Embark on an extraordinary 6-day journey, from the breathtaking cloud forests of the Andes to the lush depths of the Peruvian Amazon. This tour of the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park offers an unparalleled immersion into one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
This adventure blends wildlife, nature, and culture, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Peru’s incredible biodiversity.
Our adventure begins with an early departure from Cusco at 6:00 AM, as we embark on a journey through captivating Andean landscapes. Our first stop is near Huancarani, where we'll visit the Ninamarca funerary towers, a testament to ancient cultures. We'll then continue to Paucartambo, a colonial town that still retains the folkloric essence of the Andes.
The highlight of the day will be entering Acjanaco, the gateway to Manu National Park, where we'll begin our descent into the mysterious cloud forest. This unique ecosystem will astound us with its incredible biodiversity: orchids, ferns, and the chance to spot the emblematic Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. If we're lucky, we may witness its courtship ritual and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the elusive spectacled bear.
The day will conclude in Pilcopata, where we'll rest and prepare to continue exploring this natural wonder in the days to come.
We’ll start our day early, taking a one-hour bus ride to the port of Atalaya, the starting point for our journey along the Madre de Dios River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon. Our boat ride will take us to a stunning hot spring, where we'll enjoy a relaxing hour-long soak, allowing us to fully connect with nature in its purest form.
After a well-deserved lunch, we'll continue our journey to the Papaya Eco Lodge, where new adventures await. In the afternoon, we’ll have the chance to try fishing in a local lagoon, offering a unique and intimate way to interact with the Amazonian ecosystem.
As night falls, we’ll dive into the nocturnal activities of the jungle, where the sounds and mysteries of the tropical forest will unfold before us, promising moments of wonder and discovery.
We will navigate the Manu River for an exciting 7-10 hour journey, fully immersing ourselves in the extraordinary wildlife of the Peruvian Amazon. Our senses will be sharp, watching for unique bird species, crocodiles with different colorations, and, with some luck, the majestic jaguar, the region's most iconic big cat.
As evening approaches, we’ll arrive at Casa Machiguenga, a basic and rustic lodge that offers an intimate experience deep within the Manu jungle. Managed by the Machiguenga community, the original guardians of this land, this lodge will give us an authentic connection to both the local culture and the surrounding ecosystem.
As an optional experience, we can embark on a night walk, where the mysteries and sounds of the tropical forest after dusk will reveal themselves, adding an extra layer of wonder to our adventure.
We will venture into the Otorongo and Salvador lakes, two iconic locations within Manu National Park. These aquatic ecosystems will reveal an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, with expert guides introducing us to the secrets of the tropical rainforest.
We'll explore observation trails where we have the chance to spot up to 13 species of monkeys, gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving this extraordinary ecosystem. Following the guidance of our expert, we may encounter remarkable vertebrates such as giant otters, tapirs, and peccaries.
A highlight of the day will be visiting the macaw clay lick, where we can witness their fascinating behavior. On the way back, we’ll be treated to more encounters with various monkey species, a stunning array of birds, and perhaps even the majestic flight of the jungle's king of vultures, the Andean condor.
We’ll begin our day with breakfast aboard our boat, navigating the banks of the Manu River in search of one of the jungle’s most iconic predators: the jaguar. Over the course of about 7 hours, we’ll make fascinating stops, allowing us to explore the rich biodiversity of this ecosystem.
By evening, we’ll arrive at the Papaya Eco Lodge, an ecological reserve where we’ll spend the night. The most anticipated moment will be the descent to the camouflage house, where we’ll wait patiently for the arrival of the tapirs. In this unique experience, we’ll have the opportunity to observe these remarkable mammals as they lick the earth for salt, participating in a nocturnal ritual that will deepen our connection with the secrets of the Amazon rainforest.
Our final day marks the end of an incredible journey through Manu National Park. We’ll begin our return trip with a boat ride to the port of Atalaya, where we’ll board our private transport back to Cusco.
This return journey offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary moments we’ve experienced: wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, cultural exchanges with the Machiguenga community, and the magic of the Amazon rainforest, which will remain etched in our memories forever.
By sunset, we’ll arrive in Cusco around 6:00 pm, bringing an unforgettable adventure to a close, one that has allowed us to immerse ourselves in one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
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Chiara V
January 30, 2026
I cannot recommend enough this company that gave me the best hike of my life. After my 4 days to the Inca trail, I can say how impressed I was for the excellent organisation, the cure for the details and the hardworking attitude of all the team. A big thanks to our guide Yisus whom knowledges of the Inca, empathy, professionalism and smiles, made the hike smooth and even more enjoyable. He always made sure all of us were going to our own pace and offered support and encouragement everytime we need it. Without the porters Julio, Sixto, Anastacio, Zony, Aaamilkar and the leader of the porters Jose Luis our trekking would have not been the same. Harworking men who brought all our equipment and took care of us with simple gestures like warm water in the morning and hot teas throughout the day. Also, together with the chef Benigno, they offered us wonderful and rich Peruvian dishes multiple times a day. Gracias and see you next time for other unique trekking!
Lois W
January 23, 2026
Tuvimos el viaje de toda la vida, guiados por Percy e Iza, junto a un increíble equipo de porteadores y chef Julio. Percy e Iza trajeron tanta pasión, calidez, humor y ánimo suave durante todo el viaje - eran tan conocedores de la historia de la civilización inca, y siempre supimos exactamente qué esperar del camino por delante. El chef de comida que preparó Julio fue nada menos que increíble. Este fue un viaje tan especial. ¡Recomendaré este equipo al 100% a todos los amigos y familiares que viajen a Perú!
Nancy J
January 23, 2026
Wilson was an amazing guide, he gave clear instructions the day before the hike and thoughtfully adjusted the timing of the tour so we could enjoy the Inca ruins with fewer crowds and still have a good amount of time at Machu Picchu. He was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, and having a guide from the Inca community added a deeper, more authentic perspective to the history and culture we were experiencing. The 1-day Inca Trail itself was stunning with beautiful scenery throughout the trail and we were even lucky enough to spot an Andean bear along the way. Highly recommend this tour if you’re short on time but still want to experience the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu together.
alechavesmoura
January 11, 2026
The Inca Trail with Percy and Iza was absolutely incredible. They both have amazing energy and a deep knowledge of history, which made the experience truly rich and educational. The trail itself is stunning and very well preserved, and Percy and Iza made the whole journey feel welcoming, fun, and engaging. The quality of the food provided was also excellent. We had Chef Julio in our group, and the food was outstanding. I highly recommend Percy and Iza!
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