Manu Reserved Zone + Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick7 Days and 6 Nights

DAY 01: CUSCO – BAMBOO LODGE

• [Early Morning] – [Andean Departure]: We begin our journey departing from Cusco. Enjoy an approx. 8-hour scenic drive in a private minibus, ascending to the dramatic high mountains at 3,900 masl (13,000 feet).
• [Mid-Morning] – [Cultural Encounters]: Take a step back in time with a brief stop at the ancient pre-Inca cemetery of Ninamarca and the picturesque colonial town of Paucartambo.
• [Afternoon] – [Cloud Forest Descent]: Descend the eastern slopes of the Andes into the lush cloud forest. Marvel at vibrant orchids and ferns while searching for our national bird, the brilliant Andean cock-of-the-rock, and the first woolly monkeys of the trip.
• [Evening] – [Arrival at Bamboo Lodge]: Settle into your cozy double room with a private bathroom at the Bamboo Lodge (700 masl). Enjoy a comforting dinner and an expert briefing from your guide about tomorrow’s activities.

DAY 02: BAMBOO LODGE – DORADO ECOLOGICAL LODGE

• [Very Early] – [Journey to Atalaya]: After a hearty breakfast, we continue by minibus to the port of Atalaya (600 masl). En route, we visit a local animal rescue station and take a short walk to spot rare orchids and native birds.
• [Morning to Afternoon] – [Amazon River Navigation]: Embark on an approx. 8-hour voyage in a 15-meter motorized canoe along the Alto Madre de Dios River. Watch the landscape shift into the true lowland rainforest.
• [Late Afternoon] – [Wildlife & Local Culture]: Scan the rocky banks for alligators, Fasciated Tiger Herons, and playful monkeys. We will visit a local riverside town to appreciate their traditional homes and lifestyle before arriving at the Dorado Lodge.
• [Night] – [Tapir Clay Lick Safari]: Step into the dark for a thrilling night walk. Search for unique insects, frogs, and snakes before reaching the lodge’s main attraction: an active tapir clay lick hidden in the forest.

DAY 03: DORADO ECOLODGE – CASA MATSIGUENKA LODGE

• [Morning] – [Entering the Reserved Zone]: Continue down the Alto Madre de Dios River to the Limonal ranger station to present our permits. This marks the true beginning of our deep 7 day Manu Reserved Zone tour.
• [Midday] – [Wildlife River Cruise]: Keep your camera ready as we navigate pristine waters. This stretch is famous for sightings of capybaras, peccaries, massive Black and White Caimans, and with luck, a majestic Jaguar resting on the shores.
• [Late Afternoon] – [Arrival at Casa Matsiguenka]: Arrive at the rustic and intimate Casa Matsiguenka Lodge. Exclusively managed by the indigenous Matsiguenka caretakers, this lodge offers a respectful, authentic connection to the wilderness.
• [Night] – [Optional Night Exploration]: Choose to rest to the soothing sounds of the jungle, or join an optional night walk to discover the mysterious nocturnal creatures of the Amazon.

DAY 04: CASA MATSIGUENKA LODGE – SALVADOR LAKE – OTORONGO LAKE

• [Morning] – [Deep Forest Trekking]: Spend the day exploring vibrant jungle trails. Walk among giant ancient trees while your guide points out medicinal plants, colorful toucans, eagles, and troops of agile monkeys like coatis.
• [Midday] – [Picnic in the Wild]: Enjoy a delicious lunch surrounded by the raw beauty of the rainforest, fueling up for an afternoon of aquatic exploration.
• [Afternoon] – [Catamaran Lake Safari]: Navigate the peaceful waters of Salvador Lake and Otorongo Lake on a traditional catamaran. This is your prime opportunity to observe massive caimans and the highly endangered, playful Giant River Otters.
• [Evening] – [Jungle Rest]: Return to Casa Matsiguenka to share stories of the day’s encounters and spend another immersive night under the Amazonian canopy.

DAY 5: CASA MATSIGUENKA LODGE – MANU BIRDING LODGE

• [Morning] – [River Confluence]: We bid farewell to the Reserved Zone and travel back down the Manu River. Witness the spectacular natural divide where the quiet, tea-brown waters meet the clear, fast-flowing currents of the Alto Madre de Dios River.
• [Afternoon] – [Arrival at Birding Paradise]: Continue down the Madre de Dios River until we reach the renowned Manu Birding Lodge, strategically located just upriver from the famous macaw clay lick.
• [Late Afternoon] – [Trail Exploration]: With an astonishing bird list of over 657 species, this area is a birdwatcher’s dream. Spend your afternoon exploring extensive trail systems specially designed to showcase different tropical forest types.

DAY 6: MANU BIRDING LODGE – BLANQUILLO MACAW CLAY LICK

• [Early Morning] – [The Macaw Spectacle]: We start early with a 40-minute downriver trip to the biggest clay lick in the area. This is the highlight of the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick tour 7 days: witnessing up to 100 Red-and-green Macaws and hundreds of parakeets flocking to the clay.
• [Morning] – [Breakfast at the Blind]: Enjoy a unique breakfast right at our hidden blind. The incredible noise and brilliant flashes of Orange-cheeked and Blue-headed Parrots make this a truly unforgettable sensory experience.
• [Afternoon] – [Mammal Clay Lick Trek]: Walk for about 50 minutes through the dense forest to reach a large mammal clay lick. This is a vital mineral source for South America’s largest land mammal, the Tapir, alongside monkeys, peccaries, and agoutis.
• [Night] – [Nocturnal Observation]: For those seeking ultimate comfort while wildlife watching, we offer the option to spend the night on mattresses with mosquito nets in a large, raised blind, perfectly positioned to observe nocturnal creatures like Porcupines and Red-brocket Deer.

DAY 7: MANU BIRDING LODGE – CUSCO OR PUERTO MALDONADO

• [Morning] – [Final River Journey]: After a final jungle breakfast, board our boat for the last stretch down the Madre de Dios River, absorbing your final glimpses of riverside wildlife activity.
• [Midday] – [Overland Transit]: Leave the boat and take a local car from Boca Colorado to Puerto Carlos, crossing the Inambari River by local boat to begin the drive to your final destination.
• [12:00 PM to 1:00 PM] – [Arrival in Puerto Maldonado]: For those ending their journey here, we will drop you off safely at your hotel or the airport between midday and 1:00 pm.
• [5:00 PM to 6:00 PM] – [Arrival in Cusco]: For those returning to the Andes, we will arrive back in the majestic city of Cusco between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, dropping you off at your hotel.

Embark on the Ultimate Amazon Journey

There is no better way to experience the untamed beauty of the rainforest than a complete Manu Macaw Clay Lick 7 days expedition. From navigating the restricted depths of the Reserved Zone to witnessing the explosive colors of hundreds of macaws in flight, this itinerary offers an unparalleled wildlife encounter you will cherish forever.

Includes:

• Bilingual and certified Tour Guide
• A briefing about the trek with your guide the day before
• Pick up from your accommodation
• Private transportation to go to the park (First day and second day)
• Mineral water and snacks for the whole tour
• 5 Nights Lodging (Private, double, triple, quadruple rooms available)
• Comfortable Matrasses and mosquito nets
• Blankets
• Rubber boots to walk inside the jungle
• Permits and entrances fees to the Manu National Park
• Permits and entrances for the Reserved Zone
• 2 nights inside the Reserved Zone at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge
• Permits and entrance to the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick
• Boat to move along the river
• Boat driver and his assistant
• All Transfer fees from Boca Colorado, to go to Puerto Maldonado or to Back to Cusco
• Professional Cook
• Snack for each day of trip
• Availability of meals to your preference (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, pesquetarian, etc)
• First Aid kit
• Survivor T – Shirt for each member of the group.

Doesn’t includes:

• Extra expense if you want to buy things during the tour
• First Breakfast and last dinner
• Tips for the team (Is not obligatory but if you wish to do it, it will be welcome).

• Original Passport
• Travel Insurance card (you have to let us know the name of your Travel Insurance company and you travel Insurance Number)
• A back pack
• Rain coat or Rain Poncho
• Cold Clothes (For the first day)
• Bottle of Water
• Sandals
• Bottle of Water
• Flash Light with extra batteries
• Insect Repellent (30% Deet as minimum Recommended)
• Towel
• Toilet Paper
• Sun Block
• Sun Glasses
• Caps or Hats
• Binoculars
• Rain Pants
• Medicines for Personal Use
• Personal use stuff (Face moisturizer, Hand sanitizer, Tooth brush and paste, etc.)
• Camera with extra batteries (electricity available in some lodges)
• Extra money especially in soles to buy thing along the trek

POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE.

PRICES FOR 2025-2026