Manu Cultural Zone 4D/3N

DAY 1 : CUSCO – GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE

Early departure from Cusco in the morning, the beginning of the Manu Road passes through
numerous dry inner-mountain valleys and picturesque villages. This gives you a quick overview
of locals’ lifestyles and colorful clothes. A brief stop at Ninamarca ruins will give you the
possibility to explore the pre-Incas tombs within this well archaeological site as the journey
includes few stops, so you can enjoy seeing the surrounding landscapes varying from highmountains. Next stop will occur in the village of Paucartambo which features beautiful arched
colonial bridge and also chances for breakfast. The altitude will keep on increasing and the
setting gradually gets enveloped by a cloudy mist.
The road leads you to Acjanaco pass consisting in the main gateway to Manu National Park,
once across the pass (3550 m / 11.647 ft) the environment dramatically changes from dry to wet
valleys. Do not miss the splendid view when looking down toward the rainforest! The lush and
misty cloud forest surrounded by massive rocks and waterfalls is perhaps the most fragile and
threatened type of rainforest. In such environment filled with lichens and moss-carpeted soil,
spotting birds will be the main target.
You will get the chance to stare at a large variety of birds ranging from the Peruvian national
bird, the brightly red Andean Cock-of-the-Rock as well as some other colorful birds.
We will arrive to Guadalupe Lodge around the midafternoon and having time to explore the
trails of the palm forest circuit to look for the capuchin and nights monkeys, blue and yellow
macaws, toucans, leaf cutter ants and other small reptiles, meals and accommodation at
Guadalupe lodge (560 m./1837 ft)

DAY 2 : GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE – CAVE EXPLORATION

In the morning, you we will explore the foothill forest to look for the wooly monkeys and some
birds such toucans and macaws. You will head back to the lodge where a delightful breakfast
awaits you full of fresh tropical fruits. From then, you will be guided through the garden and will learn about the different medicinal and traditional plants such as coca leaf, cacao, bamboo
water, annatto, etc. As this time of the day, put on your swimsuits and enjoy a dip in the
Guadalupe river.
This crystalline and unpolluted current flows downstream from the core of the park. In the
afternoon, depending on the group’s wishes, there is a possibility of discovering a fascinating
canyon and its caves which house some rare species of bats, spiders and scorpions. Ultimately,
a walk within the bamboo forest will enable you to spot some monkeys. The day is ending with
the observation of caimans along the creeks.

DAY 3 : GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE – RIVER BOAT EXCURSION

Enjoy waking up and taking breakfast with the singing of Amazonian birds. You will be
transferred to the Atalaya port where you can appreciate the view of myriads of colorful birds
and a rich wildlife and drives goes along tropical plantations of papayas, bananas, chocolate
and Coca Leaves.
At Atalaya river’s deck, embark in a motor boat and navigate down this crystalline river of
Madre de Dios. After an hour, you will reach Machuhuassy Oxbow lake, consisting in wetlands
of lush vegetation hosting a large variety of birds (hoatzins, horned screamer, hawk, herons)
and animals (monkeys and capybaras). This place is only reachable by boat followed by a 2-
kms walk. While you are having the tour, our local cook will prepare a traditional lunch that you
will enjoy when returning on the Madre de Dios river.
In the mid-afternoon, you will ramble through the primary forest searching for some families
of monkeys, peccaries as well as giant kapok trees, in the meantime, you will be provided with
some explanations about medicinal plants, reptiles as well as mammals. During the return to
the lodge, we have an optional visit to the Wild-Animals Rescue Centre, Dinner and Overnight
at Guadalupe

DAY 4 : GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE – PARROT CLAY LICK – CUSCO

Your morning walks along the bamboo forest and the garden then enjoy a tasty breakfast and
get ready to pack as you will soon start hit the road again to Cusco.
The way back will give more opportunities to glimpse some more animals and discover the
wildlife of the cloud forest and having impressing views of the exuberant cloud forest with
waterfall, cascades. The arrival in Cusco is about midafternoon.