Begin your journey with a 6:00 am pick-up from your designated hotel in Cusco. Travel in a modern van along the Paucartambo-Kosñipata highway, embarking on a scenic 7-hour drive to reach the San Pedro area. Along the way, we will stop in Paucartambo for a delightful breakfast and visits to Las Chullpas de Ninanmarca and the Paucartambo museum.

Continuing onwards, you will ascend to the Acjanaco Pass, which serves as the entrance to the biosphere of Manu National Park. This leg of the journey offers diverse opportunities to observe ecosystems unique to the region. Upon arrival in the San Pedro area, we will visit the lek of the Cock of the Rock, providing ample time to admire this renowned bird species.

Following this captivating encounter, a leisurely trail walk will lead us to the Cock of the Rock Lodge, our destination for the night. Nestled in nature, this lodge promises a distinctive and immersive experience. Relax and absorb the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings as you settle in for the night.

We will rise early in the morning for a hearty breakfast before continuing our journey towards the port of Atalaya via the Paucartambo-Kosñipata highway. Along the way, we will visit the wildlife rescue center “Dos Loritos” and an orchid garden. By approximately 10:00 am, we will arrive at Atalaya. From there, we will board a boat headed towards Tambo Blanquillo Lodge, a journey of approximately 7 hours. During the boat ride, we will enjoy a delicious lunch while marveling at the beauty of the Alto Madre de Dios River, abundant with diverse flora and fauna.

In the afternoon, we will arrive at the exclusive Tambo Blanquillo Private Reserve. Here, we will take a leisurely walk to familiarize ourselves with the lodge and its surroundings. Located in the buffer zone of Manu National Park, this pristine jungle area offers an abundance of natural wonders. Its remote location makes it a haven for birdwatching, boasting around 900 of the 1500 bird species found in Peru—an unparalleled paradise for bird enthusiasts.

Later in the afternoon, we will take a stroll to the nearby Blanquillo Oxbow Lake, our first destination. Here, we will navigate the lake using a paddle catamaran and kayak, focusing on spotting Black Caimans that frequent the lake shores. The soothing sounds of paddling and the chorus of birds will immerse you in a world of peace and serenity.

Afterwards, we will return to the lodge to rest and recharge, marking our first night in the Peruvian jungle with a well-deserved sleep.

We will rise before sunrise, around 5:00 am, and journey to one of the world’s most significant Macaw Clay Licks: the Tambo Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick. After a 15-minute boat ride and a 45-minute hike through a secondary forest, we will arrive at the Clay Lick.

A spacious observation blind, situated just 50 meters from the Clay Lick, provides an optimal vantage point for witnessing an extraordinary display of wildlife. Positioned so close, you won’t even need to zoom on your cameras! As the sun illuminates the ancient trees, a vibrant spectacle unfolds before us: hundreds of parakeets, parrots, and numerous Macaws gather to ingest clay, essential for maintaining their pH balance. Red-and-green Macaws, Scarlet Macaws, and other species arrive in twos and threes, perching in the treetops before descending to the clay banks below—the main stage. Occasionally, a Great Black Hawk may disrupt the gathering. After a patient wait, the Macaws descend to the banks, creating a colorful and cacophonous display as they consume the mineral-rich clay. As we witness this spectacle, we will enjoy a leisurely and satisfying breakfast.

In the afternoon, we will embark on a stroll to the nearby Blanquillo Oxbow Lake. Here, we can navigate the tranquil waters in a paddle catamaran or kayak. While exploring, we will have opportunities to spot various bird species and focus on finding black caimans resting along the lake’s shores. The rhythmic sound of paddling combined with the chorus of birds will immerse us in a serene and joyful atmosphere.

Dinner will be served early in the evening to prepare for an early start the next day.

Early in the morning, after enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will set out for one of the most biodiverse Oxbow Lakes in the Tambo Blanquillo area: Camungo Oxbow Lake. This pristine habitat is home to families of giant river otters, kingfishers, flycatchers, and rare Neotropical birds like the colorful Agami Heron. We will explore the lake aboard a paddle catamaran, providing a stable platform for capturing priceless photographs as we gently glide through the water.

Following our lake excursion, we will return to the lodge around noon to savor a delightful, typical Manu-Rainforest lunch prepared by our local chef.

In the afternoon, we will embark on the Camungo Loop, an essential part of our visit to this area. No trip to Camungo is complete without ascending the Camungo Observation Tower—the tallest observation tower in the Peruvian Amazon, soaring 50 meters above the forest floor. Built next to a centuries-old ceiba tree, the tower is designed to ensure it does not interfere with the tree’s growth. From the top, we will observe jacamars hunting, monkeys swinging through the canopy, and diverse flocks of up to 100 bird species flying past us. We may even catch a glimpse of macaws returning home from the Macaw Clay Lick.

After this exhilarating activity, we will return to the lodge to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Following a wholesome breakfast, we will dedicate most of the day to visiting the region’s most significant Oxbow Lake, Blanco Oxbow Lake. During the brief 10-minute boat ride to the lake, it’s not uncommon to spot peccaries and other mammals along the riverbanks. Visitors often marvel at the sight of Jaguars basking in the early morning sun after their night of hunting.

Once on the lake, we will navigate its waters aboard another of our catamarans, each lake equipped with its own. Blanco Oxbow Lake teems with wildlife, including giant river otters, caimans, and other apex predators. Monkeys gather in groups, feeding on fruiting trees along the lake’s edge, while snail kites feast on the abundant snails. Renowned for birdwatching, this lake boasts sightings of over 600 bird species in the region.

After our lake exploration, we will return to the lodge for a delightful lunch and a relaxing afternoon.

Following lunch, we will visit the Mammal Clay Lick, accessed after a scenic one-hour walk along the Mammal Trail. Along the way, we may encounter various monkey species like the spider monkey, as well as reptiles and invertebrates. At the Mammal Clay Lick, we will settle into unique tents positioned for optimal viewing as tapirs, huanganas, ronsocos, and occasionally jaguars arrive to consume clay—a behavior also seen in macaws to balance their pH levels.

Please note, the visit to this attraction may vary depending on the season. During dry months from June to December, wildlife activity at the clay lick diminishes due to reduced humidity. In such cases, your guide will suggest alternative trails with better chances of wildlife sightings.

In the evening, we will enjoy a delicious dinner and soak in the breathtaking night sky at Tambo Blanquillo Private Reserve, our last night in this pristine setting under the brilliance of the stars and moon.

Early in the morning, we will commence our return journey to civilization with an exhilarating 2.5-hour downstream boat ride along the Madre de Dios River at dawn. While aboard, a nutritious breakfast will be served, allowing us to observe the lively morning wildlife activity along the riverbanks.

During the journey, we will keep an eye out for raptors soaring in the sky against the backdrop of the rising sun, and we may catch glimpses of mammals resting on the beaches. Along the way, we will pass by several indigenous settlements of the lowlands and witness large groups of cattle grazing along the river banks.

Upon reaching Colorado, we will transition to an overland journey to Puerto Carlos, a scenic 45-minute drive, followed by a 15-minute boat trip across the Iñambari River to Santa Rosa. From Santa Rosa, a comfortable van will transport us to either Puerto Maldonado or Cusco, based on the group’s preference.

This marks the conclusion of our unforgettable journey through the heart of the Amazon rainforest, filled with diverse wildlife encounters and breathtaking natural landscapes.