Manu Biosphere Expedition 5 Days

From the Cusco valley to a cloud forest research station.

We pick you up at your Cusco hotel at 7:00 a.m. and leave the city toward the Cusco valley. Our first stop is Huacarpay Lake, a wetland where we look for waterbirds and enjoy a calm start to the trip. The road then climbs to Ninamarca, where pre-Inca burial towers stand on the open plateau, and continues to the colonial town of Paucartambo, famous for its festivals and traditions. (optional coffee in Paucartambo).

From Paucartambo the road keeps rising to Acjanaco Pass, above 3,500 m, where the grassland ends and the cloud forest begins on the other side. A short descent brings us to Wayquecha Biological Station, at around 2,900 m, where we have lunch.

In the afternoon we walk through the forest to the hanging bridge. The bridge was originally designed for scientific research, since Wayquecha is a biological station, and it lets you cross the forest at tree level. The trail is rich in species typical of the transition between the Andes and the cloud forest, such as mountain toucans, tanagers, hummingbirds and many plants covered in moss. After the walk there is time to rest, have a hot drink and enjoy dinner in the lodge.

What you may see: mixed flocks of birds, hummingbirds, tanagers, mountain toucans, mosses, bromeliads and orchids.

At a glance: easy · around 6 hours of driving with stops, and a short walk · overnight at Wayquecha, approx. 2,900 m.

Guide’s tip: nights at Wayquecha are cool. Bring a warm layer for the evening.

A morning in the high forest and an afternoon with Peru’s national bird.

After breakfast we spend the morning birdwatching around Wayquecha, walking the trails and the road at the best hours for activity. This is one of the best places on the Manu Road to see the birds of the upper cloud forest, and your guide helps you find them even if you have never used binoculars before.

We then continue down the road to Cock of the Rock Lodge, where we have lunch. Here the air is warmer and the forest is greener, at around 1,500 m. After lunch we settle in, enjoy the gardens and feeders, and in the late afternoon visit to the lek of the Andean cock-of-the-rock. The males gather at a traditional display ground to compete for the attention of females, with bright orange-red plumage, loud calls and sudden jumps. It is one of the most memorable wildlife moments in Peru.

We spend the night at Cock of the Rock Lodge, with dinner and time to relax.

What you may see: Andean cock-of-the-rock, hummingbirds, green honeycreepers, tanagers, butterflies and possibly monkeys.

At a glance: easy · around 5 hours of driving with stops · overnight at Cock of the Rock Lodge, approx. 1,500 m.

Guide’s tip: keep your camera ready and your voice low at the lek. The birds are shy and the best moments come in silence.

The last hours of the cloud forest, then the first of the rainforest.

For those who want an early start, there is an optional visit to the lek before breakfast, when the cock-of-the-rocks are most active. Then we have breakfast and set out to explore the cloud forest along the Manu Road, stopping at viewpoints and forest edges where mixed flocks of birds, tree ferns, orchids and waterfalls are common. We return to Cock of the Rock Lodge for lunch.

After lunch we continue downhill toward Pillcopata and Manu Biolodge, which is only about 20 minutes from the town. There is no boat and no river crossing to reach the lodge. The temperature rises and the cloud forest gives way to lowland vegetation. After checking in, we take a gentle walk in the private reserve to feel the change in the forest and to see what is active at the end of the day. Dinner and a quiet night follow in a comfortable room.

What you may see: tanagers, toucans, hummingbirds, butterflies, orchids, tree ferns, forest birds and insects.

At a glance: easy · around 4 hours of driving and a short walk · overnight at Manu Biolodge, approx. 500 m.

Guide’s tip: use insect repellent from this point on. The lowlands are warm and humid.

A full day in the lowland rainforest, with a box lunch.

After breakfast we visit a hummingbird garden, where different species come to the feeders. It is a colorful and peaceful way to start the day. We then drive to Atalaya, a small river port on the Alto Madre de Dios, and take a short boat ride toward the Machuwasi oxbow lake.

Machuwasi is a calm lake surrounded by forest, and it is a good place to see hoatzins, herons, kingfishers, caimans, capybaras and monkeys. We walk the trail to the lake, spend time in quiet observation and have our box lunch in the forest. In the afternoon we return to the lodge to rest.

After dinner, we set out on a night walk along the trails of the private reserve. With a headlamp and a guide, you discover frogs, insects, spiders and other creatures that only appear after dark. It is a short, easy walk that gives a very different view of the rainforest.

What you may see: hoatzins, herons, kingfishers, caimans, capybaras, monkeys, hummingbirds, tree frogs, insects.

At a glance: easy · short boat ride and walks of 2 to 3 hours · overnight at Manu Biolodge.

Guide’s tip: wear long sleeves and bring a headlamp for the night walk.

Back over the Andes, with lunch at Wayquecha.

After an early breakfast we leave Manu Biolodge and begin the return to Cusco. The road climbs again through the cloud forest, and we make stops for views and birds along the way. We have lunch at Wayquecha, a pleasant break at around 2,900 m before the final climb over the Andes. We arrive in Cusco between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., depending on road conditions, and drop you at your hotel.

We recommend booking your flight out of Cusco for the evening, after 8:00 p.m., or for the following day.

At a glance: easy · around 8 hours of driving with stops · tour ends in Cusco, approx. 3,400 m.