Detailed Tour Plan

Day 1 – Cusco → Cloud Forest → Pona Lodge

Early morning departure from Cusco by private van, traveling along the Andean highland road toward Paucartambo, a colonial village, passing impressive landscapes and small highland communities.

Breakfast in Paucartambo Village.

Continue toward the entrance of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, reaching the Acjanaco Mountain Pass (3,550 m), with panoramic views of the eastern Andes and the Amazon rainforest canopy. Descend into the Manu Cloud Forest, observing the transition from puna grasslands to lush cloud forest. Enjoy a guided walk along the road to spot birds such as the Golden-headed Quetzal, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Amazonian Umbrellabird, trogons, Blue-banded Toucanet, tanagers, and euphonias, as well as monkeys like gray woolly monkeys and large-headed capuchin monkeys.

Picnic lunch along the Manu Road.

Arrive at Pona Lodge in the late afternoon.

Dinner at Pona Lodge.

Optional night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife such as night monkeys, pacas, frogs, insects, spiders, and other rainforest creatures.

Day 2 – Pona Lodge → Soga de Oro Lodge → Machuwasi Lagoon → Night Walk

Breakfast at Pona Lodge.

Continue by van for approximately one hour, with wildlife observation stops and scenic views of the Madre de Dios River, before reaching Atalaya River Port. Navigate downstream by motorized boat along the Madre de Dios River to Soga de Oro Lodge.

Lunch at Soga de Oro Lodge.

In the afternoon, cross the river to visit Machuwasi Lagoon, the first navigable lagoon along the Madre de Dios River. Walk for about one hour through the forest before reaching the lagoon, then explore it by balsa-wood raft, observing species such as hoatzins, horned screamers, yellow-rumped caciques, orange-backed troupials, and many other birds.

Dinner at Soga de Oro Lodge.

After dinner, enjoy a guided night walk to look for nocturnal animals and insects, including night monkeys, pacas, frogs, and more.

Day 3 – Soga de Oro Lodge → Parrot Clay Lick → Ceiba Tree Trail

Early morning visit to the Parrot Clay Lick, where parrots, parakeets, and small macaws—including the chestnut-fronted macaw—gather to feed on mineral-rich clay. This early excursion offers opportunities to observe wildlife such as white-throated toucans, red howler monkeys, capybaras, tayras, and possibly Brazilian tapirs.

Breakfast at Soga de Oro Lodge.

After breakfast time to relax, swim in the river, or enjoy the guided walk by the riverbank before lunch.

Lunch at Soga de Oro Lodge.

After breakfast, explore the Ceiba Tree Trail, searching for peccaries, additional monkey species, and daytime-active birds such as blue-throated piping-guans, Spix’s guans, and pale-winged trumpeters.

Dinner at Soga de Oro Lodge.

Day 4 – Soga de Oro Lodge → Cloud Forest → Cusco

Breakfast at Soga de Oro Lodge.

After breakfast, return by boat upstream to Atalaya River Port.

Return to Cusco by private van, traveling once again through the cloud forest with opportunities for short walks and final wildlife sightings. Look for monkeys and birds such as the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, tanagers, quetzals, trogons, and other cloud forest species.

Picnic lunch along the Manu Road.

Arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon.