Perú Journeys offers a special destination in Manu: Manu Blanquillo and Maquisapayoj, to discover the trails through primary forest. Blanquillo and Maquisapayoj are private nature reserves, situated southeast of the Manu National Park, only a short boat ride away from Boca Manu village where you find the Manu Airstrip.
Blanquillo offers ideal conditions to observe Giant River Otters at the nearby lakes and Macaws, Parrots and Parakeets at the best Macaw Clay Lick in Manu. As there is no Macaw Clay Lick open for tourism inside the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park, Blanquillo is the ideal spot in Manu to observe macaws and other animals, especially if you don’t have much time or want to avoid long boat travel.
On the Manu Blanquillo program you spend less time travelling on the boat and thus have more time to explore the trails, oxbow lakes and small rivers in dugout canoes. From our Maquisapayoj Lodge you have more chances to observe macaws and tapirs.
On both tours (Blanquillo or National Park) you have the same opportunities to see animals.

Early in the morning we leave Cusco in our private bus (Bus trip aprox. 12 hours). We ascend to the high mountain area at 4000m (13000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through the cloud forest with its lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios River. You will enjoy spectacular views of the cloud forest and can see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana), brilliantly colored Tanagers, Quetzals, Hummingbirds and possibly the first monkeys, e.g. the Woolly Monkey. In the afternoon we arrive to Atalaya (500m), from where it is only 15 minutes by boat to our Rio de Oro Lodge (double rooms). Optional night walk.

We get up early to visit the small parrot clay lick 10 minutes downstream. After observing parrots, parakeets and small macaws (Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rare Blue headed Macaw) we have breakfast and continue our journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River (7 to 8 hours). We can enjoy the changing landscape and have the opportunity to see the wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive to Maquisapayoj Lodge ("Place of the Black Spider Monkey"). We spend the night in Maquisapayoj Lodge (double rooms). Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

Early in the morning we take the boat to the big Macaw Clay Lick in Blanquillo. From the blind we can observe flocks of macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao), parrots and parakeets congregating to eat the clay, which is essential for their digestion. We have breakfast at the blind. Later we explore some of the trails in Blanquillo to see more species of monkeys and birds. After lunch we visit Camungo oxbow lake. We take a wooden catamaran to observe Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and different varieties of birds. Nearby we have the opportunity to climb a 42m tower to get a great canopy view and observe birds, e.g. toucans. In the afternoon we walk back to the river and we travel upriver for one hour to return to Maquisapayoj. From the river we walk about 1 ½ hours through primary rainforest to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. If you prefer you can spend the night in the Lodge close to the river.

At dawn we return to the lodge to have breakfast. Afterwards we travel downriver for about 40 minutes to visit "Cocha Blanco" (Blanco Lake). We take a wooden catamaran to explore the oxbow-lake and look for the family of Giant River Otters that lives here. We enjoy the beautiful setting at the lake and can also see monkeys (e.g. Red Howler Monkey), caimans and different varieties of birds. Returning we have a walk on some of Blanquillo’s trails before lunch. In the afternoon we can visit another oxbow lake in the area or return to Maquisapayoj by boat to explore the trails in Maquisapayoj. With some luck we can also see some bigger animals like sloth or anteater. We spend the night in Maquisapayoj, either on the platform at the Mammal Salt Lick or in the Lodge.

We have breakfast at the lodge. Later we explore other trails around Maquisapayoj looking for Black Spider and Red Howler Monkeys, White and Brown Capuchin, Emperor and Saddle backed Tamarin, Monk Saki Monkey, Pavonine Quetzal, Manakins and other birds. The guide will also show and explain us some important plants and insects. We spend the night at Maquisapayoj, either on the tapir platform or in the Lodge.
(Today the participants of the 5 day tour fly back 45 minutes to Cusco from the Boca Manu airstrip)

We travel upriver to make our way back to Cusco. Our first stop is in Boca Manu village, where the participants of the 6 day tour take a small plane to Cusco. The people doing the 8 day tour continue further upriver by boat and camp at Yanayacu beach on the Alto Madre de Dios River for this night. If time allows we make a short visit to the Piro Indian village of Diamante.

Commercial flight in a jet plane from Puerto Maldonado:
As a special service we can offer you a flight from Puerto Maldonado in a jet plane to Cusco or directly to Lima! If you are interested please request the respective itinerary and prices.

Today we continue travelling upriver, always looking for animals along the river banks. We make a short stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) and continue to Rio de Oro Lodge close to Atalaya. In the afternoon we can visit Machuwasi Lake and walk on some of the trails. We spend the night at Rio de Oro Lodge.

After breakfast we take the boat back to Atalaya where our bus is waiting and start the return trip to Cusco, where we'll arrive around 6 pm.