The 7-Day Manu Biosphere Reserve Expedition is our most comprehensive overland-and-river journey through the protected wilderness of Manu. Encompassing 1.5 million hectares, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve spans four distinct life zones—from high Andean paramo and mossy cloud forests down to the vast lowland floodplain of the Madre de Dios River.
This expedition features the celebrated Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick, where hundreds of Red-and-Green Macaws, parrots, and parakeets create a thunderous explosion of color; the Camungo 42-meter Canopy Tower offering eye-level views of toucans and monkeys above the forest canopy; and an evening vigil at a specialized camouflage blind over an active Tapir Clay Lick.
A week inside the Manu Biosphere Reserve transforms your understanding of the natural world. Traveling downstream from the Andes into the deep Amazon, you witness how interconnected forest ecosystems support the highest concentration of terrestrial biodiversity on Earth.
Every day brings a major natural spectacle: male Cocks-of-the-Rock dancing in the misty cloud forest, giant river otters hunting fish in ancient oxbow lakes, macaws congregating by the hundreds on vertical clay walls, and South America’s largest land mammal—the Lowland Tapir—quietly emerging under the cover of night.
We travel in small groups of 2 to 8 participants with private boats and experienced local naturalists, ensuring pristine, quiet wildlife viewing with minimal environmental impact.
Starting Point: Hotel pickup in Cusco at 05:00 AM on Day 1
Ending Point: Return to Cusco hotel by 07:00 PM on Day 7 (or Puerto Maldonado airport transfer)
Transport: Private Sprinter van, motorized riverboat, and overland 4WD
Lodging: 1 Night Pilcopata Inn, 1 Night Hummingbird Lodge (Boca Manu), 3 Nights Blanquillo / Maquisapayoj Lodge, 1 Night Mazuco / Puerto Carlos
Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Dinners + field snacks and purified water
Key Wildlife: Macaws, Tapirs, Giant River Otters, Caimans, 8+ primate species, Toucans, Cotingas
Departing Cusco at 05:00 AM, we drive east across the Andes, stopping at the pre-Inca stone towers of Ninamarca and the colonial town of Paucartambo.
We ascend to Acjanaco Pass (3,800m) and enter the cloud forest. In the afternoon, we observe the courtship lek of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock in San Pedro. Arrive in Pilcopata by evening. Dinner and overnight at Pilcopata Inn Lodge.
After breakfast, we drive 45 minutes to Atalaya Port and board our motorized river canoe. We navigate downstream along the fast-flowing Alto Madre de Dios River.
Scan the gravel beaches for sunbathing capybaras, river turtles, and fasciated tiger herons. We pass river villages and arrive at the confluence with the Manu River, settling into Hummingbird Lodge near Boca Manu. Dinner and night walk.
We continue down the Madre de Dios River to Blanquillo, situated on the edge of the Biosphere Reserve. After lunch at the lodge, we visit Camungo Oxbow Lake.
Boarding a wooden catamaran, we search for giant river otters and black caimans. We then climb the impressive 42-meter Canopy Tower built into a giant kapok tree, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views above the rainforest canopy while watching for toucans, macaws, and cotingas. Overnight at Blanquillo Lodge.
At 05:15 AM, we enter a comfortable, camouflaged observation blind overlooking the world-famous Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick.
Between 06:00 AM and 09:00 AM, hundreds of parakeets, yellow-crowned parrots, and magnificent Red-and-Green Macaws gather in the trees above before swooping down en masse to feed on the mineral clay face—one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
After lunch, we hike extensive primary forest trails tracking monkeys (spider monkeys, howlers, tamarins) and learning about medicinal plants. Overnight at Blanquillo Lodge.
We travel a short distance to Maquisapayoj, renowned for its mammal clay lick. In the afternoon, we walk through towering primary forest to the specialized Tapir Observation Blind.
Equipped with mattresses, mosquito nets, and silent viewing platforms, we wait quietly at dusk for the arrival of the Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), South America’s largest land mammal, which regularly visits this mineral deposit after dark. Overnight at Maquisapayoj Lodge or the tapir platform.
After breakfast, we board our boat down the Madre de Dios River to the frontier port of Colorado. Here we transition to overland 4WD transport to Puerto Carlos, cross the Inambari River, and settle into a comfortable lodge in Mazuco.
Celebrate our expedition with a farewell dinner reflecting on the incredible wildlife observed. Overnight in Mazuco.
Following breakfast, our private transport travels along the paved Transoceanic Highway through spectacular mountain landscapes, climbing from the Amazon basin back into the Andes. We arrive in Cusco around 06:00 PM with drop-off at your hotel.
Note: For travelers flying to Lima, we provide direct morning transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport (PEM) to catch afternoon flights.
Expedition Pricing (USD per person):
Flight Connection Option: On Day 7, you can fly from Puerto Maldonado to Lima instead of returning overland to Cusco. Notify our team upon booking so we can coordinate your airport transfer.
Geography: The Manu Biosphere Reserve encompasses over 1.5 million hectares. This expedition covers the upper and lower Madre de Dios watersheds.
Health: Yellow fever vaccination is recommended. Tetanus booster is advised. Malaria prophylaxis can be discussed with your physician.
Q: How close do we get to the macaws at Blanquillo?
A: The camouflaged blind is situated approximately 50 meters from the clay face, providing superb, unobstructed views through binoculars, scopes, and telephoto lenses.
Q: What is the success rate for seeing tapirs?
A: Sighting success at the Maquisapayoj tapir blind is approximately 80-85% during dry season months (May to October).
Our local specialists craft custom itineraries suited to your pace, preferences, and budget.
Important Reservation Notes: Prices are in US Dollars per person based on shared double/twin room accommodation. A deposit of 30% is required to guarantee your departure date. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from entry to Peru.
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