BRIEF OVERVIEW: Manu, one of the largest parks in South America, is located in the south eastern area of Peru. The park area encompasses part of the Andean department of Cusco and the jungle department of Madre de Dios.
Manu is a 2 million hectares (20,000 km²) protected territory rich in flora and fauna species found in a variety of habitats including high Andes, cloud forests, and lowland tropical rain forests.
DURATION: 08 DAYS
INCLUDE: private transport, english speaking guide, all meals, entrance fees, 1 Night’s accommodations at the Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge, 1 Night’s accommodations at the Erika Lodge, 1 Night’s accommodations at the Madre de Dios Lodge, 1 Night’s accommodations at the Municipal Lodge or at Juan de Dios, 3 Nights’ Accommodations in Rain Forest Camps, Camping Equipment including Two Person Tents, Sleeping Mats, Kitchen and Dining Tent and a First Aid Kit. (Sleeping Bag NOT included), Land Transportation (Overland Type Vehicles), River Transportation (Fleet of Outboard Engine and Roofed River Boats), alll Guided Tours mentioned in the Programme, all Meals, Bi Lingual Guides (Spanish/English), Entrance Fees to the Parque Nacional del Manu national Park, Radio Communications Equipment in all Overnight Stays , satellite Telephone for Emergencies,
Note: Due to the Ever Changing Climate Conditions in the Peruvian Rain Forest, the Programmed Daily Activities are Subject to Change Without Previous Notice.
DAY 01.- TO MANU, the guide will collect you from your hotel very early in the morning, and in vehicles especially equipped for the route. We will cross interesting Andean valleys and colourful farmer villages visiting the pre-Incan Tombs or “Chullpas” of Ninamarca. At noon we will pass through Paucartambo, a typical Colonial town of much importance at that time and that still conserves its Colonial style. Continuing the trip we will ascend until we reach the Acjanacu Pass located at 3850 metres above sea level. From we will start going downhill passing through the Cloud Forest, a zone very rich in endemic species like the Spectacled Bear, the Cock of the Rocks, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, etc. among others and where we will spend ours first night comfortably installed in the Lodge “Orquídeas de San Pedro”.
DAY 02.- LOUD FOREST, Very early we will be able to appreciate the interesting dance of courtship of the Cock of the Rocks, the National Bird of Peru, which has a showy plumage of very intense red-orange colour. After breakfast we will continue the trip in our vehicle crossing the High Forest, arriving at the Town of Pilcopata and later to the Port of Atalaya, located on the banks of the Alto Río Madre de Dios River, at 700 metres above sea level, where the river equipment of the company is located. Once the boat with outboard engine is loaded with the necessary equipment for the trip, we will initiate the trip downriver the Alto Madre de Dios River, where we will be able to observe the enormous diversity of existing birds, like herons, vultures, cormorants, etc, until arriving at our Private Reserve “Erika Lodge”, where we will walk by the interesting trails of this transitional point between the High Forest and the Low Forest. Overnight in the Lodge.
*option 01.- To descend with Mountain Bikes from our Lodge San Pedro (1700 metres above sea level) in the Cloud Forest towards Pilcopata (700 metres above sea level) in the High Forest
*option 02.- From the Town of Pilcopata we will initiate a route of River Running of approximately 3 hours down the Kosñipata River; we will cross the Koñeq Gorge where we can enjoy the spectacular landscape and a refreshing bath. We will continue down the Alto Madre de Dios River until reaching the Erika Lodge
DAY 03.- BOCA MANU, after breakfast, we will board the boat in which we will go down the Madre de Dios River for approximately 4 hours to our destination Boca Manu Village aerodrome. (Optional flight in a small plane Cusco – Boca Manu - possibility that some passengers join the group that started off by land, the flight takes around 45 minutes). This route in boat offers us the opportunity to observe birds like: skimmers, crested heron and several species of king fishers, swallows and fly catchers. In the Village of Boca Manu it is possible to buy some last provisions and cold drinks. Walk in the surrounding forest. Overnight in the Juan de Dios Lodge.
*OPTIONAL CANOPY TOWER: Our clients of the Erika Lodge have the opportunity to pass from tree to tree and from one platform to another using harnesses suspended in a horizontal cable with a system of grooved wheel with which they slide at great speed over the canopy of the trees of this fabulous Amazonian Forest where it is possible to see from above the diversity of birds and other animals of the area. Specialised personnel will be on hand all the time to help them during this exciting experience and to explain all the interesting observations from the moment that one leaves the ground until one finally descends in rappel from a height of 30 metres
DAY 04.- PARROT CLAY LICK, in the morning, we will go to the Parrot Clay Lick, a clay river bank wall where different species of parrots like the Blue Fronted Amazon Mealy Parrot, White Eyed, the Chestnut-Fronted Macaw (Ara severa), among others come down every morning to extract and to lick the clay. After watching this awesome activity, we will make a brief stop over in the Park Guard Post at Limonal, where we will present the necessary documents for the entrance control to the Reserved Zone. Then we will go upstream the Manu River into the heart of the Reserved Zone: the Salvador Lagoon, where we will spend the following two nights in our safari camp that counts on totally screened double rooms, a screened dining room and bathrooms including showers, radio communication and solar power energy. During this passage an endless number of species of birds will be able to be appreciated, caimans, river turtles and some mammals frequently sunning on the beaches or feeding in the trees on the shore. Early in the evening we will dedicate our time to walk in search of wild life in this pristine forest and on Salvador Lagoon, until the night falls. Possibilities of making a short night walk around the camp, to use the catamaran of Salvador Lagoon (optional) and with the help of our flashlights or torches to be able to observe the Black Cayman that comes out at night in search of its prey.
DAY 05.- SALVADOR LAGOON, early in the morning we will have the opportunity to once more visit the Salvador Lagoon using the catamaran, being able to appreciate some species of fauna such as the Giant River Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) a species on the verge of extinction, an important inhabitant who can be seen fishing, playing or swimming, also, in the same way, the Black Caiman, (Melanosuchus niger), the Hoatzin (Ophisthocomus hoatzin), the Spider Monkey (Ateles paniscus), etc. and the flora of the surrounding forest. Later, return to the camp to have breakfast. We will cross a primary forest with a greater diversity of species, arriving after a 4 hours long walk at the Jaguar Lagoon where there is a 15 metres high observation tower from which we will have the opportunity to appreciate the landscape of the surrounding primary forest and greater possibilities of seeing the resident family of Giant River Otters, in addition there exist great opportunities to observe the birds that inhabit the canopy. Overnight in our Safari Camp.
DAY 06.- PRIVATE RESERVE OF JUAN DE DIOS, the next day we will again rise early to make walks around the Salvador Lagoon and then board our boat that will take us slowly downstream the Manu River we will go on to Boca Manu a small town located in the confluence of the Manu and the Alto Rio Madre de Dios Rivers. From this point, the River takes its name from Madre de Dios (Mother of God), becoming the hydrographical axis of the Department of Madre de Dios. At dusk we will arrive at the Private Reserve of Juan de Dios where we will make walks following its interesting system of trails. We will spend one more night surrounded by the magic of the Amazonian Forest. Possibilities of making a short night walk. Overnight in the Lodge.
DAY 07.- ALTO MADRE DE DIOS RIVER, during the day, we will go upstream the Alto Madre de Dios always observing the enormous diversity of birds. We will spend the night camping out on an appropriate beach, enjoying this last night in the wild and to observe the Southern Hemisphere Star Constellations.
DAY 08.- BACK TO CUSCO, early breakfast we will continue going upstream towards the small Port of Atalaya to which we will arrive at dusk to board our land vehicle and start our road trip to return to the City of Cusco, arriving late at night or on the following day very early in the morning.
