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We begin at the community of Huacaria and the Pini Pini river, a tributary of the Alto Madre de Dios. On this narrower stretch of river you can see rainforest wildlife in the cliffs and treetops from your raft. It feels like floating through a zoo. After approx. 4 hrs we'll pass by Atalaya then hammock camp on a river island near Salvación. The following morning we'll raft to Lake Machuwasi and Caiman Lake in the morning then we'll raft further down to the parrot clay lick, our next campsite. Early the next day we visit the clay lick then raft another 3.5 hrs to the community of Shintuya followed by Shintuya lodge for a waterfall trek and hot springs. On day 5 we take a motorboat to our second clay lick then transfer to the community of Shintuya and return to Cusco by bus. Rafting total is 61km/38mi.
Duration
Difficulty
Adventure
Walking Distance
Rapids Class
Rafting Distance
Rafting Duration
River Speed
Water Quality
Bugs?
5D4N
2.5 of 5
6 of 10
4km/2.5mi
1-3
61km/38mi
4hrs/day
5-9kph/3-6mph
Excellent
Yes
Day 1 Cusco - Santa Rosa de Huacaria
We leave Cusco at 9 am and drive towards the south then climb up and over the mountains passing by the Chulpas of Ninamarca. We have breakfast in Paucartambo before climbing up to the Acjanaco Pass followed by a 3.5 hr descent reaching the jungle town of Pilcopata then Santa Rosa de Huacaria. After dinner we'll set up for platform camping provided by the community. (* Also Option for Rafting from the K'osñipata river in Pilcopata)
Day 2 Huacaria - Pini Pini - Alto Madre de Dios - Island Campsite
After breakfast we raft class 2 - 3 until we reach the Pini Pini convergence to form the Alto Madre de Dios river which turns into a canyon near Atalaya. In the afternoon we'll reach our campsite on an island in the middle of the Alto Madre De Dios river. Night hammock camping.
Day 3 Lake Machuwasi - Clay Lick Campsite
After breakfast we raft class 1 - 2 down to an opening to a jungle trail to Lake Machuwasi. We'll explore this lake on catamarans then return to the river and raft another 1.5 hrs to our next campsite near the next morning's clay lick. Night hammock camping.
Day 4 Shintuya - Shintuya Lodge - Waterfalls - Hot Springs - Cusco
Early this morning we cross the river to the parrot clay lick, then we'll raft again 3.5 hrs to Shintuya followed by the Shintuya Lodge for hot springs and a jungle trek to waterfalls.
Day 5 Shintuya Clay Lick - Shintuya - Cusco
Early this morning we'll take a motorboat to another clay lick then transfer back to Shintuya and take a bus back to Cusco. We'll arrive in Cusco at night.
Hammock camp at Pini Pini Creek
Related Raft | Manu Rafting and Camping 3 Days | Manu Rafting and Camping 4 Days | Manu Rafting and Camping to Boca Colorado 9 Days | AmazonDay 1 Cusco - Pilcopata - Huacaria
We will leave your hotel in Cusco at 9 am and transfer to the local Manu bus station and head south passing by Lake Huacarpay where we will begin climbing through the Andes mountains through the pueblos of Huambutio and Huancarani then descend into the valley and to Paucartambo (approx. 3 hrs). Along the way we can stop for photos at the Chullpas de Ninamarca (Incan burial towers) before we arrive in Paucartambo for breakfast and short tour at the main plaza. Then we'll climb again in our van until we begin to see cloud formations at the Acjanaco pass at 3502m/11489ft, our gateway into the cloud forest. During our decent into Manu our surroundings begin to seem greener and quickly turn into a lush habitat with views of Amazonian canyons, mountain ranges, waterfalls and drops. We'll stop along the famous birding hotpsot "Manu Road" for lunch and a short birding hike in search of Peru's national bird, the "Cock of the Rock" as well as trogons, woodpeckers, oropendolas etc. then continue on by van for approx. 1 hour reaching the jungle town of Pilcopata then 15 mins to the community of Huacaria. We'll have the afternoon to meet the locals and go on a nature hike. After dinner, we'll set up hammocks at Huacaria's platform camp area followed by a night walk. Night platform camping.
Full Day
30 mins
1+ hr
Hammock
Meals LD
Begin in Pilcopata (Queros River)
Begin in Pilcopata for class 2-3 sections of rapids with breaks in between. You will raft the convergence of the Pini Pini and Queros to form the beginning of the Madre de Dios river which continues through a canyon to Atalaya.
Day 2 Huacaria - Pini Pini River - Alto Madre de Dios Island
After a typical Peruvian breakfast provided by the community we'll carry our packs/rafts a short walk down to the Pini Pini river At the river we'll inflate our rafts and get to know the gear. We'll rig our packs to our boats before setting off down this twisting class 2+ Amazon highway. We may hear monkeys, see passing kingfishers or groups of oropendolas from our packrafts. We will not see tourists or motorized boats until we reach Atalaya and Salvacion 14km/9mi later. The Pini Pini section is the area with the best photo opportunities. Bring a long lens if you have it! After a couple hrs we reach the confluence with the Queros river and we are now rafting the very beginning of the Alto Madre de Dios. We maneuver through a canyon and reach a waterfall spilling into a quiet slow section and now arrive at the port of Atalaya where the river widens. We continue further downriver to a couple of islands to camp on. There is a tapir watering hole on one while another is a good spot for hearing the night calls of the common potoo (Nyctibius griseus). After we're setup, dinner is provided then we will decide on a plan for a night walk where we will be delighted with colorful bioluminescent moths, night birds, generator-sounding crickets and yelping frogs. Night hammock camping.
3 hrs
2 hrs
1+ hr
Hammock
Meals BLD
Day 3 Lake Machuwasi - Colpa Camp
This morning after breakfast we'll pack up and raft downriver a few minutes until we reach an entrance into the forest which will lead us to Lake Machuwasi. We'll hike 20 mins to the lake then use local catamarans to paddle around the lake spotting hoatzin "Shanshos", capybaras, green parrots, turtles, egrets, flycatchers and oropendolas. Afterwards, we'll return to the river and have lunch before a 1.5 hr float downriver to our next campsite near the parrot clay lick "colpa de loros". In the afternoon we can go on a nature walk or swim in the river before dinner. Night walk options. Night hammock camping.
40 mins
20 mins
2 hrs
2 hrs
1+ hr
Hammock
Meals BLD
Day 4 Clay Lick - Shintuya - Shintuya Lodge - Waterfalls - Hot Springs
Early this morning we'll cross the river to the parrot clay lick where flocks of parrots such as the Blue-headed parrot and White-eyed parakeet can be seen licking the clay to get minerals and salt supplements very important for their diet of seeds and fruits. The clay is negatively charged and helps rid their digestive system of toxins. We'll have breakfast here after the show then we'll set off again on our packrafts for 3 hours floating by the Pantiacolla mountain range and its overhanging primary forest canopy until we reach the community of Shintuya. Here, we'll dock our boats and explore this town, try fresh coconut milk, shop at the stores etc. We'll raft again another 45 mins until we reach our lodge where we will have lunch. In the afternoon we'll trek up to the Shinuya waterfalls where we can relax in the pools or jump off the 12-15 ft cliffs! We'll return to the lodge and head down to the beach for dinner next to a bonfire. Afterwards we can rejuvenate in the natural hot springs under the natural moonlight. Night in lodge.
1 hr
3.5 hrs
1 hr
2 hrs
2+ hrs
Lodge
Meals BLD
Day 5 Hot Springs - Shintuya Clay Lick (Weather Permitting) - Shintuya - Cusco
This morning we take a motorboat to the nearby clay lick "collpa de loros" followed by breakfast at the lodge then a 15 min motorboat transfer back to the community of Shintuya. From here we take the local bus back to Salvación where our private van will be waiting to take us back to Cusco arriving at your hotel at night.
1 hr
Full Day
Meals BL
| Group Size | All Included | No Gear | No Gear / Meals | Transp. Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $950 | $900 | $850 | Local |
| 2 | $650 | $600 | $550 | Local |
| 3 | $600 | $550 | $500 | Local |
| 4 | $600 | $550 | $500 | Private |
| 5 | $550 | $500 | $500 | Private |
| All Included | No Gear | No Gear / Meals |
|---|---|---|
| • All Packrafting Equipment • All Camping Equipment • Meals - 4B / 4L / 4D • Reception - Taxi Transfers • RT Local Bus Transfer Cuz - Manu • Lake Machuwasi Entrance • Hot Springs Entrance • 02 Nights Camping • 01 Night Hostal • 01 Night Lodge • English-Speaking Guide |
• Meals - 4B / 4L / 4D • Reception - Taxi Transfers • RT Local Bus Transfer Cuz - Manu • Lake Machuwasi Entrance • Hot Springs Entrance • 02 Nights Camping • 01 Night Hostal • 01 Night Lodge • English-Speaking Guide |
• Reception - Taxi Transfers • RT Local Bus Transfer Cuz - Manu • Lake Machuwasi Entrance • Hot Springs Entrance • 02 Nights Camping • 01 Night Hostal • 01 Night Lodge • English-Speaking Guide |
| All Included | No Gear | No Gear / Meals | Optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Light Sleeping Bag • Backpack (Daypack) • Change of Clothes • Light Jacket • Raincoat / Poncho • Flashlight / Batteries • Hat / Sunblock / Sunglasses • Insect Repellent • Toilet Paper • Snacks • Water Bottle • Swimsuit |
• Packraft / Paddles / PFD • Dry Bag 50l+ • Hammock w/ Bug Net • Rain Tarp • Light Sleeping Bag • Backpack (Daypack) • Change of Clothes • Light Jacket • Raincoat / Poncho • Flashlight / Batteries • Hat / Sunblock / Sunglasses • Insect Repellent • Toilet Paper • Snacks • Water Bottle • Swimsuit |
• Cook Kit / Gas • Meals (4B / 4L / 4D) • Packraft / Paddles / PFD • Dry Bag 50l+ • Hammock w/ Bug Net • Rain Tarp • Light Sleeping Bag • Backpack (Daypack) • Change of Clothes • Light Jacket • Raincoat/Poncho • Flashlight/Batteries • Hat / Sunblock / Sunglasses • Insect Repellent • Toilet Paper • Snacks • Water Bottle • Swimsuit |
• Camp Chair • Binoculars • Long Camera Lens • Afterbite |
• Prices are per person according to your group size.
• All prices are for your own private group. We will not "pool" your group with other groups.
• We require a deposit which we refund 100% with the return of all undamaged equipment.
• We have included prices for those wanting to bring their own camping gear and/or meals. For all 3 options your transportation, lodging and guide are included. Contact us if you will be bringing specific gear for adjusted prices.
• "Local" transportation is a 15 passenger Sprinter van which is available to the public. You will be sharing the bus with local Peruvians. We leave Cusco at 11 am and arrive in Manu at dusk to dark. There is only 1 stop in Pilcopata for lunch. The Mercedez Sprinter is a high ceiling passenger van built for comfort.
• "Private" transportation is an 11 passenger Toyota H1 van for your group only (Sprinter also avail). We leave Cusco at 5 am with time for stops for breakfast, lunch, photos and a 30 min birding hike along the "Manu Road". We will arrive in Manu in the early afternoon.
• There are also options for private transportion for groups of 1-3 with an additional cost or local transportion for groups of 3 or more with slightly lower costs. Contact us for more info.
• Contact us if your group is larger than 5 people for more options.
Cancellations: We are not responsible for natural occurances, delayed or cancelled flights, political protests or personal sickness.
Refunds: Tours and deposits (partial payments) are 100% refundable if cancelled within 2 months of your reserved start date. Partial refunds of 50% are available up until 2 weeks of your reserved start date. This is to protect us from any loss as we operate 1 group at a time. If we have reserved your dates then denied availability to another we are unable to fully refund a deposit or full payment according to specified time limits.
Gear: Our equipment is expensive and has to be imported so we require a 100% refundable deposit (specified in "Rates") in case of any loss. This is 100% refundable at our office in Cusco following our trip provided that all gear is returned and undamaged. This includes replacing any lost items, repairing holes in packrafts or mosquito nets etc. We're in this together and any lost or damaged gear in the field can make for a difficult trip. Please follow our simple guidelines for gear care.
Gear Care: Please review the following helpful guidelines in order to avoid any additional fees.
1. For our jungle trips and after arriving to our campsites on the river bank, simply deflate your raft. Please do not carry your raft into the forest. At most campsites there are bamboo thorns which can put holes in your boat. Your guide is responsible for taking care of your boat at campsites. Please do not under any circumstance carry a fully inflated packraft into the forest!
2. Keep a list of provided gear and check this list every morning before rafting. You are responsible for any gear items left behind at campsites. Your guide is unable to check all items for all group members. If something is missing please bring it to your guide's attention.
3. Be mindful of your boat's inflation volume (tightness). It can get hot in the jungle and regulation is very important as to prevent any warping to your packraft.
4. No smoking in your boat or in your hammock. You do not want to sink or let any bugs in.
Safety: We are not responsible for any injuries, sickness or accidental death. Sorry, we've got to put it out there but know that we have not have had any issues thus far. Although the jungle has been portrayed as a dangerous environment with flesh eating disease, hungry piranhas and man-eating caimans, this is not the case. You are more likely to hurt yourself with your own machete or with a nasty fall. As with any forestal environments there are precautions to take such as watch where you step and what you touch. Be aware of your surroundings always. Listen to your guide's instructions both on the river and at camp and most of all, have a humble attitude. The Amazon commands the greatest respect from the most experienced campers to local guides to the indigenous for good reason. For experienced rafters, the river may not act according to your experience creating eddies where they shouldn't be or unexpected moments of turbulence from below the surface.
Machete Safety: Always swing your machete away from your body, never towards your limbs and especially your legs. Be aware of anyone in close proximity and warn others nearby of anything you need to cut down. Do not cut anything towards your arms or hands such as small sticks, cordage etc. Always cut out and away. If you are unsure of any machete work, let your guide help or do it for you.
River Safety: No experience is required for most of our rafting trips as we mainly stick with class 1-2+ whitewater. Please consult with us before booking as we are not responsible for river levels and changing conditions nor are we responsible for your boating skills. In most cases there is a road which follows our river so at any time you do not want to continue, let your guide know. Not to worry, we prefer calmer rivers for sightseeing as opposed to wild and rocky adrenaline rushes.
Conclusion: Whew! We don't like these things either and appreciate you taking the time to read this. Glad that's over now let's just have fun! We are sure it will all go well, but if you have any questions or concerns just let us know. We are happy to help.
