Trips to Machu Picchu
About this trip
5-Day Manu Reserved Zone Tour: The Ultimate Amazon Wildlife Expedition
A 5-day tour to the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park is one of the most immersive wildlife experiences in the world. This area is the most protected part of the park, accessible only through authorized tour operators, and offers the highest probability of spotting "big" Amazonian wildlife like jaguars, giant river otters, and macaws.
Tour Highlights
- Jaguar Spotting: The Manu River banks are famous for sightings of jaguars basking in the sun.
- Oxbow Lakes (Cochas): Navigating Cocha Salvador and Cocha Otorongo to see the endangered Giant River Otter.
- Cloud Forest Descent: Journeying from the Andes (4,000m) down to the Amazon basin (300m), passing through various microclimates.
- Macaw Clay Licks: Watching hundreds of colorful parrots and macaws gather at riverbanks to eat mineral-rich clay.
- Indigenous Culture: Staying at lodges like Casa Matsiguenka, which is owned and operated by the local Matsiguenka community.
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
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).
$900
Itinerary
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Destination: Manu National Park (Reserved Zone and Cultural Zone)
Start/Finish: Cusco / Cusco
Activity Level: Moderate (Jungle hiking, boat travel)
Best For: Wildlife photographers, nature lovers, birdwatchers.
Introduction
Experience the crown jewel of the Amazon with our 5-day Manu National Park Reserved Zone expedition. This tour is specifically designed for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers who want to maximize their chances of spotting rare species in a short timeframe.
From the mist-covered Andean Cloud Forest to the untouched lowland rainforests, this journey takes you deep into the UNESCO World Heritage site of Manu. Encounter the world’s most diverse ecosystems and witness "Big Amazon" wildlife including Jaguars, Giant River Otters, and Macaws without compromising on the depth of the experience.
Detailed Itinerary: 5 Days in Manu National Park
Day 1: Cusco – Cloud Forest – Pona Lodge (Andean Foothills to Jungle Mist)
Your Amazon adventure begins at 5:00 AM with a private transfer from your Cusco hotel. We ascend the Andes to visit the pre-Inca "chullpas" (tombs) of Ninamarca before descending into the mystical Cloud Forest of Manu.
- Wildlife Highlight: Visit the "lek" of the Cock of the Rock, Peru’s national bird, to witness their vibrant courtship dance.
- Scenery: Transition from high-altitude paramo to lush, orchid-filled forests.
- Overnight: Pona Lodge (Enjoy a sunset dinner surrounded by jungle mist).
Day 2: Pona Lodge – Manu Reserved Zone – Casa Matsiguenka (The Search for the Jaguar)
We depart early (3:30 AM) for Atalaya Port to board our motorized boat. We navigate the Madre de Dios River before entering the Manu River—the gateway to the Reserved Zone.
- Wildlife Highlight: Keep your binoculars ready for Jaguars basking on the riverbanks. We will also spot Black Caimans, Capybaras, and Red Howler Monkeys.
- Oxbow Lake Exploration: Visit Cocha Otorongo, using a 20m observation tower to view the canopy and search for Giant River Otters.
- Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge (Located deep within the primary rainforest).
Day 3: Manu Reserved Zone – Cocha Salvador & Macaw Clay Lick
Today is dedicated to the most biodiverse areas of the park. We begin with a silent catamaran ride on Cocha Salvador, the most beautiful lake in the Manu Reserved Zone.
- Wildlife Highlight: A resident family of Giant River Otters is frequently seen here. Later, we head to a Macaw Clay Lick to see Scarlet, Red, and Green Macaws gathered in a riot of color.
- Ecosystem Education: Your expert guide will explain the complex medicinal uses of Amazonian plants and the social structures of Spider Monkeys and Emperor Tamarins.
- Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.
Day 4: Reserved Zone – Papaya Lodge – Tapir Clay Lick (Nocturnal Wonders)
We begin our slow exit from the Reserved Zone, providing one last chance for river-bank wildlife sightings (Jaguars and turtles) as we head toward Boca Manu.
- Wildlife Highlight: Tonight, we visit a Tapir Clay Lick. From a hidden "blind" (observation platform), we wait for the South American Tapir—the largest land mammal in the Amazon—to visit the mineral lick under the cover of darkness.
- Evening: A night walk to find tree frogs, tarantulas, and nocturnal snakes.
- Overnight: Papaya Lodge.
Day 5: Papaya Lodge – Atalaya – Return to Cusco
After a final Amazonian breakfast, we begin our journey back to civilization. We travel by boat to Atalaya and then by private van back over the Andes.
- The Final Stretch: Look for High-Andean birds like the Crested Quetzal during the ascent.
- Arrival: You will be dropped off at your Cusco hotel between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM with memories to last a lifetime.
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.
