Manu Reserved Zone 6D/5N

DAY 1 : Cusco – Guadalupe Lodge

Depart Cusco in the morning for your journey into Manu. Wind through dry Andean valleys and
vibrant villages where traditional clothing and daily life paint a quick portrait of the highlands.
Stop at Ninamarca to explore pre-Inca funerary towers tucked into the hillside. As you climb, the
landscape shifts—from arid peaks to misty cloud forest. Pause in Paucartambo to cross its iconic
colonial bridge before ascending to Acjanaco Pass, the gateway to Manu National Park. Here, dry
slopes give way to lush, waterfall-laced cliffs with sweeping views into the Amazon basin.
Descend through the cloud forest, a moss-draped world of orchids and bromeliads where monkeys
swing and birds steal the show. Watch for the brilliant red Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, plus tanagers,
toucans, and quetzals.
Arrive at Guadalupe Lodge (560m / 1,837 ft) by late afternoon.
Overnight: Guadalupe Lodge

DAY 2 : Guadalupe Lodge – Casa Machiguenga

We set out at dawn for Atalaya Port, where you’ll board a roofed motorboat for the journey into the
lowland Amazon. Watch the Andes fade behind you as the river widens and dense, emerald
rainforest takes over—an evergreen world stretching to the horizon.
Cruise the Alto Madre de Dios River, where skies fill with macaws, parrots, toucans, caciques, and
oropendolas. Along the banks, scan for capybaras, monkeys, and other wildlife. After ∼5 hours, we
reach the confluence with the Manu River and check in briefly at Limonal Ranger Station.
Heading upriver, the Manu comes alive. Every sandbar holds surprises—flocks of swallows, clouds
of butterflies, sunning turtles. This stretch is also one of the best places in the Amazon to spot the
elusive jaguar, though sightings are never guaranteed.
We arrive before dusk at Casa Matsiguenka, deep inside Manu National Park, your base for the next
two nights. Optional night walks available depending on the group / Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka
Lodge

DAY 3 : Casa Matsiguenka (Salvador Oxbow Lake, Macaw Clay Lick, Night Walk

This is your full day deep in Manu’s wilderness. Start early at Salvador Oxbow Lake, home to one
of the Amazon’s most charismatic families: giant river otters. From a comfortable floating
catamaran, watch these playful predators’ fish, frolic, and lounge on sun-bleached logs.
Glide quietly around the lake to spot its other residents: bizarre hoatzins, elusive agami herons,
colorful macaws, oropendolas, caciques, and raptors overhead. Black caiman often patrols the
shoreline. Note: Salvador Lake access depends on park availability.
Midday, trek through towering Brazil nut forest to the macaw clay lick—a highlight of the trip.
Watch as flocks of red-and-green macaws, parrots, and parakeets swarm the clay cliffs in a riot of
color and sound.
The afternoon is for exploring Casa Matsiguenka’s pristine trail network. This is primate country:
look for white-fronted capuchins, pygmy marmosets, emperor tamarins, red howlers, and black
spider monkeys swinging through the canopy. It’s one of the best places in the Amazon to see
multiple monkey species in a single walk.
Optional night walk for nocturnal wildlife. / Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge

DAY 4 : Casa Machiguenga –PankotziLodge

The morning begins with a boat trip down the Manu River. You’ll stop to hike a trail for a closer
look at the pristine forest, with the chance to see some of the area’s largest trees. The boat trip
continues to be a great opportunity to spot wildlife, including various birds on sandbars, sunning
turtles, and possibly the elusive jaguar. After about four hours, you’ll reach the Limonal ranger
station for a brief stop. Lunch will be served on the boat, and you’ll arrive at Pankotzi Lodge in the
mid-afternoon.
Pankotzi Lodge is managed by the Shpeterar native community of the Matsiguenka tribe, giving
you the chance to experience their traditions and way of life during your stay. This gives you time
to explore the surroundings, with an optional night walk and mammals clay lick visit available
depending on the group’s wishes. Please note, due to reports of uncontacted groups moving on the
right side of the Manu River, you will not be visiting the Otorongo oxbow lake and tower to avoid
any potential encounters.

DAY 5 : PankotziLodge – Cusco

In the morning, you’ll explore trails to look for monkeys and peccaries, as well as other mammals.
Afterward, you’ll begin the five-hour boat trip back to Atalaya Port on the Upper Madre de Dios
River. This journey provides a final opportunity to spot capybaras and various raptors, vultures, and
eagles.
Upon reaching Atalaya, you’ll take a one-hour overland trip to Guadalupe Lodge, where you’ll have
time for an optional night walk.

DAY 6 : GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE – CUSCO

Your last morning begins with a pre-breakfast walk through the foothill forest, where you can look
for Wooly and Capuchin monkeys and other emblematic birds like macaws and toucans. The loop
trail also includes a visit to caves and canyons to see nocturnal animals such as spiders, scorpions,
and bats (flashlights are needed). After the walk, you’ll have breakfast, pack up, and begin the drive
back to Cusco. The return journey offers more opportunities for wildlife sightings and impressive
views of the cloud forest and its waterfalls. You are scheduled to arrive in Cusco around 4 p.m.