Manu Reserved Zone Tour (5 Days)

Day 1: Journey from Cusco to the Amazon Rainforest – Manu Amazon Lodge

Your adventure begins at 4:00 AM with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. Our first stop will be Ninamarca, an archaeological site where we will explore the ancient tombs of the Lupaca culture. We will continue to the picturesque town of Paucartambo to admire its colonial architecture. Then, we will ascend to the Tres Cruces viewpoint, where you will witness a breathtaking panoramic view of the cloud forest. Finally, we will descend into the lower Amazon basin to take a boat to the Manu Amazon Lodge, your refuge to rest and acclimatize to the jungle.

• Distance: 145 km
• Maximum altitude: 3,600 masl
• Minimum altitude: 650 masl
• Route: Cusco – Ninamarca – Paucartambo – Tres Cruces – Manu Amazon Lodge
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Exploration of the Alto Madre de Dios River – Casa Matsiguenka

After breakfast, we will navigate the imposing Alto Madre de Dios River. We will make a brief stop at the Limonal Control Post for a routine check, a sign of the authenticity of this protected area. Upon arriving at Casa Matsiguenka, you will be welcomed by the local community, with whom we will share and learn about their ancestral culture. We will visit the observation tower at Cocha Otorongo to spot wildlife, and at dusk, we will prepare for an exciting night safari in search of creatures of the night.

• Distance: 50 km
• Maximum altitude: 500 masl
• Minimum altitude: 350 masl
• Route: Manu Amazon Lodge – Alto Madre de Dios River – Casa Matsiguenka
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 3: Wildlife Spotting and Hiking in the Heart of Manu

The day begins at Casa Matsiguenka. A boat ride will take us to the famous Cocha Salvador, a vibrant ecosystem where we will look for giant river otters, various species of monkeys, and exotic birds. Afterward, we will delve into the jungle along a little-traveled 8 km trail, ideal for observing mammals and learning about native plants. In the afternoon, we will explore the surroundings of the lodge, witness an Amazonian sunset, and culminate with a night walk.

• Distance: 8 km (navigation and hiking)
• Maximum altitude: 500 masl
• Minimum altitude: 350 masl
• Route: Casa Matsiguenka – Cocha Salvador – Casa Matsiguenka
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Adventure to the Shintuya Hot Springs – Amazon Manu Lodge

After breakfast, we will say goodbye to our Matsiguenka hosts. We will navigate back along the Manu and Alto Madre de Dios rivers to the community of Shintuya, where we can optionally relax in its natural hot springs. Following a hike to local waterfalls, we will continue by boat to our lodge, the Amazon Manu Lodge. The day will conclude with dinner and a final night exploration of wildlife.

• Distance: 75 km (river and land exploration)
• Maximum altitude: 400 masl
• Minimum altitude: 350 masl
• Route: Casa Matsiguenka – Shintuya – Amazon Manu Lodge
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Return Journey from Manu to Cusco

After a final Amazonian breakfast, we will take the boat back to the Port of Atalaya. There, our private transport will be waiting to start the journey back to Cusco. We will pause for lunch along the way, ascending once again from the jungle towards the Andes. We will arrive in Cusco between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, concluding an unforgettable expedition through the Peruvian jungle.

• Distance: 250 km
• Maximum altitude: 400 masl
• Minimum altitude: 300 masl
• Route: Amazon Manu Lodge – Atalaya – Cusco
• Difficulty: Easy