Manu Wildlife 8, 7, 6 & 5 Days

DAY 01: CUSCO – PAUCARTAMBO – MANU

We leave the city of Cusco early in the morning by bus. By the way we visit the tombs of Ninamarca “Chullpas”, Paucartambo a picturesque Spanish colonial town and Acjanacu pass which marks the beginning of the Cultutal Zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Here a thick cloak of clouds provide perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads, orchids. Overnight in our open air lodge “San Pedro”

DAY 02: ERIKA LODGE

Today we wake up very early to observe the Cock of the Rock, At about 5 am. As many as several dozen come together for an exhibition of a mating ritual dance in a place called lek, After breakfast we continue in our overland transport down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Atalaya. Here we board our covered outboard motor boat and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River, for approximately 15 minutes toward our private reserve of “Erika” where we will hike through the interesting trail system that this transitional area between high jungle and low jungle offers. Overnight in the Lodge.

DAY 03: BOCA MANU

After brakfast we board our canoe for the three hour trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Shepitiari Native community that we are going to visit, Then we continue to Boca Manu’s airstrip,(Optional flight from Cusco to Boca Manu; this means that some new members may join our group, the flight takes approximately 45 minutes) Boca manu is the last place where you can buy your last fresh supplies and cold drinks before setting off again in the canoe. Now we enter the Manu river and the reserved zone, stopping at Limonal where we camp along the riverbank at the Park Rangers Headquarters, short walk around the area.

DAY 04: SALVADOR LAKE

After signing our names in the official tourist logbook, we follow the Manu river until we arrive to Salvador Lake, our base campsite. (dining room, bathrooms, radio communication is available). This canoe ride give us the opportunity to observe the immensity of the rainforest and the diversity of birdlife, reptiles and mammals, we arrive early in the afternoon and have lunch before setting off on a jungle trail, our time is spent looking for wildlife inside the rainforest and on Salvador Oxbow Lake, until the sun goes down and we return to camp.

DAY 05: OTORONGO LAKE

We rise early in the morning as the forest is awakened by the Red Howler monkey (Aloatta seniculus) declaring its 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 and swimming in the river we enjoy lunch, along the riverbank. After this we cross the river to walk an 8km. Trail to the oxbow Otorongo Lake, here a strategically located observation tower rises 15 meters above the lake and the jungle floor, giving us more chances to observe wildlife, such as the Giant Otter. Late afternoon we will use the Catamaran and with the help of flashlight we can observe the black Caimans rise from the depths of the lake and begin their search for prey. Return to the Campsite.

DAY 06: BOCA MANU

Once again we wake up early, enjoy a brief morning walk, eat a relaxing breakfast, then we pack up camp and descend the Manu River until Boca Manu. This village is situated a short distance from the confluence of the Manu river with The Alto Madre de Dios River, early in the afternoon after three hours we camp on a beach and spend one more night in this magical Amazon jungle.

DAY 07: COLLPA MACAW

After a very early wake up, we board a camouflaged catamaran down the river to 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 surrounding trees until the smaller parrot species have left the area. Slowly the macaws come down to the clay wail to feed. Around mid morning we board our canoe to return to the airstrip at Boca Manu. At this point those who are returning by plane will catch their flight. (This optional flight from Boca Manu to Cusco offers spectacular views of the surrounding jungle and the area’s meandering rivers) The others continue up the Alto Madre de Dios river to camp on an appropriate beach in the cultural Zone And anjoy the sites and sounds of the jungle for one last night.

DAY 8: ATALAYA – MANU – CUSCO

Walking up very early, we continue the trip by boat to Atalaya, where the bus will be waiting for us and drive back up and out of Manu, arriving in Cusco very late this night or the next early morning.

END OF OUR SERVICES.

AIR CHARTER ALTERNATIVE :

• DAY THREE : Arrive by plane from Cusco to Boca Manu at mid morning.
• DAY SEVEN : Leave Boca Manu and arrive in Cusco in the early afternoon.