 or 10X magnification)
• Zipper lock plastic bags and garbage bags for keeping clothes and other personal items dry