Manu National Park 3 Days

Hotel pickup in Cusco at 5:00 a.m. to begin an unforgettable journey through the Andes Mountains toward Manu National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas on Earth.

Along the way, we pass through Ninamarca, known for its pre-Inca chullpas, ancient funerary towers of the Lupacas culture, and traditional villages such as Paucartambo, rich in Andean heritage. We then reach Acjanaco Pass, the official checkpoint and gateway to Manu National Park.

From here, we descend into the spectacular cloud forest, a unique transitional ecosystem between the Andes and the Amazon, home to an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna, including orchids, bromeliads, giant ferns, and epiphytic plants.

We stop for a picnic lunch surrounded by nature, before walking along an ancient Inca trail of the Antisuyo, historically linking the Andes with the Amazon and allowing a deep spiritual connection with Pachamama (Mother Earth).

The exploration continues through the cloud forest, one of Peru’s top destinations for birdwatching, where you may witness the courtship display of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru’s national bird, as well as spot toucans, trogons, quetzals, and various species of monkeys.

In the late afternoon, we arrive at Chontachaca, then continue through Patria and Pillcopata to the Atalaya Port. From there, we navigate the Madre de Dios River by boat to reach our traditional Amazon lodge.

Dinner and overnight stay in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

We start the day early with a boat excursion along the Madre de Dios River. From Atalaya, we navigate for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the famous Macaw and Parrot Clay Lick, one of the best wildlife observation sites in the Amazon rainforest.

After this unforgettable experience, we enjoy breakfast by the river, surrounded by pristine nature. We then walk to the majestic Lupuna or Ceiba tree, known as the Mother Tree of the Amazon, a sacred giant of the rainforest.

Our journey continues to Machuwasi Lake, a biodiversity-rich oxbow lake where we observe various bird species, including hoatzins (also known as shanshos or water hens). We cross the lake in a traditional wooden canoe to reach a natural observation platform for spotting birds and wildlife.

We return to the boat and head back toward Atalaya, stopping to visit the impressive Pongo de Coñeq, before arriving at our lodge for lunch. After some rest, we visit local plantations, learning about traditional crops such as cassava, bananas, pineapples, avocados, and more.

In the late afternoon, we climb an observation platform to enjoy a spectacular Amazon sunset. As night falls, we take part in a nocturnal wildlife walk, followed by a cultural activity where you can experience a traditional wuito tattoo and participate in the preparation of handmade Amazonian chocolate.

After breakfast at 7:00 a.m., we depart the lodge around 8:00 a.m. and begin our return journey to Cusco, traveling through the stunning landscapes of the Amazon rainforest and cloud forest.

Our first stop is a hummingbird garden, where we can observe these colorful birds up close—symbols of lightness, energy, and transformation.
(Optional: visit to a wildlife rescue center, subject to availability.)

We then continue to Pilcopata, where we stop at the small local shop of Mrs. “China”, well known for her authentic Amazonian fruit juices, made from fresh tropical fruits such as copoazu, cocona, and starfruit.

In Chontachaca, we take part in a reforestation and biodiversity conservation project. We learn about the life cycle of Amazonian butterflies, from egg to metamorphosis, and each participant plants a host tree, essential for the survival of endangered species. This meaningful activity supports forest regeneration and deepens our connection with Pachamama (Mother Earth).

After lunch, we continue our journey back to Cusco, a drive of approximately 5 hours, bringing this unique, responsible, and unforgettable experience in Manu National Park to a close.