Ecotone
Key Facts
Lodges & Facilities
5 partner properties across 3 routes:
• Wayqecha Lodge — Cloud forest research station set in 1,400 protected acres; 6 private cabins for max 24 guests; hot shower, queen bed, cloud forest views
• Manu Bio-Lodge — 6 en suite cabins, comfortable beds (single or double) with mosquito nets, fan, chairs, luggage and clothes rack. More than 40 km of trails across many habitat types, such as bamboo forests, riverine habitats, pre-montane forests.
• Romero Rainforest Lodge — Located deep within Manu National Park; 8 private rooms with en-suite hot showers; twin/double rooms; wildlife observation platforms and oxbow lakes (Crees operated)
• Soqtapata Lodge — B Corp certified lodge in the Camanti cloud forest buffer zone; 1 private cottage + 6 double rooms; adjacent to CIDS R&D centre
• Manu Learning Centre — Remote research and education eco-lodge in the Manu Biosphere Reserve buffer zone (Crees-operated) 16 rooms with private / shared bathroom.
Facilities and Activities: Research stations, field laboratories, wildlife observation platforms, oxbow lake access, trail networks, guide-led excursions, dining included in all programmes
Internet: Limited or no connectivity at most properties — by design, part of the immersive experience.
Group Size: Maximum 8 guests per group across all classic and signature programmes, private trips also available.
Programmes & Excursions
Classic Nature (from Cusco, all-inclusive):
• Andean Cloud Forest 3D/2N — Manu Road
• Manu Gradient Expedition 3D/2N & 4D/3N — Manu Road
• Soqtapata Pristine Immersion 3D/2N & 4D/3N — Camanti Route
Signature Expeditions:
• Family Discovery Quest 5D/4N — Manu Road
• Manu Core Frontier 6D/5N — Manu Core
Experiential Learning & Volunteering:
• Manu Learning Centre 2, 4 and 6 -Week Volunteer Programmes
• O Trip 4-Week Special Edition
• Biodiversity Experiential Learning
• Conservation Internship
Tailor Made: Custom programmes for school groups, researchers, families, corporate, and solo explorers. Any route, any duration.
Dates of Operation
Open year-round. Dry season (May–October) is optimal for wildlife observation and trail access. Wet season (November–April) remains operational and offers lush, vibrant scenery; some trail access may be affected.
Rates from
From USD 986 per person (Soqtapata Pristine Immersion 3D/2N, shared departure, double room)
For full rates see the Commercial Programmes Index 2026–2027 or contact Senderos.
Rates Include
• All accommodation throughout
• All meals (fully inclusive from Cusco)
• All internal transport on route
• Expert naturalist and conservation guide throughout
• All excursions, activities, and field experiences as per itinerary
• Entry fees to protected areas and reserves
Minimum Age: No minimum for most programmes. Family Discovery Quest suitable for families with children. Volunteering require participants aged 18+.
Minimum Stay: 3 days / 2 nights (Classic Nature). Experiential Learning programs from 2 weeks.
Senderos Recommends
The Manu Gradient Expedition 4D/3N is a great introduction, combining cloud forest and Amazon experiences with expert interpretation. For deeper engagement, the Manu Core Frontier (6D/5N) is a flagship experience.
Sustainability
• Ecotone operates as a regenerative travel platform, designing experiences that actively channel tourism revenue into the long-term protection of the Manu Biosphere Reserve and Camanti cloud forests — among the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems on Earth.
• Through its alliance with Crees, a conservation NGO and research institution with decades of field presence in the Manu landscape, Ecotone provides direct operational and financial support to ongoing biodiversity monitoring, community engagement and conservation science.
• Soqtapata Lodge, a key partner property, is operated by HERPIRO — a certified B Corp — and sits adjacent to CIDS, an active R&D centre for biology, conservation, architecture, and social innovation.
• All programs are designed with low-impact principles: small group maximums (8 guests), local expert employment, use of existing protected-area infrastructure, and a deliberate rejection of high-volume, high-footprint tourism models.
Need to know:
- This is not just 1 jungle lodge — it is a field platform and experience curator. Ecotone does not own all its properties; it curates access across a network of lodges, biological stations, and protected areas. Expert interpretation and access.
- Group size – all classic and signature programmes cap at 8 guests. This delivers an intimacy and quality of guiding that large-group operators simply cannot match in these landscapes. Private journeys also available.
- Expert-led, science-backed interpretation Guides are naturalists, biologists, and conservation professionals — not generic tour guides. The knowledge depth on flora, fauna, ecosystems, and conservation is exceptional
- Altitude acclimatisation is important to flag, Cusco is at 3,400m above sea level before we drop down. Guests should arrive at least 1 day early and take appropriate precautions.
- Not for those expecting luxury, the lodges are comfortable, well-run, and characterful, this is immersive conservation travel.
- The threats to this incalculably valuable biodiversity are real, tourism can provide a key renewal income for communities instead of gold mining and timber extraction.
Perfect for:
Wildlife enthusiasts & purpose-driven travellers seeking genuine scientific immersion, rare access, and a meaningful contribution to conservation in one of Earth’s most biodiverse landscapes.
Gallery & Resources
Follow this link to Senderos Resources for access to:
• Images (our selection)
• Fact sheets
• Presentations
• Videos
• Rack rates (see Commercial Programmes Index 2026–2027)
• PDFs
• And other useful information
Contact us if you need anything else.
Ecotone also maintain their own image and media resources. Commercial-use photos & videos are organised in the Google Drive media folders linked in the Commercial Programmes Index.
Getting there
Base: All programmes to Manu depart by road from Cusco, Peru (Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport — CUZ).
By Road
Transfer times from Cusco vary by program and lodge: • Wayqecha Lodge / Manu Road: approximately 4–5 hours by road via the Manu Road (cloud forest descent) • Soqtapata Lodge / Camanti Route: approximately 3–4 hours via the Camanti Valley • Romero Rainforest Lodge / Manu Core: road transfer plus internal river boat travel — full day journey into the National Park
By Boat
Motorised river transport used for access to Manu Core lodges (Romero, Manu Learning Centre).
By Air
Fly to Cusco (CUZ) from Lima (LIM) — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Multiple daily flights. International connections via Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport).
Weather
The Manu Biosphere Reserve and Camanti cloud forests experience a tropical highland climate shaped by dramatic altitude variation — from Cusco at 3,400m down to lowland Amazon at under 400m. Conditions vary considerably between routes and altitudes, making layered, adaptable clothing essential for all programs.
Dry Season (May–October): The most popular travel period. Cooler, clearer days with excellent wildlife visibility and trail access. Cusco temperatures: 5–19°C. Cloud forest: 8–18°C. Amazon lowlands: 22–32°C. Nights can be cold at altitude.
Wet Season (November–April): Lush, intensely green landscapes with active birdlife and spectacular vegetation. Higher humidity and regular afternoon rainfall. Occasional trail and road disruption. Amazon temperatures: 24–35°C. Cloud forest: 12–22°C. Best avoided for those with mobility or trail-access concerns.