Day 1  Cusco-Cloud Forest (L.D)

Early departure from Cusco by bus or 4WD transportation. An 8-hour journey over the Andes, stopping for coffee at the beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo. Continue, climbing to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere at about 10.600 ft. before descending to the cloud forest. In these mysterious surroundings, take a hike to the lek of the incredible cock-of-the-rock, to see the 'performance' of the courting males. Spend the first night in the rustic lodge Posada San Pedro (approximately 4.800 ft.).

Day 2  Cloud Forest-Atalaya-Manu River (B.L.D)

At daybreak, continue by bus to tropical lowland rainforest. Here at the small village of Atalaya at 1950 ft., board a motorized canoe to navigate some 5 hours down the turbulent Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. As night falls, stay in a basic lodge, or camp next to it, depending on availability.

Day 3 & 4  Lake Salvador and Lake Otorongo (B.L.D)

On the morning of the third day, turn up the Manu River for a 6 hour ride into the heart of Manu's Reserved Zone. From this vantage point you will have great views of riverside birds, sunbathing caiman, and the enormous aquatic guinea pig, the capybara. Camping huts deep inside Manu will be reached in the afternoon. This will be the base camp for the next two days. During this time, hike through virgin forest and explore one of the most beautiful lakes of the Manu basin, Lake Salvador, by catamaran. There is a chance to see a huge variety of colourful birds, numerous species of monkey and with luck, a family of giant otters. There is another hike in this habitat-rich forest, which will end in Lake Otorongo and a 60-foot high observation platform overlooking the lake.  At night you can explore the forest by torchlight or go moonlight caiman-spotting on the lake.

Day 5  Lake Salvador-Macaw Lick (B.L.D)

Joining the Madre de Dios River, arrive at Blanquillo, near the clay lick for macaws, where night will be spent in the Tambo Blanquillo Jungle Lodge.

Day 6  Macaw Lick (B.L.D)

At first light, head to the macaw lick to watch the dazzling spectacle of hundreds of parakeets, parrots and macaws eating clay. In the afternoon, visit another one of Manu´s beautiful oxbow lakes, Cocha Blanco.  Going back up the river, stay in a basic lodge, or camp next to that basic lodge, depending on availability.

Day 7  Boca Manu-Cusco (B)

Early in the morning, return back down the Manu River. Then at mid-day you will flight from Boca Manu to Cusco by light aircraft*.

B=Breakfast      L=Lunch      D=Dinner

*About the Manu flights: These can be delayed, due to bad weather (there is no radar on the Boca Manu landing strip) or other external circumstances such as mechanical check-ups and organizational restrictions of the air carrier. In 50% of the cases, these delays may take a few hours. You will still return to Cusco on the same day, but in the afternoon instead of the morning. In a lesser percentage, people may have to wait an extra night at the Boca Manu airport and return to Cusco the morning of the next day. The extra costs occasioned in the rainforest by a non-flight situation are covered by the tour operator (extra overnights, meals etc.). Extra costs outside of the rainforest, such as hotel expenses in Cusco or elsewhere, change of airplane ticket charges, etc., will not be assumed by the tour operator. Thus, it is highly recommended to have a full extra day at your disposal after the last day of your Manu tour.