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Ultimate Amazon Jungle Tour

Experience the Manu Park Reserved Zone in 7 days: Amazon Jungle Tours & Wildlife Expeditions

23 reviews
7 Days
6+
Starts with 2 People
adventure
Available all year

Tour Overview

Discover the Wonders of Manu National Park: An Unforgettable Ecological & Adventure Tour

Embark on the ultimate 7-day expedition into the heart of the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park, Peru's crown jewel of biodiversity. This comprehensive tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to truly immerse yourself in one of the planet's most pristine and wildlife-rich Amazonian rainforests.

Over seven days, you'll journey from the Andean highlands through the mystical cloud forest, descending into the untouched lowlands of Manu. Cruising along the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers, you'll access remote cochas (oxbow lakes), explore intricate forest trails, and spend ample time at strategically located wildlife blinds and observation towers. This extended itinerary maximizes your chances for incredible encounters: witness the playful antics of giant river otters, observe black and white caimans, marvel at vibrant macaw and parrot clay licks, and seek out multiple species of monkeys, peccaries, and elusive big cats like the jaguar (with exceptional luck). Led by expert naturalist guides, this tour provides a deep dive into Manu's complex ecosystems, offering a profound and unforgettable wildlife photography and nature immersion experience.

We are including new activities such as the Visit to a Mammal Clay Lick where it is possible to observe tapirs, we will also visit a Hummingbird garden where it is possible to observe more than 20 species of hummingbirds and finally, this tour also includes the visit to a small Macaw Clay Lick where you can observe large macaws (This activity is based on weather conditions).

Manu Tour Highlights:

  • Diverse Ecosystems: Explore two pristine oxbow lakes within the Manu Reserved Zone and trek through the enchanting Manu National Park Cloud Forest.
  • Abundant Wildlife Encounters: Spot magnificent creatures like jaguars, giant otters, caimans, various monkey species (13+!), and diverse turtles along the Manu River. Don't miss the unique experience of the Tapir Clay Lick!
  • Thrilling Activities: Engage in expert-led bird watching, exhilarating night walks, comprehensive jungle exploration, and scenic boat trips. Navigate a catamaran in Cocha Salvador for optimal wildlife viewing.
  • Key Locations Visited: Your adventure takes you through Huancarani, the Ninamarka Pre-Inca Cemetery, Paucartambo, Acjanacu (Entrance to Manu), Pilcopata, Atalaya Port, the Alto Madre de Dios River, the famous Manu River, and both the Cultural and Reserved Zones of Manu National Park.

Tour Details:

  • Tour Type: Ecological & Adventure Tour
  • Tour Area: Manu Biosphere Reserved Zone
  • Group Size: Minimum 2 people for guaranteed departures. Standard group size is 10 participants + 1 leader.
  • Departure Dates: Daily departures available from March to January.
  • Accommodation: Enjoy comfortable lodge stays with private rooms, showers, and bathrooms (except shared facilities at Casa Matsiguenka). Expect a mix of very good to basic accommodations, some with hot water and electricity.
  • Transportation: Travel by comfortable bus and traditional boat.
  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate. While terrain is mostly easy, the heat and 90% humidity in the lower regions can be tiring.
  • Extensions: Interested in extending your Amazon adventure? We're happy to customize your itinerary!

What to Expect & Prepare:

  • Weather: Be prepared for varying conditions. The initial part of the tour can be very cold, while the lower jungle areas are very hot and humid.
  • Rainfall: Please bring a rain poncho, as rain is possible.
  • Comfort: Accommodations are based on double occupancy.

Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Manu, where every moment is a discovery!

Tour Itinerary

Jungle Trips in the Amazon Rainforest: An Unforgettable Adventure in Manu National Park's Reserved Zone

Embark on an extraordinary Manu National Park jungle trip into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, exploring the untouched Reserved Zone of Manu. Our meticulously crafted Manu jungle tours offer unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, from the vibrant cloud forest to the biodiverse lowlands. Experience the magic of Peru's Amazon on a journey of discovery.

Day 1: Journey from Cusco to the Mystical Cloud Forest – A Symphony of Biodiversity

Your Manu adventure begins from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, traversing the spectacular Andes mountains. As we descend into the eastern slopes, the scenery transforms into the lush, vibrant ecosystems of the Cloud Forest Manu. Here, immerse yourself in an ethereal landscape rich with orchids, bromeliads, and mosses. Keep an eye out for incredible Manu wildlife encounters, including the vibrant Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Peru's national bird) performing its elaborate mating dance, playful Woolly Monkeys, and a myriad of colorful Amazon 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. (L-D)

Highlights of the Day:

  1. Cloud Forest trek in Manu Park
  2. Visit the Peruvian National Bird LEK (lekking display)
  3. Bird watching in the Cloud Forest, observing Tanagers, toucans, barbets, hummingbirds, quetzals, trogons, motmots, woodpeckers, and hawks.
  4. Optional: Tanager garden visit for colorful bird photography.

Day 2: Pona Lodge – Yanayacu Lodge

This morning, after departing our lodge, we'll reach the clear waters of the Alto Madre de Dios River. Before arriving at Atalaya Port, we'll visit a Hummingbird Garden where you'll observe several species of hummingbirds, along with tanagers, barbets, king vultures, and titi monkeys. From Atalaya, our boat trip continues to a relaxing Amazon hot spring, where we'll spend about an hour before heading to our next lodge. (B+L+D)

Highlights of the Day:

  1. Hummingbird Garden visit for Amazon bird photography (tanagers, barbets, monkeys, king vulture).
  2. Relaxing hot spring experience in the Amazon jungle.

Day 3: Yanayacu Lodge - Parrot Clay Lick – Reserved Zone – Casa Matsiguenka

Before venturing into the Reserved Zone of Manu Park, we'll visit a spectacular Parrot Clay Lick. Witness several species of parrots, parakeets, and macaws in an impressive nature spectacle. Afterwards, we journey from the clear waters of the Alto Madre de Dios River to the clay-laden Manu River. After a brief stop at the Limonal park ranger station, we'll travel for about five hours up the Manu River. Beaches, especially in the dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns, and Skimmers. Some beaches host sunning White and Black Caimans and breeding Side-necked Turtles. Hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day, and there's a chance of encountering a sunning Jaguar Manu – the world’s third-largest cat. We will also spot various Amazon primate species, possibly Red Howler Monkeys or Squirrel Monkeys. After lunch by the river, we arrive at our Safari Lodge near Cocha Salvador.

The afternoon is dedicated to exploring trails through the pristine rainforest. A visit to Cocha Otorongo is planned, where observation piers and a 20-meter observation tower offer excellent vantage points for wildlife observation, particularly a large family of Giant Otters. Before or after dinner, an optional night jungle excursion with your guide is available to search for nocturnal creatures like Black Caiman, Olingo Kinkajou, or even an Ocelot. Experience the unforgettable night-time symphony of tree frogs and insects. Overnight at Casa Matsiguenka lodge, offering flush toilets and shower facilities. (B+L+D)

Highlights of the Day:

  1. Parrot Clay Lick Manu visit (parrots, parakeets, macaws).
  2. Manu River boat trip for wildlife spotting (black caimans, white caimans, turtles, monkeys, capybaras, deer).
  3. Jaguar searching along Manu River (high chances in dry season).
  4. Cocha Otorongo visit for Giant Otter observation and Black Caiman.
  5. Night walk Manu for nocturnal wildlife.

Day 4: Matsiguenka Lodge – Salvador Oxbow Lake – Macaw Clay Lick

Our day begins early at Cocha Salvador, exploring this oxbow lake by catamaran. Witness an infinity of Manu bird species and mammals, including herons, cormorants, eagles, hawks, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and the magnificent Giant River Otters(Pteronura brasiliensis), a rare species common in Manu. We'll also search for some of the 15 species of monkeys inhabiting this incredible area.

After Cocha Salvador, we return to Casa Matsiguenka Lodge and then walk to a breathtaking Macaw Clay Lick. Witness Scarlet Macaws and Red-and-Green Macaws as they descend to the clay wall in a colorful and noisy spectacle, one of the greatest Amazon wildlife spectacles in the world. After lunch, we'll explore jungle trails with our ecologist guide, learning about the complex ecosystem and looking for smaller inhabitants like the emperor tamarin or spotted-backed tamarin, and possibly peccaries. Overnight at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge. (B+L+D)

Highlights of the Day:

  1. Cocha Salvador visit (largest oxbow lake in Manu National Park) for Giant Otters, Black Caimans, diverse birds, and monkeys.
  2. Macaw Clay Lick Manu visit (Scarlet Macaws, Red-and-Green Macaws).
  3. Night walk to observe nocturnal insects, amphibians, reptiles, night monkeys, and owls.

Day 5: Manu Biosphere Reserve – Tapir Clay Lick

Today, we visit another oxbow lake via a forest walk – Cocha Otorongo ("Jaguar Lake"), for more Manu wildlife encounters, especially common woolly monkeys. We'll pay special attention to the plant life, which often signals the presence of animals. After lunch, we navigate downstream on the Manu River and then upstream on the Alto Madre de Dios River to the Tapir Clay Lick area, offering an exceptional opportunity to observe Tapirs at night. (B+L+D)

Highlights of the Day:

  1. Manu River sailing for second chances to spot caimans, monkeys, turtles, capybaras, deer, and green anacondas.
  2. Jaguar search along Manu River (best chances July-October).
  3. Tapir Clay Lick visit for nocturnal tapir observation.
  4. Overnight jungle experience in a camouflage house to see tapirs.

Day 6: Tapir Clay Lick - Pona Lodge

We continue our journey upstream, transferring from boat to car at Atalaya, which will take us back to Pona Lodge for the night. (B+L+D)

Day 7: Pona Lodge - Cusco

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

  • Tour guide in English and Spanish with spotting scope
  • Transportation (bus and boat)
  • Cook
  • Three meals a day
  • Mineral water
  • All Nights in Lodge, a night in a blind might be included in the tour
  • Fresh fruit
  • Snacks
  • Rubber boots
  • Rain Ponchos
  • Entrance fee to the Oxbow Lakes
  • Entrance fee to Manu National Park
  • Entrance fee to all the private Natural Reserves
  • First aid kit
  • Travel Insurance
  • Firs breakfast
  • Mineral water in the first day
  • Last day Dinner
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tips for the team
  1. Repellent with a minimum of 30% DEET .
  2. Binoculars/Binoculars (if you want your own pair)
  3. Camera with spare batteries
  4. Flashlight with extra batteries
  5. Sunscreen
  6. Money
  7. Backpack
  8. Water bottle / cantinflora
  9. Sandals
  10. Shirts, socks
  11. Lightweight pants, shorts and suit/swimwear
  12. Hat
  13. toilet paper
  14. Dark clothes (for hiking days)
  15. Converter/adaptor for electricity (plugs are typically the 2 flat type found in the U.S.)

Hotels normally offer free storage if yours doesn’t we will be very happy to store your luggage for you.

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