MANU EXPEDITION – FOREST

  • 7 DAYS

DAY 01: CUSCO-BAMBOO LODGE

We leave early from Cusco to Manu National Park, begin our tour through the Andes by private bus, where we will see the pre -Inca cemetery called Lupaca after we are heading to picturesque village of Paucartambo where we are able to have our quick tour to main square to know about their history and then we will heading to Manu National Park entrance located at 3500 m.a.s.l. (11482ft).

From this place we will drop to mysterious cloud forest covered of green mountains ; today we have the possibility of see some animals such as : Common-Woolly Monkey, Brown-Capuchin Monkey, Tayra, Spectacled Bear (uncommon),...etc. Amazing colorful birds such as: Golden-Headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Mountain-Hooded Tanager, Dusky-Green Oropendola; cloud forest is also the habitat of Cock of the Rock beautiful bird considered national bird of Peru which we will have the chance to see on the route.

We take the chance to make a fascinating walk along the road looking for more wildlife and after that we continue our trip another hour more until bamboo lodge 830 m.a.s.l (2723ft)

DAY 02: BAMBOO LODGE- HUMMINBIRD LODGE

At daybreak we continue by bus to tropical lowlands. Passing through small towns until Atalaya 650m.a.s.l. (1640ft) here we will change our car for a motorized boat to navigate downriver the Madre de Dios River (high and low River part) Five hours approx.

In route we stop to visit a small lake to nice landscape not far from the river bank twenty-five minutes walking where you can see close to hoatzins beautiful bird descendants from first pre-historic feathered bird called Archaeopteryx.
In this little lake also we have the chance to sail on traditional raft made from balsa tree used by natives in this jungle.

After this stop we will continue our travel downriver from the boat we will see disappear mountains of the high jungle and get into flat jungle habitat of lot wildlife and see our colorful birds crossing the river such as: Oropendolas, Vultures, Macaws, egrets, herons, ..Etc.

DAY 03: HUMMINBIRD LODGE- MANU RESERVED ZONE

Today early we are sailing through by the narrow Manu river , where we will make our first stop at the ranger station for check in us in the guest book before entry into the restricted area in Manu National Park browsing this narrow river we will have the great chance to see animals from motorized boat such as: Black-Spider Monkey, Red-Howler Monkey, Common-Squirrel Monkeys, terrestrial animals like: Jaguar considered the largest cat in the Amazon jungle, Tayra, Capybaras, Tapir (rare during the day), Black Caiman, White or Spectacled Caiman, and a large variety of birds on the banks; Black Skimmer, Horned Screamer, Capped Heron, Cocoi Heron, Pied Lapwing, Wood Stork... etc..

After settling into the lodge we are leaving to jungle for walking all the afternoon to see jungle wildlife and vegetation composed for huge trees like: Cedar tree, Mahogany tree, Ceiba tree, and the process of small forms of lives such as: Crickets, Spiders, Army Ants, and butterflies that only inhabit under forests and understanding how the trophic chain works what is very important for the planet.

DAY 04: MANU RESERVED ZONE

Today we are starting our activity early with a walk to explore Salvador Lake; here we have the chance to see giant otters from a catamaran. In this lake of rainforest inhabiting a family of these Fascinating animals that are now endangered, after this nice experience we start a hike by a proper trail the rest of the morning in order to find more animals and monkeys.

In the afternoon we spend to walk trails and enjoy primary forest with huge trees and lots of wildlife and sounds in this wonderful Peruvian jungle

DAY 05: RESERVED ZONE- HIMINBIRD LODGE

Today morning after breakfast we will take our motorized canoe heading to Otorongo lake located twenty-five minutes downriver from the lodge; this short way will give us another chance to see the Jaguar and other animals that take a rest on the river bank as: Black Caiman, White Caiman, Capybara (largest rodent in the world like a guinea pig).

After twenty-five minutes of navigate we will walk from river edge to lake edge through jungle. This walk also offers great possibilities to enjoy nature in edge of this lake we will find a tower twenty-five meters high from where we can see some macaws, herons and hawks specialized in preys that inhabit lakes; here inhabits another family of giant otters that are possible to see from the tower.
After this activity we will continue our journey to our lodge outside of reserve zone.

DAY 06: HUMMINBIRD LODGE-BAMBOO LODGE

Today morning after breakfast we return to our comfortable Bamboo lodge, where we have spent our first night this way will be long route of navigating we recommend have a book to read on the boat and will also be the last supper.

DAY 07: BAMBOO LODGE – CUSCO

Today we will leave after breakfast towards the city of Cusco in our private car, will have our last contact with the mysterious cloud forest where we do fast stops if we will see some animals or colorful birds.
Arrival to Cusco will be early night

CONSIDERATIONS OF TOUR:
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Climate: The unpredictable weather may force us to change our itinerary. The program could be subject to changes at any time.
Route: we are making the tour by dusty and narrow road (cloud forest) motorized boat (Madre de Dios river).

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Jungle lodges are basic but comfortable, some have electricity from a solar panel and provide energy to charge our batteries from a generator, and the rooms are two beds with mosquito net (depending on the area) with hygienic services shared in some lodges.

THINGS YOU SHOULD HAVE:
Torch for nocturnal walking
Poncho / rain jacket
Hiking shoes
Camera and extra batteries
Personal Toiletries
Recommend carrying a binocular for better enjoyment of nature (8 x 42)
Personal medication

INCLUDES:
All accommodations system
All meals (some are picnic)
Drinking-water at any time
Admission to reserved area
Expert Peruvian bilingual guide
The entire transport system
First aid kid

NOT INCLUDED
Personal expenses
First breakfast
Last supper

ABOUT TIPS
We recommend each passenger to tip ten soles per day (about five dollars) according to your personal satisfaction because in our culture is gratefully received it.