Kuporo' Lodge: Amazonian experience in cusco

Kuporo Lodge:
Amazonian Experience in Cusco

About the Tour

Kuporo’, in the Harakmbut language (spoken by those who inhabited the area long ago), means “tree that bears seed-filled fruit where birds come to eat.” This is exactly what we hope for our visitors—to be nourished by the experiences that Kuporo’ and its spectacular surroundings provide. Experiences that we hope will spread across the world and bear fruit.

Kuporo’ offers a comfortable space with excellent services, serving as a base to explore the surrounding area. It is a sustainable accommodation dedicated to preserving the region where it is located.

Day 1 | Cusco - Quince Mil - Kuporo Lodge

We depart from Cusco heading south along the road to Lake Titicaca. Our first stop will be the town of Andahuaylillas, where we’ll visit its beautiful church, often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes,” renowned for the historic frescoes that adorn its interior walls. We continue towards the town of Urcos, and a few kilometers past the town center, we take a left turn onto the Interoceanic Highway. This road spans the entire South American continent, ending on the Brazilian coast, but before descending to the Amazon lowlands, it takes us through the highlands of rolling hills and snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota Range. This area is dominated by Ausangate (6,385 masl), the primary Apu (sacred mountain) for the Andean inhabitants of the region since Inca and pre-Inca times.

We will drive across three mountain passes, the highest being Pirhuayani at 4,725 masl, offering spectacular views of the expansive Callangate glacier (6,110 masl). Near the town of Tinque, we’ll pause to sample local cheese and high-altitude caramel. Leaving behind this breathtaking landscape crowned by rugged peaks, we begin our descent into the enigmatic cloud forest.

The winding road first reveals ancient alpaca herder settlements and leads us to Marcapata, a town nestled among the clouds. Here, we’ll take a break to visit its renowned thatched-roof church, which is festively renovated every four years by neighboring communities.

As we continue descending alongside the murmur of the Araza River, the cloud forest becomes more prominent, offering a dramatic transformation in vegetation, sounds, colors, scents, and temperature. Four hours after taking that initial left at Urcos, and just after crossing the Oroya Bridge, we take another magical left turn to reach Kuporo’ (730 masl), located on the banks of the familiar Araza River.

Upon arrival, we’ll check in and enjoy a delicious lunch on the porch of one of the cabins. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the property to learn about Kuporo’s agroforestry and environmental projects. After dinner, we’ll have the option of observing the quiet dwarf caimans in a small stream near the lodge or taking a night walk to delve into the mysterious realm of the cloud forest.

(Vehicle travel: 4-5 hours, 220 km)
(Meals included: Lunch and Dinner)

Day 2 | Kuporo Lodge - Exploration of the Protected Area

In the morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will choose how to configure our day. We can spend the first half of the day exploring the beautiful trails that traverse the lodge’s property. This allows us to immerse ourselves in the ecosystem of this remote cloud forest, gaining a deeper understanding of its interconnections and the diversity of its plants and animals.

This is an excellent opportunity for potential encounters with various monkey species, a wide variety of birds, colorful insects, peculiar reptiles, and possibly larger mammals! After the excursion (the duration of which can vary), we can head to a picturesque beach formed by the confluence of the Araza and Chilimayo rivers, where we can swim in their refreshing waters.

From there, we will return to the lodge for a well-deserved lunch and discuss plans for the afternoon. Options include taking a vehicle to a viewpoint to observe the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru’s national bird. With some luck, we may witness this marvelous species’ courtship ritual in its natural habitat. Alternatively, the afternoon can be spent resting and enjoying the lodge’s facilities and gardens.

Dinner and accommodation will follow.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

Day 3 | Kuporo Lodge - Quince Mil - Cusco

For birdwatching enthusiasts, we recommend an early wake-up call today to join a morning walk in search of the more than 600 bird species identified around the lodge. For those more interested in mammals, this is an excellent chance to observe squirrel monkeys, tamarins, or even a nocturnal monkey seeking its daytime resting spot.

After breakfast, we can head to the river for a swim, take a stroll along the expansive beach, relax, or organize our belongings for the remainder of the journey.

At midday, we will depart for Cusco with a picnic-style lunch included along the way.

(Vehicle ride: 3-4 hours, 260 km)
(Meals included: Breakfast and Box Lunch)

The tour includes:

Private ground transportation.
Rubber boots for all explorations.
Comfortable accommodation.
Professional, experienced guide.
First aid kit and emergency equipment.
Three meals per day.
Guided nature walks.

Suggested Packing List:

Lightweight long-sleeve shirt and trekking pants.
Warm jacket or sweater for cooler nights.
Insect repellent.
Flashlight (preferably headlamp).
Daypack (small backpack).
Water bottle.
Hat or cap.
Swimsuit.