MANU HIDDEN PARADISE & PUSHARO PETROGLYPHS TOUR 5D/4N
Manu
Journey into the Ancient Mysteries of the Peruvian Amazon
The Manu Hidden Paradise & Pusharo Petroglyphs Tour is a thrilling five-day expedition that seamlessly blends the unmatched biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon with its rich indigenous heritage. Your journey begins in Cusco, descending through dramatic cloud forests into the vibrant lowland rainforest. Along the way, you will witness breathtaking landscapes, encounter diverse wildlife, and connect deeply with local native communities.
The crown jewel of this adventure is the enigmatic Pusharo Petroglyphs. Tucked away along the Palotoa River deep within Manu National Park, these ancient rock carvings are steeped in local legends and tied to the mythical lost city of Paititi. This immersive expedition perfectly balances nature, archaeology, and living traditions—offering vibrant birdwatching, scenic river navigation, hidden jungle lakes, and a warm welcome from the Palotoa Teparo Native Community.
Duration
5 Days
Difficulty level
2/5
Languages
Spanish, English
Guide
Included in the service
Transfers
All transfers included
What’s Included?
It is included:
- Private ground transportation
- Private river transportation
- Professional specialized guide
- Telescope and binoculars
- 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Snacks
- Mineral water
- Comfortable lodge accommodation with private bathrooms (where available)
- Professional support staff, including cook, driver, and boat crew, Safety equipment, First aid kit
- Entrance fees to all scheduled tourist attractions, Entrance to the Pusharo, Community, Entrance to the Pusharo Petroglyphs
- Solar-powered battery charging
- Optional guided night walks
Not included:
- Breakfast on Day 1
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks
- Water on the first day
Itinerary
Day 1 .- CUSCO - PAUCARTAMBO - CLOUD FOREST - PILCOPATA
We start with pick up from the hotel at 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. in our comfortable private bus. On the way we visit the funerary towers or Chullpas of Ninamarca at 3750 meters above sea level and a brief visit to Paucartambo, a folkloric town, and a colonial bridge. Then we ascend to the upper area of Paucartambo, the Acjanaco sector. (4,000 meters above sea level) This is the starting point for the Manu National Park. Then we descend through the mysterious cloud forest which houses a great variety of flora and fauna, full of beautiful orchids, heliconias and primitive ferns. We take a walk to give you the opportunity to witness the Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupícola peruviana) in the mating ritual. There are also possibilities of observing Trogons (Trogon sp.), Quetzals and much more and if we are lucky we can observe the Spectacled Bear (Tremantus ornatos). In the afternoon we arrive at a town called Pilcopata at 550 meters above sea level where our typical hostel is located outside the town with private bathrooms and showers where we will spend the night.
Day 2.- MANU GREEN LODGE - ATALAYA - MACHUWASI - PAITITI HOSTEL
After a delicious breakfast, we continue our trip by bus to Atalaya 45 minutes, height of 490 meters above sea level, where we will embark on a boat for 30 minutes to the Paititi lodge where we will spend the night in our typical lodge with private bathrooms and showers on the way we will observe a variety of animals. After a delicious lunch, in the afternoon we will go to Cocha Machuwasi, where we will ride on a typical catamaran of the area, to observe a great variety of birds such as the Shansho (Ophisthocomus hoatín), monkeys, reptiles, dwarf caimans and insects, and maybe some ronsocos (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris). At night we have the optional night trekking program. Night in lodge with private bathrooms and showers available.
Day 3.- PAITITI LODGE - PARROT LICK - PALOTOA TEPARO NATIVE COMMUNITY
After breakfast we will visit a parrot clay lick and then return by boat to the native community of Teparo Palotoa before Santa Cruz. We will be received by the representative of the community and then we will travel in small canoes to the native community of Teparo. Overnight in tents or basic shelter.
Day 4.- PUSHARO - PETROGLYPHS - PALOTOA TEPARO
After our typical breakfast prepared by the families we will go to get the Pongo de Meganto, where the high concentration of the best recorded canta is found. These manifestations amaze local, foreign and many scientific explorers, the Pusharo area is related to the legendary PAITITI the lost city of gold (EL DORADO). Members of the Palotoa Teparo native community consider Pusharo as the territory of their ancestors and the interrelation with the petroglyphs, still until a few years ago, as part of their rituals associated with the collection and the house. In the afternoon we will return to Palotoa Teparo native community where we will spend the night.
Day 5.- PALOTOA TEPARO - ATALAYA - CUSCO
After our typical breakfast prepared by the families we will return to Atalaya also stopping frequently to observe wildlife along the way by motorboat and then continue our return to the ancient Inca city, driving us through the cloud forest and we will arrive in Cusco at 9:30 pm.
Extra Details
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