Short Itinerary
Day 1 – Cusco to Pilcopata Lodge: Depart from Cusco, visiting pre-Inca ruins in Ninamarca and the folkloric town of Paucartambo. Enjoy lunch and continue to Tres Cruces viewpoint before descending into the cloud forest to spot Peru’s national bird, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, and other wildlife. Arrive at Pilcopata Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2 – Pilcopata to Manu Lodge: Early morning jungle walk to observe birds and monkeys, followed by breakfast. Travel by bus to Atalaya and navigate by boat along the Madre de Dios River. Visit Machuhuasi oxbow lake for wildlife viewing, then check in at Manu Lodge. Afternoon jungle hike to spot macaws, toucans, and monkeys, followed by a night walk to observe spiders, frogs, and other nocturnal animals.
Day 3 – Manu Lodge Exploration: Explore private jungle trails to observe macaws, parrots, tanagers, monkeys, peccaries, and possibly jaguars. Visit a nearby lake to see caimans. Optional visit to a parrot clay lick and Machuhuasi lake for more wildlife encounters if weather allows.
Day 4 – Return to Cusco: Depart early to visit a parrot clay lick, then return by boat to Atalaya and travel back by bus to Cusco, arriving between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Pilcopata Lodge
Depart from Cusco toward the pre-Inca burial towers of Ninamarca, then continue through the Andes to the folkloric town of Paucartambo. Enjoy lunch and a short walk before continuing to Tres Cruces viewpoint, offering stunning views of the Amazon basin. Descend into the lush cloud forest to spot Peru’s national bird, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, along with trogons, monkeys, medicinal plants, and orchids. Arrive at Pilcopata Lodge in the afternoon for dinner and overnight stay in comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and showers.
Day 2: Pilcopata Lodge – Atalaya – Manu Lodge
Begin the day with an early jungle walk to observe birds and small monkey species. After two hours of exploration, return for a hearty breakfast. Travel by bus to Atalaya and continue by motorboat on the Madre de Dios River. Stop at Machuhuasi oxbow lake for wildlife observation, including capybaras and birds. After lunch and rest at Manu Lodge, enjoy an afternoon jungle hike to spot macaws, toucans, and monkeys, followed by a guided night walk to encounter nocturnal species like spiders, frogs, and tarantulas. Climb a metal observation tower to watch birds from above the canopy. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Day 3: Manu Lodge Exploration
Spend the entire day exploring Manu Lodge’s private jungle trails. Early morning walks allow sightings of colorful tanagers, flycatchers, parrots, toucans, macaws, hawks, and manakins. You may also encounter monkeys, peccaries, and possibly a jaguar or puma. In the afternoon, visit a nearby lake to watch caimans and other wildlife. Optional activities include visiting a parrot clay lick and returning to Machuhuasi Lake for additional bird and mammal sightings, depending on weather conditions. Return to the lodge for a relaxing evening and dinner.
Day 4: Manu Lodge – Cusco
Start early with a visit to a parrot and macaw clay lick near the lodge. After this experience, board the boat back to Atalaya and then continue by bus to Cusco, arriving between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. End of services.
- Includes
- Professional bilingual naturalist guide (Spanish – English) with spotting scope
- All ground and river transportation (bus and boat)
- Experienced cook during the tour
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Mineral water (except first day)
- All nights in comfortable jungle lodges (private bathrooms and showers)
- Fresh fruits and snacks during excursions
- Rubber boots for jungle walks
- Entrance fees to lakes (cochas)
- Entrance to Manu National Park
- Access to all private nature reserves visited
- First aid kit throughout the journey
- Not Included
- Travel insurance
- First breakfast (Day 1)
- Mineral water on the first day
- Dinner on the last day
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for the guide and support staff
[open_recommendations]
Recommendations
- Bring insect repellent with at least 30% DEET
- Binoculars (if you prefer your own pair)
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
- Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Cash for personal expenses or tips
- Comfortable backpack and refillable water bottle
- Sandals or light shoes for lodge use
- Lightweight pants, shorts, and swimwear
- Long-sleeve shirts and socks for protection against insects
- Dark clothing for better wildlife observation
- Travel adapter or converter for electronics (plugs usually type A/B like in the USA)