Manu National Park is a biosphere reserve located in Madre de Dios and Cuzco, covering an area of 1716295 hectares (4.3 million acres), Peru’s is largest protected natural area and one of the largest on the planet, with a biological mega diversity that is unparalleled.
The park protects all the ecological zones that exist in the Amazon basin, covering an attitudinal gradient between 150 and 4200 meters above sea level. Because of this variety, its biodiversity is one of the most appreciated in the world. Overall, more than 15,000 species of plants are found in the park, and up to 250 varieties of trees have been found in a single hectare. The reserve is home to more than 800 species of birds, including the harpy eagle, jabiru, jungle goose and cock of the rocks; over 200 species of mammals such as the yellow - tailed choro monkey, spider monkey, giant river otter, jaguar, ocelot, spectacled bear, huemal deer and over 100 species of bats. More than 2000 species and unique varieties of plants and a number of native communities also live in this area with their own traditions, language and culture.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Cusco - Clouds Forest. At 07:00 am - Pick up from your hotel and leave the city of Cusco early in the morning by bus. Approximately mid-morning, we visit the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as Chullpas. We continue to the picturesque town of Paucartambo, and on toward the Acjanacu Pass, which marks the beginning of the Cultural Zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Here a thick cloak of clouds provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads. This varied and fascinating world is home of the Cock of the Rock, The Spectacled Bear, orchids, tree ferns, mosses and lichens. This cloud forest exists between 2000 and 3000 meters above sea level and at least 50 % of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. We camp our first night in this high forest.
Day 2: Clouds Forest - Rio Alto Madre De Dios. We wake up very early in the morning (Approximately 5Am) to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola Peruviana), the Peruvian national bird. Many several dozen males, who are vibrant orange reddish, come together in an exhibition of mating ritual dance in a place called Leek. The males display their crest, showing off and posturing for the females. The females, fewer in number, watch to select the most suitable male. After breakfast we continue by bus down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Atalaya. Here we board our motorized canoe and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River, where we will camp on the beach.
Day 3: Alto Madre De Dios River - Limonal. After breakfast we board our canoe for the four hour trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu, a small village where you can buy your last fresh food supplies and cold drinks before setting off again in the canoe. Now we enter the Manu River and the Reserve Zone, stopping at Limonal where we camp along the river bank at the Park Rangers Headquarters.
Day 4: Limonal - Lake Salvador. After an early morning breakfast at Limonal and signing our names in the official tourist logbook, we follow the Manu River until we arrive at our campsite at Salvador Lake. This canoe ride gives us the opportunity to observe the immensity of the rainforest, the diversity of bird life and reptiles and mammals sunning themselves on beaches, or foraging for food in the trees lining the riverbanks. Arriving early afternoon we have lunch and set off on a jungle trail. Here we spend time looking for wildlife inside the rainforest and on the oxbow Lake Salvador. As the sun goes down, we return to camp.
Day 5: Lake Salvador. You rise early in the morning as the forest is awakened by the Red Howler Monkeys (Aloatta seniculus) declaring territory. A morning walk before breakfast is a great way to catch wildlife in the pursuit of food and the temperature is very pleasant at this time of day. After relaxing or swimming in the river we have lunch. Following lunch we cross the river to walk the 8km trail to the oxbow Lake Otorongo. Here a strategically located observation tower rises 15 meters above the lake and jungle floor, giving us more chances to observe wildlife such as the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), an endangered species. Late afternoon the Black Caiman rises from the depths of the lake and begin their search for prey. With the help of flashlights we can observe them at night in the lakes and river. We return to camp at Salvador Lake.
Day 6: Lake Slavador - Blanquillo. Once again we wake up early, enjoy a brief morning walk eat a relaxing breakfast and then we pack up camp and descend Manu River, arriving at Boca Manu around midday. Following lunch, we descend the Madre de Dios river for three hours to Blanquillo, where we set up camp on the lodge grounds. After a swim in the river we can set off for a short walk to Cocha Blanquillo, returning to the campsite at dusk.
Day 7: Blanquillo - Alto Madre De Dios River. After a very early wake-up, we board a camouflaged catamaran down the river at the Collpa, Macaw Lick. We quietly observe the various parrots feeding on the clay for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. The brightly colored macaws usually wait patiently in the surroundings trees until the smaller parrot species have left the area. Slowly, the macaws come down to the clay wall to feed. We must be very patient and silent on the catamaran so as not to disturb them as they eat the clay. Around mid morning, we board our canoe and return to the airstrip at Boca Manu. Following lunch, we continue up Alto Madre de Dios River to camp on a beach in the Cultural Zone.
Day 8: Alto Madre Dedios River - Cusco. Waking up very early we continue the trip by boat to Atalaya, where we board the bus and drive back up and out of Manu, arriving in Cusco the next morning.
Air Charter Alternative:
Day 3: Arrive mid morning by plane from Cusco to Boca Manu.
Day 7: Boca Manu to Cusco, return early afternoon.
Price Includes:
- Specialized and bilingual guides
- First aid kit
- Double tents
- Sleeping mattress
- Dining tent
- Cooking tent
- All Meals and water at the jungle
- All ground and river transportation
- Air charters-optional (maximum 15kg. of luggage per person)
- Paperwork and Payment for the Park Permits
Price Excludes:
- Alcoholics drinks
- Airport tax
- Sleeping Bag
- Breakfast on the first day/lunch on the last day
- 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 and handicrafts at the Boca Manu landings strip
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
US$980 per person
Discount 10%: South American Explorers Club Member Only - Student with valid green ISIC card.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
National Parks
Wildlife Viewing
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