The Manu Reserved Zone Tours provide a broad exploration of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. Over a seven-day journey from Cusco, a local English-speaking tour guide gives an immersive experience into the Amazonian cultures and a rich biodiversity unique to the region.
Our exclusive accommodation, the Treehouse INN, is nestled right in the Manu Rainforest, enhancing the authenticity of your adventure.
Please wait in the lobby of your hotel for our pick-up service.
If your hotel is not within the centre of Cusco City, we will be meeting you at the main square - Plaza de Armas at an agreed time.
If your hotel is not within the centre of Cusco city, we will be picking you from the main square next to the fountain.
Your week-long adventure into the Manu Reserved Zone commences with an early dawn collection from your accommodation in Cusco. From here, our private transportation will carry us across the Andean plains towards the lush Amazon, offering breathtaking vistas of lofty Andean summits on our journey.
We will make a short stop in Paucartambo, a traditional Andean town perched at an altitude of 2906 meters (9534 ft.). Here, we will partake in a local breakfast while our guide enlightens you about the area's rich customs and cultural heritage. The residents of Paucartambo have preserved their ancient practices and traditions, remaining largely unaffected by modern influences.
After absorbing the unique history of this captivating town, we continue our journey to an enchanting viewpoint, the Tres Cruces or Acjano Pass. Perched at the highest point of our journey from Cusco at 3900 meters (12795 ft.), this vantage point provides staggering panoramas of the sprawling Amazon basin below.
After soaking in the breathtaking views from the scenic overlook, we will descend into the mystical depths of the Manu Cloud Forest—a lush, mist-shrouded paradise bursting with biodiversity. Here, we will embark on a guided nature walk to discover a vibrant array of exotic plants, hidden wildlife, and stunning, wild orchid gardens. This pristine ecosystem is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. It offers a rare opportunity to witness Peru's iconic national bird, the brilliant Andean Cock-of-the-rock, performing its vibrant mating dance. Keep your eyes on the canopy, as this region is also home to curious Capuchin monkeys, rare Woolly monkeys, and an incredible variety of endemic bird species.
Tras disfrutar de un almuerzo tradicional con especialidades locales en el jardín de picaflores, nos trasladaremos al puerto de Atalaya. Allí comenzará nuestra aventura fluvial a bordo de una lancha motora, navegando por las dinámicas aguas del río Alto Madre de Dios. Más adelante, nos desviaremos hacia el río Palotoa, un afluente más estrecho donde cambiaremos a una embarcación de menor calado, diseñada especialmente para navegar por ríos poco profundos en el corazón de la selva. Tras dos horas de viaje rodeados de paisajes amazónicos e imponentes sonidos de la naturaleza, llegaremos a nuestro destino: el Amazon Treehouse Lodge, un refugio único ubicado en lo profundo de la Amazonía peruana.
At the break of dawn around 5:00 AM, we'll embark on a boat trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River, aiming for the Manu Reserved Zone. Breakfast will be enjoyed at sunrise during this journey.
Upon reaching Boca Manu, we'll change our course and navigate the Manu River. This voyage presents an abundance of opportunities to spot animals like jaguars, capybaras, and alligators sunning themselves along the banks. You may also catch sight of herons fishing in the Manu River within the Biosphere Reserve. Around noon, we'll arrive at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, where we'll indulge in a traditional Amazonian lunch. This lodge, run by the members of the Matsiguenka communities, offers 12 double bedrooms.
Following lunch, our exploration of the Manu Reserved Zone begins, with our first stop being Otorongo Lake, home to an observation tower. From here, you'll take in a panoramic view of the sprawling Amazon Rainforest. As the sun dips below the horizon, we'll retreat back to the lodge for dinner and a restful night's sleep.
We will maximize our stay in the Manu Reserved Zone. After enjoying a local breakfast, we'll embark on a journey to Cocha Salvador using a typical jungle conveyance, the Catamaran. You'll have the chance to observe various wildlife including Giant river otters, black caimans, and alligators. There will also be opportunities to see diverse species of monkeys and birds, many unique to this region.
After a morning full of activities, we'll return to the lodge for a delicious, traditional lunch. After lunch, you'll have free time for a well-deserved rest or to recharge. Once refreshed, we'll get ready to head out again and continue exploring the best-kept secrets and amazing biodiversity of the Manu Reserved Zone.
As night falls, the jungle is completely transformed. Equipped with flashlights and guided by our expert local tracker, we’ll venture along the trails of the Manu Reserve for a fascinating night hike. This is a unique opportunity to sharpen your senses and discover a whole new world: the awakening of crepuscular and nocturnal creatures. Enveloped in a symphony of mysterious sounds, the jungle will reveal an astonishing variety of wildlife that cannot be seen during the day. We will search for tarantulas in their burrows, colorful tree frogs, strange stick insects, snakes, and the glowing eyes of caimans or nocturnal mammals reflected in the darkness. A truly magical and exciting experience in the heart of the purest Amazon.
Our day begins with an exciting 5:30 a.m. departure from Casa Matsiguenka Lodge. We'll embark on an unforgettable full-day river safari expedition, navigating the Manu and Palotoa Rivers. Far from being a simple transfer, this journey offers a unique opportunity to observe wildlife such as the jaguar and tapir, with prime viewing spots for river life, rare birds, and animals that come ashore at dawn. Our final destination is the heart of the Manu rainforest, at our exclusive and private Amazon Treehouse. Located high in the treetops, this unique ecolodge combines an authentic Amazonian adventure with local hospitality for an unparalleled night in the jungle.
As we approach Boca Manu, prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as we witness the mesmerizing sunrise together. To maximize your time, we'll serve breakfast onboard.
Upon reaching the Palotoa River, we'll switch to a smaller boat (Peke Peke) and continue our upstream voyage to the Treehouse. We plan to arrive at the Treehouse by nightfall.
We'll depart before sunrise to visit the Parrot Clay Lick, a must-see and certainly a high point of your Manu National Park journey.
This cliff draws hundreds of vividly-hued parrots that gather to ingest the clay, which contains special minerals that aid in detoxifying their bodies. You'll have ample time to observe this spectacle before we make our return to the Treehouse for breakfast.
Post breakfast, we'll trek along another significant trail, where various medicinal plants are found.
After enjoying a hearty Amazonian breakfast, we'll prepare to explore the fascinating Manu Cultural Zone. This transitional area is a vibrant setting, ideal for observing flora and fauna up close. We'll hike along trails surrounded by giant ceiba trees, search for monkeys in the treetops, and visit hidden lagoons, enjoying a unique perspective and the natural richness that this emblematic region safeguards.
In the afternoon, we’ll delve into the mysterious atmosphere of the swamp, a unique ecosystem teeming with hidden biodiversity. We’ll explore this specialized habitat, which is ideal for spotting species not found in the upper rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready: this is the perfect place to spot caimans camouflaged in the water, prehistoric hoatzin birds (shanshos), capybaras on the banks, and an amazing variety of colorful frogs and waterfowl that come to life as evening falls.
After our breakfast, another adventure awaits us.
We'll cross the river aboard our boat to venture into a completely different and pristine area of the Amazon. Upon disembarking on the other bank, a new natural landscape will unfold before us, with untrodden trails ideal for in-depth exploration. We'll walk beneath the imposing forest canopy that inhabits this exclusive area. A true adventure of discovery in the heart of Manu.
¡Prepárese para una de las experiencias más divertidas y refrescantes de la expedición: el tubing en el río Palotoa! Equipados con chalecos salvavidas y flotadores gigantes, nos dejaremos llevar por las tranquilas y cristalinas corrientes de este hermoso río amazónico. Mientras flota río abajo, disfrutará de una perspectiva única y completamente relajante de la selva que nos rodea. Es el equilibrio perfecto entre adrenalina y relajación: una oportunidad ideal para refrescarse del calor tropical, reír en grupo y, al mismo tiempo, contemplar los árboles de la orilla y las aves que cruzan el cielo. Una actividad inolvidable en el corazón del Manu.
Your day concludes with arrival at Manu Rainforest Lodge. Perfect time to have dinner and once again explore part of the Manu Rainforest.
Following breakfast, we'll embark to Atalaya pier, where our crew will be ready with private transport to take you back to Cusco city.
Along the return journey, we'll make another stop in Paucartambo for a delightful lunch.
Our estimated arrival time in Cusco is 04:00 PM.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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