Our Manu Expeditions program is a good fit for those who want to combine culture and nature in the rain forest with some more physically challenging activities. This program combines the largest known parrot clay lick in the region with trekking the inner forest at the Black River Center, and the expectacular river tubing.

 

OVERVIEW & ITINERARY

• Start: Cusco
• End: Cusco
• Style: Original
• Type: Adventure
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Age Minimum: 10 years with their parents, 18 without parents
• Group size: Minimum 2 Maximum 9
•  

TOUR ROUTE 

Our route in the minivan by road takes about 11 hours the first day and on our return to Cusco the last day 6 hours. Boat tours consist of 7 hours from the second day to the last day, both a mode of transport and a cruise in the middle of the Amazon jungle. By combining the boat transport with wildlife viewing, we maximize our time in the Manu Delta. The adventure, wildlife and flora await on the river banks of Manu, the Rio Madre De Dios and the Rio Palotoa rivers and in the cloud forests.

 

IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU?    

This 5-day trip is easily accessible for all ages; it is not physically demanding. The minivan journey does cover some curvy and sometimes broken road. Temperatures can be cold in the Andes, as low as 10° c, and up to 40° c in the warmer low jungle region. To help adapt to altitude, we recommend drinking plenty of water, and offer you mate de coca. To deal with insects we recommend using abundant repellent and wearing very light clothes.

Travel by river boat through crystal clear waters, with normally slow rapids and very calm waters, can be rough when weather changes. Anti motion sickness medication or coca tea can help deal with motion sickness or altitude adjustment.

 

MEETING POINT AND PICK UP

The meeting point or pick up will be at your Cusco hotel, our Guide will meet you with our private mini van.

The tour begins and ends in the city of Cusco. If you're based outside of Cusco in Pisac, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo for example, you will be picked up much earlier to be brought to the city of Cusco to join the tour at its departure point. Please contact us to coordinate. This will have an additional cost, and schedule of pick up will be arranged.

 

TIME OF PICK UP

Pick up time is bright and early, at 4:00 in the morning, to give us more time to enjoy the places of interest on the way. We’ve found this to be the best, as did our previous travelers. Leaving early we take advantage of the fresh morning to see more wildlife activity and we also avoid traffic and other tour groups that could crowd our way.

 

AVAILABILITY OF TOUR

We normally run this tour from March to December (our summer). Remember this is the jungle, so there can be rain at any time regardless of season.

This adventure is designed for those who want to get off the beaten path in search of wildlife, explore pristine forests, sport fish, sleep in tents pave new paths with a machete, enjoy a fire, tubing in the river, and making local food to enjoy together, among many other possibilities.

 

ITINERARY

Day 01: Cusco – Manu Cloud Forest – Bamboo Lodge

Today in the morning we leave in our private minivan moving through beautiful landscapes, past panoramic views to Ausungate, quaint villages and Inca ruins. At the Spanish colonial town of Paucartambo (folkloric capital of Cusco) we stop for a coffee. Continuing the journey, we ascend to the highest point at the Acjanaco pass 4,000m (13,123 ft), the entry way to Manu National Park. Here the clouds and trees come together to form a mystical and magical scene. With the incredible biodiversity before us, we can contemplate the birth of the tropical forest and watch the hundreds of hummingbirds that inhabit the area. We’ll also encounter vibrant birds, jumping monkeys and gorgeous orchids. 

Overnight in Bamboo Lodge.

 

Day 02: Machuwasi Lagoon – Posada Manu Rainforest 

Very early after breakfast we’ll visit the surrounding garden and orchard, and coca plantation. Your guide will explain medicinal plants and exotic fruits grown here in the area. After a short trip in the minivan we reach Atalaya, and board our motorized river boat heading through the turbulent Alto Madre de Dios river to calmer waters where we’ll stop and trek to a beautiful lagoon (Lago Machuwasi).Here live the among many fascinating birds, the loud prehistoric birds hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazín), and The Screamer (Anhima cornuta Arauco), egrets, etc. As well as caimans. With its reflective waters and rich wildlife, it’s a truly wonderful experience on the balsam pole rafts.
 

Overnight at the Posada Manu Rainforest, a hidden stilted house camouflaged in the forest. 
 

Day 03: Posada Manu Rainforest - Rio Negro (fishing and camping)

After breakfast we board our small motorized wooden boats (peque peque) upriver to tranquil, transparent waters of the Palotoa River and on to the Rio Negro located on the edge of Manu National Park reserve. After the 2.5 hour journey, we’ll set up camp and in the afternoon embark on a spectacular jungle walk, searching the forest for wildlife, and swimming in the river – so close to the reserves borders we have excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At dusk it’s time to fish for dinner! We’ll make a delicious barbeque with the catch, or simply catch and release and enjoy a vegetarian meal in the amphitheater of jungle sounds.

Overnight under the stars in very comfortable tents.

 

Day 04: Jungle Exploring - River Tubing 

After a delicious breakfast we’ll trek around the area until midday, in primary forest far from human influence we’ve the greatest chance of seeing monkies, peccaries, Amazonian turtles, and of course birds, and on the forest floor we can chance lizards, snakes and insects quite probably you’ll never see anywhere else on the planet! 

Your quest for the perfect mix of adventure and knowledge starts here in the heart of the Manu jungle. River Tubing gives you the ultimate river experience! Located on the banks of the Palotoa River, Robles Ecological Reserve is a private awe-inspiring property located on 200 acres of pristine jungle forest away from the crowds (so better chances to see the creatures!).

Night at Robles Tree House

 

Day 05: Parrot and Macaw Clay Lick – Jungle Hiking 

Unique to our trip is river Tubing, which consists of gliding down a stretch of the river Palotoa with an inflated tire. Let yourself be guided by the river current for a stretch of 5 kilometers immersed in the sounds and sights of the Manu rain forest: an unforgettable part of our packages that we offer in our private Robles Ecological Reserve.

 

Day 06: Posada Manu Rainforest – Cloud Forest – Cusco

6:30 AM surprises await us on the river, as we head back to Atalaya. Many birds and animals make morning visits to the river making our last day on the waters a resplendent one. Once back in Atalaya, we board our minivan and start the long winding and breathtaking trip back to Cusco. Passing through the cloud forest we have a second chance at wildlife spotting. We’ll have our last lunch on the way al fresco, with spectacular vistas to the verdant valley below.

 

INCLUSIONS

•   Meals : 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners (vegetarian option available)
•  Transport : Land transportation (minivan), river transportation (canoe motorized), Peke Peke (small boat motorized, perfectly designed for small rivers)
•  Accommodation: At Bamboo Lodge (1 nights), Posada Manu Rainforest (2 night), Robles Tree House (2night)