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.
Inca Trail Machu Picchu 4 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu 2 days Inca Trail Machu Picchu 1 days Inca Trail + Wayna Picchu 3D Inca Trail + Wayna Picchu 5D Inca Trail + Wayna Picchu 2D Luxury Inca Trail 4 days
Short Inca Trail + Salkantay 6 days Classic Inca Trail + Salkantay 7 days
Salkantay Machu Picchu 5 days Salkantay Machu Picchu 4 days Salkantay Machu Picchu 3 days Salkantay & Humantay lake 2 days
Choquequirao 4 days Choquequirao 5 days Choquequirao Machu Picchu 7 days Choquequirao Machu Picchu 8 days Choquequirao Machu Picchu 9 days
Inca Jungle Machu Picchu 3 days Inca Jungle Machu Picchu 4 days
Manu Cultural Area 3 days Manu Cultural Area 4 days Manu, Reserved Zone 5 days Manu Reserved Area 6 days Manu Reserved Area 7 days Manu Park, Pakitza 8 days
Inca Trail + Cachicata 5 days Lares Machu Picchu 4 days Cachicata Machu Picchu 4 days Sacred Valley Machu Picchu 3 days
Inti Raymi 2025 Machu Picchu Full Day Humantay Lake Rainbow Mountain Palcoyo Mountain 7 lakes of Ausangate Classic Sacred Valley Sacred Valley VIP Chonta, Condor Viewpoint Cusco City Tour Cusco - South Valley
Myexperience2
May 25, 2025
I did the 2 day short inka trail led by guide, Percy. The hike was fantastic and Percy’s explanations were really good regarding the history. He answered all our questions and was extremely polite and helpful throughout the 2 days! The organisation by Intrepid Expeditions/Salkantay Trek was ok, communication via WhatsApp was very prompt and responsive however on the morning of my trip, the driver was 30 mins late which led to panic as I nearly missed the train and I had no one to contact at 4am despite 24/7 assistance being advertised. However, the team called the driver an hour later and we managed to make the train. The hotel booked was good, very central in Agua Calientes and clean. Food: the included dinner was below average standards so perhaps a different venue for next time. The picnic lunch was plentiful, with sandwich, fruit, bars and a rice chicken box. Perfect during the intense hike on day 1!
Mo G
April 28, 2025
We loved our trek with Elio who taught us so much about the history and culture of the Inka’s along our trek. Amazing trip!
Petra
April 27, 2025
La caminata de Salkantay fue una gran experiencia y con Jorge Calderón tuve la suerte de tener una guía excelente, muy agradable y competente. ¡Muchas gracias! 🩵
Gabriela C
April 25, 2025
Lugares muy bonitos, vistas incribles, los guias com gran experiencia en todo. Jo fiz el camino de Salkantay (4 dias) com Guia Abet, buenissima experiencia. Despues hacemos 2 dias de Inca Trail com Guia Percy, gran persona, mucho profissional. Todo fue muy agradable
Demonstrating our commitment to quality, we hold ISO 9001 certification, ensuring excellence in our services.
With ISO 14001, we prioritize environmental sustainability, reducing our impact on the planet.
We're honored to be recognized with the Traveler's Choice Award in 2024, a testament to our dedication to exceptional travel experiences.
We are an official agency and tour operator, ensuring a unique and high-quality travel experience to the destinations of your choice in Cusco and Peru.
.webp "Inca Trail tickets to Machu Picchu 2025")