Our authentic 9-Days tour starts in Cusco, ends in Puerto Maldonado to experience the entire rainforest of the Peruvian Amazon in the Manu Sanctuary and Tambopata National Raserve. You will enjoy these four wonderful places, the Manu Cloud-forest Zone (Cock of the Rock – Peru’s national bird), Manu Treehouse INN, Manu Reserved Zone and Tambopata National Reserve. Our passionate local tour guides know the Amazon jungle inside out. They will show you the amazing variety of flora and fauna. You will observe the parrot clay lick in the Manu Treehouse área, the largest wild cat in South America (Jaguar) in the Manu Reserved Zone and the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick in Tambopata National Reserve. Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is one of the most stunning wildlife spectacles in the world, making it a must-see for travelers and families who love nature. Together with adventures such as river tubing, typical jungle food and campfire, your stay in Manu and Tambopata will be unforgettable. Our varied tours and unique treehouse accommodation really make Amazon Trips Peru stand out amongst other tour operators.
TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1. Cusco – Manu Cloud forest (Manu Paradise Lodge)
We will make an early start from the city of Cusco at 4:00AM, traveling overland through an Andean landscape of picturesque valleys, high Andean grasslands and small rural communities. The bird species in this part of the Andes include the Mountain Caracara, Puna Ibis and Andean Flicker. On the approach to the village of Paucartambo, there will be time to appreciate the tranquil beauty of this charming village, photograph the splendid colonial Bridge. Leaving this community behind, we will continue our journey as far as the high pass at Acjanaco (3,660 meters | 12,630 feet), where we will pass the entrance to Manu National Park and witness amazing views of the scenery below. From the pass the road descends through Andean grasslands rich in a variety of birdlife, and on to the cloud forest, which we will reach in the afternoon. This fascinating ecosystem is home to Peru’s national bird, the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, as well as Crested and Golden Quetzals, Blue-crowned Motmots, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucans, numerous species of butterflies and many kinds of ferns and colorful orchids, etc. We may have changes to see Gray Woolly Monkey.
The first night we will spend in the cloud forest at Manu Paradise Lodge (1,470 meters)
DAY 2. Manu Cloud forest – Treehouse INN (Manu’s family Ecological Reserve)
This morning, we will walk into the cloud forest around the lodge to observe the show how the male cock-of-the-rock forms large groups called “leks” to perform an elaborate courtship ritual designed to attract females. In the cloud forest is the only place where you can see this elegant bird Cock of the Rock. We will then return to the lodge for an excellent breakfast, before setting off for Atalaya boatport. During this drive we will pass plantations of manioc, papaya, pineapple and coca leaves, and we will be on the lookout all the time for local fauna, such as Squirrel Monkeys and Brown Capuchin Monkeys, as well as birds such as Spix Guans, Plumbeous Kites, Long tail Tyrant and King Vulture (jungle Condor). As we also visit an Amazon hummingbird garden, there we will be able to appreciate different types of hummingbirds as close as possible. Exclusive for photographers who love wildlife. All these birds from their natural habitat, they come to this garden only to make their chow and eat their food from the garden.
After the tour, we will be driving you to the Atalaya Boat Pier. Here we will embark on a motor boat ride for two and a half hours. We will then change to a smaller boat called “PekePeke”. The boat gets its name after the sound of its motor. We will be sailing for one hour more on PekePeke on the Palotoa river to our exclusive Treehouse INN. The boat ride offers sights of different mammals, flora and fauna. Most distinct to the region. Treehouse INN nestles right in the heart of the Palotoa community. Along with our family, we have built this exclusive accommodation in a pristine area. For the night, we will accommodate you in a comfortable ensuite room at Treehouse INN.
DAY 3: Treehouse INN – (River Tubing & Jungle adventure)
We will be leaving the Treehouse early in the morning for a full-day Amazon adventure. We will walk for about 15 minutes to witness the famous Parrot Clay Lick. It is quite a unique sight. Over a dozen species of brightly coloured Parrots fly to ingest clay. The clay is rich in minerals that help these birds to detoxify. Our guide will be sharing more information on this as you will be witnessing this. Once you have had your fill of the clay lick, typical Amazonian breakfast in Treehouse INN.
Treehouse INN:: Is located in our own ecological reserve, run by Fidel’s family (Mama & brothers) from Manu jungle. This area has a large extension of hectares of Amazon rainforest with great biodiversity, it is a very special tropical jungle in Manu National Park with altitude 330 m. above sea level, with trails of 2-4 hours for hiking activities which offers the visitor the opportunity to see a good selection of birds, animals, plants, trees as well as endemic species, etc. Our varied jungle tours and unique treehouse accommodation really make Amazon Trips Peru stand out amongst other tour operators.
For lunch in Treehouse INN, our cook surprises us with typical jungle food.
River Tubing Adventure: After lunch we have the river tubing, one of our highly entertaining adventures, it’s about floating downstream through the Palotoa river driving on your own for two hours until we reach our Treehouse INN, the only resort treehouse hidden in Manu National Park.
After dinner, the different sounds of the Amazon night will get us in the mood for our night walk: we will hear the sounds of the night monkeys – the only night primates in the world – the rat Kalinowski, the big photoos and the pigmy owl. With a little luck we will not only be able to hear them, but also observe them during our night walk. We search for tarantulas, insects, and snakes like Coral Snake, tamandua, deer, armadillo, etc.
We stay overnight at Treehouse Inn.
DAY 4: Treehouse INN – Manu Reserve Zone (Casa Matsiguenka)
Very early in the morning. Motorboat trip across the Madre de Dios River and Manu River with a brief stop at the ranger station at Limonal to present permits. We will travel by boat (six hours) upstream Manu River (Biosphere Reserve) which especially in dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name but a few. Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans. South American relatives of the Alligators and the breeding Yellow-spotted River Turtles, hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches and there is a chance of encountering a stunning Jaguar (Panthera onca), the world's third largest cat. We will see some species of primates on this river trip, easily Red Howler monkeys, Squirrel monkeys, Tamarins monkeys. We'll have the afternoon to explore some of the trails through the rainforest in the area. We will spend the night at Casa Matsiguenka.
Casa Matsiguenka Lodge: Its a rustic native owned lodge, run by the Matsiguenkas tribe. There will be modern facilities available there are toilets and reasonably showers, screened twin rooms, with comfortable beds furnished with mosquito nets. Casa Matsiguenka was designed using the indigenous people's building techniques. There is a private trail system, They also have a small Macaw Clay Lick place with a camouflaged house for the sighting of small groups of macaws. Also available is an interactive interpretation center and locally made souvenirs are for sale.
Tonight your guide will take you on an night jungle walk, through in a primary forest, authentic trails looking for insects, snakes, tarantulas, frogs, night monkeys, puma, ocelote, etc.
Return, to the restaurant for dinner. We stay overnight at Casa Matsiguenka.
DAY 5: Manu Reserve Zone (Cocha Salvador – Cocha Otorongo)
Today, we'll spend the morning at the lake of Cocha Salvador. We plan to paddle across the lake on a floating catamaran observing the animal life around the lake. We may see the Agamia agami, Hoatzin, Osprey, Sungrebe, and there are also Spider monkey, Brown Capuchin monkeys, White-fronted Capuchin monkeys, who are usually feeding on fruits nearby and therefore are relatively easy to sight. A specially constructed platform that looks out to the lake, enable us to look for a family of Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) that lives here. This Otters are found in large families in Manu only. After that, we will continue exploring the forest, where we might encounter troops of monkeys. This is a particularily good trail to see Woolly and Black Spider monkeys. In the afternoon we will visit Otorongo Lake (juguar lake), where we can get up to 20mt high observation tower overlooking the lake to spot wildlife. We will also be on the lookout for a large family of Giant Otters that inhabit in this lake.
Jaguar Night Expedition. After sun sets, your guide will take you on an night expedition in Manu river by boat. With our flashlights we will search for Juguar and his reflective eyes, you may also see his body with the help of your flashlight, we can also see on the river bank the reflective eyes of the caimans, capybara, and other animals that are most active at night.
Return, to the restaurant for dinner. We stay overnight at Casa Matsiguenka.
DAY 6: Casa Matsiguenka – Boca Manu (Eco-lodge)
Today we will leave early to try to spot the elusive jaguar, one of the jewels of Amazonian wildlife. The Manu River offers excellent views of animals in the mornings, such as the tapir, anteater, anaconda and the three-toed sloth. After 4 hours downriver we will arrive at the Limonal checkpoint, here we will have a jungle walk to explore the area in search of monkey species, your guide will explain some of the basic concepts of the monkeys, ecosystems of the tropical forest and some of the medicinal plants of the area that are used by indigenous groups. It is possible that we come across a group of peccaries, a species of wild boar that is found here. We may also see some poisonous frogs. Later we arrive at Boca Manu we will stop to enjoy some cold and frosty drinks. Tonight we will spend the night at Eco-lodge.
DAY: 7: Manu National Park – Tambopata National Reserve – Collpa Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick (Guacamayo INN)
Today our destination is the Tambopata National Reserve Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick, we’ll take our motor boat for 4 hours down river of Madre de Dios to Boca Colorado. From there, our journey by car for 2 hours part fields and farms to the boatport community Filadelfia. Next, enjoy a relaxing 30-minutes motorboat ride on the Tambopata River to Guacamayo INN. We will welcome you with a cool drink made from the local fruits and mineral water. Then you will be escorted to your private cabaña, named after a local indigenous tribe, where you can relax and unpack.
Guacamayo INN & Treehouse INN. The two lodges are from our same company, both offer comfortable suite rooms, king beds, with hot shower and private bathroom, drinks, WiFi, balcony, hammock, etc. All our meals and beverages are made using fresh fruits and garden vegetables, as well as other local ingredients.
Caiman Night Experince.After sun sets, your guide will take you on an night expedition in Tambopata river by boat. We will search for caimans, nocturnal birds, capybara, and other animals that are most active at night. As well look up to the Amazon sky to find the planet Venus and identify brightly illuminated constellacions such as the Southerm Cross or Orion’s Belt.
Return, to the restaurant for dinner. We stay overnight at Gucamayo Inn
DAY 8: Tambopata Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick – Tapir Clay Lick
Wake up early and join your guide for a 45-minutes boat ride to the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. Watch sunrise on the Tambopata river from your boat. Falowing a quick check-in at the Rager Station, try to spot caimans and birds, as well mammal’s such as tapir, capibara, and monkeys along the riverbank. At the clay lick, you will observe a large concentration of several species of jungle macaws, parrots, and parakeets. You can even see a few toucans and other bird species. Enjoy your boxed breakfast surrounded by nature, we will enjoy the macaws and parrots all this morning.
Tapir Clay Lick. After luch we take one hour walk through primary forest to the Tapir Clay Lick. Along the way, you may see capuchino monkey, howler monkey, woodpeckers, wild turkey may make an appearance. At Tapir Clay Lick, the most famous visitor is the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), they come to eat the clay (mineral salts). The Tapir is the largest mammal of the Amazon, an adult Tapir can weigh up to 330Kg, here we may have chance to monkey eating the clay, deer, or peccaries. Try to identify recent visitors to the Clay Lick by examining their foodprints.
Bonfire Story telling:Return to Guacamayo INN for storytelling by the bonfire. Learn about local history, native culture, and unique jungle experience.
Afther dinner. We stay overnight at Gucamayo Inn.
Day 9: Guacamayo INN to Puerto Maldonado (bus station or airport)
Enjoy one more time our breakfast before checking out. Return to Puerto Maldonado, we drop you off at your hotel, bus station or airport (flight to Lima). In that case we recommend taking your flight in the afternoon.
To be back in Puerto Maldonado we need make sure that you are on time to take your flight or bus with prior coordination.
