Manu Reserved Zone 9 day tour
We explore the Cloud Forest, Pantiacolla Mountain Range, Manu Reserved Zone and the Blanquillo Macaw lick on a 9-day trip through diverse ecosystems. Traveling from Cusco, we cross the Andes into the cloud forest. There we observe the Cock of the Rock dance and spend the night in a lodge surrounded by nature.
By boat we arrive to Cocha Machuhuasi to explore its calm waters on wooden rafts. At Pantiacolla Lodge, we walk along rainforest trails, spotting monkeys, toucans and peccaries. A visit to a clay lick will reveal colorful parrots and macaws.
Deep in Manu National Park, we stay in camping cabins near Lake Salvador. Additionally, we explore the pristine jungle in search of giant river otters, black caimans, and possibly a jaguar. A canopy tower offers stunning views before returning to Cusco.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Cusco – Cloud Forest
We depart early from Cusco by private bus. The winding road through the Andes, offers beautiful views of valleys and snow-capped peaks.
Along the way, we stop in Paucartambo, a charming colonial town, to stretch our legs and enjoy fresh coffee. We climb to the highest point of the Manu Biosphere, at 4,000 meters, to then descend into the lush cloud forest. This is a mysterious world where orchids, ferns, and moss-covered trees thrive.
In the afternoon, we see the strange Cock-of-the-Rock performing its mating dance. As dusk settles, we reach Posada San Pedro Lodge and spend the night surrounded by nature and its sounds.
Day 2: Cloud Forest – Cocha Machuhuasi – Pantiacolla Lodge
At dawn, we continue by private bus toward the tropical lowlands. From Atalaya, a small village 650 meters above sea level, we continue by motorized canoe.
We navigate for about 30 minutes down the fast Alto Madre de Dios River. We can see river birds and maybe squirrel monkeys , capybara or deer taking a peek at us from the green jungle walls.
We stop at one of the few lakes along the Alto Madre de Dios River. Cocha Machuhuasi is a quiet place surrounded by nature. We use traditional wooden rafts to go around the lake and spot many colorful birds, tropical fish swimming in the clear waters, and sometimes even a caiman resting by the lake shore.
Later, we continue our journey deeper into the jungle, navigating toward Pantiacolla Lodge. Nestled at the foot of the Pantiacolla Mountain Range, this will be our residence for the next two days.
Day 3: Pantiacolla Lodge Trails
The forest surrounding Pantiacolla Lodge is special, as it combines both the Andean and Amazonian ecosystems. It is home to species from the two regions and many unique plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
Our first walk will be on trails at 400 meters above sea level, searching for monkeys, groups of peccaries, and colorful toucans. Towering trees and exotic plants make the forest a fascinating place to explore.
In the afternoon, we walk a high trail in the rainforest and might see nose bears, tayras, deer, and butterflies. After sunset, we will take a night walk, exploring the nocturnal life of the jungle. We look for tree frogs, tarantulas, crickets, grasshoppers and bioluminescent fungi.
Day 4: Clay Lick for Parrots & Shintuya Hot Springs
Early on this day, we take a boat to a nearby clay lick to see parrots and the rare blue-headed macaw. Their colorful display and noisy calls create a mesmerizing spectacle.
Afterwards, we visit the Shintuya Hot Springs. Its mineral-rich waters offer a soothing break. After relaxing, we return to Pantiacolla Lodge.
In the late afternoon, we take a night walk to Ranacocha (Frog Lake) to spot various frog species on our last evening. Some are very tiny and camouflaged by their forest colors, while others have bright colors and are very poisonous.
Day 5 and Day 6: Pantiacolla – Manu Reserved Zone – Lake Salvador
On day 5, we boat down the Alto Madre de Dios River, to turn up the Manu River after some hours. There begins our 5-hour boat journey into the virgin heart of Manu’s Reserved Zone, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. From the boat, we see riverside birds, sunbathing caimans, and possibly a capybara, the world’s largest rodent.
In the afternoon, we arrive at our Camping Huts deep inside Manu, which is our base for two nights. During our stay, we hike through untouched forest, explore Lake Salvador by catamaran, and visit Cocha Otorongo (Jaguar Lake). Cocha Otorongo has a 20-meter-high observation platform offering a spectacular view of this aquatic ecosystem.
This area is home to many colorful birds and 15 monkey species, many of which are easy to spot. And with some luck, we spot a family of giant river otters on one of the lakes. The nights we spend exploring the forest with flashlights or we go caiman-spotting under the moonlight.
Day 7: Lake Salvador – Macaw Clay Lick
An early departure from Lake Salvador gives us another chance to see rare mammals on the Manu River. A tapir, or an anteater, a jaguar or even the rare bushdog may appear on its sandy shores.
As we join the Madre de Dios River, we will continue to Blanquillo, home to the famous macaw clay lick. In the afternoon, we settle into its lodge, where we can rest before another day of jungle exploration.
Day 8: Macaw Clay Lick & Canopy Tower
At sunrise, we visit the macaw clay lick, where hundreds of parrots and macaws gather to feed on mineral-rich clay. Their impactful colors, loud communications and synchronized movements create a spectacular scene to watch.
Later, in the afternoon, we climb a 42-meter canopy tower for panoramic views of the jungle. We may observe raptors, toucans, parakeets, tanagers and sometimes even monkeys, at their eye level. We can take one more nocturnal walk, before our last night`s sleep in the jungle.
Day 9: Blanquillo – Boca Colorado – Cusco
Early in the morning, we take the boat downstream to Boca Colorado, a small mining village. Here, we witness the environmental impact of gold mining on the delicate rainforest ecosystem. From Boca Colorado, we take local transportation to Puerto Carlos, where we cross the Inambari River by boat.
On the other side, our private bus awaits to take us back to Cusco. On the way, we pass through cloud forest, enjoy stunning views of the Ausangate Mountain, and arrive in Cusco by early evening.
INCLUSIONS
✅ Naturalist guide (English and Spanish)
✅ Private transportation (Cusco – Atalaya and Mazuco – Cusco)
✅ Private boat transportation (Atalaya – Pantiacolla Lodge – Lake Salvador – Tambo Blanquillo – Boca Colorado)
✅ Accommodation in lodges and camping huts
✅ All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
✅ Unlimited drinking water and warm beverages (tea, coffee, lemonade)
✅ Guided hikes and night walks in the rainforest
✅ Visits to lakes Cocha Machuhuasi, Cocha Otorongo, and Cocha Salvador
✅ Exploration of the cloud forest, the Pantiacolla Mountain Range and Manu’s Reserved Zone
✅ Excursions to macaw and parrot clay licks
✅ Shintuya Hot Springs visit
✅ Wildlife spotting (monkeys, caimans, otters, macaws, peccaries, and possibly jaguars)
✅ Entrance fees to the Manu Reserved Zone
✅ Guide book: Talking About Manu
EXCLUSIONS
❌ Soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages
❌ Personal expenses (snacks, souvenirs, laundry, phone calls)
❌ Travel insurance (highly recommended)
❌ Binoculars (recommended for wildlife spotting)
❌ Tips for guides, cooks, boat crew, and lodge staff (optional but appreciated)
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
🌿Nature can be unpredictable: Weather, river levels, and other natural factors may change our program at any time. Flexibility is key to enjoying this adventure.
🌿You visit remote and untouched rainforest: Manu’s Reserved Zone is one of the most pristine regions of the Amazon. Its isolation has kept its ecosystems intact, offering a unique wildlife experience. For this reason, this journey involves extensive travel by bus and boat to reach the heart of the Manu Reserved Zone. The effort is rewarded with breathtaking landscapes and unparalleled biodiversity.
🌿 Immersive jungle experience: Expect rustic accommodations but comfortable with close contact with nature. This adventure is ideal for those seeking an authentic Amazon experience
Tour Information & Pricing
At Pantiacolla, we strive to offer you the best experience while adapting to global cost fluctuations. To provide you with the most up-to-date pricing, we kindly invite you to contact us.
Email us or Call us, and we’ll be happy to assist you with current rates and any additional information you may need. We look forward to helping you plan your adventure in the heart of the Amazon!
