Itinerary

1. Day 1 : Arrive at Manu National Park from Cusco

   • Set out on a journey through the lonely highland scenery and isolated Quechua communities that takes us to the pass of Acjanaco, the entry point of Manu National Park.

   • From here, begin the descent into the cloud forest, enjoying the marvellous scenery and exotic flora on the way. Look out for exotic birds, butterflies, and insects.

   • Reach the rustic lodge, tugged away in the middle of the cloud forest, in the afternoon.

2. Day 2 : Bird Watching in Manu National Park

   • Rise before dawn. A short walk takes us to a nearby lake to observe the male Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, the national bird of Peru. Also, look out for other birds like the torrent ducks, highland motmots, and quetzals.

   • After a generous breakfast, head down to the lowland forest, visiting a cocoa plantation on the way.

   • In Atalaya, the first navigable port of the Upper Madre de Dios River, get on a motorized dugout canoe that takes us across the river to our lodge. Spend the afternoon exploring the trails of the lodge.

   • Go to a small oxbow lake to watch the weird and wonderful Hoatzin, egrets, herons, kingfishers, raptors. If lucky, we may even sight black caimans. Also, watch out for squirrel monkeys, Dusky Titi monkeys, and capuchins.

   • After dark, go on a short night walk to spot amphibians and insects or surprise some night monkeys.
     

3. Day 3 : Bird Watching in Manu National Park

   • See colourful parrots, macaws, araçaris, woodpeckers, tanagers, caciques, and oropendolas, as well as hummingbirds. The gardens of the lodge come alive with the first light of the day.

   • After an early breakfast, climb a trail leading into the montane forest to a watchtower offering splendid views over the river.

   • In the afternoon, explore more of the lowland trails around the lodge, hoping to surprise monkeys, toucans, guans, caracaras, tinamous, or perhaps some agoutis or capybaras. We can also opt for passive birdwatching from the porch in our lodge, which gives amazing sightings of tanagers and hummingbirds in particular.

4. Day 4 : Cloud Forest

   • Go for another stroll in the forest before breakfast. Another smaller watchtower offers views of chachalacas, piping guans, cardinals, and black-capped donacobius.

   • After breakfast, return to the cloud forest to spend more time looking out for woolly monkeys, tayras, opossums, and green jays. Relax and watch wildlife from your porch.

   • After dark, look out for exotic insects and frogs in the garden.

5. Day 5 : Return to Cusco

   You may wake up early morning to look for more wildlife. There is an orchid garden around the lodge. Keep a watch over the San Pedro River and hope torrent ducks pass by or the rare sunbittern.

   • Leave later in the morning for our return journey to Cusco. (Breakfast and lunch included).