The 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour – Deep Amazon wildlife in Peru itinerary
Day 1 – Cusco to Guadalupe Lodge
Morning: Pickup in Cusco. Scenic drive through mountain valleys, stops at Ninamarca pre-Inca tombs and Paucartambo village.
Afternoon: Cross into the cloud forest at Acjanaco Pass. Birdwatching along the way.
Evening: Arrive at Guadalupe Lodge. Optional walk to see monkeys and colorful birds.
Day 2 – Guadalupe Lodge to Pankotsi Lodge
Morning: Breakfast with birdsong. Travel to Atalaya port and board a motorboat.
Afternoon: Cruise down the Madre de Dios River. Look for caimans, capybaras, and river birds.
Evening: Arrive at Pankotsi Lodge. Visit the mammal clay lick and explore the surrounding forest.
Day 3 – Pankotsi to Casa Matsiguenka
Morning: Continue by boat to Manu River. Stop at Limonal ranger station.
Afternoon: Enter the Manu reserve zone. High chance to spot wildlife like jaguars and macaws.
Evening: Arrive at Casa Matsiguenka. Optional night walk.
Day 4 – Explore Casa Matsiguenka (Lake, Trails, Clay Lick)
Morning: Visit Salvador Oxbow Lake by catamaran. Watch giant otters, hoatzins, herons.
Afternoon: Jungle hike to the Macaw Clay Lick and Brazil nut forest.
Evening: Relax at the lodge or take a night walk.
Day 5 – Casa Matsiguenka to Pankotsi Lodge
Morning: Boat ride down the Manu River. Stop at Otorongo Lake and canopy tower.
Afternoon: Birdwatching, river sights, and jungle landscapes.
Evening: Return to Pankotsi Lodge. Learn about Matsiguenka traditions.
Day 6 – Pankotsi Lodge to Guadalupe Lodge
Morning: Explore jungle trails. Final boat ride up Madre de Dios River.
Afternoon: Return to Guadalupe Lodge by car.
Evening: Optional night walk and last jungle experience.
Day 7 – Guadalupe Lodge to Cusco
Morning: Optional birdwatching (macaws, toucans). Breakfast and packing.
Afternoon: Scenic drive back through the cloud forest.
Evening: Arrive in Cusco around 4:00 PM.
Our upcoming departure dates for 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour – Deep Amazon wildlife in Peru
The dates below are confirmed departures, but we have many more dates where we are still looking for people to join. Especially during high season, new groups are forming all the time. Don’t see your date? Contact us — we may still have a spot, or we can start a new group for you.
We also offer the option to do this tour privately. Contact us to learn more, and we’ll make an offer according to your needs.
June 2025
- June 11, 2025
- June 19, 2025
- June 23, 2025
July 2025
- July 3, 2025
- July 8, 2025
- July 17, 2025
October 2025
- October 6, 2025
- October 12, 2025
- October 25, 2025
Confirmed departures from 2 people to Manu National Park Reserved Zone
Your tour to Manu National Park Reserved Zone is confirmed when booking for 2 people.
A 10% small-group fee applies if no group is formed yet for your date. This helps cover the higher cost of operating with just 2 travelers.
This fee is refunded automatically if more people join your date.
When booking, simply select the option that includes the 10% small-group fee.
Please note: This is not a private tour. Even when traveling as a pair, you may share transportation, boat rides, or guided excursions with other travelers on similar itineraries.
Booking with 3 or more people? You qualify for the group-confirmed rate (no extra fee).
Check this page below for confirmed dates, or contact us directly for the latest availability.
Description of 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour – Deep Amazon wildlife in Peru
This 7-day Manu Reserve Zone tour adventure takes you deep into the Manu Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its untouched nature, colorful birds, and rich native culture. Discover the heart of the Peruvian Amazon with one of the most immersive Manu reserve zone tours available. From wildlife encounters to meeting the Matsiguenka tribe, this is the ultimate 7 day Manu tour for travelers who want more than just sightseeing, they want connection and discovery.
7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour description
Our 7-day Manu National Park Peru tour begins in Cusco and takes you from the high Andes to the lush lowland rainforest. You’ll travel by road and river into the heart of the Manu Reserve Peru, crossing cloud forests, waterfalls, and remote tribal areas. You’ll explore oxbow lakes, hike jungle trails, and observe wildlife up close. You might see playful monkeys and vibrant macaws, or even a secretive jaguar and the rare giant river otter.
Along the way, you’ll visit cultural communities and stay in locally run eco-lodges, including the unique Casa Matsiguenka and Pankotsi Lodges. These experiences give a window into the traditional lifestyle of the Amazonian people and are what make this a true Manu rainforest tribe tour.
Whether you’re passionate about birds, culture, photography, or nature, this Amazon wildlife Peru experience will leave you speechless. It’s one of the most complete Manu clay lick tours you can find. Its’ rich in sightings, stories, and soul.
Who is this 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour for?
This 7 day Manu tour is for people who want to see real nature, wild animals, and local culture — not just visit tourist spots. If you love nature and want to see the jungle in a peaceful and respectful way, this trip is for you.
It’s a great choice for:
- Nature lovers and wildlife watchers
- Birdwatchers and photographers
- Travelers who want to learn about Manu rainforest tribe life
- Adventurers who enjoy small groups and quiet places
- People who can enjoy long boat rides and simple jungle lodges
- You don’t need jungle experience — just curiosity, a love for nature, and basic fitness.
What to expect on this 7 Day Manu tour
This Manu national park Peru tour is a deep jungle experience. You will not stay in fancy hotels or visit big cities. Instead, you’ll travel by car and boat, visit remote places, and sleep in eco-lodges run by local people.
During this 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour, you’ll wake up to the sounds of birds and monkeys, walk through the forest, and travel on quiet rivers. You will not have internet or phone signal in the deep forest, but you will connect with nature and local people.
Here’s what to expect:
- A full Amazon adventure with real Amazon wildlife Peru experiences
- Great chances to see monkeys, birds, giant river otters, and more
- Boat trips on the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers
- Comfortable lodges with mosquito nets and clean rooms
- Local guides who speak English and know the Manu biosphere reserve very well
- Long travel days with lots of beautiful views
Activities included on this Manu National Park tour
- Wildlife watching (monkeys, giant river otters, capybaras, caimans, birds)
- Visits to Macaw and Mammal Clay Licks
- During this 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour, you will do cultural visits to Shipetiari community and Matsiguenka tribe
- Jungle hikes through cloud forest and lowland rainforest
- Catamaran exploration of Salvador Oxbow Lake
- Canopy tower visit at Otorongo Lake
- Night walks to look for nocturnal species
- Boat rides on the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers
Meet the native people of Manu
One of the best parts of this 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone rainforest tribe tour is meeting the people who live in the jungle. These tribes know the forest better than anyone. You will visit two native groups on this tour:
The Matsiguenka tribe – Casa Matsiguenka
At Casa Matsiguenka, you will stay in a lodge inside the Manu reserve Peru. This place is run by the Matsiguenka people. They have lived here for hundreds of years.
You may learn:
- How they live in the forest
- What plants they use for food and medicine
- How they fish and hunt with respect for nature
This is a quiet and peaceful place, perfect for seeing wildlife and understanding their way of life.
The Shipetiari community – Pankotsi Lodge
You will also visit the Shipetiari people and stay at Pankotsi Lodge. This lodge was built by the community and offers a special way to experience their daily life.
You may:
- Visit the mammals clay lick at night
- Hear stories from elders
- Learn how they use the forest to survive
These are not tourist shows, these are real people sharing their real lives. By joining this 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour, you help support these communities and protect the Manu reserve zone.
Best time to join this Manu Reserve Zone tour
The best time to do this Manu reserve zone tour is from May to October, during the dry season. These months have better weather and are great for spotting wildlife.
During this time:
- Trails are easier to walk
- Rivers are lower and safer for boats
- You can see more animals, like monkeys and otters on the 7-Day Manu Reserve Zone tour
- Macaws come in large numbers to the clay licks
- If you’re looking for the best Manu clay lick tour, we recommend booking between June and September.
- You can also travel outside these months. The rainforest is open all year, and every season is different and special.
Important note about wildlife and local communities
We want your Manu reserve zone tour to be an amazing and respectful experience, both for you and for the jungle.
About animal sightings
The Manu biosphere reserve is home to many beautiful animals like monkeys, macaws, giant river otters, and even jaguars. However, this is real, wild nature, not a zoo. We cannot guarantee that you will see every animal on your list.
Animals move freely in the forest, and what you see depends on the weather, the time of day, and a little bit of luck. Our guides will do their best to help you spot wildlife in a way that is safe and respectful for both you and the animals.
About visiting the tribes
During this Manu rainforest tribe tour, you will visit native communities like the Matsiguenka and Shipetiari. These people have a different way of life and different values from those in cities or tourist places.
Please remember:
- Always ask before taking photos
- Be respectful of traditions and daily routines
- Understand that these are real families, not actors
- Don’t expect luxury or entertainment, expect learning and connection
- We are guests in their home. By showing respect and kindness, we help support and protect their way of life for future generations.
About the Manu Biosphere Reserve
The Manu Biosphere Reserve is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. With over 1,000 bird species and more than 200 kinds of mammals, it’s a paradise for nature lovers. The reserve covers a range of ecosystems — from high-altitude grasslands to dense lowland jungle. This incredible variety of landscapes gives you the chance to see more animals and plants than almost anywhere else in the Amazon.
The region is also home to several native tribes, including the Matsiguenka and Shipetiari. These communities have lived here for generations and continue to follow their traditional ways of life. On this tour, you’ll learn from them, walk their trails, and see the rainforest through their eyes.
One of the highlights of any Manu clay lick tour is watching colorful macaws gather on riverbanks to feed on mineral-rich clay. It’s a stunning natural display and a top reason many choose to visit the Manu reserve zone tours.
