Exploring the Cusco Amazon – Manu 4 Days / 3 Nights

Breakfast is served at the lodge before we begin moving toward lower forest areas.

Along the road, the guide watches the vegetation carefully.

Brief stops may be made when wildlife is active.

Possible roadside sightings include:

• Monkeys
• Squirrels
• Guans
• Parrots
• Small forest birds
• Butterflies

Hummingbird Garden

We stop at a small ecotourism property where hummingbirds regularly move between flowers, trees and feeding areas.

These birds can move extremely quickly, so remaining in one place and observing patiently often gives better results than constantly changing position.

Tanagers and other small birds may also appear nearby.

The property also provides an opportunity to learn about cultivated and useful plants.

Your guide may discuss:

• Coca cultivation
• Medicinal plants
• Local crops
• Traditional uses of forest plants

Atalaya Viewpoint

We then continue toward Atalaya.

Before reaching the river port, we stop at the viewpoint overlooking the Alto Madre de Dios River.

The broad river below marks another major change in the journey.

From here, boats become part of our transportation.

Alto Madre de Dios River

At the river port, we board a motorized boat.

We travel along the Alto Madre de Dios River, watching both banks for wildlife.

The guide looks carefully at:

• Tree branches
• Exposed riverbanks
• River beaches
• Fallen trees
• Dense vegetation near the water

Possible sightings include monkeys, parrots, herons, kingfishers and other forest animals.

River Swimming

When water level, current and weather conditions are suitable, the guide and boat crew may select an appropriate section for swimming.

Passengers should only enter the water after authorization from the operating team.

Lunch is served during the river portion of the day.

Arrival at the Lodge

Later, we arrive at our lodge and settle into the rooms.

The afternoon allows time to adjust to the warmer conditions around the Alto Madre de Dios.

Dinner is served at the lodge.

Optional Night Walk

After dinner, travelers who want to continue looking for wildlife may participate in an optional night walk.

The forest changes after sunset.

Instead of concentrating mainly on birds, the guide begins looking closer to tree trunks, leaves and the forest floor.

Possible sightings include:

• Tarantulas
• Frogs
• Snakes
• Insects
• Night monkeys
• Nocturnal birds
• Other small nocturnal animals

Wildlife should never be touched.

Passengers must remain with the guide throughout the activity.

Day highlight: Leaving the road behind and beginning the river section of the journey along the Alto Madre de Dios.

Technical Details

• Transport: Private vehicle and motorized boat
• Walking: Short forest sections
• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain: Road access, riverbanks and lodge trails
• Climate: Warm and humid
• Main activities: Hummingbirds, plant interpretation, Atalaya viewpoint and river navigation
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Accommodation: Jungle lodge
• Optional activity: Night wildlife walk

Day 3 gives us more time to concentrate on the lower forest.

We begin very early and travel toward a parrot clay lick along the Alto Madre de Dios River.

Parrot Clay Lick

The early morning hours are important for this activity.

We remain quiet and watch both the clay area and surrounding trees.

Possible species include:

• Blue-headed Parrots
• White-eyed Parakeets
• Chestnut-fronted Macaws
• Other parrots
• Other parakeets

Bird numbers vary.

Some mornings may have considerable activity, while rain, strong wind or predators can cause birds to remain away from the clay.

After the observation period, we return to the lodge for breakfast.

Journey to Cocha Machuwasi

We then continue toward Cocha Machuwasi.

A walk along forest trails leads us toward the lake.

The route can become muddy after rainfall, and tree roots may make sections uneven.

Rubber boots can be particularly useful here.

Wildlife Around Machuwasi

The lake and surrounding vegetation provide another type of habitat.

The guide watches the water, shoreline and trees for animals such as:

• Hoatzins
• Horned Screamers
• Macaws
• Parrots
• Capybaras
• Monkeys
• Herons
• Kingfishers
• Other wetland birds

The Hoatzin is especially interesting because of its unusual appearance and behavior around Amazon wetlands.

Traditional Wooden Raft

We cross part of the lake on a traditional wooden raft.

Without a motor beside you, movement across the water is slower and quieter.

This can make it easier to listen for wildlife in vegetation surrounding the lake.

An observation tower may also form part of the activity when access and operating conditions allow.

Lunch at the Lodge

After completing the Machuwasi activity, we return to the lodge for lunch.

There is time to rest before the afternoon walk.

Afternoon Forest Walk

Later, we head back onto forest trails.

The aim is to spend additional time observing vegetation and wildlife without rushing between distant attractions.

Your guide may look for:

• Monkeys
• Forest birds
• Butterflies
• Insects
• Medicinal plants
• Large forest trees
• Tracks
• Feeding signs
• Other evidence of wildlife activity

Rainfall can quickly change trail conditions.

Some sections may become slippery or muddy.

We later return to the lodge for dinner.

Day highlight: Starting the day with parrots along the river and later moving quietly across Cocha Machuwasi on a traditional wooden raft.

Technical Details

• Start: Early morning
• Transport: Motorized boat and traditional wooden raft
• Walking: Short to moderate forest walks
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Terrain: Humid forest trails, roots, leaves and possible mud
• Main habitats: River edge, secondary forest and oxbow lake
• Main wildlife targets: Parrots, Hoatzins, monkeys, capybaras, macaws and water birds
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Accommodation: Jungle lodge

Breakfast is served at the lodge before we begin the return journey.

We travel by boat toward Atalaya.

Even though this is the return day, river navigation can still produce wildlife sightings.

The guide continues watching riverbanks and nearby vegetation during the journey.

Atalaya

At the river port, we leave the boat and meet our ground transportation.

From here, the route begins climbing again.

Warm lowland conditions gradually become cooler as we return toward the cloud forest.

Return Through the Forest

During the road journey, brief stops may be made when wildlife is active and travel conditions allow.

Birds or monkeys can sometimes appear along sections already traveled earlier in the program.

The fact that an area was quiet on Day 1 does not mean it will be quiet during the return.

Lunch During the Return

Lunch is included during the journey back to Cusco.

The exact location depends on the daily operating plan, road conditions and timing.

Acjanaco and Paucartambo

The vehicle continues climbing toward the Acjanaco sector before returning through Paucartambo.

Temperatures become considerably cooler as altitude increases.

We then continue toward Cusco.

Arrival is expected at approximately 5:00–6:00 PM, although road, weather and traffic conditions can change the actual arrival time.

Day highlight: Watching the warm Amazon landscape gradually give way to the cloud forest and high Andes during the return to Cusco.

Technical Details

• Transport: Motorized boat and private tourist vehicle
• Walking: Minimal
• Difficulty: Easy
• Climate: Warm during the first part of the day, becoming cooler toward the Andes
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch
• Dinner: Not included
• Expected arrival in Cusco: Approximately 5:00–6:00 PM
• Final destination: Cusco