Detailed Tour Plan

Day 1 – Cusco → Cloud Forest → Soga de Oro Lodge

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

Breakfast in Paucartambo.

Continue to 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, where a guided walk offers opportunities 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 the gray woolly monkey and large-headed capuchin.

Picnic lunch along the Manu Road.

In the late afternoon, arrive at Atalaya River Port and navigate downstream on the Madre de Dios River for approximately 30 minutes to reach Soga de Oro Lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Soga de Oro Lodge.

Day 2 – Parrot Clay Lick → Forest Trails → Machuwasi Lagoon → Night Walk

Early morning visit to the Parrot Clay Lick, where parrots, parakeets, and small macaws— including the chestnut-fronted macaw— gather to consume mineral-rich clay. Along the way, you may encounter wildlife such as white-throated toucans, red howler monkeys, capybaras, tayras, and possibly Brazilian tapirs.

Breakfast at Soga de Oro Lodge.

After breakfast, explore the Ceiba Tree Trail, searching for peccaries, monkeys such as red howler monkeys, and birds including blue-throated piping-guan, Spix’s guan, and pale-winged trumpeter.

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 before reaching the lagoon, then navigate by balsa-wood raft, observing species such as hoatzins, horned screamers, yellow-rumped caciques, and orange-backed troupials.

Dinner at Soga de Oro Lodge.

After dinner, enjoy a guided night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife such as night monkeys, pacas, frogs, insects, and other rainforest creatures.

Day 3 – Soga de Oro Lodge → Cusco

Breakfast at Soga de Oro Lodge.

Return by boat upstream to Atalaya River Port, where the private van will take you back to Cusco. During the drive through the cloud forest, enjoy another chance for wildlife observation and short walks to look for monkeys and birds such as the Cock-of-the-Rock, tanagers, quetzals, and trogons.

Picnic lunch along the Manu Road.

Arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon.