Manu Reserved Zone tour – 6 days Guadalupe lodge, Pankotsi lodge, Casa Matsiguenka lodge

• Passport
• Insect repellent (min. 40% DEET)
• Sunblock and hat
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• Hiking shoes and sandals/flip flops
• Flashlight or headlamp with batteries
• Water bottle or reusable canteen
• Swimwear
• Camera or smartphone + power bank
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Personal hygiene products
• Light sweater or fleece (cooler nights)
• Avoid bright colors (no red, pink, or orange)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Lightweight backpack

Join us on the Manu Reserved Zone tour and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the heart of the Manu Reserved Zone! This 6-day tour takes you deep into the Manu Biosphere Reserve, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. You’ll travel from Cusco to untouched rainforest, spot rare wildlife like jaguars, giant otters, and colorful birds, and stay in eco-lodges run by native Matsiguenka people.

Explore oxbow lakes, walk jungle trails, and discover the true Amazon. This Manu reserved zone tour is perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants a real Amazon jungle experience in Peru.

Why choose this Manu Reserved Zone tour?

This 6-day tour gives you deeper access into the Manu Biosphere Reserve than shorter jungle tours. You’ll explore remote areas like Cocha Salvador and Otorongo Lake, which are only accessible with special permits. This is one of the few Manu reserve zone tours that includes overnight stays inside the Reserved Zone, guided by experts who know the area well.

What makes this tour special

• Wildlife sightings in the real Amazon, including otters, monkeys, caimans, and maybe a jaguar
• Visits to oxbow lakes and macaw clay licks
• Stay at Casa Matsiguenka, run by native people inside the Manu nature reserve
• Responsible and sustainable travel practices
• Experienced, English-speaking jungle guides

If you’re dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife tour in Peru, this is one of the best options available.

All activities included on this Manu Reserved Zone tour

• Wildlife watching (monkeys, macaws, otters, more)
• Boat rides on the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers
• Visit to Salvador and Otorongo Oxbow Lakes
• Explore trails in Terra Firme and Varzea forests
• Birdwatching from a canopy tower
• Visit a clay lick where parrots and macaws gather
• Jungle night walks
• Stay at Casa Matsiguenka, a lodge run by indigenous people

Who is this Manu Reserved Zone Tour for?

This Manu Reserved Zone tour is perfect for nature lovers, wildlife photographers, birdwatchers and curious travelers. With this tour you will experience a remote and untouched part of the Amazon rainforest. If you’re looking for a real adventure into the heart of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, this tour is for you. With expert, local, English speaking guides, peaceful boat rides, and unique jungle lodges, it’s ideal for those who want a deep and authentic connection with nature.

How difficult is this tour?

This is a moderately easy tour that involves some long travel days by car and boat (about 11 hours on day 2) to reach the Manu Reserved Zone. However, there are no strenuous hikes. Most walks are on flat jungle trails, and the lodges offer comfortable beds and meals. If you are in reasonably good health and ready for a bit of adventure, you will enjoy this trip.

We recommend this Manu reserve zone tour for travelers aged 12 and up.

Health and safety: dengue and yellow fever

There is a low risk of yellow fever and dengue in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, especially during the rainy season. While the yellow fever vaccine is not required to enter the Manu Reserved Zone, it is recommended for your safety. We suggest using strong insect repellent (at least 40% DEET) and wearing long sleeves and long pants to avoid mosquito bites. Our lodges offer mosquito nets, and since the Manu nature reserve is remote, the risk is lower than in cities.

Important: We are not medical professionals. Please consult your own doctor or travel clinic to make the best decision for your health before joining any Manu reserved zone tour.

A responsible and community-based Manu National Park tour

This Manu Reserve Peru experience supports the native Matsiguenka community, who manage the Casa Matsiguenka Lodge inside the Manu nature reserve. By joining this tour, you help preserve the Amazon rainforest and support sustainable tourism in the region. The Manu Reserved Zone is a highly protected area. All travelers are required to respect the rules of the park and help keep this area clean and untouched.

We arrange all necessary permits for your visit to the Manu Reserve Zone.

6-Day Manu Reserved Zone Tour from Cusco itinerary

This 6-day Manu Reserved Zone tour begins in Cusco and takes you deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. It’s one of the best wildlife tours in Peru and offers a rare chance to explore the untouched jungle of Manu National Park.

Day 1 – Cusco to Guadalupe lodge

Start your adventure with a scenic drive from Cusco through the Andes and cloud forest. Visit pre-Inca tombs at Ninamarca and the colonial town of Paucartambo. Along the way, spot the red Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. In the evening, arrive at Guadalupe Lodge where you’ll enjoy your first night in the jungle.

Day 2 – Into the Manu Reserved Zone

Travel by boat down the Madre de Dios River. Enter the Manu River and officially reach the Manu Reserved Zone, a remote and highly protected area of the Amazon. Along the way, look for monkeys, capybaras, and colorful birds. In the afternoon, arrive at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, deep in the rainforest and run by the local native community.

Day 3 – Explore Cocha Salvador and Macaw Clay Lick

Visit Cocha Salvador Lake on a paddle catamaran. This area is home to giant river otters, herons, hoatzins, and caimans. Walk forest trails to the Macaw Clay Lick and watch parrots and red-and-green macaws gather. This is a highlight of the tour and a true Amazon wildlife spectacle.

Day 4 – River journey to El Dorado lodge

Enjoy an early morning boat trip on the Manu River. Explore Otorongo Lake and climb the canopy tower for views over the forest. You may spot jaguars, caimans, or river birds along the way. Stay overnight at El Dorado Lodge.

Day 5 – Return journey to Guadalupe lodge

Visit a local macaw clay lick near El Dorado before boating back along the river. In the afternoon, return to Guadalupe Lodge. Enjoy a final night walk to look for nocturnal animals like frogs and insects.

Day 6 – Back to Cusco

After a short morning walk to spot monkeys and birds, return to Cusco by road. Along the way, enjoy views of the cloud forest and the chance to see more wildlife. Arrival in Cusco is around 4 PM.

More about Manu Biosphere Reserve

• The Manu Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It has more than 1,000 species of birds and over 200 species of mammals.
• The park protects animals like jaguars, giant river otters, anteaters, and anacondas.
• Only a small number of visitors can enter the Reserved Zone, keeping it wild and untouched.
• The Matsiguenka community helps protect this part of the jungle and shares their knowledge with visitors.

Weather and best season to visit the Manu Reserve zone

The best time to join a Manu Reserved Zone tour is during the dry season, from May to October. During these months, river levels are lower, making it easier to see wildlife. The weather is usually warm and humid in the Manu Reserve Peru, with daytime temperatures around 28–32°C (82–90°F).

Rain is still possible in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, even in the dry season, so be prepared with a raincoat or poncho. Early mornings and nights can be cooler in the cloud forest.