Located in the Manu River basin across the Cusco and Madre de Dios regions, Manu National Park is a protected natural area of world-renowned biodiversity, largely untouched by human impact. It harbors 2,000–5,000 plant species, over 2,000 animal species (including threatened species such as the Andean mountain cat), and indigenous communities who have lived in the Amazon for centuries — some with no contact with the outside world.
This tour also features new activities: a Mammal Clay Lick (tapirs observable), a Hummingbird Garden (20+ species), and a small Macaw Clay Lick.
Pick-up ~6:00 a.m. Drive through the Andes, visiting Huacarpay Lake (Andean lagoon with rich flora and fauna), the Ninamarca pre-Inca funeral towers of the Lupaca culture in Huancarani, and the colonial town of Paucartambo — the folkloric capital of Cusco. At midday, enter Manu National Park and descend through the Cloud Forest — habitat of Peru’s national bird, the Cock-of-the-Rock, performing spectacular social displays. Arrive at Pona Lodge ~5:00 p.m. Highlights: Cloud Forest walk, national bird spectacle, tanagers, toucans, hummingbirds, two species of quetzal.
Depart ~3:30 a.m. Visit a Hummingbird Garden (hummingbirds, tanagers, King Vulture, Titi monkeys). Board a boat on the Alto Madre de Dios River. Stop at a thermal spring (~1 hr soak). Continue to Yanayacu Lodge for overnight.
Morning visit to a Parrot Clay Lick (parrots, parakeets, macaws). Enter the Manu Reserved Zone — a 5-hour journey upriver on the clay-colored Manu River. Watch for caimans, turtles, herons, egrets, Orinoco geese, monkeys, capybaras, and possibly jaguars sunning on the riverbank. Arrive at Casa Matsiguenka Safari Lodge near Cocha Salvador. Afternoon: explore trails and visit Cocha Otorongo with a 20-meter canopy observation tower. Optional night walk — Black Caimans, Kinkajou, and Ocelot possible.
Early morning catamaran on Cocha Salvador (the largest lake in Manu) — spot Giant River Otters, Black Caimans, Squirrel and Capuchin monkeys, and various birds. Walk to the Macaw Clay Lick: from 5:30 a.m., watch cascades of green, blue, and red macaws descend to eat clay — one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Afternoon jungle trail guided walk. Night: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.
Morning nature walk or lake visit. Boat downstream to Boca Manu then upriver to the Tapir Clay Lick. Spend the night in a camouflage hide in the jungle to observe tapirs after dark. Highlights: river wildlife (second jaguar sighting opportunity), tapir observation.
Continue upriver; transfer to vehicle at Atalaya and drive to Pona Lodge for overnight.
Return to Cusco, arriving ~3:00 p.m. End of service.
