+51 986 002 962
info@neotropicperu.com
Three days. A first taste of Manu, with comfort every night.
The 3-day Manu Wildlife Experience is the shortest way to experience the Manu Biosphere Reserve in comfort. In three days you cross the Andes from Cusco, have lunch in the cloud forest at Wayquecha, watch the Andean cock-of-the-rock at its lek and sleep two nights at Manu Biolodge, in the lowland rainforest. The lodge has a private bathroom, hot water, electricity and wifi, so you can enjoy the wild side of Peru without giving up your comfort.
The first day is the longest, because it includes the crossing of the Andes, the cloud forest and the descent to the lowlands. It rewards you with a rare wildlife show at the lek and with a night in the rainforest. The second day is a full day of activities: a hummingbird garden, a short boat ride and a walk to the Machuwasi oxbow lake, a box lunch in the forest and a night walk in the private reserve. On the third day you return to Cusco, with lunch at Wayquecha.
This tour is made for travellers with limited time, first-time visitors to Manu, families and anyone who wants to see the main highlights without a long expedition. It is not only for birders: the program is designed for people who want to enjoy the biodiversity of Manu in a comfortable and calm way, with short walks and a guide who explains the forest.
A long day that crosses the Andes and ends in the rainforest.
We pick you up at your Cusco hotel at 7:00 a.m. and take the road east, toward the Andes. To save time on this first day, we make only short stops: first at Ninamarca, where pre-Inca burial towers stand on the plateau, and then at the colonial town of Paucartambo. (optional breakfast)
The road climbs to Acjanaco Pass, above 3,500 m, and then descends into the cloud forest, where the landscape changes from grassland to moss, ferns and mist. We have lunch at Wayquecha Biological Station, at around 2,900 m, and continue down the Manu Road.
In the late afternoon we reach Cock of the Rock Lek. The males of the Andean cock-of-the-rock gather here to display, with bright orange-red plumage and loud calls. It is a short but memorable visit, and the main wildlife highlight of the day.
After the lek we continue to Manu Biolodge. No boat and no river crossing are needed to reach it. We arrive in the evening around 6 pm. and after a shower, dinner is served at the lodge.
What you may see: Andean cock-of-the-rock, tanagers, hummingbirds, mountain birds, orchids and tree ferns.
At a glance: easy, but long · around 11 hours of driving with stops and a short walk · overnight at Manu Biolodge, approx. 500 m.
Guide’s tip: keep a snack and water in your day bag. It is a long day, and the best moments come late.
A full day in the lowland rainforest, with a box lunch.
After breakfast at the lodge, we start the day at a hummingbird garden. Several species visit the feeders throughout the morning, and it is a peaceful and colorful start, ideal for photography. We then drive to Atalaya, a small river port, and continue by boat toward the Machuwasi oxbow lake.
We walk through riverside forest to the lake, a quiet place where hoatzins, herons, kingfishers, caimans, capybaras and monkeys are often seen. Your guide helps you spot wildlife and explains how the lake was formed. We have a box lunch here, with time to watch without hurry.
In the afternoon we return to Manu Biolodge to rest, enjoy the gardens and prepare for the evening. After dinner we set out on a night walk along the trails of the private reserve. With headlamps and a guide, you discover frogs, spiders, insects and other creatures that only appear in the dark.
What you may see: hoatzins, herons, kingfishers, caimans, capybaras, monkeys, hummingbirds, frogs, insects.
At a glance: easy · short boat ride and walks of 30 to 45 min. · overnight at Manu Biolodge.
Guide’s tip: wear long sleeves and trousers, use insect repellent and bring a headlamp.
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.
