We will leave from Cusco very early in the morning by private transportation. We will ride through interesting Andean valleys and picturesque communities. We will visit the pre-Inca tombs of Ninamarca, known as “Chullpas”. Then, we will go to Paucartambo, a typical colonial town that was important in the past and has kept its local flavor. We will continue going up to Acjanacu at 3'850 meters above sea level (12'631 ft). At this point, we will start our descent through the Bosque de Nubes, a zone rich in endemic species, such as the spectacled bear and the Andean cock-of-the-rock, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, etc. We will have lunch en route. Then, we will continue our journey towards Albergue Orquídeas de San Pedro, where we will spend our first night.

Early in the morning we will admire the cock of the rock, the national bird, performing his courtship dance. He has an eye-catching red/orange plumage. After breakfast, we will continue our journey by bus through the high jungle. We will arrive in Pilcopata*, and continue towards the Port of Atalaya, situated on Alto Madre de Dios river, at 700 meters above sea level (2'296 ft). Here we will start our descent through the river (approximately 40 minutes); and take the opportunity to observe the wide range of birds, such as herons, vultures, cormorants, among others. At the end, we will arrive to the private reserve “Erika”, where we will walk along footpaths between the high jungle and the low jungle. Accommodations for the night at Albergue Erika Lodge.

*Free opctional activity 1:  From Pilcopata we will board a canoe (classes I and II) and sail through rivers Koshñipata and/or Alto Madre de Dios, passing by Pongo del Koñeq, a spectacular place, where we will enjoy the view and swim in its clear waters. Duration: 1:30 hours.

*Free opctional activity 2: Erika Lodge guests have the opportunity to traverse at high speed from tree to tree and from platform to platform using pulleys on a zip line, as they fly through the treetops of the Amazonian rainforest. This is a new way of observing the region's wildlife. Expert guides will assist you in this exciting journey and explain what will happen from the moment you leave the ground until you rappel back down. Height: 30 meters.

We will leave early in the morning to the Collpa de Pericos, a clay river wall where different kinds of parrots come each morning lick and extract some clay. Some of the parrot species are: the blue-headed parrot, the white-eyed parakeet, among others. At the end of the visit, we will make a stop at the surveillance post Limonal, where we will show the documents that will allow us to enter the reserved zone. We will sail downstream through Manu river, leaving behind all trace of human contact, heading to the heart of the reserved zone. The voyage will last approximately 4 hours until Cocha Salvador, where we will spend the next two nights camping at Sajino Safari. The site provides double rooms (with mosquito nets), a dining room (with mosquito nets), lavatories (including showers), radio communications and photovoltaic energy. While we sail, we will observe a wide range of birds, caimans, river turtles and mammals. Some of them will be sunbathing at the beaches or feeding from trees. We will realize the vastness of the Peruvian rainforest. After lunch, we will wander around searching for some wild animals and talking about ecology.

Howler monkeys might wake us up in the middle of the night; this is only because they are marking their territory. Before breakfast the temperature is really nice, so we will have a walk in search of animals looking for food. We will explore Cocha Salvador aboard the Catamarán to observe some of the local flora and fauna. Some of the animals we will find are: the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), the hoatzin (Ophisthocomus hoatzin), the spider monkey (Ateles paniscus) and the endangered giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), among others. The giant otter is an important inhabitant of the zone. We might see him fishing, playing around or swimming.

We will cross a primary forest with a wider range of species towards Cocha Otorongo, a lagoon where we will find a 15-meter-high observation tower. From the tower, we will have the opportunity to admire the landscape around us. Also, chances are better for us to spot the resident giant otter family as well as the birds that live in the canopies. We will return to Cocha Salvador aboard the catamarán, we will have some torches with us so we might spot a black caiman sneaking around searching for his prey. Accommodations for the night camping at Sajino Safari.

On day 05, we will also wake up early to walk around Cocha Salvador and have time to pack our luggage. We will go downstream through Manu river towards Boca Manu, a small village in the confluence of rivers Manu and Alto Madre de Dios. From here, the river's name changes to Madre de Dios river, the hydrological axis of the department of Madre de Dios. As the sun sets, we will be arriving at Juan de Dios private reserve, from where we will walk through footpaths. We will spend one more night surrounded by the magic of the Amazonian rainforest. Possibility to do a short night walk in search of the American bullfrog, horned frogs, tree frogs and an incredible variety of colorful insects. Accommodations for the night in a refuge.

In the morning, we will sail through Alto Madre de Dios river observing the wide variety of birds. We will spend the night at Albergue Erika or camping on a beach. This will be our last night in the wonderful Amazonian rainforest.

Very early in the morning, we will continue sailing through the river towards the port of Atalaya. We will be arriving in the afternoon to take a bus back to Cusco. We will arrive in Cusco late at night or the next day very early in the morning.