6-Day Manu National Park Reserved Zone Tour | Wildlife & Jungle Trips | Manu Explorers

Embark on an extraordinary 6-day expedition deep into the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park, a pristine and unparalleled biodiversity hotspot in the Peruvian Amazon. This immersive journey takes you beyond the cultural zone, offering exclusive access to untouched rainforests teeming with an incredible array of wildlife.

Over six days, you'll navigate the winding Manu River by boat, venturing into secluded oxbow lakes, diverse forest types, and dedicated wildlife blinds. Expect thrilling encounters with iconic Amazonian species: giant river otters playfully fishing, black and white caimans basking on riverbanks, a vast spectrum of vibrant macaws and other exotic birds at clay licks, and several species of monkeys swinging through the canopy. With expert naturalist guides leading the way, you'll learn about the intricate ecosystems, spot elusive creatures like jaguars (with luck!), and truly disconnect in one of the planet's most biologically rich environments. This tour is a profound exploration for serious nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers seeking an authentic, unforgettable Amazonian adventure.

New tour activities!

In Your tour We will include a Tapir Clay Lick visit, a Hummingbird Garden visit where up to 21 species are observed and a visit to a small macaw clay lick where large macaws are observed (this last activity it’s based on weather conditions).

Tour Highlights & Activities:

• Explore Two Pristine Oxbow Lakes: Venture deep into the Reserved Zone to discover two magnificent oxbow lakes, including thrilling catamaran sailing and Giant Otter searching in Salvador Oxbow Lake.
• Immersive Jungle Exploration: Hike through the enchanting Cloud Forest of Manu Park, witness the incredible Amazonian ecosystem firsthand, and experience exhilarating night walks to uncover nocturnal wildlife.
• Iconic Wildlife Encounters: Search for elusive Jaguars, observe playful Giant Otters, spot diverse caiman species, and encounter various turtles along the Manu River – a wildlife photographer's dream!
• Rich Cultural Immersion: Explore the Cultural Zone of Manu National Park, visiting significant sites like the pre-Inca cemetery of Ninamarka and the charming town of Paucartambo.

Journey Through Diverse Landscapes:

Your adventure begins by bus through the picturesque Huancarani town, stopping at the historical Ninamarka, the colonial town of Paucartambo, and the stunning Acjanacu pass, the gateway to Manu Park. Traverse the vibrant Cloud Forest, pass through Pilcopata, and board a boat at Atalaya Port to navigate the Alto Madre de Dios River and the iconic Manu River, leading you into the heart of the Reserved Zone.

Guaranteed Departures & Inclusions:

With daily departures available from March to January and a guaranteed departure for a minimum of two people, your Manu adventure awaits! This all-inclusive tour provides comfortable lodge accommodations, delicious meals, mineral water, and essential equipment like binoculars and a spotting scope for optimal wildlife viewing. An expert tour guide will accompany you, sharing their knowledge of this incredible ecosystem, and all entrance fees are included for a hassle-free experience.

Focus:Bird Watching, Wildlife Photography,Jungle Exploration, Ecological Adventure.

Book your 6-day Manu National Park tour today and immerse yourself in one of the world's most biodiverse regions!

Day 1: Journey from Cusco to the Mystical Cloud Forest – A Symphony of Biodiversity on Your Jungle Tour in Peru

Your incredible Cusco to Manu tour begins as we depart from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, climbing over the spectacular Andes mountain range. As we descend into the eastern slopes, the scenery transforms dramatically, giving way to the lush, vibrant ecosystems of the Cloud Forest. Here, the air becomes rich with moisture, and the trees are draped in orchids, bromeliads, and mosses, creating an ethereal landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for our first incredible wildlife encounters: the vibrant Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Peru's national bird) performing its elaborate mating dance, playful Woolly Monkeys, and a myriad of colorful bird species. We'll make strategic stops at scenic viewpoints, including the charming town of Paucartambo, before reaching our comfortable lodge nestled deep within this biodiverse paradise. Enjoy a delicious dinner amidst the sounds of the jungle, preparing for the wonders ahead on your jungle trip in Peru. (L+D).

Highlights of the Day:

1. Walk along the Cloud Forest of Manu Park
2. Visit the Peruvian National Bird LEK
3. Bird Watching along the Cloud Forest, where you'll see several species of colorful birds including Tanagers, toucans, barbets, hummingbirds, two species of quetzals, trogons, motmots, woodpeckers, and hawks.
4. Tanager garden optional visit, an excellent spot to photograph colorful birds (not included in the standard Cusco to Manu tourspackage).

Day 2: Pona Lodge – Yanayacu Lodge: Deepening Your Jungle Exploration

This morning, as part of your comprehensive jungle tours in Peru, we will reach the clear waters of the Alto Madre de Dios River. After leaving our lodge at 6:30 am, we'll head towards the Port of Atalaya. Before reaching Atalaya Port, we will visit a Hummingbird Garden where we will see several species of hummingbirds, including tanagers, barbets, king vultures, titi monkeys, and more. From Atalaya, we will continue our journey by boat towards a Hot Spring, spending about an hour relaxing before continuing to our next lodge. (B+L+D).

Highlights of the Day:

1. Hummingbird Garden Visit: A highlight of many jungle trips in Peru, where several species of hummingbird, tanagers, barbets, monkeys, and the majestic king vulture are observed.
2. Visit a Hot Spring: Around noon, we will stop at a natural hot spring for about an hour of relaxing bathing.

Day 3: Yanayacu Lodge - Parrot Clay Lick – Reserved Zone – Casa Matsiguenka: The Heart of Your Manu Jungle Tour

Kick off your Manu Park tour at a spectacular Parrot Clay Lick, witnessing a dazzling array of macaws and parrots. Our journey continues into the Reserved Zone via the Manu River, offering chances to see diverse birdlife, caimans, and even jaguars on its sun-drenched beaches. Post-lunch, settle into our Lodge near Cocha Salvador. Spend your afternoon exploring lush rainforest trails, observing wildlife from a 20-meter canopy tower, and seeking out Giant Otters. As night falls, an optional guided walk reveals the jungle's nocturnal inhabitants, including the unforgettable sounds of the rainforest, before a comfortable stay at Casa Matsiguenka lodge. (B+L+D).

Highlights of the Day:

1. Sail along Manu River: A prime opportunity during your Cusco to Manu tour to see several species of animals including black caimans, white caimans, turtles, monkeys, capybaras, and deer.
2. Jaguar Searching: At Manu River, we will have our best chances to see Jaguars on the way up as well as on the way down.
3. Cocha Otorongo Visit: This oxbow lake offers your first chance to see giant otters and large black caimans, a true highlight of jungle tours in Peru.

Day 4: Matsiguenka Lodge – Salvador Oxbow Lake – Macaw Clay Lick: Iconic Wildlife on Your Jungle Tour

We will start our activity very early in the morning in the Salvador oxbow lake, utilizing a floating platform called a catamaran. This morning, on your Cusco to Manu tour, we will be able to see an infinity of species of birds and mammals: herons, cormorants, eagles, hawks, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, giant otters, and giant river otters. The Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) can reach up to 6 feet or 1.82 cm in length and weigh up to 70 pounds or 31 kilograms. They consume between 9 to 11 lbs (4-5 kilos) of fish per day. This is one of the rare animals on earth which are common in Manu. We will also look for some of the 15 species of monkeys which inhabit this place, making this a truly remarkable jungle trip in Peru. After visiting Salvador Oxbow lake, we will head back to Casa Matsiguenka Lodge and from there we will walk to the Macaw Clay Lick. Scarlet macaws as well as red and green macaws are seen at this clay lick. Activity at the clay lick begins around 5:30 am as medium-sized parrots arrive with the sunrise, pair by pair, noisy, and land in the treetops above the clay lick. Several screechbirds climb the branches preparing for their descent to the riverbank. Finally, cascades of green, blue, and red parrots circle down to the clay wall. Around 7:00 or 7:30 in the morning, large macaws begin to arrive. Around 10:00 a.m., the macaws begin to descend. This colorful and noisy scene continues for 20 to 40 minutes while the birds eat their ration of clay or until danger arrives in the form of a hawk, eagle, or ocelot. This is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world, a must-see on any jungle tour in Peru. After lunch at our lodge, we will explore one of the trails through the jungle and look at the complex ecosystem that surrounds us. Our ecologist guide will explain how plants and insects interact with the forest. We will be on the lookout for some of the smaller inhabitants of the jungle, such as the emperor pichico or the spotted-backed tamarin. On the way, it is also possible to come across a group of peccaries, a species of wild boar found here. Overnight at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge (B+L+D).

Highlights of the Day:

1. Cocha Salvador Visit: Cocha Salvador is the largest Oxbow lake in Manu National Park. At this oxbow lake, part of your exclusive Cusco to Manu tour, we have a chance to see giant otters, Black Caimans, and several species of birds and monkeys.
2. Macaw Clay Lick Visit: Near our lodge, we have a small macaw clay lick where two species of large macaws are observed, including scarlet as well as red and green macaws, a vibrant part of your jungle trip in Peru.
3. Night Walk: During our night walks, we can see several species of nocturnal creatures including insects, amphibians, reptiles, night monkeys, and owls.

Day 5: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge (Reserved Zone) – Tapir Clay Lick: Unveiling More Manu Wonders

This day, another exciting chapter of your jungle tours in Peru, we will visit an oxbow lake which we will reach by walking through the forest. Cocha Otorongo - "Jaguar Lake" – where we will have the opportunity to see more of the wildlife of this place. We may encounter groups of monkeys, especially groups of common woolly monkeys. We will pay special attention to the plant life of the place, which will give us signals, noises of falling fruits and leaves which will indicate the presence of an animal or bird. After a relaxing lunch, we will navigate Manu River downstream and then upstream Alto Madre de Dios until we reach the Tapir Clay Lick area. From the river, we will head towards a blind in the middle of the jungle where we will spend the night. The reason for going to this blind is for the unique chance to see tapirs at night, a rare experience on any Cusco to Manu tour. (B+L+D).

Highlights of the Day:

1. Sail Along Manu River: On the way, we will have our second chance to search for caimans, monkeys, turtles, capybaras, deer, and green anacondas, enhancing your jungle trip in Peru.
2. Jaguar Search: This morning, we will search for jaguars along the Manu River; the best chance to see jaguars is between July to October.
3. Tapir Clay Lick: In the evening, we will visit a mammal clay lick where tapirs are often seen.
4. Spend a Night in the middle of the Jungle: To see the tapirs, we will spend a night in a camouflage house, an immersive part of your jungle tour in Peru.

Day 6: Tapir Clay Lick - Cusco: Concluding Your Unforgettable Manu Jungle Adventure

This day, we will travel back to the city of Cusco, arriving around 3:00 in the afternoon, concluding your memorable Cusco to Manu tour. END OF OUR SERVICES (B+L).