Welcome to Manu Adventures. All our programs have been carefully designed to maximize the number and diversity of your activities while limiting their environmental impact. Enjoy the thrill of our Canopy Zip Down, explore the most exquisite birding spots or choose to relax in our comfortable bungalows; we have options for every kind of traveler.
If you have any questions, or would like a customized trip for you group, please let us know. If you would like more information regarding our Reservation Policy, please click here.
Hidden Manu
Lodges visited:
Price:$660.00Book now
We leave Cusco early in the morning in one of our vehicles. Approximately mid-morning, we visit the tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Acjanacu Pass, which marks the beginning of the Cultural Zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Overnight at our “Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge”.
We wake up very early to observe the Cock of the Rock [link a Birds] from a platform. After breakfast we continue in our vehicle down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Pilcopata (*1) and then to Atalaya Port. We will continue down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Erika Lodge (*2).
*1 Free Option: River Rafting at Pilcopata. (Read more at our Adventure Sports page)
*2 Free Option: Canopy Zip Down (Read more at our Adventure Sports page)
*3 Free Option: Mammal Licking grounds observation (Read more on our Erika Lodge page)
After breakfast, we leave Erika Lodge and board our canoe for a four-hour ride down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu’s airstrip. At this point, some new members may join our group. Read about how to get here by airplane.
Boca Manu’s village is situated a short distance away from the confluence of the Manu River with the Alto Madre de Dios River. Here, you will be able to buy fresh supplies and cold drinks before setting off again to a lodge where we will spend the night. A short night walk is optional.
An early-bird, 10-minute boat ride will take us to a parrot lick (collpa). After having breakfast and registering in the official tourist logbook at Limonal (the Park Rangers’ HQ), we will take a 4-hour boat ride up the Manu River into the pristine heart of the reserve, leaving all traces of human activity behind. We will arrive at our Sajino Safari Camp Site (Read about our Campsite) by the Salvador Lake early in the afternoon and have lunch before setting off on a trail (where we will discuss Rain Forest Ecology). Expect reduced bird and mammal afternoon activity. Overnight at the camp site.
Wake up early to the sound of the Red Howler Monkey (Aloatta seniculus). A morning walk before breakfast is a great way to catch wildlife in the pursuit of food, as the temperature is very pleasant at this time of day. We explore the Salvador Lake by paddling quietly on a catamaran, giving us the opportunity to observe unique species of birds, monkeys, caimans and, with luck, the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). After lunch, we head on to the Otorongo oxbow lake. After enjoying the view from our strategically-placed 15-meter observation tower, we go back to paddle along the Salvador Lake to spot, with the help of flashlights, emerging black caimans looking for their next prey. Return to Campsite.
We wake up early to walk around the Salvador Lake. We pack and go downstream slowly along the Manu River. At 3pm approximately, we arrive at the (Nombre?) Island (belonging to a native family) and do a short walk through the forest to observe American bullfrogs, horned frogs, tree frogs and an incredible variety of colorful insects. We continue down to the Boca Manu village and then down the Madre de Dios River to the Boca Lodge. A short night walk is optional. Overnight at the lodge.
Mid-morning we board our canoe back to the Boca Manu airstrip. At this point, those returning to Cusco by plane will catch their flight. The rest of the group will continue up the Alto Madre de Dios River toward Erika Lodge. Should we not make it to the lodge, we will camp at a beach to enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle for one last time.
We continue by boat to Atalaya, where a bus will be waiting for us. We leave Manu, arriving at Cusco late that night or early next morning.
Tickets for the Manu National Park’s Reserved Zone (S /.150 per person) are not included and are to be paid directly to the corresponding park authority.
Airport taxes are also not included: Cusco: $ 5, Cusco – Boca Manu $ 15, Boca Manu – Cusco U.S. $ 15.00
Important: Prices are subject to change without notice.
FIXED PRICE OPTIONS:
A) 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
Two-way bus ride – from Sunday to Sunday
$ 660.00 (tour)
B) 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
Departure by bus / return by plane – from Sunday to Saturday
$ 630.00 (tour) + $ 200.00 (flight)
FOR TOURS STARTING ON MONDAYS
C) 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
Two-way bus ride – from Monday to Sunday
$ 660.00 (tour)
D) 6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS
Departure by bus / return by plane – from Monday to Saturday
$ 630.00 (tour) + $ 200.00 (flight)
Cultural Manu
5 days 4 nights 0ption: $395.00
3 days 2 nights option $335.00
Lodges visited:
Price:$365.00Book now
We leave Cusco early in the morning in our specialized overland vehicles. Approximately mid-morning we visit the pre-inca tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Acjanacu pass, a feature that marks the beginning of the cloud rainforest and cultural zone. Overnight in the Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
Early wake up call to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana) from a platform. After breakfast, we continue in our vehicle (*1) down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Pilcopata (*2) and then to Atalaya, where we board our motor boat and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River for approximately 15 minutes toward Erika Lodge. Overnight at the lodge.
*1 Free Option: River Rafting at Pilcopata. (Read more at our Canopy/Rafting page)
*2 Free Option: Canopy Zip Down (Read more at our Canopy/Rafting page)
*3 Free Option: Mammal Licking grounds observation (Read more on our Erika Lodge page)
In the afternoon, we take a 5-minute boat ride and 30-minute walk through a close-by trail to observe and talk about the interesting flora and fauna found around the lodge. We then arrive at the Machuwasi Lake where, with the help of a telescope, we can observe great egrets, tucanets, carpenters, Keskadees, cardinals, etc. Short night walk to observe American bullfrogs, horned frogs, tree frogs and an incredible variety of insects.
Early wake up call. We board our boat again for a 5-minute ride downstream to a Parrot Clay Lick called “Collpa”. Immediately after, we continue to Atalaya Port where a bus will drive us back to Cusco, arriving late at night.
- Birdwatching 23-day
- Day 1-3
- Day 4-5
- Day 6-8
- Day 9-11
- Day 12-14
- Day 15-16
- Day 17-18
- Day 19-20
- Day 21-23
Birdwatching 23-day
Lodges visited:
Price:$7,600.00Book now
DAY 01: Cusco – Huacarpay Lake – San Pedro – Birdwatching in highland areas
We depart from Cusco around 04:30 a.m. arriving at Huarcarpay Lake 30 minutes later. Here we will spend the entire day observing highland lake and marsh birds. Following the road around the lake we will see most of the waterfowl typical to Andean wetlands including grebes, ducks, gallinules and coots. The wet grasslands in front of the marsh are good for shorebirds and the Andean Negrito. We can look for occasional migrants such as the Hudsonian Godwit (rare) and Baird’s Sandpiper. The many-colored Rush-Tyrant, the Rusty-fronted Canastero and a spectacular hummingbird, the Bearded Mountaineer, can all be seen around the ruins on the hillside above the lake . Overnight at the Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
Day 02: Huacarpay Lake – Pumachaca Ranch
After a brief morning walk at the lake, we visit to the tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We continue down to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Pumachaca Ranch where a Taczanowski’s Tinamou was once reported among the beautiful narrow road and the semi-humid mountain scrub. Common to see around Pumachaca are: White-rufted Sunbeam, Creamy-crested Spintail, Cinereous Conebill, Torrent Duck. Relax by the chimney and spend the night at the our Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
Day 03: Pumachaca – Acjanaco
Early wake up call to walk around the nearby trails. We will continue to the Acjanaco pass where the elfin forest marks the beginning of the Cultural Zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Birders stay the night here to see the White-browed chat tyrant, the Chestnut-breasted mountain finch, Puna Thistle tail, Paramo Pipit, Diademed Tapaculo, Puna Tapaculo, Masked Flowerpiercer, Golden-collared Tanager, Drab Hemispingus and small, mixed flocks among others. Camping overnight.
Day 04: Acjanaco pass – Pillahuata
We wake up earlier than we are used to to watch the “seven sunrise”, an impressive optical illusion that occurs during dry season. We then walk down to Pillahuata, located in upper montane humid forest (also known as the Coshñipata Valley) where the bird species are quite different from the ones at Acjanaco. Camping overnight with basic accomodations. An overnight stay at Pillahuata is rewarding due to the many different species of birds such as the Hooded Tinamou, Stripe-faced Wood-Quail, Golden plumed parakeet, Yungas Pygmy-Owl, Gould’s Inca, Blue-banded Toucanet, Crimson –mantled Woodpecker, Sierran Elaenia, White-collared Jay, Mountain Cacique, among others.
Day 05: Pillahuata – San Pedro
We bird our way along the road very early after breakfast. Expect plenty of activity, specially at dawn, with several species. After passing through a first tunnel, we stop at a mixed bamboo patch and try for the Rusty-breasted Antpitta and the endemic Red-and-White Antpitta, which is often quite vocal in the morning. Through the luxuriant vegetation of a second tunnel look for the Chestnut-bellied Mountain Tanager, Tawny-rumped tyrannuler, Band-tailed Fruiteater and the Barred Fruiteater in the mixed flocks, as well as Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan by itself. Two birds to look out for in mixed flocks are the vividly-colored Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher and the spectacular Greater Scythebill. Overnight at the Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
Day 06: San Pedro
Early wake up call to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana) from a platform. After breakfast, we spend the entire day birding on the road. The Orquideas de San Pedro lodge is located in the cloud forest, between 2,000 and 3,500 m.a.s.l. Click here to read more about the cloud forest.
Day 07: San Pedro
The Manu road provides one of the best opportunities in Peru to bird the upper tropical forest. Many of the most interesting and sought-after birds in the Manu are spotted in this zone (located between 900 – 1,700 m.a.s.l.). We will concentrate on the good lower montane forest along the road, looking for mixed flocks of Brilliant-spotted Hummingbirds. The Peruvian Piedtail has often been seen around the area.
We spend all day birding, hoping to see the Andean and White-eared Solitaires, the Green Jay, the Blue-banded Toucanet, the Yungas Manakin, the astonishing Versicolored Barbet and a variety of Tanager species. Overnight at Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
Day 08: San Pedro
As our lodge is very close to the Cock-of-the-rock lair, we are able to visit it again and try to spot one of the females hidden in the forest. Free day to walk and bird along the road.
Day 09: Orquídeas de San Pedro – Erika Lodge
As we continue our journey to the lowlands, we stop in Patria where the cattle pastures and the secondary forest are good for seedeaters and other open habitat species of birds (Such as the Orange-breasted Falcon, Military macaw, green-fronted lancebill, golden-collared honeycreeper and others). We will stop by an observatory to observe macaws in flight. From the Atalaya port, we board our motorized canoe and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Erika Lodge, where we will have the opportunity to walk through the nearby trails. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 10: Erika Lodge
Our Erika Lodge is situated in the transition zone between the Andean foothills and the lowland rainforest so expect many more species of hummingbirds than normally present in a normal rainforest lodge. Among the 30 or-so species of hummingbirds on the list are the endemic Rufus-webbed Brilliant, the Rufous–vented Ground cuckoo, the Gray-necked Wood-rail, Blackish rail and Rufous-sided cracked. Close to a small lake there are Purple Gallinules, Hoatzins, Lesser Kiskades and occasionally Pygmy Kingfishers and sun grebes. After lunch we follow an interesting trail, going up to the ridge at 1000 m.a.s.l. where we encounter mixed bird flocks. This higher area is also home of the Emerald Toucanet, Ornate Flycatcher, Orange-fronted Plush crown, the uncommon Tawny-faced Gnat wren, and the Umbrella bird among others.
Day 11: Erika Lodge
We will get up very early to board our boat up to a parrot lick (collpa). After this, we spend the day birding the trails. Erika Lodge gets birds from the lowlands such as the Amazonian Streaked-Antwren, as well as some species typical of high elevations.
Day 12: Erika – Yanayacu
Early morning, we board our boat and continue down the Alto Madre de Dios River. We observe river species of bird life such as the Roseate Spoonbill, Egrets, etc. The Yanayacu Reserve, strategically located among the smallest Andean foothills, has a great diversity of habitats. The rarely seen Peruvian Recurvebill and Dusky-tailed Flatbill are both seasonal and August and September seem to be a good time to see them. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 13: Yanayacu – Blanquillo
Early morning after breakfast we board our canoe for a 4-hour trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. During this boat ride we will have the chance to see Violaceus Jays, the beautiful Capped Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Jabirú, Vultures, Belted Kingfisher, Osprey, Black Hawk, Black Caracara, Chestnut-eared Toucan. From Boca Manu we will descend down the Madre de Dios river for three hours to the private reserve of Blanquillo. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 14: Blanquillo
After a very early wake up, we board a camouflaged catamaran and go down the river to the macaw lick (“Collpa”). We need a lot of patience and silence on the catamaran so as to not disturb them. During the afternoon, we start walking the trails around the Lodge where we can see Jacamars, many different species of hummingbirds, the Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Tanagers such as the Paradise, the Screaming Piha and many others. Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 15: Blanquillo
Today we will climb up a strategically-located Kapok tree observation tower 46 meters above the Camungo Lake and jungle floor, giving us a better chance to observe wildlife such as the Giant Otter and many other different species of birds common to this canopy height such as macaws, toucans, woodcreepers, and woodpeckers. During a night birding session you could spot the Great Potoo, Common Potoo and even the Long-tailed Potoo. Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 16: Blanquillo – Boca Manu
We visit the macaw clay lick early in the morning before packing our luggage and setting off again on our boat to the Boca Manu Lodge. We walk the trails around the lodge as soon as we arrive to see Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, Least Grebe, manakins, etc.
Day 17: Boca Manu – Salvador Lake
Very early , we register in the official tourist logbook at the Park Rangers Headquarters in Limonal, and eat an early breakfast. We then follow the Manu River until we arrive at our Sajino Safari Campsite by the Salvador Lake. On the way there, we get the chance to observe the immensity of the rainforest and the diversity of birdlife, reptiles and mammals. You will often see animals sunning themselves on beaches, or foraging for food in the trees lining the riverbanks. We arrive early in the afternoon and have lunch before setting off on a jungle trail. Our time is spent looking for wildlife inside the rainforest and on the Salvador Lake until the dusk, when we return to camp. We explore the Salvador Lake by paddling quietly along on a catamaran, giving us the opportunity to observe unique species of birds, monkeys, caimans and, with luck, the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). This endangered specie can be seen swimming, fishing, eating and playing.
Day 18: Salvador Lake
Wake up early in the morning by the Red Howler monkey (Aloatta seniculus) declaring its territory. A morning walk before breakfast is a great way to catch wildlife in the pursuit of food, as the temperature is very pleasant at this time of day. A 20-minute walk from the river to the lake takes you through nice terra firme forest. The epigone trail around the lake has a good selection of bird species. To look for: the Range-restricted Black-faced Cotinga. Overnight in the safari campsite.
Day 19: Salvador – Otorongo Lakes
We visit Salvador Lake very early in the morning where we will bird while being paddled around the lake in a catamaran. Look out for these specialties: Agami heron, Slender-billed Kite, Pale-eyed Blackbird, Long-crested Pygmy tyrant, Hawk-Eagle, Hairy-crested Ant bird, purple-throated Cotinga and many others. After some relaxing, we cross the river to walk an 8-kilometer trail to another oxbow lake called Otorongo. A strategically-located observation tower rises 15 meters above the lake and jungle floor, giving us a better chance to observe wildlife such as the Giant Otter. Overnight at the safari campsite.
Day 20: Salvador – Pakitza – Salvador
Pakitza claims to be one of the most extensive bamboo patches within the park, so it holds an almost complete set of bamboo species. Here, we can also find a guard post at the entrance of the park’s restricted area. It is possible to see species of birds such as the Painted Parakeet, Black-Capped Parakeet Mottled Owl, Lined Forest-Falcon, Ihering’s Antwren, and the Manu Antbird, among others. Back to camp before sunset.
Late in the afternoon we will use the catamaran and flashlights to observe black caimans rise from the depths of the lake as they begin to search for their prey. Return to the campsite.
Day 21: Salvador – Boca Manu
Wake up early once again and enjoy a brief morning walk and breakfast, then pack up camp and go down the Manu River. We arrive at Boca Manu by midday, a village situated a short distance away from the confluence of the Manu and Alto Madre de Dios rivers. Hiking around the trail system of Boca Lodge. Overnight at the Boca Manu Lodge.
Day 22: Boca Manu
Today we visit an island belonging to a native family and walk around the lake to observe the beautiful bird life. We spend the entire day searching for birds species around the lodge. Overnight at the Boca Manu Lodge.
Day 23: Boca Manu – Cusco
After one last brief morning walk in the Amazon jungle, we board our boat back to Boca Manu’s airstrip, where we will board a plane back to Cusco. Enjoy the spectacular views of the jungle and the area’s meandering rivers from the plane. Transfer to the hotel in Cusco.
Birdwatching 10-day
Lodges visited:
Price:$1600.00Book now
We depart from Cusco at around 4:30 a.m. arriving at the Lake Huarcarpay 30 minutes later. Here, we will spend the entire day observing highland lake and marsh birds. We continue to the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We take a brief rest at Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then continue to the Acjanacu pass where the elfin forest marks the beginning of the Cultural Zone.
We will then walk down to Pillahuata located in the humid, upper-montain forest (also known as the K’osñipata Valley) where bird species are quite different from the ones at Acjanacu. Again, it is best simply to bird your way slowly along the road. There will be plenty of activity, with several specialties to look for.
Two birds to look out for are the vividly-colored Ochraceous-breasted Flycatcher and the spectacular Greater Scythe bill. Overnight at the Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
See our Birdwatching page for more details on Acjanaco, Pillahuata and K’osñipata’s bird life.
Early wake up call to see the peruvian national bird, the Cock of the Rock from a platform. After breakfast, we spend the entire day birding and walking on the road. Overnight at Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge.
Since our lodge is very close to where the Cock-of-the-Rock lives, we will visit it again and try to spot one of the females hidden in the forest. As we continue our journey to the lowlands, we stop in Patria where the cattle pastures and the secondary forest are good for seedeaters and other open habitat species of birds (Such as the Orange-breasted Falcon, Military macaw, green-fronted lancebill, golden-collared honeycreeper and others). Atalaya overlooks are outstanding for viewing macaws. From the Atalaya port, we board our motorized canoe and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Erika Lodge, where we will have the opportunity to walk through the nearby trails. Overnight at the lodge.
Erika Lodge is situated in the transition zone between the Andean foothills and the lowland rainforest so expect many more species of hummingbirds than normally present in a normal rainforest lodge. After lunch, we follow an interesting trail, going up to a ridge at 1000 m.a.s.l. where we encounter mixed bird flocks. Overnight at the lodge.
An early-bird 10-minute boat ride will take us to a parrot lick (collpa). After having breakfast, we take a 4-hour boat ride down the Madre de Dios river to Boca Manu. From here, we go down the Madre de Dios river again for another 3 hours to the private reserve of Blanquillo. Overnight at the lodge.
After waking up very early, we board a camouflaged catamaran and go downstream to the “Collpa” macaw lick. We quietly observe the brightly-colored macaws as they wait in the surrounding trees for smaller parrots to leave the area. Immediately after, we continue downstream to the Colorado village and by land to the Inambari River, where we will cross the river in local canoes and get a 3 hour-ride from yet another vehicle down the Interoceanic road to Puerto Maldonado. Here, a boat will be waiting for us to take us to the Nái-Mecí Lodge.
Early in the morning, we will enter the very heart of the Tambopata Candamo Reserve going upstream for about 8 hours until we reach a clay lick called “Collpa Chuncho”. During our journey, we will appreciate the intense and pure wildlife of a rainforest reserve. At the collpa, we will set up camp, walk around and spend the night.
We will wake up at 5 am and walk towards nice viewpoint to observe the collpa again. Immediately after, we will pack up our tents and return to the Naí-Mecí lodge by boat in about 7 hours.
A buffet breakfast will be offered to all our guests. We will ride our motorboat up river, observing the fabulous bird life, up to the rangers’ checkpoint and the entry to Sandoval Lake (Sandoval Lake is located inside the Tambopata Reserve). After a 3-kilometer walk through a swamp and the lake itself, we will board small canoes and will be paddled around the lake for a memorable birding experience. We walk back to our motorized boat and to our lodge. Dinner. Overnight at Nái-Mecí Lodge.
Transfer to Puerto Maldonado’s airport.
