Manu Reserved Zone Tours – Cusco Manu National Park Tour 6D/5N

We will depart Cusco at 4:00 AM. Our adventure begins with a scenic drive through the Andes. We will stop at Ninamarca, where ancient pre-Inca tombs reveal the region’s ancestral past. Next, we will visit Paucartambo, a charming colonial town known for its preserved architecture and vibrant local culture.

We will continue toward Tres Cruces, one of the few places on Earth where we can witness the “three suns” phenomenon. The sunrise views here are breathtaking, especially on clear days. Afterward, we will descend into the lush Manu Cloud Forest, home to orchids, hummingbirds, and the national bird of Peru — the Cock-of-the-Rock.

By evening, we will reach Pilcopata, where our Amazon Jungle Lodge awaits. Here, we can relax and enjoy a traditional dinner surrounded by jungle sounds.

Day 1 statistics:

• Distance: 190 km
• Highest altitude: 3,850 meters above sea level (Tres Cruces)
• Lowest altitude: 800 meters above sea level
• Route: Cusco – Paucartambo – Tres Cruces – Pilcopata
• Difficulty: Moderate

After breakfast, we will continue our Manu National Park Amazon journey to Atalaya Pier. From here, we will board a motorized canoe for a 40-minute ride along the Madre de Dios River. This river is one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River.

We will arrive at the Palotoa Ecological Reserve and enjoy a delicious Amazonian lunch. After settling in, we will explore the nearby rainforest trails. Our guide will help us identify unique flora, like giant ferns and medicinal plants. We might see giant armadillos, capybaras, or the impressive harpy eagle.

In the evening, we will relax at the lodge, swim in the nearby lake, and enjoy a freshly prepared Amazonian dinner.

Day 2 statistics:

• Distance: 80 km
• Highest altitude: 800 meters above sea level
• Lowest altitude: 500 meters above sea level
• Route: Pilcopata – Atalaya – Alto Madre de Dios
• Difficulty: Easy

We will wake up early to visit the Macaw Clay Lick, a stunning natural spectacle where hundreds of parrots and macaws gather to eat clay that helps them detoxify.

After breakfast, we will travel by boat along the Manu River, watching for black caimans, turtles, and playful capybaras. We will pass the Limonal Control Station, the gateway to the Manu Reserved Zone.

We will arrive at the Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, managed by the native Matsigenka people. In the afternoon, we will visit nearby oxbow lakes, home to giant otters and diverse birdlife. In the evening, we can join an optional night walk.

Day 3 statistics:  

• Distance: 120 km (by river)
• Highest altitude: 500 meters above sea level
• Lowest altitude: 350 meters above sea level
• Route: Alto Madre de Dios – Limonal – Casa Matsiguenka
• Difficulty: Moderate

After breakfast, we will explore the heart of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, one of the planet’s richest wildlife habitats. Guided walks will reveal towering trees, medicinal plants, monkeys, and vibrant birds.

We will have a picnic lunch deep in the forest, surrounded by untouched nature. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a peaceful catamaran ride on an oxbow lake, watching hoatzins, cormorants, and giant river otters.

We will return to the lodge and share stories of the day’s sightings under the Amazon stars.

Day 4 statistics:  

• Distance: 10 km (jungle exploration)
• Highest altitude: 400 meters above sea level
• Lowest altitude: 350 meters above sea level
• Route: Casa Matsiguenka – Oxbow Lakes – Manu Forest
• Difficulty: Moderate

After breakfast, we will travel by boat to Boca Manu. On our way, we will visit the Diamante Native Community, where locals will greet us with traditional music, handmade crafts, and ancestral traditions.

We will continue to Dorado Lodge, where we will have lunch and relax. In the evening, we will enjoy a bonfire barbecue, celebrating our adventure with delicious Amazonian dishes and local beverages.

Day 5 statistics:  

• Distance: 90 km (by river)
• Highest altitude: 400 meters above sea level
• Lowest altitude: 300 meters above sea level
• Route: Casa Matsiguenka – Diamante – Dorado Lodge
• Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast, we will take our last boat ride back to Atalaya Port. Our private transport will take us on the return journey through the Andes.

We will arrive in Cusco around 7:00 or 8:00 p.m., depending on weather and traffic conditions. This marks the end of our unforgettable Manu Peru Amazon Tours experience.

Day 6 statistics:  

• Distance: 280 km
• Highest altitude: 3,850 meters above sea level
• Lowest altitude: 500 meters above sea level
• Route: Dorado Lodge – Atalaya – Cusco
• Difficulty: Easy