Includes:
(Minimum 2 passengers) Two fixed departure per week departing from Cusco: Wednesday and Saturday Prices available upon request.
Please note that all rain forest itineraries may vary slightly so as to maximize wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides.
Our overland journey begins at 3,400m/11,150 ft, with an early departure from the highland city of Cusco. Today’s destination is the lush cloud forest region where the Andes fall away to the Amazon basin.
This is a day of scenic drama and striking contrasts. We first visit a mountain wetland habitat teeming with migrant and local waterfowl, before crossing two mountain ranges between the Cusco valley and the Paucartambo valley, to a maximum altitude of 3,900m/12,790ft. Finally we follow a sinuous ribbon of highway on its plunge through an extraordinary world of forested cliffs, waterfalls and gorges.
We take leisurely stops to see mountain villages, a hilltop necropolis of chullpas (pre-Inca burial chambers), and the abrupt ridge top of Ajanaco, which marks the final high point where the Andes begin their swoop into the Amazon basin.
In clear weather we will see a breathtaking panorama of cloud forest and mountain giving way to the lowland rain forest plains far below us. After a picnic lunch near here we descend through the startling and rapid environmental transformations characteristic of the tropical Andes, passing from grassland and stunted trees through elfin forest, until we wind through a lush and magical world of overhanging trees, giant ferns, monster begonias, countless orchids and bromeliads, and a diverse and teeming bird life.
We make frequent spontaneous stops, perhaps spotting a brilliantly feathered quetzal, a trogon, or the wild turkey-like Guan. We reach the comfortable Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge in the late afternoon, the best hour to visit the nearby viewing platform for the display ground, or “lek.” This is usually the highlight of a long, full day, a chance to see Peru’s dazzling national bird, the Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana) in full, raucous courting display. (L/D)
Rising early, we have a second chance to view the the Cock-of-the-Rock display, and then scout for birds, and perhaps Brown Capuchin or Woolly monkeys along the nearby road. Or we can take a secluded nature walk on a short trail loop to the river and back.
After breakfast we continue our drive, as mountains give way to low rolling hills and farmland. At Patria we visit a plantation of coca grown legitimately for the Peruvian coca leaf market.
At midday we reach Atalaya, a tiny port where the Piñipiñi River meets the Alto Madre de Dios. Now the lowland rainforest part of our journey begins. Rivers are the highways of the rain forest, and henceforth we will travel in large, comfortable dugout canoes shaded by canopy roofs and driven by powerful outboard motors.
During normal river conditions we arrive at our lodge in time for exploration and wildlife viewing – which may include toucans, kingfishers, a rare endemic hummingbird, the endangered Monk Saki Monkey, and a multitude of butterflies — along one of its many forest trails. (B/L/D)
This portion of the program is currently under review and subject change
There is time for another short morning hike on the lodge trails before leaving early for Manu Wildlife Center.
As we follow the broad, rushing course of the Alto Madre de Dios river past the last foothills of the Andes, our ever-changing route offers sightings of new birds — terns, cormorants, White-winged Swallows, and flocks of nighthawks flushed from their daytime lairs by the sound of our engine.
Splashes of brilliant yellow, pink and red foliage dot the forest-clad slopes around us, and the breeze is laden with the heady perfumes of the tropical forest.
We pause during our journey to stretch our legs and visit an indigenous Piro Indian village where we may buy forest handcrafts such as bracelets, necklaces, bags and baskets. Later we pass the mouth of the Manu River, the gateway to the reserved zone of the Manu National Park.
Taking another break at Boca Manu, the village a short way downriver, we visit the boatyards where local people build the dugout boats so essential to life on the river.
After a boat journey of approximately 6 hours, we arrive at Manu Wildlife Center, one of the world’s top ten wildlife lodges. After a reception and orientation we move into our private bungalow and rest to escape the midday heat.Later, we make our first acquaintance with the lowland rain forest, learning about the plants and forest ecology as we explore some of the 30 miles of trails that surround the lodge. We have an excellent chance of encountering some of the 12 species of monkeys, including the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin, which inhabit the surrounding forest. (B/L/D)
This portion of the program is currently under review and subject to change.
Another early start (inevitable on wildlife expeditions), is followed by a short boat ride downstream. We take a 20-minute trail through palm plantations to a cut-off channel of the river, where we find the Blanquillo Macaw Lick.
A spacious hide provided with individual chairs and a convenient place for cameras and binoculars is our ringside seat for what is usually a very spectacular show. We enjoy a full breakfast here while waiting for the main actors to arrive.
In groups of twos and threes the big Red-and-Green Macaws come flapping in, landing in the treetops as they eye the main stage below — the eroded clay banks of the old channel. Meanwhile the supporting cast appears: these may included Blue-headed, Mealy, Yellow-crowned, and Orange-cheeked Parrots — and the occasional villain, a menacing and unwelcome Great Black Hawk.
The drama plays out in first in tentative and then bolder approaches to the lick, until finally nearly all the macaws, parrots and parakeets form a colorful and noisy spectacle on the bare banks, squabbling as they scrape clay from the hard surface. (Please note that the clay lick is most active from August to October and less so during the months of May and June.)
We return to the lodge for lunch, and then we continue to explore and discover the rain forest, its lore and plant life, on the network of trails surrounding the lodge, arriving in the late afternoon at our 34m/112ft Canopy Tower. On its platform we witness the frantic rush-hour activity of twilight in the rain forest canopy, before night closes in.
Later we set off along the “collpa trail”, which will take us to the lodge’s famous Tapir Claylick. Here at the most active tapir lick known in all the Amazon, our research has identified from 8-12 individual 600-pound Tapirs who come to this lick to eat clay from under the tree roots around the edge.
This unlikely snack absorbs and neutralizes toxins in the vegetarian diet of the Tapir, the largest land animal of Latin America. The lick features a roomy, elevated observation platform 5m/17ft above the forest floor.
The platform is equipped with freshly-made-up mattresses with pillows. Each mattress is covered by a roomy mosquito net. The 50-m-long, elevated walkway to the platform is covered with sound-absorbing padding to prevent our footsteps from making noise.
This Tapir Experience is unique and exciting because these normally very shy creatures are visible up close, and flash photography is not just permitted, but encouraged. The hard part for modern city dwellers is to remain still and silent anywhere from 30 minutes to two or more hours.
Many prefer to nap until the first Tapir arrives, at which point your guide gently awakens you to watch the Tapir 10-20m/33-66ft) away below the platform. Most people feel that the wait is well worth it in order to have such a high probability of observing the rare and elusive Tapir in its rain forest home. (B/L/D)
This portion of the program is currently under review and subject to change.
We set off early for Cocha Blanco, an old oxbow lake full of water lilies and sunken logs. As we circle the lake on our catamaran we might encounter the resident Giant Otter family on a fishing expedition, or troops of monkeys crashing noisily through the trees.
Wattled Jacanas step lightly on the lily pads, dainty Sun Grebes paddle across the water, supple-necked Anhingas air-dry their wide, black wings, and perhaps an Osprey scans for fish from a high branch.
Amongt the bushes near the waterline, Hoatzins, which look like rust-colored, punk chickens, announce their presence with distinctive, bizarre wheezing and grunts. Woodpeckers, tanagers, macaws, toucans and parakeets all finally come swooping in to trees surrounding the lake.
Many of them roost around the lake for the night. After lunch at the lodge our guide is available to lead us on freewheeling expeditions in search of further wildlife encounters, or we may take one of the lodge’s many trails on private and personal excursions to commune with the spirits of the rain forest.
This evening, from late afternoon until after dinner, we can take a boat ride in search of caiman (alligatoDAY 6 Manu Wildlife Center to Cuscor-like reptiles), and other nocturnal wildlife along the riverbank.(B/L/D)
After an early breakfast, we leave on the two-hour boat trip to the Boca Manu airfield, enjoying early morning wildlife activity as we go. From here we fly to Cusco, where our rain forest adventure ends with a pickup and transfer to our hotel. (B)
(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner
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Alessandra g2025-08-16Verified 15 days along southern Peru absolutely perfect . Thanks Fertur! Abbiamo organizzato il tour dall Italia. Perla e il suo staff sono stato perfetti. Ci hanno supportato in tutto, nella scelta degli hotel, nelle guide che ci hanno accompagnato nelle varie visite , con grande professionalita e passione. Assolutamente da consigliare Culture3131212025-08-10Verified Recomendamos encarecidamente Fertur Peru Travel!! Estábamos absolutamente encantados Perla Chávez Arcos y el equipo de Fertur Perú Travel por la excelente comunicación y cuidado dado en la planificación de nuestro viaje al Perú! Desde Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, San Blas, Paracus, Huacachina y todos los transportes y excursiones a través de estas ubicaciones nuestros viajes fueron libres de errores y nos sentimos muy bien atendidos por todos los conductores de transporte y guías! No podemos agradecer a Perla y a todos los involucrados lo suficiente y recomendaría trabajar con Fertur Peru Travel para su viaje a Perú! Amparo A2025-08-01Verified Aventuras peruanas Una organización excepcional para un viaje increíble alrededor del Perú. Cada día estaba organizado con sumo cuidado, todos los guías y chóferes excepcionales así como los encargados de la agencia. Repetiría con ellos sin dudarlo Adri B2025-07-21Verified Servicios y soporte excelentes. Yo congratulo y agradezco a Fertur por lo excelente viaje que ellos han organizado para mi y mi esposo. Atención y servicios impecables. Todos los agentes, tours, guías y conductores en los diversos destinos fueron muy competentes y puntuales. Los hoteles contratados también fueron de muy buena calidad. Agradezco a Milagros por la atención y soporte. gp6132025-07-20Verified ¡Qué increíble viaje a Perú (Machu Picchu)! Nuestra familia tuvo un increíble viaje de 8 días a Perú. Esto no hubiera sido posible sin Fertur Travel. Desde la planificación hasta el final del viaje he estado en contacto constante con Meligros u otro agente de viajes de Fertur. Ella es la mejor. Hemos estado en Lima, Paracus, Huccachina, Cusco, Valle Sagrado, Machu Picchu y la montaña Arco Iris. Dunas de arena, deslizamiento de arena y paseo en buggy en Huccachina fueron los mejores en el viaje. Cuando fuimos a Cusco, su colega Alex en Cusco nos dio la bienvenida en el aeropuerto y nos acompañó al hotel. Explicó el plan de viaje del Cusco. El último día nos dejó en el aeropuerto y nos despedimos. Incluso cuando olvidé mi chaqueta en la furgoneta la recuperaron al día siguiente. Nunca tuvimos problemas con la transpotación o acomodación. Nuestros guías y conductores eran impresionantes. Nuestra familia realmente disfrutó del viaje. En julio las montañas en Cusco eran marrones ya que era invierno en Perú. Volveremos a visitar Perú durante el verano y a ver montañas verdes. Agradecemos a Fertur Perú viajes por hacer este viaje tan memorable y agradable. Safari314951302642025-07-07Verified Montaña de 7 colores Hice el tour a la montaña de 7 colores y fue muy bueno, nos recogieron en el Airbnb y al finalizar nos dejaron cerca del mismo, durante el tour la guía estuvo pendiente de todos, lo único es que no llevan botiquín de primeros auxilios ni oxígeno ni nada que pueda usar alguien que lo necesite y tuve que pagar por una pastilla para el dolor de cabeza, de ahí en fuera todo bien me gustó mucho. Cristina T2025-06-27Verified Excelência em prestação de serviços de viagem. Escolhemos o roteiro Peru Cultural com extensão a Huaraz. Foram 24 dias maravilhosos. Primeiro porque tratamos diretamente de São Paulo com a Fertur. Segundo, a agente de viagem, srta. Milagros foi extremamente atenciosa, respondendo prontamente todas as dúvidas e perguntas e nos acompanhou (via WhatsApp) toda a nossa viagem. Terceiro, os prestadores contratados pela Fertur foram ótimos, pontuais e guias conhecedores da história do povo andino. E finalmente só temos elogios e agradecimentos. Matej K2025-05-29Verified Vacaciones inolvidables en América del Sur Tuvimos unas vacaciones fenomenales en Perú, Bolivia y Chile. La agencia Fertur recopiló un itinerario fantástico, que nos dio tiempo suficiente para visitar, relajarnos y conocer gente. Todas las actividades fueron muy oportunas, spot on y la transferencia entre países fue muy suave sin tiempo de espera. Reconocería específicamente a Perla Chávez, que tomó nuestro viaje muy personal y proporcionar una comunicación muy rápida durante nuestro viaje. Qué puedo decir. Muy recomendable, y estamos deseando volver a trabajar con Fertur. Gracias. Gonzalo B2025-05-05Verified Norte de Perú imperdible. Agencia de viajes excelente. La empresa es excelente y seria. La Srta Milagros Quintana no solamente responde enseguida si no que con gran empatía le busca solución a cualquier inconveniente o cambio sobre la marcha. El Norte de Perú, que fue lo que visitamos con mi esposa "no tiene desperdicio". Toda esa historia preincaica y en algunos AC es poco conocida y es apasionante. El Señor de Sipan y la Dama de Cao son increíbles hallazgos.Tuvimos además excelentes guías como Maricarmen, Cinthia (dos Cinthias diferentes) y Arnold). Altamente recomendable. Renas2025-04-29Verified Perú Quiero agradecerles por el viaje perfectamente organizado a Perú. Agencia profesional (gracias especial a Milagros) realmente. Todos los tours, el transporte pedido fue de alta calidad y a tiempo. Recomiendo esta agencia a todo el mundo.Tripadvisor rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 178 reviews
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