Manu Park Wildlife & Culture – 7 Days

Amazon Wildlife ExperiencesAmazon Wildlife Experiences

From Wildlife to Ancient Culture: An Insightful Trip to Manu 7 Days

Are you looking for the ultimate Amazon Wildlife & Cultural Experience? Look no further. Our 7-day Tour takes you to discover the amazing animals, plants, and landscapes found in Manu National Park – one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

Starting in Cuzco, we will drive along the Andean mountains, traversing the Cloud Fores, and begin our exciting adventure! We will explore the various ecosystems and habitats in the park from 3,800 to 200 meters in elevation, observing a wide variety of unique bird species, colorful frogs, reptiles, and exotic mammals. We’ll also visit remote tribal villages, and learn about their traditional way of life.

Surround yourself with the hundreds of species of inhabitants such as; birds, reptiles, fish, monkeys, sloths, giant river otters, caymans, and in particular, the wildcats.

What Makes this Tour Unique?

A Voyage of Discovery: Wildlife–spotting and Gaining Insight into the Ancient Culture of Manu

Spending a whole week certainly heightens your chances of seeing more of what this vast area has to offer. Even more, broadening your horizon, to witness what Manu National Park has in store for you.

Travel by car isn’t the only thing, cruising down the river in the motorboat, waving to the animals on the banks. Not to forget trekking through the lush forests, listening to the birds overhead, and the monkeys lounging in the trees. This tour creates an overflowing experience that will knock your socks off.

From the wildlife to the dramatic scenery that encapsulates you. Get ready and pack to visit one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, the real highlights are the wildlife and the ancient tribes

Pankotsi Lodge “Matsiguenka Tribe”

The Shipeteari Community is a remote Amazonian Tribe that provides visitors with a unique opportunity to learn about their culture and traditions. The Community of Shipeteari is located close to the banks of the Alto Madre de Dios River.

The natives of Shipeteari are passionate about preserving their culture and traditions. Visitors may be invited to participate in traditional hunts and spend the night in an indigenous hut. Furthermore, visitors will likely learn about the customs and beliefs of the tribe, which will offer them an insight into the unique world of Matsiguenka culture.

Visiting the remote “Native Community of Shipeteari” is an incredible way to learn about the traditional culture and lifestyle of this unique Amazonian people. Visitors will have the chance to experience centuries–old traditions first–hand and better understand the intricacies of living in the Amazon rainforest. This experience is sure to leave an unforgettable impression on anyone fortunate enough to visit.

Macaw Clay lick at Casa Matsiguenka

Macaw Clay Lick is one of nature’s most remarkable displays in the Amazon Rainforest. Visiting Casa Matsiguenka you will experience how the Red and Green Macaws congregate each day to feast on the clay of these ancient banks.

The Macaw clay licks are a very important part of the environment providing nutritional and social benefits to the Macaw population.

They are generally coupled and must gather in large numbers to completely change their diet. It has been speculated that Macaws ingest clay to neutralize the strong acids they gain from their primary food sources. The season to observe the clay licks are during the dry season in June, July, August, and September when the macaws gather around dawn and mid-day. 

To get the most out of a visit to Macaw Clay Lick,  follow your guide’s recommendations and advice since it has a productive activity depending on some factors; weather conditions, predators’ presence, season, etc.

The best way to observe the phenomenon is to stay as still as possible and not make any sudden moves while staying at the viewing platform 

Salvador Oxbow Lake

The Oxbow Lake in the Amazon Rainforest provides an unparalleled opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. From majestic birds to Giant River Otters, native wildlife abounds in abundance at this tranquil lake located in the core of the Manu National Park. With a highly biodiverse array of species, visitors can witness the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem firsthand. Accessible by a short hike from the shores of the Manu River, the Salvador, and Otorongo Oxbow Lakes offer an abundance of activities to keep visitors mesmerized throughout the day.

From incredible observation towers and multi-located docks that overlook the lake and provide a stunning view of the rainforest, to a hiking network of trails that wind through the primary forest and provide breathtaking views of the surrounding rainforest. 

Wildlife encounters are a highlight, with the sizable wildlife population, including a variety of primates, peccaries, snakes, spiders, frogs, and more. The Oxbow Lakes is also a great destination for those interested in Photography and Birding 

Mammals Clay Licks at Pankotsi

The mammal’s clay lick also known as a mineral lick or salt lick, is a unique natural feature where certain animals such as; tapirs, peccaries, deers, monkeys on day time, and large birds like guans go to lick the mineral-rich clay inside the forest.

The animals come to the lick mostly in the nighttime from several miles away, drawn by the salty clay that helps them absorb essential minerals and salts not otherwise available in the area. The lick also provides animals with a safe place to socialize.

With the help of our local guides, we had the wonderful opportunity to observe some nocturnal animals in their natural environment. Visiting Pankotsi Lodge to see nocturnal animals at the mammal’s clay lick is an unforgettable and exciting experience. 

Visitors will be able to listen to the local guides share stories about the mammals inhabiting the area, as well as facts about the clay lick. This gives a unique insight into the life and behavior of these fascinating creatures.

Amazon Wildlife Experience Lodges?

During this 7-day Amazon Wildlife Experience in Manu, you get the chance to stay at three lodges. Possibly the best available lodges for wildlife and culture in Manu National Park.

Guadalupe Lodge

Located on the lush foothill forest over 580 m / 1, 902 ft in elevation. The lodge looks out over the magical palm forest with colorful blue and yellow macaws flying over, it and thousands of oropendolas.

Guadalupe Lodge lies within the booming bamboo forest. The lodge has private bathroom facilities and a bonus of showers with hot water. Lights and electricity, 24 hours from solar panels, and free WIFI.

The garden flourished with beautiful greenery, the plants which aid in attracting the animals. The surroundings hold especially gorgeous views from the terrace of the dining room.

Pankotsi Lodge

Native community lodge located in the vicinity of Manu National Park, with five well-equipped bungalows with excellent triple rooms and outdoor bathrooms. Managed by the Shipetiari Native Community in cooperation with NGOs and Tour Operators. An excellent option for those who want to combine nature with culture.

Casa Matsiguenka

Above all, what we like about this Lodge, is the beautiful environment that surrounds it. We have lovely rooms with peace and quiet in a remote setting like the other camps inside Manu National Park.

As a result, the wildlife spotting is exceptionally good. Each bungalow has two beds, equipped with mosquito netting. The bathroom facilities are shared in a separate building

Electricity is provided by solar panels. There is a separate building with a kitchen and a small dining room, where meals can be taken. The Lodge is special like no other. It is run by Matsiguenka Natives, which adds a more authentic air, making it different from the other lodge management.

What about the Temperature?

The first night will be spent in the base of the cloud forest, Guadalupe Lodge, at around 620 meters in elevation. The temperature is about 18 degrees Celsius (64 F).

At Manu’s lowland rainforest, (Lower elevation) the temperature at night is normally around 24 degrees Celsius (75F) and during the day about 30 degrees Celsius (86F).

However, cold winds from Patagonia may reach the Manu rainforest and the temperature may lower to about 10 degrees Celsius (50F). These “Friajes” are  more common during the southern hemisphere’s wintertime (between April and the end of August)