Manu Biosphere Reserve Tour (6 Days)

Our six days Manu Reserved Zone tour takes you deep into Manu National Park. It is the largest part of the renowned Amazon Rainforest that dominates South America. It is spread over 1,532,806 hectares (1.5 million hectares).

This is one of the most visited regions in the Peruvian Amazon. Not only because of its close proximity to Cusco – gateway to Machu Picchu, but also because Manu is home to countless varieties of flora and fauna.

Manu National Park rises from 150 metres above sea level to 4200 metres above sea level. It is divided into three zones – Manu Core Zone, Manu Reserved Zone and Cultural Zone. Access to Manu Core Zone is restricted to scientists and researchers. UNESCO recognised Manu as one of the world heritage sites in 1987.

This six days Manu Reserved Zone Tour with our local crew takes you to the heart of the Peruvian jungle. You will be able to see the biodiversity that exists in the Amazon rainforest. The experience also includes many activities like birdwatching, jaguar spotting, night safaris, survival lessons and more.

We are a family owned local tour operator from the Palotoa community in Manu National Park. We take pride in employing locals from the community. They have an extensive knowledge about the flora and fauna, trails and the indigenous culture and traditions.

Do take a moment to see our guest reviews on Tripadvisor.

• Package / Tour: Manu Reserved Zone 6 Days / 5 Nights
• Price 2023: USD $ 1370.00
• Locations Visited: Manu Reserved Zone
• Frequency: 5 Times of week
• Physical Grading: 1-2-3-4-5

DETAILED ITINERARY

NOTE: Our Manu Reserved Zone Tour involves several trips by bus and boat. The weather in certain areas is unpredictable. The program may be subject to change at any time without notice.

Day 1 – Cusco – Rain forest Lodge

Early in the morning we will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you from the Andes to Amazon. As it’s a long drive, we will be having a couple of stops at some interesting sites on our way.

Our first stop will be at a remote town called Nincamarca. It is home to  pre Incan funeral towers from the Lupacas civilisation. Here our local expert will be giving you a guided tour of the site and will be explaining you the prominence of the site.

We will then continue our drive to Paucartambo. It is a folkloric town. People here are untouched by modernity. Most of them still continue to converse in Quechua.

From here we will be driving up the hill to the viewpoint of Tres Cruces from where you will have a panoramic view of the Amazon basin. From here, we will descend through the cloud forest of the Manu National Park.

We will have a brief stop here. The region is home to the Peruvian National Bird – Andean Cock of the Rock. Here you will also be able to spot different and distinct breeds of Monkeys like the wooly monkey. Once you have had your fill of the first views of Manu National Park, we will be driving you to our Rain fores Lodge. Here, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite lodge  for the night. The company staff will be serving delicious dinner.

Day 2 – Rain forest Lodge –  Amazon Lodge:

We will be waking you up to an authentic Amazonian breakfast. Then we will be driving you to the Atalaya port. On our way, we will be stopping at a viewpoint to get a panoramic view of the Peruvian Amazon and Alto Madre de Dios river.

We will also be visiting a local farm where you will be able to see local farmers producing different types of tropical fruits. We will also be visiting a coca plantation.

Once at Atalaya port, we will be taking a boat on the Madre de Dios river. On this journey, you will be able to see different types of birds.

This includes parrots, vultures, oropendolas and others. This region is also home to capybaras. They are massive jungle rodents.

At around 0500 PM, we will be reaching the serene Amazon Lodge. We will be accommodating you in an ensuite private room. After dinner, we will be doing a night safari to spot some nocturnal creatures like the tarantulas, snakes and scorpios.

Day 3 – Amazon Lodge – Casa Matsiguenka Lodge

Early in the morning, after breakfast we will be checking out of the Hummingbird Lodge. Leaving behind the clear waters of the Madre De Dios river, we will be entering the clay laden waters of Manu river.

We will be having a brief stop at Limonal Control where we will have to present the permits to the Park Rangers. We will then sail for five hours on Manu river. The beaches here are full of nesting birds, feeding herons, Orinoco and egrets. You will also be able to spot some black and white caimans.

Over a hundred sand coloured nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches. Here you will also be able to spot Jaguars. This region is also home to red howler monkeys and squirrel monkeys. We will be stopping for lunch amidst the jungle.

Casa Matsiguenka lodge:

We will then reach the Casa Matsiguenka lodge that nestles on the shores of the Cocha Salvador Lake. The lodge is managed by the Matsiguenka community. There are many interesting trails around the lodge where Matsiguenkas, as locals, guide the tours.

We will be spending the afternoon exploring some interesting trails on this pristine Amazon rainforest area. Then we will be visiting the Cocha Otorongo lake which houses a 20 metres high observation tower in the rainforest canopy. You will have a panoramic view of the lake and the wildlife from here. You will also be able to see giant otters here.

Then we will return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner, we will have the option of experiencing the night tour of the jungle where you can spot more nocturnal creatures. We will be sailing on the boat for the night tour, so you will also have the opportunity of spotting black caimans, Olingos, ocelot etc.

After the tour of the lowland rainforest, we will return to the lodge.

Day 4 – Casa Matsiguenka – cocha salvador – macaw clay lick

We will be serving you a typical Amazonian breakfast, then we will be spending the rest of the morning at Lake Cocha Salvador. We will be canoeing on the lake and from the floating platform you will be able to spot wildlife of the Oxbow lake.

Here, we will also see Agami Heron or Sungrebe, brown capuchin monkeys and more. There are specially constructed stones that jot out into the lake.

From here you will get to see families of giant otters that inhabit here. These are the world’s largest freshwater carnivores remaining in Manu. Each of these animals consume between 4-5 kilos of fish a day. You will often spot them eating fishes on the lakeside.

We will be spending the rest of the day hiking on the trails and looking for the thirteen iconic species of monkeys. The region is also home to many medicinal plants.

After exploring Lake Salvador, we will have another  beautiful activity. It consists of observing parrots and macaws on a cliff, which is called macaw clay lick. This activity is very preferred by bird-loving tourists, and bird watchers. There we will spend 2 hours in a hiding house to see these beautiful birds.

On this trail, we will also spot groups of Peccaries. They are a species of new world pigs. We will then see the sunset and return to Casa Matsiguenka lodge for dinner.

Day 5 – Casa Matsiguenka – Palotoa Ecological Reserve

After breakfast, we will be checking out from Casa Matsiguenka Lodge and sail for four hours down the Boca Manu river. Often you will be able to spot many distinct animals on the shores. We will then continue on Madre de dios river for five hours till we reach our own Palotoa Amazon Lodge.

The lodge nestles in the heart of the rainforest. The location makes it ideal for local conservation groups and bird watchers to set base and explore the rainforest. After dinner, we will be doing a night tour to spot some nocturnal creatures here.

Day 6 – Palotoa Ecological Reserve – Cusco

After breakfast, we will take the boat to Atalaya port. Here we will meet our private transportation and will drive back to Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco at around 07:30 PM.

OVERVIEW & ITINERARY:

• Start: Cusco
• End: Cusco
• Style: Original
• Type: Adventure and biodiversity
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Age Minimum: 08 years with their parents, 18 without parents
• Group size: Minimum 2 Maximum 08
• Tour Route and altitude
• Cusco (3,300m.s.n.m.) – Andes- (3830m.s.n.m.) Cloud Forest (1,500m.s.n.m.),Amazon Basin (290m.s.n.m.) Manu National Park covers an area of 1716 292 22 million hectares, and is categorized as one of the most extensive parks in South America.

IMAGES MANU NATIONAL PARK

MANU RESERVED ZONE TOUR INCLUDES:

• Private mini van and motor boat
• Ruber boots
• All accommodations and Lodges
• Professional bilingual guide from the jungle.
• Mineral water every time.
• First-Aid Kit
• 3 meals per day, it includes vegetarian food option
• Snack (fruits cookies and chocolates)
• Professional Chef
• Entrance to  Hot Spring
• Entrance Fee to “Manu National Park 
• Entrance to Palotoa Ecological Reserve

YOU SHOULD BRING

• Repellent with a minimum of 40% deet
• Good Binoculars
• photographic camera
• Flashlight 
• Rain poncho
• Sun lotion
• Pocket money
• Daypack
• Water bottle
• Sandals
• Sun hat
• Swimming suit

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Manu national Park located?

Located in the southeast of Peru, in the provinces of Paucartambo in Cusco and Manu in Madre de Dios.
It has an area of ​​1’717’295.22 hectares.

How to get to Manu National Park Peru?

Manu is at 130 kilometers from Cusco city traveling by road, which interacts as a gateway to the Manu National Park. You can also get to Puerto Maldonado by land from Cusco or by air through Lima. From there you can ride the mother river of God by boat. and you can get to the Manu Reserve. but it is more far and expensive.

Manu National Park when to visit?

The best time to visit is between April and November, during the dry season. The rainy season is from February to March, when access by road becomes more difficult and when the paths in the forest can be flooded.

What is the difference between the cultural zone and the reserved zone?

The Manu National Park is divided into three parts: cultural zone or buffer zone, reserved zone or core zone and the intangible zone. The cultural zone and the reserved zone are for tourist use. The intangible zone is used exclusively for scientific studies and with special permits. More details see section Manu.

Do I need to be in good physical condition to travel?

It is not a requirement, but one must be able to walk a path of several kilometers to fully enjoy what Manu has to offer.

Do vaccines are needed for yellow fever, malaria and malaria?

In the Manu National Park there are no reports of cases of yellow fever, malaria and malaria however if you want to stay longer in tropical places it is better to consult with your doctor.