Manu Reserved Zone 6D/5N

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Cusco – Guadalupe Nature Reserve
• Day 2 : Guadalupe Nature Reserve – Romero Lodge
• Day 3 : Romero Lodge – Salvador Oxbow Lake
• Day 4 : Romero Lodge – El Dorado Lodge
• Day 5 : El Dorado Lodge – Guadalupe Nature Reserve
• Day 6 : Guadalupe Nature Reserve – Cusco

DAY 1 : CUSCO – GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE

Early morning pick up in private transportation from hotel in Cusco.

Your transport will then take you on a 7-hour journey, over 200 km, through the picturesque towns and valleys of the Peruvian Andes. Taking stops along the way at Lake Huacapay, the archaeological site of Ninamarca and the colonial bridges of Paucartambo.

The mountain road will take you over the Huachuqasa pass at 4,100 m / 13,451 ft and to Acjanaco pass at 3,550 m / 11,647 ft. After which you will descend into the cloud forest of the Manu National Park, which is home to the national bird of Peru, the ‘Gallito de las Rocas’, and the native South American ‘Glash Bear’. From here, the landscape changes dramatically, from dry and arid mountains to lush green jungle valleys.

As you enter the heart of the jungle, you will pass by glistening waterfalls and observe the unique flora and fauna of the region, including butterflies, giant ferns, orchids and monkeys. This part of the rainforest is also teaming with many tropical birds such as toucans, quetzales and parrots, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts.

After a long but beautiful journey, you will be happy to arrive at the Guadalupe Lodge which sits at an altitude of 560 m / 1,837 ft. Upon arrival you will receive a warm Amazonian welcome and check into your private room. The rest of the day is then yours to explore the loop trail that traverses the swamp forest around the lodge, in search of the resident capuchin monkeys, blue and yellow macaws, woodpeckers and oropendolas.

The evening will bring with it dinner at the lodge and a night relaxing in your room amongst the diverse sounds of the jungle.

DAY 2 : GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE – ROMERO LODGE

Day 2 will begin with an early wake up call and breakfast as the sun rises over the Guadalupe Lodge.

At 6am you will take a land vehicle to the Atalaya river port, passing by tropical plantations of papaya, banana, chocolate and coca. Expecting your arrival at the port will be a motor boat waiting to take you on a journey down the Madre de Dios River.

The upper stretch of the Madre de Dios River starts off rocky and fast, with Herons often seen foraging on the rocky gravel bars. As we continue downstream, we will meet the juncture of the Manu River and enter the wild Manu National Park, stopping first at the checkpoint of the Limonal Park Ranger Station.

As you journey up the meandering river, you’ll be treated to the unspoiled beauty of the Amazon jungle at every turn, passing by the natural habitats of raptors, jaguars and wildcats.

As the surrounding landscape begins to change, there will be orders of magnitude more for you to look at, with every sandbar being occupied by something interesting including lapwings, plovers, horned screamers, Orinoco geese. The skies above your head will be teaming with hundreds if not thousands of swallows and butterflies as you make your way up stream to the welcome sight of the Romero Lodge, set back a short distance from the Manu River in the heart of the Manu Biosphere Reserve.

Upon arrival at the lodge, you will settle into your room and get to know your surroundings within the Manu National Park.

DAY 3 : ROMERO LODGE – SALVADOR OXBOW LAKE

Day 3 will begin with an early wake up call and breakfast as the sun rises over the Romero Lodge.

After breakfast you will take a motor boat ride to the Salvador Oxbow Lake, which is famed for its population of Giant River Otters. These majestic creatures can reach up to 6 feet in length and weigh up to 70 pounds. They spend most of their day playing, sunbathing and fishing, and are known to consume up to 11 lbs of fish per day.

The activity on the lake will take place on a floating platform called a catamaran, which consists of two large canoes connected by wooden planks. This allows you to get up close and personal with the wildlife since it is quiet and inconspicuous, and also makes paddling around the lake easy and comfortable.

In addition to the Giant River Otters, you’ll also search for some of the 15 species of monkeys which inhabit the lake including the white fronted capuchin and the pygmy marmoset. As well as other animals including the Hoatzin, Agami and herons.

After returning to the Romero Lodge, you will eat a freshly prepared Amazonian lunch and spend the afternoon exploring the trails through the jungle, observing the complex ecosystem that surrounds you. The ecologist guide will explain how plants and insects interact with the forest, whilst you keep your eye out for some of the smaller inhabitants of the jungle, such as the emperor pichico or the spotted-backed tamarin.

The evening will bring with it dinner at the Romero lodge and a night relaxing in your room amongst the diverse sounds of the jungle.

DAY 4 : ROMERO LODGE – EL DORADO LODGE

Day 4 will begin with an early wake up call and breakfast as the sun rises over the Romero Lodge.

After breakfast you will board the motor boat and journey down the Manu River, back to the Madre de Dios River. Stopping off briefly at a small canopy tower that overlooks the beautiful Oxbow Lake, a stunning section of untouched rainforest. From here you will be treated to a spectacular view of the incredible biodiversity of the jungle, something seldom experienced from the forest floor.

Once you have returned to the boat, you will continue down the river, observing the abundance of wildlife along the sandbars including the side necked turtles sunning themselves upon the logs. You might even catch a glimpse of the magnificent Jaguar as it creeps through the landscape.

After a few hours along the river, you will reach the Boca Manu where the boat will refuel ready to traverse the lower portion of the Madre de Dios River. Here you will take lunch and explore the surrounding trails, before making your way to the El Dorado Lodge to settle in for the night.

DAY 5 : EL DORADO LODGE – GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE

Day 5 will begin with an early wake up call and breakfast as the sun rises over the El Dorado Lodge.

After breakfast you will board the motor boat and begin the 5-hour journey back up the Madre de Dios River, to the Guadalupe Nature Reserve.

Along the way you’ll have the chance to see the capybara (world’s largest rodent), raptors, kites, vultures and eagles. Once you have reached the Atalaya river port, you’ll be driven for 1 hour over land by car to the Guadalupe Lodge, where you will have the rest of the day free to explore the trails around the complex and settle in for your final night in the jungle.

DAY 6 : GUADALUPE NATURE RESERVE – CUSCO

Day 6 will begin with an early wake up call and breakfast as the sun rises over the Guadalupe Lodge.

After breakfast you will be transported over land through the cloud forest to observe colourful birds and the breathtaking views of the magnificent rainforest. Finally, you will then begin the journey back to Cusco. Approximate arrival time in Cusco is 5pm.

*The program may have small variations due to weather or other factors.