DAY 1: Cusco-Cloud Forest
Leaving Cusco we head over the Andes, for about 3 hours, to arrive at the Mapacho Valley. Here we hike a couple of hours along the Mapacho River, that gives us stunning views of the environment and also of pre-Inka graves in the rocks. We end at Huatocto, a traditional Andean Community where there used to be a big hacienda in colonial times. Of course the hacienda was built on top of Inka ruins! From here we continue by car to Paucartambo for a coffee. Continuing, we climb to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere, Ajanaco at about 3,800m before descending to the cloud forest. In these mysterious surroundings we spend our first night in the rustic lodge Posada San Pedro (appr. 1,600 m and it has hot showers!).

DAY 2: Lowland Forest, Rafting, Cocha Machuhuasi, Pantiacolla Lodge
We continue the bus ride to the tropical lowland rainforest. In the small village of Pilcopata we get on river rafts to travel down the Pilcopata River to Salvación. This is a beautiful way to get to know the forest: without motor sounds between you and the Amazon! In Salvación we visit one of the few lakes of the Alto Madre de Dios River, Cocha Machuhuasi. It has caiman, the pre-historic looking Hoatzin and many other birds. The lake has little balsa rafts to take you around.  From Salvación, we continue down the Alto Madre de Dios River to rustic and comfortable Pantiacolla Lodge. The forest of Pantiacolla Lodge is a very special rainforest: this is where the Andes and the lowland tropical rainforest meet and provides the visitor with a chance to see a good selection of birds and plants from bóth zones as well as endemics to the area. Your first hike will be on the lowland trails, at 400m above sea level. Also at night, we explore the forest by torchlight looking for insects, snakes and the uniquely nocturnal night-monkey or 'douricouli'. We spend the night in Pantiacolla Lodge.

DAY 3: Clay lick for parrots, Excursion to the Petroleo stream
Early in the morning the boat takes you to a nearby clay lick for parrots and the rare blue-headed macaw. Their spectacle is both impressive to see and to hear! From there we visit the higher trails of the Pantiacolla Mountains:  it’s ‘Oil’ stream with small hot springs, oil wells and natural swimming pools. At night we visit Ranacocha, Frog Lake. Overnight in Panctiacolla Lodge.

DAY 4: Hot springs, Cloud Forest
After a last early morning hike in Pantiacolla, the boat takes us to the hot springs of Shintuya for a relaxing mineral and mud bath, before continuing further up to Atalaya. From here we turn back up the Andes by car, visiting an orchid “sanctuary” along the way. We spend the last night in Posada San Pedro.

DAY 5: Cock of the Rock, Cusco
Early morning we take a hike to the lek of the incredible cock-of-the-rock, to see the males perform their ritual dance right under our eyes. Afterwards we hike through the cloud forest till our car picks us up to return to Cusco.

Important note
Bearing in mind the uncontrollable forces of nature, the programme could be subject to changes at any time