Manu National Park

Day 1: Cusco – Paucartambo – Acjanaco Pass – Cloud Forest Lodge

Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in our specialized overland vehicle and begin our journey through the beautiful Andean valleys and picturesque rural communities.

Our first stop will be the Pre-Inca Tombs of Ninamarca, also known as Chullpas, an impressive archaeological site featuring ancient funerary structures. We then continue to Paucartambo, a charming colonial town that preserves its traditional architecture, customs, and cultural heritage.

Next, we ascend to Acjanaco Pass (3,850 m / 12,631 ft), the gateway to Manu National Park. From here, we begin our descent into the spectacular Andean cloud forest, a unique ecosystem home to remarkable wildlife such as the spectacled bear and the Andean cock-of-the-rock, as well as orchids, bromeliads, and tree ferns.

We will enjoy lunch along the route while appreciating the surrounding natural scenery before continuing to our jungle lodge. Upon arrival, settle into your accommodation and enjoy your first night surrounded by the beauty of the cloud forest.

Day 2: Cock of the Rock – Pilcopata – Atalaya – Amazon Lodge

We wake up early to witness one of the most fascinating wildlife spectacles of the cloud forest: the courtship display of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus), Peru’s national bird. From a viewing platform, observe the males displaying their brilliant reddish-orange plumage, raising their distinctive crests, and performing elaborate dances to attract females at a traditional mating site known as a lek.

After breakfast, we continue our journey by vehicle along a scenic mountain road surrounded by waterfalls, deep canyons, and lush vegetation, passing through the town of Pilcopata before reaching Atalaya Port.

Here, we board a covered motorboat and travel for approximately 15 minutes along the Alto Madre de Dios River to reach our rustic private reserve lodge.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk along the lodge’s trails, exploring the fascinating transition between the highland cloud forest and the Amazon lowland rainforest. Discover the region’s diverse vegetation and wildlife before returning to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by nature.

Day 3: Amazon Wildlife Exploration – Machuwasi Lake – Night Walk

After breakfast, our guide will introduce us to the different ecosystems surrounding the lodge, explaining how altitude and habitat variations contribute to the region’s extraordinary biodiversity.

We then begin a guided walk along the riverbanks, discovering the fascinating world of the Amazon rainforest. Along the way, learn about native insects, medicinal plants, towering trees, reptiles, and mammals while exploring the surrounding vegetation.

After lunch, we board our boat for a short five-minute ride, followed by an approximately 30-minute walk along a beautiful rainforest trail. Discover unique plant species, including sensitive plants, colorful heliconias, and tropical fruit trees, before reaching Machuwasi Lake.

Using a telescope, we will observe the area's remarkable birdlife, which may include great egrets, toucanets, woodpeckers, kiskadees, and cardinals.

After dinner, enjoy a short nighttime jungle walk to discover the rainforest's nocturnal inhabitants, including American bullfrogs, horned frogs, tree frogs, and an incredible variety of insects.

Return to the lodge for an overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon rainforest.

Day 4: Parrot Clay Lick – Atalaya – Return to Cusco

We wake up very early and board our boat for a short five-minute ride downstream to the Parrot Clay Lick (Collpa), located along the riverbanks. Here, we may witness several species of parrots and parakeets, including blue-headed parrots and white-eyed parakeets, gathering to feed on the mineral-rich clay. This natural behavior helps supplement their diet of seeds and fruits.

After this fascinating wildlife experience, we return to Erika Lodge for breakfast. We then board our boat back to Atalaya Port, where our overland transportation will be waiting for the journey back to Cusco.

Along the way, we will enjoy lunch and admire the changing landscapes as we travel from the Amazon lowlands toward the Andes. We expect to arrive in Cusco late in the evening, bringing our unforgettable Manu National Park adventure to an end.