CUSCO – CLOUD FOREST – BAMBOO LODGE

Starting early from Cusco, we begin our 8-hour journey by private bus, first ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 meters. We make a stop in Ninamarca to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and afterwards in the colonial village of Paucartambo. Then we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through the cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.). We enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and can see wildlife as well, such as our national bird: the bright red Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana), showing his mating dance. Walking along the road we can observe brilliantly coloured Tanagers, Quetzals, Trogons, Tucanets and Hummingbirds, as well as hawks and some monkey species, such as the Woolly Monkeys. We arrive at the Bamboo Lodge (950 meters) in the late afternoon and spend the night. After dinner, your guide will brief you about the following day’s activities.

Accommodation: Double rooms with private bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

BAMBOO LODGE – ATALAYA – PANTIACOLLA LODGE OR HUMMINGBIRD LODGE

After an early breakfast we continue our adventure with our minibus: we will pass the village of Pilcopata and cross the river of the same name to get to the small port of Atalaya (600 meters). On the way, we will stop for some short walks to observe birds and to visit a local orchid garden. We can also go on short walks along the road to look out for monkeys and birds. In Atalaya, we embark and start our 4 to 5 hours-journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. Today we enjoy the changing landscape and have the opportunity to see a lot of wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 monkey species that live in Manu. In the afternoon we reach the Pantiacolla Lodge or the Hummingbird Lodge, where we spend the night. In the evening, we do a night walk to see many insects, frogs and snakes.

Accommodation: Double rooms with private bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

PANTIACOLLA OR HUMMINGBIRD LODGE – ALBERGUE CASA MATSIGUENKA

Today we continue our boat ride downriver towards the lowland forest, travelling into the Reserved Zone of Manu. We reach the mouth of the Manu River and after a short stop at the Limonal Guard Station where our permit is checked, we travel upriver into the Manu National Park. During this boat trip, the scenery and wildlife viewing along the banks of the Manu River are fabulous! White Caimans (Caiman crocodylus) sunning on the beaches, turtles, capybara and plenty of colourful birds may be seen. And there is always the possibility of seeing greater animals such as Tapir and Jaguar. In the afternoon, we arrive at the Albergue Casa Matsiguenka where we spend three nights in double rooms. The lodge is built in a typical matsiguenkan style. Optional, we will do a night walk.

Accommodation: Double rooms with shared bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

COCHA SALVADOR – OTORONGO

Today we leave very early for a day excursion to explore the trails in the virgin forest of Manu National Park‘s Reserved Zone. As a highlight, we will visit the beautiful oxbow lake Cocha Salvador by catamaran, looking out for Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and observing caimans, monkeys, hoatzins and other birds. In the afternoon we go for a walk on the trails on the opposite side of the river. We climb the 18-meter-high observation tower from where we can overlook the whole Cocha Otorongo and observe many birds. After a final walk through this biodiverse forest, we return to Albergue Matsiguenka where we have the chance to meet the Machiguenga Indians. We can go for a night walk after dinner.

Accommodation: Double rooms with shared bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

PAKITZA BIOLOGICAL STATION – MANU RIVER/ MANU PARK

At dawn, we take the boat to travel further upriver to the remote Pakitza Biological Station. Dawn and dusk are ideal preconditions to see wildlife on the river banks, so this is a good chance to spot a jaguar! We will have breakfast at Pakitzaand afterwards head off to explore some of the trails to look out for more wildlife. In the afternoon, we return to Casa Matsiguenka.

To observe giant otters, we can visit the Salvador Pond again or explore some of the nearby trails. We spend our night at Casa Matsiguenka and have an optional night walk.

Accommodation: Double rooms with shared bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

CASA MATSIGUENKA – MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE – SALT LICK

We start at first light and travel 6 hours down the Manu River. Capybaras, caimans, birds and with luck one of the big cats may be seen. We make a short stop in Boca Manu village, or Fitzcarrald, and then continue on the wider Madre de Dios River. Further downriver we reach the Maquisapayoj Reserve (Place of the Black Spider Monkey; double rooms with private bathroom). This area is home to numerous monkey species, including the rare Tamarin Monkey and Monk Saki Monkey. After a short rest, we go for a walk to the mammal salt lick where we look out for monkeys, deer and other animals who visit the lick. After returning to the lodge, we explore the forest during a night walk to see insects, frogs and snakes. Optional, we spend another night on the platform at the salt lick.

Accommodation: Double rooms with private bathroom or tapir platform
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

BIG MACAW CLAY LICK – MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR LICK

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 then, after the spectacle, return to the Maquisapayoj Lodge. After a short break, we will walk for about 1 ½ hours into primary rainforest to the Mammal Salt Lick. Here, we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. Your guide will help you to spot the tapirs with a light. If you prefer, you have the opportunity to sleep in double rooms at the lodge as well.

Accommodation: Double rooms with private bathroom or tapir platform
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

COLORADO – CUSCO

After an early breakfast at the lodge, we travel downriver by boat to Colorado (2 ½ hours), a small gold mining town. From here, we take a car to Puerto Carlos (1 hour). We cross the river Inambari and reach the small town of Santa Rosa, where our bus is waiting for us to bring us back to Cusco. We travel on the paved Transoceanic Road through the cloud forest and up to the Andes until reaching Cusco, while enjoying spectacular views of the Ausangate Mountain during our ride. In Cusco, we will transfer you to your hotel.