7 Day – Manu Reserved Zone Tours – Manu Biosphere Reserve Tour
Manu Reserved Zone
Experience the ultimate Amazon adventure with a 7-day expedition into the heart of the Manu National Park Reserved Zone and Manu Biosphere Reserve. This immersive journey takes you from the Andes of Cusco through cloud forests and deep rainforest ecosystems, offering one of the most complete wildlife experiences in Peru.
Explore remote areas of the Amazon by boat, jungle trails, and natural lagoons while searching for incredible wildlife such as monkeys, giant river otters, caimans, tapirs, colorful macaws, parrots, and many species of tropical birds. Highlights include visits to parrot and macaw clay licks, Cocha Salvador, rainforest hot springs, piranha fishing, river tubing, and unforgettable night jungle excursions.
With stays at the Amazon Treehouse and Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, this 7-day tour provides a true immersion into the untouched wilderness of Manu, combining adventure, biodiversity, and cultural connection in one of the most spectacular rainforest destinations on Earth.
Duration
7 Days
Difficulty level
2/5
Languages
Spanish, English
Guide
Included in the service
Transfers
All transfers included
What’s Included?
It is included:
- All meals (optional vegetarian with notice)
- Excursions with naturalist guides, cook (chef)
- Private (minivan) and river (motorised canoe) transportation; Peke peke (motorised small boat for small rivers)
- Accommodation at lodges (mosquito nets)
- Tickets for the Manu national park
- Rubber boots
Not included:
- Breakfast on the first day
- Dinner on the last night of the tour
- Alcoholic beverages
- Souvenirs
Itinerary
Day 1: Paucartambo-Paucartambo-Cusco-Port Atalaya-Amazon Treehouse
- Early morning pickup from Cusco and drive through the Andes
- Breakfast stop in Paucartambo (Inca culture and traditional town)
- Visit to Tres Cruces / Paso de Acjanaco viewpoint (3,900 m)
- Descent into the Manu cloud forest with short wildlife walk
- Wildlife viewing (cock-of-the-rock, monkeys, birds)
- Lunch at the hummingbird garden
- Transfer to Atalaya Port
- Boat journey along the Madre de Dios River
- Transfer to smaller boat on the Palotoa River
- Arrival at the Amazon Treehouse at sunset
Day 1 Statistics:
- Distance: ~290 km (180 miles)
- Highest altitude: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
- Lowest altitude: 450 m (1,475 ft)
- Difficulty: Easy
Day 2: Amazon Tree house - Parrot Clay Lick
- Pre-dawn visit to the parrot and macaw clay lick
- Observation of birds feeding on mineral-rich clay
- Breakfast at the lodge
- Guided jungle hike to learn about medicinal plants
- Wildlife spotting (sloths, anteaters, snakes, insects)
- Buffet lunch with traditional jungle cuisine
- Afternoon exploration of a lake with white caimans and snakes
- Night hike to observe nocturnal jungle activity
Day 2 Statistics:
- Distance: ~5 km (3 miles) on foot
- Highest altitude: 550 m (1,800 ft)
- Lowest altitude: 500 m (1,600 ft)
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 3: Amazon Treehouse - Casa Matsiguenka Lodge
- Early boat journey along the Alto Madre de Dios River into the Manu Reserved Zone
- Breakfast on board while watching the Amazon sunrise
- Stop at Limonal checkpoint for park registration
- Navigation along the Manu River with wildlife viewing (capybaras, caimans, jaguars, herons)
- Arrival at Casa Machiguenga Lodge
- Short guided walk near the lodge
Day 3 Statistics:
- Boat time: ~12 hours (Madre de Dios & Manu Rivers)
- Highest altitude: same river level (no variation)
- Lowest altitude: same river level (no variation)
- Difficulty: Easy
Día 4: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge – Salvador Lagoon –Macaw Clay Lick
- Early morning catamaran exploration of Cocha Salvador
- Wildlife observation (giant river otters, caimans, monkeys, birds)
- Visit to macaw clay lick on return
- Lunch at the lodge
- Afternoon exploration of the nature reserve (including pocket monkey habitat)
- Night tour to observe nocturnal wildlife (alligators, tapirs, owls, snakes)
- Return to the lodge
Day 4 Statistics:
- Distance: Close-range exploration around Cocha Salvador (lake paddling + short hikes)
- Highest altitude: Same as lodge level
- Lowest altitude: Same as lodge level
- Difficulty: Moderate
Día 5: Casa Matsiguenka Lodge - Hot Springs- AmazonTreehouse
- Early morning departure (5:00 a.m.) from Casa Matsiguenka Lodge
- 5-hour boat navigation along the Manu River
- Wildlife viewing (jaguars, caimans, capybaras, tapirs, sloths)
- Breakfast served on board the boat
- Navigation upstream along the Madre de Dios River
- Scenic river journey with birdwatching opportunities
- Relaxation stop at natural rainforest hot springs
- Transfer to smaller boat (peke-peke) on the Palotoa River
- Final 1-hour boat ride to the Amazon Treehouse
Day 5 Statistics:
- Distance: Boat-based travel + short walks
- Highest altitude: 500 m (1,640 ft)
- Lowest altitude: 350 m (1,148 ft)
- Difficulty: Easy
Día 6: Parrot Clay Lick/– Piranha fishing– Treehouse Inn – River Tubing
- Early morning visit to the parrot clay lick
- Observation of hundreds of colorful parrots feeding on mineral-rich clay
- Return to Amazon Treehouse for breakfast
- Guided jungle hike around the lodge trails
- Visit to a lagoon with piranhas and fishing activity
- Lunch at the lodge
- Free time at the lodge
- River tubing on the Palotoa River
- Sunset experience in the Amazon
- Night jungle excursion to observe nocturnal wildlife
Day 6 Statistics:
- Distance: 6 km on foot
- Highest altitude: 550 m (1,804 ft)
- Lowest altitude: 400 m (1,312 ft)
- Difficulty: Easy
Día 7: Amazon Treehouse to Atalaya Port to Paucartambo to Cusco
- Breakfast at the Amazon Treehouse
- Boat journey back to Atalaya Pier
- Transfer by private transport from Atalaya to Cusco
- Stop in Paucartambo for lunch on the way
- Arrival in Cusco around 5:00 p.m.
Extra Details
Manu Tours Peru Packing List
- Small backpack for the day
- Dark colored clothes (to camouflage ourselves)
- Sun hat
- Long-sleeved shirts for mosquitoes
- Swimwear and sandals (flip flops)
- Small ultra-light towel
- Mosquito repellent (50% DEET)
- Sunscreen
- Flashlight with extra batteries / headlamp
- Binoculars (can be rented)
- Camera with extra battery and memory card
- Water bottle
- Rain poncho or rain jacket/pants
HELPFUL ITEMS
- Plastic bags for dirty clothes, clean clothes, camera, and electronics
TOILETRIES
- Biodegradable or organic soap
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper (keep dry in a plastic bag)
- Personal medications
- Spare cash