Manu Biosphere Reserve, located in the remote South-western region of the Amazon basin (Departments of Madre de Díos and Cusco), is the largest and definitely the only untouched reserve in the world. Manu is the unique reserve that covers an area of 2 701 641 hectares of undisturbed and pristine forest with the greatest biodiversity on the earth. The biosphere protects one of the planet’s most important wild lands; Andean grasslands, elfin forest, cloud forest, and lowland Amazon rainforest. It is the refuge of many animals, including 1000 species of birds (including seven species of color full Macaws), 3500 species of plants registered (50% are not still identified), 200 species of mammals, 140 species of amphibians, 40 species of small lizards, 210 species of fishes, 13 species of monkeys, 6 of turtles, and 3 of cayman. Manu National Park is also home to indigenous tribes of Amazonian Indies, some of them are uncontacted yet, such as Machiguenga.
Manu jungle is divided into three zones: the National Park (strict protected area); the Cultural Zone for subsistence activities and the Reserve Zone (Ecotourism and recreational area). Manu National park was internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO and the Biosphere Programme in 1977 and it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987.
We are a Manu Biosphere Reserve licensed tour operator in this area. Our specialized and professional guide are naturalists and biologists, they speak good English. We offer Responsibility, Security and Quality in each Manu guided tour. Some nights you will stay in typical lodges and some nights you will camp in untouched rainforest, surrounded by the voices of the jungle. Some our programs are combining leaving in comfort bus and returning using a modern charter flights.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Cusco - Paucartambo - Ninamarca - Pilcopata. After early breakfast we pick you up by our private van or overland vehicles, and then travel through Andean villages till the highest mountain chains (4700m) of Paucartambo. Approximately mid-morning visit the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly know as Chullpas or burial chambers, of the Pre-Inca Lupaca people. Continue driving to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Acjanacu pass, which marks the beginning of the cultural zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve.
Our transport descends through the mysterious cloud forest, exists between 2000 - 3500m, and at least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic. The humidity provides ideal habitat for full of beautiful orchids, bromelias. Stopping to give you opportunity to witness Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola Peruviana) mating ritual, Amazonian Umbrella bird (Cephalopteros Ornatus), the South American bear, the Spectacled bear (Tremarctos Ornatus). At the evening arrival to open air lodge at Pilcopata, shower and toilet available.
Day 2: Pilcopata - Mysterious Cloud Forest Exploration. Today you will wake up very early to observe, from a platform, the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru's national bird. The male birds are a vibrant reddish orange, and at about 5:00AM as many as several dozen come together for an exhibition of a mating ritual dance in a place called Lek. The males display their crest, showing off and posturing for the females. The females, fewer in number, watch to select the most suitable males. The best months for viewing Cocks-of-the-Rock are between September November.
After we will return for breakfast a t our lodge, the rest of the day you will continue have guided short trek through the valley, to see the elevation cloud forest birds, such as the Golden headed Trogon, as well as numerous, brightly-colored tanagers and hummingbirds. Bears are present such as the Brown Capuchin Monkeys or perhaps even a Spectacled Bear. Continue exploring the mysterious cloud forest we will be in contact with wild nature species of flora and fauna new to science. Then swim in the clear waters flows from the virgin forests of the surrounding mountains. Stay at the lodge, shower and toilet available.
Day 3: Cloud Forest - Cusco. Today after breakfast, at 8am board our private transport and travel back to Cusco. Driving up to the highest pass will stop to see again the cloud forest behind, covering the Manu Biosphere Reserve. On the way will stop at some villages, to visit their handicraft markets and to have lunch. Between 5 - 6pm arrival to the hotel at Cusco.
Price Includes:
- Private van (round trip)
- Professional naturalist guide
- Entrance to the reserve
- 2 nights on the lodge of Pilcopata
- 3 meals per day during the expedition
- Drinking water on all trip
- Rubber boots (only in the rain season)
- Medical, Oxygen and security supplies
- Radio communications service during the whole trip.
Price Excludes:
- Day pack
- Rain gear
- Insect repellent (with at least 25% 'deet')
- Sleeping bag and sheets
- Binoculars (imperative)
- Flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries
- Afterbite
- Camera and extra films (asa 100 is good for lakes and river, but inside the forest you will need asa 400)
- Long sleeve shirts and long trousers (thick and baggy fabric against mosquitoes)
- T-shirts
- Towel
- Shorts/bathing suit
- Sweater or light jacket
- Sandals
- 1 pair each of hiking boots and light shoes
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Sunblock
- Toilet paper
- Plastic bags (to keep everything dry)
- Personal hygienic and medical supplies
- Copy of a valid passport
- Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations
- Money for soft drinks or beers, and handicrafts
- Tips for guide and camp staff.
What You Need to Bring/Carry:
- Binoculars (imperative)
- Flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries
- Sleeping bag
- Sheets
- Day pack
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirts (thick and baggy fabric against mosquitoes)
- T-shirts
- Shorts/Bathing suit
- Towel
- Sweater or light jacket
- 1 pair each of hiking boots, light
- Shoes, and sandals
- Long cotton socks
- Rain gear
- Sun hat, sunglasses, sun block
- Insect repellent (with at least 25% 'deet') and after bite
- Toilet-paper
- Plastic bags (to keep everything dry)
- Water bottle (with water for the bus ride into Manu)
- Copy of a valid passport
- Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations
- Money for soft drinks or beers
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
US$575 per person
Discount 10%: South American Explorers Club Member Only - Student with valid green ISIC card.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Rainforest
National Parks
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