Detailed Tour Plan

Day 1: Cusco – Pona Lodge

We depart from Cusco early in the morning in a private van, traveling along the Andean highland road toward Paucartambo, a charming colonial village. Along the way, we pass impressive landscapes and small highland communities.

Breakfast in Paucartambo Village.

After leaving Paucartambo, we continue toward the entrance of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, reaching the Acjanaco Mountain Pass (3,550 m). From here, we enjoy spectacular views of the eastern slopes of the Andes stretching toward the Amazon rainforest canopy.

As we descend, you will witness the dramatic transition from puna grasslands to the cloud forest. Your guide will lead a gentle walk along the road to look for iconic bird species such as the Golden-headed Quetzal, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Amazonian Umbrellabird, trogons, Blue-banded Toucanet, and many smaller birds including tanagers and euphonias. There is also a chance to spot monkeys such as the Gray Woolly Monkey and Large-headed Capuchin Monkey.

Picnic lunch along the Manu Road.

In the late afternoon, we arrive at Pona Lodge.
Dinner at Pona Lodge.

Optional night walk after dinner to observe nocturnal wildlife such as night monkeys, pacas, spiders, scorpions, tarantulas, frogs, and snakes.

Day 2: Pona Lodge – Atalaya River Port – Machuwasi Lagoon – Dorado Lodge

Breakfast at Pona Lodge.

After breakfast, we continue by van for approximately one hour, making interesting stops to observe local wildlife and enjoy views of the Madre de Dios River before arriving at Atalaya River Port.

From Atalaya, we navigate downstream by motorized boat along the Madre de Dios River for about 30 minutes to reach Machuwasi Lagoon, the first navigable lagoon along the river. We take a one-hour walk before reaching the lagoon, then explore it by balsa wood raft, enjoying the surrounding scenery and observing bird species such as Hoatzin, Horned Screamer, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Orange-backed Troupial, flycatchers, and many others.

We return to the river for lunch.
Lunch served onboard the boat.

After lunch, we continue navigating downstream for approximately three more hours until reaching Dorado Lodge. After a short rest, we explore one of the forest trails in search of monkeys such as the energetic Squirrel Monkey, the intelligent Brown Capuchin, the quiet Dusky Titi Monkey, and the rarely seen White-fronted Capuchin.

Return to the lodge for dinner.
Dinner at Dorado Lodge.

After dinner, we enjoy a night walk to observe nocturnal animals and insects such as night monkeys, pacas, spiders, scorpions, tarantulas, frogs, and snakes.

Day 3: Dorado Lodge – Casa Matsiguenka Lodge

Early morning departure with wildlife observation along the riverbanks, searching for capybaras, red brocket deer, and—with luck—jaguars, giant anteaters, and a variety of birds. We travel downstream on the Madre de Dios River for approximately two hours until reaching its confluence with the Manu River, then navigate upstream to Limonal Ranger Station for registration and entry into Manu National Park.

At the ranger station, there is time to use restrooms and stretch.
Breakfast served onboard.

We continue traveling throughout the day, observing wildlife along the riverbanks and surrounding forest, including side-necked river turtles, black and white caimans, birds such as Neotropic Cormorants, Great Egrets, Kingfishers, and mammals such as monkeys, capybaras, tapirs, and possibly the spectacular jaguar resting on the riverbanks.

Lunch served onboard.

Arrival at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge in the early afternoon. After a short rest, we take a guided walk through the primary rainforest to gain our first impression of this pristine environment. On the return walk in the evening, we look for nocturnal wildlife.

Dinner at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.

Day 4: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge – Salvador Oxbow Lake – Otorongo Oxbow Lake

Very early in the morning, we visit Salvador Oxbow Lake, paddling quietly in a catamaran. Here, we may observe the famous family of giant river otters, black caimans, and rare birds such as Hoatzins, Agami Herons, and White-throated Toucans, as well as several monkey species.

Return to the lodge for breakfast.
Breakfast at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.

Later, we hike for approximately 1.5 hours in search of wildlife, including Monk Saki Monkeys, peccaries, deer, anteaters, and a small macaw clay lick visited by Red-and-green Macaws.

Lunch at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.

In the afternoon, we navigate upstream on the Manu River to visit Otorongo Oxbow Lake. We climb a viewing tower for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding wildlife, then walk back through forest trails to the river. A one-hour boat ride returns us to the lodge, offering another chance to spot a jaguar along the riverbanks.

Dinner at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.

Day 5: Casa Matsiguenka – Pakitza Ranger Station – Mammal Clay Lick

Breakfast at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.

After breakfast, we navigate upstream to Pakitza Ranger Station, the final control point deep within Manu National Park. From there, we walk to a mammal clay lick, where animals such as red brocket deer, peccaries, and birds gather to obtain minerals that help neutralize toxins from their diet.

Lunch at Pakitza Ranger Station.

After lunch, we return downstream to Casa Matsiguenka Lodge. In the late afternoon, we enjoy a two-hour walk through mature floodplain forest in search of woolly monkeys, returning to the lodge before nightfall.

Dinner at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.
Optional night walk.

Day 6: Casa Matsiguenka – Boca Manu Village – Dorado Eco Lodge

Early morning departure downstream along the Manu River, enjoying one last opportunity to observe undisturbed wildlife.

Breakfast served onboard.

We stop at Limonal Ranger Station to check out of the park, then continue to the confluence of the Manu and Madre de Dios rivers. A short stop in Boca Manu Village allows us to observe traditional wooden boat construction, the village’s main economic activity.

Lunch served onboard.

After lunch, we navigate upstream on the Madre de Dios River for approximately three hours to Dorado Lodge. Free time to relax, swim in the river, or enjoy the sunset by a campfire.

Dinner at Dorado Lodge.

Optional night walk to observe nocturnal insects and visit a camouflage shelter to try to spot the Brazilian tapir.

Day 7: Dorado Eco Lodge – Shintuya Hot Springs – Pona Lodge

Very early morning visit to the Manu Parrot Clay Lick, where parrots, parakeets, and small macaws such as Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed Macaws gather to consume mineral-rich clay.

Breakfast at Dorado Lodge.

After breakfast, we travel by boat back toward Atalaya, observing wildlife along the riverbanks. We stop at the Shintuya Hot Springs to enjoy a relaxing medicinal bath.

Lunch served onboard.

After lunch, we continue upstream to Atalaya River Port, then transfer by minivan to Pona Lodge, where we spend the final night.

Day 8: Pona Lodge – Cusco

Breakfast at Pona Lodge.

After breakfast, we return to Cusco through the cloud forest, with final opportunities for wildlife observation, including monkeys and birds such as Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, tanagers, quetzals, and trogons.

Picnic lunch along the Manu Road.

Arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon.