7 Days - 6 Nights

DAY 1. – Cusco (3,300 m.a.s.l.) – Andes – (3,650 m.a.s.l.) Cloud Forest (1,400 m.a.s.l.)

We leave Cusco early in the morning in one of our vehicles. We will pass through interesting valleys and picturesque communities. We will stop in Paucartambo, a beautiful colonial town, here we will visit a very interesting museum. We will have a packed lunch in route. We continue to the Cloud Forest, a rich area with endemic species like the Spectacled Bear, the Cock of The Rock, a variety of orchids, bromeliads, lichens and ferns etc. Taken in the beautiful nature as we make our way to Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge where we will spend our first night in our comfortable accommodation.

DAY 2. – Cloud Forest San Pedro – Erika Lodge (600 m.a.s.l.)

Very early we will go in search of the Cock of the Rock, the National bird of Peru that has a very unique courtship dance. After breakfast we will continue to the small town of *Pilcopata, then to the Port of Atalaya, which is located on the shores of the Madre de Dios River (600 m.s.n.m). Here we will take a boat to our Private Reserve of “Erika” where we will walk along the interesting trails that are in the transition zone between high and low jungle and your guide will point out and explain the interesting diversity of wild life that surrounds you. After breakfast we will visit Machuwasi Lake where we are going to paddle quietly on a catamaran to be able to see an enormous diversity of bird species such as hoatzin a prehistoric bird, horned screamers, red capped cardinals, capped herons, vultures, cormorants, and others; walking we can observe monkeys, capibaras, snakes and other species. In the afternoon, if time allows us, we will take a walk along another trail where we will visit the Ceiba tree, one of the largest and oldest amazon plant species that exist on the planet. Also, we will have the chance for a night walk to catch a glimpse of insects and amphibians. We overnight in our Erika Lodge. * 1 Free Option – Rafting: From the town of Pilcopata will have 90 minutes of rafting (grade I & II) on the Koñeq and Alto Madre de Dios Rivers. You can enjoy the beautiful landscape and have a swim in the refreshing water.

DAY 3. – Erika Lodge – Reserved Zone / Lake Salvador (295m.a.s.l.)

Very early we board our boat and make our way to Collpa, a clay wall by the Alto Madre de Dios River where a variety of parrots such as the blue headed parrot, the White eyed parakeet, possibly the Maracana Macaw and others come every morning to substitute their diet with minerals and salts. After this activity we will have a delicious breakfast en route and we will head down the river toward the Reserved Zone during this part of our journey, we will see birds like skimmers, herons, several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers. We will make a brief stop at the Limonal Ranger Station where we will register in the Visitor’s Book which controls entry into the reserve. We continue on the Manu River towards the heart of the reserve for about 4 hours to Lake Salvador leaving all traces of civilization behind. We will spend the next two nights in our Safari camp. During this trip you can often see a variety of bird species like macaws, herons, pink rosettes and with a little luck, capybaras, caimans, river turtles, monkeys, and hopefully some felines often sunning on the beaches or feeding in surrounding trees. In the afternoon we spend our time walking in search of wildlife in this pristine forest.

DAY 4. – Reserved Zone / Lake Salvador (295m.a.s.l.)

We will most likely be woken early by the howler monkey declaring his territory. Before breakfast we will talk a morning walk as the temperature at this time is more pleasant and it makes it a bit easier to find animals who are in search of food. We will explore Salvador Lake by catamaran and try to see the giant otter, a species in danger of extinction, they can be seen fishing, playing or swimming. We will be looking for the Black Cayman, the Hoatzin and the interesting surrounding flora. We will visit Otorongo Lake and the observation tower which is 15m heigh which enables us to fully appreciate the landscape of the surrounding primary forest and we are more likely to see the family of otters whom reside here. There may be a possibility to do a short night walk to look for American bullfrogs, horned frogs, tree frogs and a host of colorful insects.

DAY 5. – Reserved Zone / Lake Salvador (295m.a.s.l.) – Hummingbird Lodge (565m.a.s.l.)

We will wake up early again to take a walk around our campsite and Lake Salvador. You will be amazed by the gigantic Ceibas, colorful butterflies and curious squirrel, capuchin and wooly monkeys. After breakfast we will pack up, board our boat and go stream down the Manu River. We will keep our eyes open for peccaries (hogs), caymans, turtles and birds. In the afternoon we will arrive at the Hummingbird Lodge and we will have the possibility of having a short night walk. Overnight at the lodge.

DAY 6. – Hummingbird Lodge – Shintuya Hot Springs

After a delicious breakfast, we will leave the Hummingbird Lodge to head towards the Shintuya Hot Springs, where we will enjoy a wonderful day surrounded by beautiful views, sounds of nature and the relaxing natural hot water springs. Overnight at the lodge.

DAY 7. – Shintuya Hot Springs – Cusco

Today we continue by the Alto Madre de Dios River, against the current, taking in the beautiful scenery of the Amazon jungle and the huge diversity of bird species. Before noon we will be arriving to Atalaya Port where our vehicle will be waiting to take us back, arriving in the city of Cusco in the afternoon. END OF OUR SERVICES. * 2 Free Optional activity – Hummingbird Garden: On the way back to Cusco, we will have a brief stop at Pico de Hoz Mirador (550 m.a.s.l.), a self-sustaining environmental conservation center to observe and photograph a wide variety of hummingbirds and other birds such as toucans, king vultures and maybe some monkeys and with luck a sloth.