Join our 6-day Manu Reserved Zone tour from Cusco and explore the remote Manu Biosphere Reserve. Visit oxbow lakes, spot wildlife like giant river otters and jaguars, and stay in eco-lodges deep in the Amazon. A top-rated Peru jungle adventure.
Amazon jungle tours rely on weather and climate conditions. While we cannot guarantee specific sightings, with our guides we will always strive to deliver the best possible experience.
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Manu Reserved Zone tour – 6 days Guadalupe lodge, Pankotsi lodge, Casa Matsiguenka lodge trip details
The Manu Reserved Zone tour – 6 days Guadalupe lodge, Pankotsi lodge, Casa Matsiguenka lodge itinerary
Day 1 – Cusco to Guadalupe Lodge
Morning: Pick up from your hotel in Cusco. Drive through the Andes, visiting pre-Inca tombs at Ninamarca and the colonial village of Paucartambo.
Afternoon: Continue through the cloud forest. Stop to observe birds like the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.
Evening: Arrive at Guadalupe Lodge. Optional walk to spot monkeys and birds before dinner.
Day 2 – Guadalupe Lodge to Casa Matsiguenka
Morning: Depart early to Atalaya Port. Begin your boat journey on the Madre de Dios River.
Afternoon: Enter the Manu River and the Reserved Zone. Look for capybaras, monkeys, and riverbank birds.
Evening: Arrive at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge, deep in the jungle. Optional night walk.
Day 3 – Casa Matsiguenka (Lake and Trails)
Morning: Visit Salvador Oxbow Lake by paddle catamaran. Look for giant otters, hoatzins, herons, and monkeys.
Afternoon: Walk through Terra Firme forest to the Macaw Clay Lick. Spot red-and-green macaws and Brazil nut trees.
Evening: Relax at the lodge or join a night walk.
Day 4 – Casa Matsiguenka to El Dorado Lodge
Morning: Boat down the Manu River. Stop to explore Otorongo Oxbow Lake and the canopy tower.
Afternoon: Continue along the river looking for wildlife like jaguars and black caimans.
Evening: Arrive at El Dorado Lodge. Optional night walk available.
Day 5 – El Dorado Lodge to Guadalupe Lodge
Morning: Visit a local clay lick near the lodge to see macaws, parrots, and parakeets.
Afternoon: Boat back to Atalaya, then travel by road to Guadalupe Lodge.
Evening: Short walk around the lodge area. Overnight stay.
Day 6 – Guadalupe Lodge to Cusco
Morning: Early walk to look for monkeys and birds. Visit caves with night-dwelling creatures like scorpions and bats.
Afternoon: Return drive to Cusco, passing through cloud forest and highland scenery.
Evening: Arrive in Cusco around 4:00 PM.
Accommodations for Manu Reserved Zone tour – 6 days Guadalupe lodge, Pankotsi lodge, Casa Matsiguenka lodge
Guadalupe lodge
Casa Matsiguenka lodge
El Dorado lodge
Our upcoming departure dates for Manu Reserved Zone tour – 6 days Guadalupe lodge, Pankotsi lodge, Casa Matsiguenka lodge
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.
September 2025
September 26, 2025
October 2025
October 3, 2025
October 12, 2025
October 18, 2025
October 25, 2025
November 2025
November 5, 2025
November 13, 2025
November 26, 2025
December 2025
December 10, 2025
December 20, 2025
December 30, 2025
January 2026
January 24, 2026
Confirmed departures from 3 people – Manu National Park Reserved Zone
Your tour to Manu National Park Reserved Zone can be confirmed when booking for 3 people or more.
Please note: This is not a private tour. Even when traveling as a group of three, you may share transportation, boat rides, and guided excursions with other travelers following a similar itinerary.
Check the tour page above for currently confirmed dates, or feel free to contact us directly for the latest availability.
Included on the Manu Reserved Zone tour – 6 days Guadalupe lodge, Pankotsi lodge, Casa Matsiguenka lodge trip
All transportation from/to Cusco (car + boat)
5 nights in lodges (Guadalupe, El Dorado, Casa Matsiguenka)
All meals (except day 1 breakfast)
Professional English-speaking jungle guide
Park permits and entrance to Manu Reserved Zone
Macaw Clay Lick entrance
Rubber boots (up to EU size 44)
First aid kit (including anti-venom)
Snacks and purified water
Duffel bag for jungle repacking
Free luggage storage in Cusco
All listed activities (hikes, lake visits, clay lick, canopy tower)
Excluded on the Manu Reserved Zone tour – 6 days Guadalupe lodge, Pankotsi lodge, Casa Matsiguenka lodge trip
Breakfast on day 1
Alcoholic drinks
Binoculars (available for rent)
Single room supplement ($90 USD)
Travel insurance
Tips for guides and lodge staff
Personal expenses
What to bring on 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
Description of Manu Reserved Zone tour – 6 days Guadalupe lodge, Pankotsi lodge, Casa Matsiguenka lodge
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.
