Manu Cultural Zone 3D/2N

We will pick you up from your hotel around 5:45 a.m., and after a short 1 hour and 30-minute trip, we will make our first stop at Chullpas de Ninamarca (3,500 m / 11,482 ft), a pre-Inca site belonging to the Lupaca culture. During the drive, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Andean mountains and valleys — a landscape that sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Then, we will arrive at the picturesque folkloric town of Paucartambo (2,906 m / 9,534 ft), where you will enjoy a typical breakfast. This town is well-known for its vibrant culture and deep-rooted traditions. After a short break, we will continue our journey to Acjanaco (3,560 m / 11,679 ft), the entrance point to Manu National Park. There, our guide will provide a brief introductory talk about the park and its impressive biodiversity.

From Acjanaco, we will travel approximately 2 more hours to reach the cloud forest — one of the park’s most iconic and unique areas. Upon arrival, we will begin a hike through this lush ecosystem, where we can observe the stunning Andean cock-of-the-rock (the national bird of Peru), several monkey species, orchids, ferns, and cascading waterfalls nestled within the high jungle. Along the trail, we will pause to enjoy lunch surrounded by the sounds and serenity of nature.

Afterward, we will continue to Pilcopata (968 m / 3,175 ft), where we will arrive at our first lodge. There, you’ll have time to rest and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

At night, we’ll take a night walk — a truly special experience to encounter nocturnal jungle fauna such as insects, frogs, and perhaps even snakes. This immersive walk will introduce us to the jungle’s mysterious side, adding a perfect ending to our first day in the Peruvian Amazon.

Highlights of the day

• Walk through the cloud forest of Manu Park: we will explore one of the most vibrant and biodiverse ecosystems in the park, filled with lush vegetation and unique wildlife.
  
  
• Birdwatching in the cloud forest: during the hike, we’ll observe a variety of colorful bird species such as tanagers, toucans, barbets, hummingbirds, two species of quetzals, trogons, motmots, woodpeckers, and hawks — all in a breathtaking natural setting.

🍽 Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
🛏 Accommodation: Pilcopata Inn
📏 Total walking distance: 2 km / 1.24 miles
⏱ Total walking time: 3 hours
🥾 Difficulty: easy
📉 Minimum altitude: 618 m / 2,027.5 ft
📈 Maximum altitude: 3,560 m / 11,679 ft
📍 Accommodation elevation: 968 m / 3,175 ft

We will start the day very early, enjoying an energizing breakfast to prepare for a day full of adventures. We will board our transportation and head to the wildlife rescue center, where species such as monkeys, anteaters, and endangered birds are rehabilitated. This visit will offer us a deeper insight into the efforts of conservation and the protection of Amazonian wildlife.

Next, we will travel to Atalaya Port (500 m / 1,640 ft), a picturesque riverside settlement on the banks of the Alto Madre de Dios River. From here, we will begin a fascinating boat ride along the river — a journey filled with breathtaking scenery and a wide variety of aquatic species and birds. During the ride, we may spot herons, vultures, cormorants, and many other birds in their natural habitat.

As we continue, we will reach Amazon Manu Lodge, an eco-friendly retreat where we can rest and connect with the surrounding nature. At the lodge, we’ll have time to enjoy a refreshing swim in the river — a revitalizing experience — and then sit down to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

In the afternoon, we will head to the impressive Machuwasi Lake, a serene body of water surrounded by dense vegetation in the heart of the jungle. This area is a sanctuary for a wide variety of birds. While exploring, we may observe ducks, eagles, hoatzins, and — with some luck — capybaras resting near the lakeshore.

We will then board handmade rafts and float through the calm waters of the lake, immersing ourselves in its peaceful ambiance. The ride will take us to the tallest observation tower, from where we will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the forest canopy and the birds flying overhead or perching on nearby trees.

After our visit to Machuwasi Lake, we will begin our return hike along a scenic trail surrounded by the lush tropical rainforest, heading back toward the boat.

Once at the lodge, we will be welcomed with a comforting dinner, prepared with regional ingredients that highlight the authentic flavors of the Amazon.

Finally, we will spend the night in the comfortable lodge, surrounded by the ambient sounds of the jungle and the calm of this incomparable natural environment.

Highlights of the day

• Visit to the wildlife rescue center: learn about local conservation efforts and the rehabilitation of native Amazonian species.
  
  
• Boat ride on the Alto Madre de Dios River: navigate through breathtaking scenery and observe diverse birdlife in their natural habitat.
  
  
• Visit to Machuwasi Lake: explore a secluded lake aboard handmade rafts, visit the tallest observation tower, and observe birds and possibly capybaras.

🍽 Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
🛏 Accommodation: Amazon Lodge
📏 Total walking distance: 5 km / 3.10 miles
⏱ Total walking time: 3 hours (day) and 2 hours (night)
🥾 Difficulty level: moderate
📉 Minimum altitude: 500 m / 1,640 ft
📈 Maximum altitude: 618 m / 2,027.5 ft
📍 Lodge elevation: 580 m / 1,902 ft