Expedition to the Manu Biosphere Reserve 7 Days/ 6 Nights

After an early breakfast, we continue our adventure with our minibus: we pass the village of Pilcopata and cross the river of the same name to get to the small port of Atalaya (600 m). On the way, we will stop at an animal rescue station and at an local orchid garden. We also do some short walks along the road to look out for monkeys and birds. From Atalaya, we navigate for about 8 hours in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River to get to the lowland rainforest. During our trip, we will enjoy the changing landscape and have the great opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky river banks, such as the Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 monkey species that live in Manu. On our way we will visit Diamante, a Piro Indian village, where we can discover some typical houses. In the afternoon we arrive at the Maquisapayoj Lodge (“Place of the Black Spider Monkey”). Afterwards we will have an evening night walk to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.

Accommodation: double room with private bathroom
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

At dawn, we take the boat to the big macaw clay lick in Blanquillo. From a platform, we will have an excellent view to observe flocks of colourful macaws (Ara chloroptera, – macao), parrots and parakeets congregating to eat the clay which is essential for their digestion. Looking through our spotting scope, we can observe every detail of the birds! We will have breakfast at the blind and afterwards explore some of the trails in Blanquillo to see more species of monkeys and birds. After lunch, we visit the Camungo lake: here we take a wooden catamaran to observe Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and different varieties of birds. Nearby, we have the opportunity to climb a 42 meter observation tower to get a great canopy view and observe birds such as the beautiful toucans. In the afternoon, we travel upstream to return to the Maquisapayoj lodge. After a short break at the lodge, we hike for about 1 ½ hours through the primary rainforest to the mammal salt lick. To have the best chance to observe animals – especially the tapir – we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets). Your guide will help us spotting the tapir with a light. If you prefer, you have the opportunity to sleep in double rooms at the lodge as well.

Accommodation: double room with private bathroom or tapir platform
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

At dawn, we return back to the lodge to have breakfast. Afterwards we travel downriver to visit the “Cocha Blanco” (Blanco lake). After a short hike we reach the oxbow-lake which we explore by catamaran to look out for a Giant River Otters family that lives here. We enjoy the beautiful setting at the lake and start to look for monkeys (e.g. Red Howler Monkey), caimans and different varieties of birds. Back in Maquisapayoj, we have the chance to hike some other trails to look out for the Emperor and Saddle-backed Tamarin Monkeys, Monk Saki Monkeys and birds such as Pavonine, Quetzal, Hoatzin and Manakins. We can also visit the salt lick in the afternoon to look out for monkeys, guans and deers. You can spend another night on the tapir platform or otherwise go back to the Maquisapayoj Lodge, where you go for a night walk and spend the night in your double room.

Accommodation: double room with private bathroom or tapir platform
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

If you are keen on discovering more animals, we can go for a walk at first light of our fifth day and later on have our delicious breakfast. We then explore some trails to look for the Black Spider and Red Howler Monkeys, White and Brown Capuchin and many bird species. The guide also informs you about interesting plants! In the afternoon, we travel upriver for about 3 hours to the Hummingbird Lodge. On our way, we stop in Boca Manu, or Fitzcarrald, the main village of Manu. Here, we can meet people from different ethnic groups and also see boat builders. Afterwards, we will discover some of the trails near the Hummingbird Lodge and then go for a night walk. You will experiment yourself that the area is perfect for observing birds, especially hummingbirds. We then spend the night at the lodge and get some rest to prepare for the following adventurous day.

Accommodation: double room with private bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we aboard our boat early to travel upriver, making our way back towards Cusco. During our boat ride we always look out for animals like Capybara or Caimans on the shores of the river. If time allows it, we can make a stop at Aguas Calientes to dip in the hot waters or we can visit Machuwasi Lake to observe some more animals. In the afternoon we arrive at the Rio de Oro Lodge. We have dinner, go for a night walk and then spend the night at the Lodge.

Accommodation: double room with private bathroom
Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we take the boat back to Atalaya. Here, our bus will be waiting for us for our return trip through the cloud forest and over the Andes back to Cusco. Travelling through the cloud forest, we can look out for birds, insects and butterflies along the roadside and stop whenever we spot animals. We will reach Cusco around 06:00 pm and then transfer you to your hotel.