Trips to Machu Picchu
About this trip
7 Days in the Heart of Manu: The Ultimate Wildlife Expedition
Dive into the world’s most biodiverse wilderness on a 7-day journey into the strictly protected Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. This condensed but high-impact expedition focuses on the park’s "Big Three": the elusive Jaguar, the endangered Giant River Otter, and the vibrant Macaw Clay Licks. From the misty Andean Cloud Forest to the deep lowland primary jungle, you’ll navigate remote rivers and explore hidden oxbow lakes. Perfect for photographers and nature lovers seeking a profound connection with the untouched Amazon.
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).
$950
Itinerary
Duration: 7 Days / 6 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
Embark on a definitive journey into the most biodiverse corner of the planet. This expert-led, 7-day expedition ventures beyond the "Cultural Zone" and deep into the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park a restricted area accessible only to a limited number of visitors. Witness the Amazon in its most pristine state: where Giant Otters rule the oxbow lakes, Macaws paint the clay cliffs, and the elusive Jaguar prowls the riverbanks. Experience a dramatic ecological descent from the misty Andean Cloud Forest to the steaming lowland rainforest.
Detailed Itinerary: 7 Days in Manu National Park
Day 1: The Descent – Cusco to Pona Lodge
Highlights: Pre-Inca Tombs, Cloud Forest Mist, & The Flame-Red Cock-of-the-Rock
Your journey begins at 5:30 AM, climbing out of the Cusco Valley into the high Andes. We pause at the Ninamarca funeral towers, silent sentinels of the Lupaca culture, before reaching Paucartambo, a colonial gem known as the "Folkloric Capital of Cusco."
From the mountain pass of Acjanaco (11,480ft), we enter Manu National Park. Here, the landscape transforms into the Cloud Forest, an ethereal realm of orchids, ferns, and mosses. Our afternoon focus is the Lek (display ground) of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. You will witness the thunderous squawks and vibrant scarlet displays of Peru’s national bird during their daily courtship ritual.
- Overnight: Pona Lodge (Comfortable forest lodge)
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Into the Wild – Pona Lodge to Casa Matsiguenka
Highlights: The Manu River Safari, Jaguar Tracking, & The Reserved Zone Entrance
After an early breakfast, we descend to the Port of Atalaya, the end of the road and the beginning of our river journey. We transition from the clear waters of the Alto Madre de Dios to the tea-colored, nutrient-rich Manu River. After passing the Limonal Ranger Station, we officially enter the Reserved Zone.
This stretch of river is world-renowned for Jaguar sightings; we keep a sharp eye on the sun-drenched beaches. Along the banks, look for Black Caiman, Side-necked Turtles, and the "living fossil" Hoatzin bird. We arrive at Casa Matsiguenka, a lodge uniquely managed by the indigenous Matsiguenka community, providing an authentic connection to the forest.
- Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: The Realm of the Giant Otter – Cocha Salvador & Otorongo
Highlights: Catamaran Lake Navigation & Primary Rainforest Trekking
We wake to the "dawn chorus" of Red Howler Monkeys. Today is dedicated to exploring Cocha Salvador, the largest oxbow lake in the Reserved Zone. We navigate the lake via a silent, paddle-powered catamaran to minimize disturbance. This is the best place on Earth to see a resident family of Giant River Otters.
In the afternoon, we trek through "Terra Firme" (primary forest) where trees tower 50 meters high. Our expert guide will decode the forest’s secrets, from medicinal plants to the complex social lives of Spider Monkeys and Emperor Tamarins. We finish at the 20-meter observation tower at Cocha Otorongo for a canopy-level view of the lake.
- Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: A Riot of Color – The Macaw Clay Lick
Highlights: Avian Spectacle & Deep Jungle Immersion
At first light, we head to a hidden Macaw Clay Lick. As the sun rises, hundreds of parrots and parakeets descend to eat the mineral-rich clay. The climax occurs when the large Scarlet and Red-and-Green Macaws arrive, turning the cliffside into a kaleidoscope of screaming color.
The afternoon offers a choice: a focused bird-watching session to find the rare Agami Heron, or a "Stillness Hike" to practice wildlife photography. As darkness falls, we head out for a Night Walk to find creatures that only emerge in the moonlight: tarantulas, tree frogs, and perhaps the nocturnal Olingo.
- Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: The Night Watch – Papaya Lodge & Tapir Lick
Highlights: Downstream Wildlife & The Elusive Lowland Tapir
We begin our slow exit from the Reserved Zone, but the wildlife viewing doesn't stop. The boat journey downstream offers a second chance for Jaguars and Capybaras. We arrive at Papaya Lodge, strategically located near a Mammal Clay Lick.
This evening features a truly unique experience: we hike to a camouflaged blind (observation platform) deep in the forest. Here, we spend part of the night in silence, waiting for the Lowland Tapir—the largest land mammal in South America—to emerge and lick the salty clay.
- Overnight: Papaya Lodge (or camping platform for the Tapir Lick)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Upstream Odyssey – Return to the Cloud Forest
Highlights: Final River Safari & Transitioning Ecosystems
Our journey turns back upstream toward the Andes. This is a day for reflection and "last looks." As we leave the lowland heat and move back into the breezy Cloud Forest, the birdlife changes once more. Keep your binoculars ready for the White-capped Dipper in the rushing mountain streams. We return to Pona Lodge for a final celebratory dinner in the cool mountain air.
- Overnight: Pona Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: The Mountain Road – Pona Lodge to Cusco
Highlights: Quetzals, Mountain Toucans, & The High Andean Wetlands
On our final morning, we explore the trails around Pona Lodge to find the Golden-headed Quetzal and the Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan. We then begin our ascent back over the Andes. Our final stop is the Huacarpay Lagoon, a high-altitude wetland where we can spot specialized Andean waterbirds. We arrive back in the historic center of Cusco around 4:00 PM, with memories of the world's most pristine wilderness.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
