Manu Reserve Zone – 8 days
This special tour will begin and end in Cusco, city of the Incas, and will take you through Manu for 8 days. Here you will be immersed in one of the natural wonders of the world, the Manu Amazon basin, famous for its unique inhabitants and biodiversity.
Manu National Park is one of the most biodiverse tourist destinations on the planet, with an astounding number of plant, animal and insect species. As such, visiting the Manu area allows the tourist a window into an ecosystem like no other. It has a diversity and richness that is rare in the world, offering visitors many opportunities to see wildlife and incredible flora and fauna.
The selection of routes that we offer has been carefully planned in order to experience highlights for all kinds of expectations: historical, cultural, ornithological, anthropological and mystical. We strive to make your trip what you want it to be, and deliver.
NOTE: The program involves several trips by bus and boat, and so given the uncontrollable forces of nature, the program may be subject to change at any time without notice.
Start: Cusco End: Cusco
Style: Original
Type: Adventure
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Age: Minimum 10 years with their parents, 18 without parents.
Group size: Minimum 2 Maximum 9
Meals
7 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners (vegetarian option available)
Transport
Land transportation (minivan), river transportation (canoe motorized), Peke Peke (small boat motorized, perfectly designed for small rivers)
Accommodation
At Bamboo Lodge (1 night), Posada Manu Rainforest (2nights), Robles Tree House (1night), Casa Machiguenga (2nights), Dorado Lodge (1night)
- Hike in the cloud forest (first day)
- Visit to the Machuhuasi lagoon (raft with pole)
- Macaw, parrots and parakeet viewing at the Colpa (Robles Ecological Reserve)
- Tubing in the Palotoa River (Robles Ecological Reserve)
- Night hikes with licensed naturalist guide
- Sport fishing
- Hiking trails on our private reserve
- Exploring for Wildlife
- Visit to Cocha Otorongo (tower) (Manu Reserved Zone)
- Visita a la Cocha Salvador (catamarán) (Manu Reserved Zone)
First breakfast, water for the first day, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, snacks, souvenirs, tips and the last dinner.
ITINERARY
Pre-trek briefing:
You will have thorough briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Manu National Park 8 Days 7 Nights. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.
Day 1: Cusco – Cloud Forest – Paucartambo – Pilcopata.
We pick up from your hotel very early in the morning from 5:30 a.m. at 6:00 a.m. in our comfortable and private bus. On the way, we visit the funerary towers or Chullpas de Ninamarca at 3750 meters above sea level and a brief visit to Paucartambo, a folkloric town, a colonial bridge. We ascend to the upper area of Paucartambo, the Acjanaco sector. (4000 m.s.n.m) This is the point of entry to the Manu National Park 8 Days 7 Nights. Then we descend through the mysterious cloud forest, which hosts a great variety of flora and fauna, full of beautiful orchids, heliconias and primitive ferns. We take a walk to give you the opportunity to witness the Cock of the Rocks (Rupícola Peruviana) in the ritual of mating. There are also possibilities to observe Trogones (Trogon sp.), Quetzals (Pharomachrus sp.) In addition, much more and if we are lucky we can observe Spectacled Bear (Tremantus Ornatos). In the afternoon, we arrive at a village Pilcopata at 550 meters above sea level in our typical lodge that is outside the town with private bathrooms and showers where we will spend the night.
Day 2: Pilcopata – Atalaya – Paititi Lodge.
After a delicious breakfast, we continue our trip by bus to Atalaya for 45 minutes, altitude of 490 m.s.m, where we will embark by boat for 30 minutes to the lodge Paititi lodge, where we will spend the night in our typical lodge with private bathrooms and showers. On the way, we will observe a variety of animals.
After the delicious lunch, in the afternoon we will go to the Cocha Machuwasi, where we will ride a catamaran typical of the area, to observe a variety of birds such as the Shansho (Ophisthocomus hoazín), monkeys, reptiles, dwarf alligators and insects, and perhaps some ronsocos (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris). At night, we have the optional night trekking program. Night in Hostel with private bathrooms and showers available.
Day 3: Paititi Lodge – Boca Manu.
After the delicious breakfast we continue our trip we embark on motorized boat by the Madre de Dios River. On the way, we can see a variety of birds, such as herons, Kingfisher and always the presence of vultures of which the most spectacular is the condor of the jungle, the king of vultures (Sarcoramphus papa). The Jaguar (Panther Onca) we also have a stop in natural hot springs, to take medicinal baths, if we still have time we visit the Native community of Diamante to see their typical constructions of houses and see the wild fruits they have. In the afternoon we arrive at the village of Boca Manu (280 m.s.n.m.), where we have the accommodation. Lodge with showers and bathrooms.
Day 4: Boca Manu – Cocha Otorongo (Reserved Area).
After breakfast, we enter the reserve area where we will have a better opportunity to observe the biodiversity that the Manu offers, a brief stop in the ranger’s stations. The boat trip continues and one begins to realize why Manu is so famous for its wildlife. On the banks of the river, there are groups of turtles, white alligators (Cayman cocodrylus) or perhaps some ronsocos (Hydrochoerus, hydrochaeris) and many more. In the afternoon we arrived at our safari camp in Cocha Otorongo, (250 masl) (double beds inside platforms) shortly after we organized a walk to visit the lake and the observation tower of 30 meters from where we have the opportunity to observe the river giant otters. Here in the Manu the animals have never suffered hunting persecution by men. Night in safari camp, on platforms with roof double beds with mosquito net. Showers and shared bathrooms.
Day 5: Cocha Otorongo – Cocha Salvador (Reserved Área).
The group visits Cocha Salvador today which is 30 minutes from Cocha Otorongo. Today, they explore walking in the virgin primary forest. We visit the lake to paddle silently in a catamaran that gives us the possibility to observe the wolves of the river again and a great variety of strange birds, the sultana cock (Porphyrula Martinica or the Garga Agami (Agamia) and monkeys of different species are almost certainly observed 9 species of the 14 species. We later walked on the main trails with the guide to learn the operation and secrets of the tropical forest.
Day 6: Cocha Otorongo – Boca Manu.
We visit cocha brasco to observe giant otters, optional walk around the lodge. Showers and shared bathrooms.
Day 7: Boca Manu – Paititi Lodge.
We continue back by boat on the Alto Madre de Dios River. On the way, we have again the option of seeing many birds and likewise with very lucky animals. In the afternoon, we are arriving at our Paititi lodge. We spent the night in the lodge. Showers and private bathrooms available.
Day 8: Paititi Lodge – Cusco.
This day is very sad because we have to leave our wonderful jungle full of mysteries and return by boat to Atalaya, then we travel by bus to Cusco. On the way, we can observe the Cloud Forest again, with immense variety of flora and fauna and arrive at the city at 6:00 p.m. at 6:30 p.m.
Important Note:
- Manu National Park 8 Days 7 Nights is not endemic area about Malaria neither Yellow fever you can bring a good insect repellent but if you decide to put the yellow fever vaccination for prevention you can do it 30 days before start your trip to the jungle.
- Although we do our very best possible to adhere to the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change for several reasons beyond our control, including strikes, weather, natural disasters, and terrain conditions. On some occasions, these conditions may demand us to deviate from our original schedule, in which case we will provide the best available alternative options. And we’ll make a great experience of it!
OUR ACCOMMODATIONS
Casa Machiguenga
Posada Manu Rainforest
Robles Tree House Peru
The meeting point or pick up will be at your Cusco hotel, our Guide will meet you with our private minivan.
The tour begins and ends in the city of Cusco. If you’re based outside of Cusco in Pisac, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo for example, you will be picked up much earlier to be brought to the city of Cusco to join the tour at its departure point. Please contact us to coordinate. This will have an additional cost, and schedule of pick up will be arranged.
Pick up time is bright and early, at 4:00 in the morning, to give us more time to enjoy the places of interest on the way. And, leaving early we also take advantage of the fresh morning to see more wildlife on the way. Leaving early we also avoid traffic and other tour groups crowding our way.
We normally run this tour from March to December (summer). For January and February, please inquire for availability as it is the rainy season and trips will be scheduled only when it is safe.
We recommend economizing on your luggage for this trip to Manu of 7 days. Travel light and think about bringing layers instead of big jackets, etc. Be selective and pack light. Choose quick dry clothing if possible, we will be in the jungle! Remember long sleeves and long trousers are a barrier between you and the mosquitos! Pack wisely and enjoy your trip more.
- A small daypack for all your essentials like water bottle, camera, snacks and phone , toilet paper, hand sanitizer
- 6-7 long sleeve t-shirts or polos
- 4-5 ultra lightweight pair of hiking pants
- 8 pairs of underwear
- 8 pairs of socks
- 1 wide-brimmed Sun Hat
- Flip flops for the shower
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- 1 small ultra-light towel
- Waterproof shoes/hiking sandals like TEVAs
- Swimming suit/Bathers
- Torch/flashlight with extra battery
- Dark-colored clothing
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We don’t want you to miss out on the spectacular beauty of the flora and fauna Manu rainforest! While your zoom is a great way to catch animals at a distance, binoculars are a great way just to watch! Manu Rainforest Peru provides use of professional binoculars! The Nikon, Vortex 8 x 42 water resistant binoculars offer extended clear viewing and brings the action in close. Please note, while in your care, the binoculars are your responsibility, so please treat them with care as you are liable in the event of any damage or loss.
- Plastic bags for dirty and clean clothes, and for camera/electronics.
- A torch or head lamp (torch for night hikes) with battery
- Camera and Battery charger and extra batteries, memory cards
- Biodegradable or Organic Soap (available in Cusco)
- Sunscreen
- DEET or other strong insect repellent
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper (in plastic bag to keep dry!)
- Personal medication for 8 days
Manu Rainforest Peru rates include all meals (optional vegetarian with notice), soft drinks, hot drinks, sparkling wine and beer with meals, accommodations at lodges, excursions with knowledgeable naturalist guides, professional cook (chef), the Manu National Park entrance fee, night walks. We will provide private transportation (boat & minivan). Breakfast and lunch will be available on your last day and are included in the rate. Tubing in the river is also included on your amazon adventure. One great advantage of our “all inclusive” rates is that you will know in advance exactly how much you’re Manu Rainforest Peru vacation will cost.