Wildlife Adventure in the Remote Peruvian Rainforest. 7 Days

Need To Know

Location

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Your adventure will take you to the Manu Biosphere Reserve. The park is recognised both as a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The landscape varies throughout the park from grasslands, through elevated cloud forests and down to lowland Amazon rainforest – it is one of the most biodiverse places on earth.

The park is home to a bewildering array of wildlife. It is a bird watching paradise with over 1000 species of all colours and hues to be found in the park. Alongside them live around 160 different mammals including armadillos, pumas, jaguars, sloths, Andean foxes and Peruvian spider monkeys to name but a few.

The Manu Biosphere Reserve is an incredibly important place for conservation and scientific research. Both the lodges that you will stay at during your trip provide an important source of income for local reserves and your stay will help fund vital rainforest conservation.

Start point? You will be collected at around 06:00 from your hotel in Cusco where your adventure begins

Finish Point? Your transfer will drop you back at your hotel in Cusco on the last day of your adventure around 19:00.

Getting there and away? By Air: Alejandro Velasco International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco is the closest airport. It is a small airport and the only international flight is from La Paz in Bolivia, the rest are domestic flights from within Peru. LAN, Avianca, Peruvian Airlines, Amaszonas Airlines and Star Peru are the principle carriers operating flights. The airport is situated 10 minutes taxi ride from the main city hotels.

By Bus: The principal routes to Cusco are from Arequipa (approx. 11 hours), Lima (approx. 22 hours) and Puno (approx. 20 hours). A number of companies operate routes to Cusco but due to its remote nature travelling times are long.

What to Expect

Day 1: Arrive and explore the historic capital of Peru

Your guide will meet you bright and early at Cusco hotel for a 06:00 start. From there, your guide will take you to explore the city.

Cusco is steeped in history. It was once the capital of Inca Empire and is now known as the historical capital of Peru. The city is filled with fine Incan and Colonial Spanish architecture.

Your night’s accommodation is located just 300 metres from Cusco’s vibrant main square, the Plaza de Armas, the perfect spot for an evening excursion.

Day 2: Journey through the Cloud Forest

Time to hit the road and head into the Cloud Forest. The day’s mission is to reach the Cock of the Rock Lodge deep in the forest, your next accommodation.

It’s an exhilarating journey through remote countryside, mainly on unpaved roads. Along the way, you will stop off at Paucartambo and Acjanaco ranger stations and pass through remote mountain villages.

The heavy mists that give Cloud Forests their name create unique environmental conditions that supports a diverse ecosystem. Being covered in clouds, the forests offer an atmospheric backdrop to your journey.

Day 3: Take a motorised canoe down the river

In the morning, head for breakfast at the lodge overlooking hummingbirds congregating at the feeding station.

Your transfer will then collect you for the 3-hour drive to the small town of Atalaya. From here, you’ll hop aboard a motorised canoe for a 45-minute ride down the Madre de Dios River, part of the vast Amazon river basin.

Your destination is the Manu Learning Centre in the heart of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, one of the most biodiverse places on earth. After a quick lunch at the centre, you’ll be exploring the local forest trails with an expert guide.

Day 4-5: Aid forest conservation research

This is your chance to get stuck in! The Manu Learning Centre is a conservation and research centre dedicated to understanding and protecting the rainforest.

It’s an early 05:00 start both days. You will spend time out in the field with the centre’s scientists and conservationists learning about the marvels of the forest and their work to preserve it.

You could be trekking through the forest tracking one of the 160 species of mammal, surveying one of the 1000 species of birds or one of the 2000 species of butterflies. Back at the lodge, there are workshops and talks if you would like to find out more.

Day 6: Aid community conservation projects

Today you will travel to the local town of Salvacion to join in with one of the centre’s many community projects.

Community projects that offer sustainable development and educational tools for locals are an essential part of the Manu Learning Centre’s conservation work. You could be helping local residents in their bio garden or planting trees for an agroforestry project.

After a busy day, it’s time to head back to the Manu Learning Centre. Time to hop in a hammock, sit back, relax and reflect on the last few days’ adventures.

Day 7: Return to Cusco

After a last breakfast in the communal forest dining room, it’s time to bid adieu to the friendly team at the Manu Forest Learning Centre.

Retracing your steps, you’ll ride back down the Madre de Dios River and meet your transfer in Atalaya for the drive back to Cusco.

The journey back allows you to fully appreciate the diversity of Peruvian landscape. From the hot humid rainforest, you will head back up through the cool misty cloud forest before dropping down to Cusco and the start of your next adventure.

Note: This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, and weather conditions and forecasts.

Accommodation

Throughout the trip, you will be booked in a shared twin or double room, but single rooms can be booked for an additional supplement.

Your first night’s accommodation is in the delightful Rumi Punku hotel in the heart of Cusco’s historic centre. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation brimming with character.

From here on it’s into the heart of the forest. Your second night’s accommodation is in the ‘Cock of the Rock Lodge’. Accommodation is in basic but comfortable bungalows, each with their own en-suite bathrooms and balconies.

Nights three to six are spent at the Manu Learning Centre situated in the Romero Rainforest. The lodge offers comfortable Amazonian style buildings offering simple yet comfortable accommodation. Rooms are en-suite with hot water.

In both accommodations, there is no electricity except for a few hours of generator power in the evening. Charging points are available during the main lodge in this time and limited Wi-Fi is available between 7-9pm at the Manu learning centre. Head torches are recommended.

Optional Extras

Make your life easy. Once you have reserved your space, your host can help you arrange the extras you’ll need. Here are some guide prices which can be confirmed with you during booking.