Manu Reserved Zone Tours of seven days is one of our signature tours to the heart of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. The experience takes you deep into Manu National Park. It is the largest part of the renowned Amazon Rainforest that dominates South America. It is spread over 1,532,806 hectares (1.5 million hectares).
This is one of the most visited regions in the Peruvian Amazon. Not only because of its close proximity to Cusco – gateway to Machu Picchu, but also because Manu is home to countless species of birds, animals and plants.
Manu National Park rises from 150 metres above sea level to 4200 metres above sea level. It is divided into three zones – Manu Core Zone, Manu Reserved Zone and Cultural Zone. Access to Manu Core Zone is restricted to scientists and researchers. UNESCO recognised Manu as one of the world heritage sites in 1987.
This seven days Manu Reserved Zone Tours with our local crew takes you to the protected areas of the Amazon jungle. You will be able to see the biodiversity that exists in the Amazon rainforest. The experience also includes many activities like birdwatching, jaguar spotting, night safaris, survival lessons and more.
Manu National Park (Manu Cultural Zone)
Adventure and biodiversity
English, Spanish
2 - 10 people
Day 1 – Cusco – Rain forest Lodge
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco quite early in the morning. Then we will embark on a long drive from the Andes to Amazon in our private transport. We will have a couple of stops on our way. Our first stop will be in a small town called Nincamarca. It is home to pre Incan funeral towers from the Lupacas civilization. We will be giving you a guided tour of the site. We will then continue to Paucartambo. It is a folkloric town. People here have maintained their age-old traditions and customs. They still continue to converse in the native language, Quechua. From here we will be driving up the hill to the viewpoint of Tres Cruces from where you will have a panoramic view of the Amazon basin.Then will descend through the cloud forest of the Manu National Park. Manu National Park: We will have a brief stop here. The region is home to the Peruvian National Bird – Andean Cock of the Rock. Here you will also be able to spot different and distinct breeds of Monkeys like the wooly monkey. Our local expert will be giving you a detailed tour. Later in the evening, we will drive you to Rain forest Lodge where we will accommodate you in an ensuite room.
Day 2 – Rain forest Lodge – – Amazon Lodge
At 06:30 in the morning, after breakfast, we will be checking out from the lodge. Then we will be driving you to the Atalaya port. On our way, we will be stopping at a viewpoint to get a panoramic view of the Peruvian Amazon and Alto Madre de Dios river. We will also be visiting a local farm where you will be able to see local farmers producing different types of tropical fruits. We will also be visiting a center of hummingbirds. where we can observe more than 20 species of hummingbirds and other species of birds. Once at Atalaya port, we will be taking a boat on the Madre de Dios river. On this journey, you will be able to see different bird species including parrots, vultures, oropendolas and others. This region is also home to capybaras. They are massive jungle rodents. At around 4:00pm, we will be reaching the serene Amazon Lodge. We will be accommodating you in an ensuite private room. After dinner, we will be doing a night safari to spot some nocturnal creatures like the tarantulas, snakes and scorpios.
Day 3 – Amazon Lodge – Casa Matsiguenka Lodge
This is one of the best days of the Manu Reserved Zone Tours. Early in the morning, after breakfast we will be checking out of the Amazon Lodge. Leaving behind the clear waters of the Madre De Dios river, we will be entering the clay laden waters of Manu river. We will be having a brief stop at Limonal Control where we will have to present the permits to the Park Rangers. We will then sail for five hours on Manu river. The beaches here are full of nesting birds, feeding herons, Orinocos and ergets. You will also be able to spot some black and white caimans. Over a hundred sand colored nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches. Here you will also be able to spot Jaguars. This region is also home to red howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys. We will be stopping for lunch amidst the jungle. Casa Matsiguenka Lodge: We will then reach the Casa Matsiguenka lodge that nestles on the shores of the Cocha Salvador Lake. The lodge is managed by the Matsiguenka community. There are many interesting trails around the lodge where Matsiguenkas, as locals, guide the tours. We will be spending the afternoon exploring some interesting trails on this pristine Amazon rainforest area. Then we will be visiting the Cocha Otorongo lake which houses a 20 metres high observation tower in the rainforest canopy. You will have a panoramic view of the lake and the wildlife from here. You will also be able to see giant otters here. Then we will return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner, we will have the option of experiencing the night tour of the jungle where you can spot more nocturnal creatures. We will be sailing on the boat for the night tour, so you will also have the opportunity of spotting black caimans, olingo kinkajou, ocelot etc. After a full day tour of the lowland rainforest, we will return to the lodge.
Day 4 – Casa Matsiguenka – Cocha Salvador
We will be serving you a typical Amazonian breakfast, then we will be spending the rest of the morning at Lake Cocha Salvador. We will be canoeing on the lake and from the floating platform, you will be able to spot wildlife of the Salvador Oxbow lake. Here, we will also see Agami Heron, brown capuchin monkeys, and more. There are specially constructed stones that jot out into the lake. From here you will get to see families of giant river otters that inhabit here. These are the world’s largest freshwater carnivores remaining in Manu. Each of these animals consumes between 4-5 kgs of fish a day. You will often spot them eating fishes on the lakeside. We will be spending the rest of the day hiking on the trails and looking for the thirteen iconic species of monkeys. The region is also home to many medicinal plants. Our guide will be explaining its uses in detail. Her we will also spot groups of Peccaries. They are a species of new world pigs. After sunset, we will return to Casa Matsiguenka lodge for dinner.
Day 5 – Casa Matsiguenka – Cocha Brashco – Amazon Lodge
We will be taking the motor boat quite early in the morning to Cocha Brascho Lagoon. On this boat ride, you will be able to spot many animals that inhabit the shores of Manu River. Once at Cocha Brascho Lagoon, we will change to catamaran to explore the Lagoon. Cocha Brascho Lagoon is home to the world’s largest snake – the Anaconda. There are many other species of snakes here. Later that evening, we will be reaching Amazon lodge where you will be accommodated for the night.
Day 6 – Amazon Lodge – Palotoa Ecological Reserve
After breakfast, we will be leaving Amazon lodge and will be sailing on Madre de Dios river for five hours to our Palotoa Eco Lodge. We will spend a relaxed afternoon amidst the beautiful jungle setting. In the evening, we will hike to the pristine areas of the jungle to a viewpoint on a cliff. From here you will have a beautiful view of roosting flights of parrots and macaws at sunset. We will then return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner, we will do a night tour in the reserve to spot some nocturnal creatures.
Day 7 – Palotoa Ecological Reserve – Cusco
After breakfast, we will take the boat to Atalaya port. Here we will meet our private transportation and will drive back to Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco at around 07:30 PM.
- Private minivan and motor boat
- All accommodations and Lodges
- Professional bilingual guide from the jungle
- Mineral water all the time
- First aid kit
- 3 meals per day, vegetarian food and snack
- Professional Chef
- Rubber boots
- Entrance to Hot Springs
- Entrance Fee to Manu National Park
- Entrance to Palotoa Ecological Reserve
- Sleeping bag
- Repellent with a minimum of 40% deet
- Good Binocular
- Camera with extra batteries
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Sun lotion
- Pocket money
- Daypack
- Water bottle
- Sun hat
- Sandals
- Swimming suit
- Rain poncho