MANU RESERVED ZONE TOUR 7-days

We explore the Cloud Forest, the Alto Madre de Dios River, the Manu Reserved Zone tour, and the Macaw Clay Lick on a 7-day journey. From Cusco, we cross the Andes into the cloud forest, where we watch the Cock-of-the-Rock in its natural habitat. We walk through flourishing vegetation before spending the night in a rustic lodge surrounded by nature.

Descending into the lowland rainforest, we take a river trip down the Alto Madre de Dios, to reach Pantiacolla Lodge. Walking its jungle trails, we search for monkeys, toucans, and peccaries. 

Deeper in Manu National Park, we explore Lakes Salvador and Otorongo, in search of giant otters and black- and white caimans. Additionally, we scout the pristine jungle for monkeys, coatis, tapirs and possibly a jaguar. We follow the Madre de Dios River to Boca Colorado and return to Cusco with amazing Amazon memories.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Cloud Forest

We leave Cusco early by private transportation, crossing the Andes towards the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Along the way, we stop for breakfast in the colonial town of Paucartambo. We reach the highest point of our journey at 4,000 meters above sea level, before descending into the lush cloud forest. Here,a rich ecosystem surrounds us, home to orchids, bromeliads, and ferns.

In the afternoon, we take a guided hike to the lek of Peru’s national bird, the Cock-of-the-Rock, performing its unique courtship dance. Along the way, we may also see Woolly or Capuchin monkeys moving through the trees.

We spend the night at Posada San Pedro Lodge, where we enjoy dinner before resting.

Day 2: Cloud Forest – Atalaya – Pantiacolla Lodge

At dawn, we continue by bus to Atalaya, a small port at 650 meters. Here, we board a motorized canoe and navigate down the Alto Madre de Dios River. The boat ride offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains and dense rainforest. We may spot herons, kingfishers, and capybaras along the riverbanks. 

After a three-hour river trip, we arrive at Pantiacolla Lodge, located at the foot of the Pantiacolla Mountain Range and join the people doing the 9-day tour.

In the afternoon, we walk the jungle trails, searching for howler monkeys, peccaries, and colorful birds. As night falls, we take a night walk to observe insects, frogs, and nocturnal mammals. We enjoy dinner and spend the night at Pantiacolla Lodge.

Day 3 and 4: Lake Salvador and Lake Otorongo

Early in the morning, we travel further down the Alto Madre de Dios River to then turn up the Manu River. This eight-hour journey takes us deep into the Manu Reserved Zone, where we may see riverside birds, sunbathing caimans, and the enormous aquatic guinea pig, the capybara. In the afternoon, we arrive at our camping huts, our base for the next two days.

We walk through the untouched rainforest, exploring its rich biodiversity. At Lake Salvador (Cocha Salvador), we navigate the waters by catamaran, hoping to spot colorful birds, numerous species of monkey, and a family of giant otters. Later, we visit the smaller Cocha Otorongo, where a 20-meter observation tower offers panoramic views of the lake.

At night, we take a guided walk through the dark forest with flashlights or search for caimans under the moonlight.

Day 5: Lake Salvador – Macaw Lick

We leave early, traveling back down the Manu River, increasing our chances of spotting rare wildlife. Tapirs, anteaters, and possibly big cats may appear along the riverbanks.  Joining the Madre de Dios River at Boca Manu, we arrive at Blanquillo, near the famous Macaw Clay Lick.

We settle into Tambo Blanquillo lodge before exploring the surroundings. In the afternoon, we take a guided walk to spot more wildlife and learn about the ecosystem. After dinner, we take another night walk to search for more nocturnal species and spend the night surrounded by nature. 

Day 6: Macaw Clay Lick – Canopy Tower

Before sunrise, we visit the Macaw Clay Lick, one of the most impressive natural spectacles in the Amazon. Hundreds of parrots and macaws gather to eat the mineral-rich clay, creating a vibrant and noisy display. 

In the afternoon, we visit a 42-meter canopy tower, where we admire stunning views of the rainforest from above. From this height, we spot toucanets, maybe monkeys, and possibly harpy eagles. In the afternoon, we take a final guided hike to further explore Manu’s diverse ecosystem. After dinner, we relax and spend the night at Tambo Blanquillo Lodge.

Day 7: Blanquillo – Boca Colorado – Cusco

We board our boat early, heading downstream to the mining town of Boca Colorado. Along the way, we see firsthand the impact of human activity on the rainforest. We take local transportation to Mazuco, where we cross the Inambari River by ferry. On the other side, our private bus awaits to take us back to Cusco.

We travel through cloud forests and Andean landscapes, and admire breathtaking views of the Ausangate Mountain. We arrive in Cusco in the early evening, concluding our incredible 7-day tour through Manu’s Reserved Zone.

INCLUSIONS

✅ Naturalist guide (English and Spanish)

✅ Private road 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

✅ Wildlife spotting (monkeys, caimans, otters, macaws, peccaries, and possibly jaguars)

✅ Entrance fee 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!