Manu Reserved Zone Tour 7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1890 /
Per Person

Review

The Manu Reserved Zone 7 days Biosphere is one of the Amazon’s most pristine rainforest areas, encompassing the entire Manu River drainage basin. The park has few human settlements and no hunting or fishing. Tourism is strictly regulated, and visitors are only permitted to enter the park if accompanied by a registered guide and a registered tour operator. Tours must be booked in advance, and all of the agencies have offices in Cusco.

Tours can also be organized from Lima or elsewhere, though all operators must work with one of the ten official operators permitted into the park. It is possible to visit the Manu area without entering the reserved zone, and there is a lot to see. Outside the park, however, there is less control over human activity.

The Manu Biosphere Park is divided into two zones: the Manu National Park, which is only accessible to professional biologists with a special permit, and the Manu Reserved Zone, which is only accessible to tourists on an organized tour.

There are buffer zones around the park, often referred to as the Cultural Zone, but this area is not officially protected. The Manu National Park encompasses 1,532,860 hectares, with the Manu Reserved Zone covering an additional 260,000 hectares. Manu Reserved Zone contains 13 different ecological zones with altitudes ranging from 200m to 4,000m, resulting in an incredible variety of flora and fauna.

In 2000, nearly 3,000 people visited the Manu reserved zone, compared to 20,000 people who visited the Puerto Maldonado area. Although there are no official visitor limits, the cost of visiting Manu means that numbers are self-limiting. Furthermore, agencies are strictly controlled and are only permitted to visit certain areas of the reserved zone for three days at a time.

Tours to the Manu reserved zone are expensive, with prices ranging from about $500 for the cheapest, taking the bus in and out, to nearly $2,000 for staying in one of the lodges.

The reason for this is that transportation costs are high due to the long distances involved. However, discounts on official prices are sometimes available. If an agency has a tour leaving in a day or two and there are still spaces available, it may be willing to offer a discount to fill a spot. If this is the case, it may be worthwhile to shop around.

Tour Location: Manu Reserved Zone 7 Days – It is located in the Manu river basin, Cusco and Madre de Dios regions, Peru
Type of tour: Trekking with nature tour, animal sightings
Recommended: For those who enjoy nature and want to see different types of animals in the Peruvian jungle.
Difficulty: For all
Season: April 15 to December 15.
Considerations: Permit is required for access to Manu reserve (AltitudExperience will book it for you). It is necessary to reserve it in advance.

Video

Itinerary / Manu Reserved Zone 7 Days 

 Day 1:  Day 1: Cusco – Cloud Forest – Pilcopata Inn

We will leave Cusco very early in the morning in a private bus. We will travel through the beautiful Andes valleys and picturesque countryside communities. We will visit interesting places such as the Chullpas of Ninamarca (a pre-Inca cemetery) and Paucartambo, a traditional colonial town with a museum where we will learn about the culture.

We’ll stop for lunch in the cloud forest along the way. Then we’ll continue our journey through the cloud forest, a region rich in endemic species like the spectacles bear and the rock cockatoo (the Peruvian national bird). We’ll see orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and other interesting plant species along the way. We will arrive in Pilcopata in the afternoon and spend the night in our lodge.

Walking distance: 5 km
Elevation of the camp: 527 mts / 1729 feet
Climate: Wet and hot
Meals: Lunch and dinner / snack


Day 2: Pilcopata – Aguas Calientes – Boca Manu (300 m.a.s.l.)

We will eat breakfast very early in the morning and then begin our hike in the forest, where we will be able to observe forest fauna such as monkeys and birds. Then we’ll go to a coca plantation and an animal rescue center.

Following that, we will continue our journey by bus to Port Atalaya, which is located on the riverbank of the Alto Madre de Dios River at 500 meters above sea level. We’ll begin our descent by boat, observing the incredible diversity of bird species like herons, vultures, and cormorants.

We’ll make a pit stop to relax in hot springs surrounded by lush jungle. We will then eat lunch and continue our journey until we arrive in Boca Manu, where we will spend the night.

Walking distance: 5 km
Elevation of the camp: 500 mts / 1700 feet
Climate: Wet and hot
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner / snack


Day 3: Boca Manu – Reserved Zone / Casa Machiguenga (395 m.a.sl.)

We’ll leave very early to visit the parrot lick, which is ten minutes downstream from the lodge. Then we’ll make a quick stop at the Limonal security checkpoint. We will travel for about 4 hours into the Reserved Zone before arriving at Casa Machiguenga, where we will spend the next two nights.

We will be able to see an infinite number of bird species on this trip, including macaws, vultures, eagles, toucans, and herons, as well as capybaras, caimans, river turtles, monkeys, and, hopefully, a jaguar sunbathing on the beach or eating in the trees.

We’ll spend the afternoon walking through the forest, looking for wildlife in this pristine jungle. We’ll stay in the rustic Casa Matsiguenka, which has shared bathrooms and showers.

Walking distance: 5 km
Elevation of the camp: 450 mts / 1600 feet
Climate: Wet and hot
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner / snack


Day 4: Cocha Salvador Reserved Zone (395 m.a.s.l.)

The howler monkey’s cry will most likely wake us up. We will go on a hike early in the morning, after breakfast, because the temperature is more pleasant at this time of day and we frequently see animals in search of food. We will explore Lake Salvador in search of giant river otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), an endangered species.

We’ll also look for black caimans, the 13 different species of monkeys that live on Manu, the prehistoric bird Hoatzin, King Fishers, and a plethora of other magnificent species.

will return for lunch before embarking on a 3-hour hike to appreciate the diversity of flora and fauna. There is also the option of going on a night walk to look for frogs, snakes, and insects.

Walking distance: 5 km
Elevation of the camp: 450 mts / 1600 feet
Climate: Wet and hot
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner / snack


Day 5: Reserved Zone – Lake Otorongo (395 meters above sea level) – Boca Manu

We’ll get up early again today to eat breakfast and walk around our lodge and Lake Otorongo. An observation tower is located 15 meters from the lake to allow us to appreciate the landscape of the surrounding primary forest and to have better opportunities to see the lake’s otter family.

We will also observe the birds that live in the forest canopy. We’re likely to see unusual species like giant Ceiba trees, colorful butterflies, and various monkey species.

Following that, we will board our boat and continue our search for animals such as caimans, turtles, and otters. When we arrive at the Limonal, we will take a walk to a viewing platform for flora and fauna. Then we’ll make our way to Boca Manu, where we’ll spend the night.

Walking distance: 5 km
Elevation of the camp: 450 mts / 1600 feet
Climate: Wet and hot
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner / snack


Day 6: Amazon Manu Lodge – Boca Manu

Today, we’ll board our boat in the Alto Madre de Dios River and travel against the current, admiring the Amazon Jungle’s beautiful landscape and the enormous diversity of bird species.

We will have the option of stopping at the hot springs and then continuing on to Amazon Manu Lodge in the afternoon. Here, we’ll rest comfortably in our rooms and spend our final night surrounded by the enchanting sounds of the jungle. Optional nighttime stroll.

Walking distance: 5 km
Elevation of the camp: 450 mts / 1600 feet
Climate: Wet and hot
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner / snack


Day 7: Amazon Manu Lodge in Cusco

We’ll get up early tomorrow to continue our journey back to Port Atalaya. Our car will be waiting for us to return to Cusco, where we will arrive in the evening.

7D/6N

Manu Reserved Zone Tour 7 Days / 6 Nights

$ 1890 /

per person

Distance:
68 km/ 42miles
Season:
March 1st through January 31st
Difficulty:
For All
Considerations:
Permit Required
Type of Tour:
Nature & Cultural

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