Short Itinerary
Day 1 – Cusco to Pona Lodge: Depart from Cusco at dawn, crossing the Andes and visiting pre-Inca burial towers at Ninamarca and the folkloric town of Paucartambo. Enter the Manu National Park, explore the cloud forest, and observe Peru’s national bird, the Andean cock-of-the-rock. Arrive at Pona Lodge by late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2 – Pona Lodge to Casa Matsiguenka: Travel by boat along the Alto Madre de Dios and Manu rivers, spotting caimans, turtles, monkeys, and possibly jaguars. Stop at Limonal ranger station, then continue to Cocha Salvador for your first encounter with giant river otters. Arrive at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge and enjoy an evening jungle walk to observe nocturnal wildlife.
Day 3 – Casa Matsiguenka Exploration: Early boat ride on Cocha Salvador to watch giant otters, monkeys, and exotic birds. Visit a nearby macaw clay lick to witness colorful feeding activity. Afternoon jungle hike to explore the rainforest ecosystem, looking for peccaries, tamarins, and other wildlife. Optional night walk for nocturnal creatures.
Day 4 – Casa Matsiguenka to Tapir Clay Lick: Enjoy a morning nature walk before traveling by boat to Boca Manu and upstream to your remote lodge near the tapir clay lick. Spend the night in a camouflaged shelter for a unique chance to observe tapirs in their natural habitat.
Day 5 – Return to Cusco: Begin the journey back to Cusco via boat and private transport, arriving in the city between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Pona Lodge
Pick-up from your hotel at 5:00 a.m. and departure by private transport through the Andean highlands. Visit Huancarani to see the pre-Inca burial towers of Ninamarca before continuing to Paucartambo, the folkloric capital of Cusco, known for its centuries-old traditions. By midday, enter the Manu National Park and travel along dirt roads through dense cloud forest. Stop at a lek to observe the spectacular courtship display of the Andean cock-of-the-rock. Arrive at Pona Lodge around 5:00 p.m. for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Pona Lodge – Reserved Zone – Casa Matsiguenka Lodge
Depart early at 3:30 a.m. for Atalaya port, where we board a motorboat to navigate the Alto Madre de Dios and Manu rivers. Along the way, observe nesting herons, egrets, Orinoco geese, black and white caimans, turtles, and with luck, jaguars sunning on the riverbanks. Stop at Limonal ranger station for park permits, then continue to Cocha Salvador to spot giant river otters, caimans, and diverse bird species. Explore jungle trails and visit Cocha Otorongo, which features an observation tower overlooking the lake. After dinner at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, enjoy an optional night walk to discover nocturnal animals such as tarantulas, frogs, and kinkajous.
Day 3: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge – Macaw Clay Lick
Begin the day with a serene catamaran ride on Cocha Salvador to observe giant otters, monkeys, herons, cormorants, and raptors. Return to the lodge and take a short hike to a macaw clay lick, where red-and-green macaws gather in a vibrant display. After lunch, explore additional jungle trails to learn about the rainforest’s intricate ecosystem and search for tamarins, peccaries, and other wildlife. Optional night hikes allow encounters with nocturnal species such as night monkeys and owls.
Day 4: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge – Tapir Clay Lick
Enjoy a peaceful morning nature walk or visit Cocha Salvador once more. After lunch, board the boat and travel downstream to Boca Manu, then upstream to a remote lodge near the tapir clay lick. At dusk, settle into a camouflaged hideout to watch tapirs in their natural environment, an unforgettable wildlife experience. Overnight stay in the jungle shelter.
Day 5: Return to Cusco
Begin the return journey by boat to Atalaya, then continue by private transport back 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 (private bus and motorboat)
- Experienced jungle cook
- Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Mineral water (except on the first day)
- All nights in comfortable jungle lodges (one night in a tapir hide shelter)
- Fresh fruits and snacks during excursions
- Rain ponchos and 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 available 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 for bird and wildlife watching
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
- Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
- Cash for personal expenses and 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 insect protection
- Dark clothing for wildlife excursions
- Travel adapter or converter for electronics (plugs typically type A/B as in the USA)