Trips to Machu Picchu
About this trip
The Heart of the Amazon: 8-Day Manu Reserved Zone Expedition
Embark on the ultimate journey into the world’s most biodiverse wilderness. This 8-day expedition takes you deep into the strictly protected Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. Witness the rare Giant River Otters at Salvador Oxbow Lake, scan the riverbanks for the elusive Jaguar, and experience the vibrant spectacle of Macaw and Parrot Clay Licks. From the misty Cloud Forests of the Andes to the primary lowland rainforest, this is a front-row seat to nature in its most pristine state.
What’s included
Tour Guide
Experienced Tour Guide (English & Spanish) with Spotting Scope
Transport
Private Transportation (bus and boat)
Cook
Dedicated Cook
Meals
Three Delicious Meals Per Day
Water
Mineral Water
Accommodations
All Nights in Basic Comfortable Lodges
Tapir Clay Lick Night
One night in a blind to see tapirs (this is optional and you can spand the night at the lodge)
Snacks
Fresh Fruit & Snacks
Ponchos
Rain Poncho
Boots
Rubber Boots starting from the second day
Buffle Bag
30L Dry Duffle Bag
Entrance Fee
Entrance Fees to Manu National Park
LEK entrance Fee
We include a entrance fee to the Andean cock-of-the-rock Bird Lek (Peruvian National Bird)
Bird Garden entrance Fee
One time entrance fee on the send day
Hot Spring entrance Fee
One time entrance fee to the Hotspring in Manu Park
Aid Kit
First Aid Kit with poison extractor
What’s not included
Travel Insurance
we recommend travel insurance to cover these unpredictable weather conditions, as claims for compensation cannot be considered. The insurance should also cover cancellation of tours, cancellation of flights, accident, loss of personal luggage, hospitalization, etc. We do not accept responsibility for cancellation, loss, tropical medical problems, damage or injury to property or persons.
Meals
First day Breakfast and last dinner
Water
Please bring a bottle of water for the first day. Once finished, you can refill your bottle with the purified mineral water we provide throughout the rest of the journey.
Cash for Tips
Tips for our staff (entirely at your discretion, as our staff are well compensated)
Wildlife Sightings
While we hope to encounter local wildlife, please note that sightings depend on nature and cannot be guaranteed.
Very Important NOTE
there migh be additional costs or delays due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (e.g., landslides, bad weather, itinerary modifications for safety, illness, government policy changes, political instability/strikes).
$1,450
Itinerary
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Destination: Manu National Park (Reserved Zone & Cultural Zone)
Start/Finish: Cusco / Cusco
Activity Level: Moderate (Jungle hiking, boat travel)
Best For: Wildlife photographers, nature lovers, birdwatchers.
Introduction
Experience the most biodiverse corner of the planet on our 8-Day Manu National Park Reserved Zone Tour. This meticulously designed itinerary takes you from the high Andes through the misty Cloud Forest and deep into the strictly protected Reserved Zone.
Unlike standard tours, this expedition offers the highest probability of spotting Jaguars, Giant River Otters, and Macaws in their primary, untouched habitat. Discover why Manu is the premier destination for eco-tourism and serious wildlife photography.
Brief Itinerary – Manu National Park Reserved Zone: The Ultimate 8-Day Amazon Expedition
Day 1: Cusco to Pona Lodge | Cloud Forest & The Cock-of-the-Rock
- Highlights: Pre-Inca Ninamarca Tombs, Paucartambo, and the Peruvian National Bird.
- The Experience: We depart Cusco at 5:00 AM, climbing the Andes to the pre-Inca cemetery of Ninamarca. After visiting the folkloric town of Paucartambo, we enter Manu National Park. We descend into the Cloud Forest to witness the exotic Cock-of-the-Rock perform its vibrant mating dance.
- Hydration Note: Please bring a reusable water bottle for Day 1. We provide purified mineral water refills for the remainder of the tour to reduce plastic waste.
- Overnight: Pona Lodge (Jungle Comfort).
Day 2: Pona Lodge to Tapir Clay Lick | Hummingbirds & Hot Springs
- Highlights: 19+ Hummingbird species, thermal baths, and nocturnal Tapir watching.
- The Experience: After birdwatching in a specialized Hummingbird garden, we head to Atalaya on the Madre de Dios River. Relax in the Manu Hot Springs before heading deep into the high forest. Tonight is special: we stay at a strategic observation blind at the Tapir Clay Lick to spot the Amazon’s largest land mammal.
Day 3: Entering the Reserved Zone | The Quest for the Jaguar
- Highlights: Manu River navigation, Black Caimans, and Jaguar tracking.
- The Experience: Today we enter the Manu Reserved Zone. As we boat up the Manu River, keep your camera ready—this is the best place in the world to see a wild Jaguar sunning on the riverbanks. We’ll also spot Giant Turtles and Black Caimans.
- Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka (Authentic Indigenous-style lodge).
Day 4: Deep Reserved Zone | Oxbow Lakes & Giant Otters
- Highlights: Cocha Salvador, Cocha Otorongo, and 20-meter observation towers.
- The Experience: We explore the primary rainforest’s "Cocha" (Oxbow Lakes). Using a silent catamaran, we’ll search for the endangered Giant River Otters. We’ll also climb a 20-meter canopy tower for a bird’s-eye view of monkeys and Toucans.
Day 5: Macaw Clay Lick Spectacle | A Riot of Color
- Highlights: Scarlet Macaws, Red-and-Green Macaws, and primary jungle trekking.
- The Experience: Early this morning, we visit the Macaw Clay Lick. Watch as hundreds of brightly colored parrots and macaws gather to eat mineral-rich clay—a bucket-list event for birdwatchers. The afternoon is spent trekking deep-jungle trails to learn about medicinal plants.
Day 6: Reserved Zone to Papaya Lodge | Rare Wildlife & Night Blinds
- Highlights: River wildlife and a second chance for Tapir sightings.
- The Experience: We begin our return journey downstream, giving us another prime window for Jaguar spotting. We’ll navigate to Papaya Lodge, where we spend the night at a mammal clay lick blind to observe the elusive nocturnal life of the Amazon.
Day 7: Journey to the High Jungle | Scenic River Exploration
- Highlights: Alto Madre de Dios River and final Amazonian birdwatching.
- The Experience: We travel back up the Alto Madre de Dios River. This is a relaxing day to soak in the Amazonian scenery, spot predatory birds hunting from the treetops, and enjoy a final optional soak in the hot springs.
- Overnight: Pona Lodge.
Day 8: From Jungle to Andes | Return to Cusco
- Highlights: Mountain Toucans and the Sacred Valley.
- The Experience: We bid farewell to the rainforest, traveling back through the Cloud Forest. We’ll look for the Quetzal and Mountain Toucan before arriving in Cusco around 3:00 PM.
Location
Your Organizer
Trips to Machu Picchu
Trips to Machu Picchu by Manu Explorers Peru specializes in authentic tours to one of the world’s wonders. Our offerings include the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay, Lares, and Choquequirao treks, alongside the high-adventure Inca Jungle Trek and scenic train tours to Machu Picchu. Looking for more adventure? We also provide expert-guided jungle expeditions to the Manu National Park Reserved Zone.
