Manu Reserved Zone, Blanquillo Lodge and Macaw Clay Lick

We depart early from Cusco in private transport. En route, we stop at Huacarpay Lagoon to observe high-Andean birdlife before ascending to the Acjanaco Pass, the gateway to Manu Biosphere Reserve. We then descend through cloud forest to San Pedro, where we’ll hike to witness the courtship ritual of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana), along with quetzals, trogons, monkeys, and wild orchids. By late afternoon, we arrive at Bamboo Lodge, in an area rich with bamboo specialists such as bamboo antshrikes, antbirds, and woodcreepers. Overnight at Bamboo Lodge.

After breakfast, we continue downhill to the port of Atalaya, with stops to visit a traditional coca plantation and scenic viewpoints. From Atalaya, we board a motorized boat along the Alto Madre de Dios River, heading to Bonanza Ecological Reserve. We pause en route to relax in the Aguas Calientes hot springs. In the afternoon, we explore Bonanza’s trails in search of birds, monkeys, and medicinal plants. After dark, there’s a guided night walk to spot insects, tarantulas, frogs, and reptiles. Overnight at Bonanza Lodge.

Enjoy a full day exploring the Bonanza Ecological Reserve in the Amazon lowlands, a hotspot of biodiversity. After breakfast, we set off on a long trek through primary rainforest, carrying only light packs with water and snacks. Our local guide will interpret the forest’s sounds and teach us about: Medicinal plants and giant trees like ceiba and shihuahuaco Traditional tracking techniques for tapirs, peccaries, and monkeys Possible wildlife sightings include: Red howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, macaws, eagles, toucans, anteaters, woodcreepers, and understory birds. After a short break, we continue on a quieter trail for silent wildlife observation. In the evening, there’s an optional night walk with chances to see tarantulas, tree frogs, bioluminescent insects, and non-venomous snakes. Overnight at Bonanza Lodge.

After breakfast, we navigate toward Casa Matsiguenka, a lodge run by the local indigenous community. We’ll explore the Cocha Salvador oxbow lake on a catamaran, observing giant river otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), kingfishers, herons, spider monkeys, and more. In the afternoon, we hike interpretive trails through pristine rainforest, where our guide will introduce medicinal plants, animal tracks, and wildlife behaviors. Opportunities include sightings of tapirs, peccaries, and woolly monkey groups. Overnight at Casa Matsiguenka.

A full day for deep exploration of primary rainforest. We revisit Cocha Salvador, with excellent chances to see black caimans, giant otters, birds, and several monkey species. Throughout the day, we’ll explore various habitats seeking manakins, trogons, antbirds, tamarins, squirrel monkeys, and raptors. In the evening, there’s an optional night walk to look for nocturnal wildlife. Overnight at Casa Matsiguenka.

We depart toward Blanquillo, near the park boundary. During our boat journey along the Manu and Madre de Dios rivers, we watch for riverside birds, caimans, kingfishers, and mammals. In the afternoon, we explore around Blanquillo Lodge, with opportunities to see manakins, cotingas, and primates like squirrel, capuchin, and howler monkeys. Overnight at Blanquillo Lodge.

Very early, we visit the famous macaw clay lick where dozens of red-and-green macaws (Ara chloropterus), scarlet macaws (Ara macao), parrots, and parakeets descend to eat mineral-rich clay in an unforgettable spectacle. Afterwards, we begin our return journey by river to Bonanza Reserve. There’s time to rest and take a short walk on new trails, with chances to spot antbirds, woodcreepers, and peccaries. Overnight at Bonanza Lodge.

After breakfast, we travel by boat to Atalaya, where our private vehicle awaits. We ascend from the rainforest back into the Andes, stopping along the way to watch birds, admire orchids, and appreciate the scenery. Arrival in Cusco in the evening.