ECOLOGICAL ADVENTURE IN MANU 8D/7N

Price : From US$ 758 per person

Starting point : Cusco. Fixed departures are on the early morning of every Sunday. For groups with special interests customs made schedules can be arranged

Ending point : Cusco

Tour Type : Birdwatching, ecological, wildlife viewing, hiking and entomology

Tour Description

All our programmes can be tailor made according to your requirements, whether regarding the length of your tour, any special interests or specific activities, flight reservations, optional destinations or tours.

DAY 01: Cusco - Manu

We leave the City of Cusco very early in the morning 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”.

Meals Included: Lunch and dinner

DAY 02: Cloud Forest and Atalaya Port

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 having breakfast we will continue the trip in our vehicle (see option 1 - Mountain Biking), crossing the High Forest, arriving at the Town of Pilcopata (see option 2 - River Running) 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 1: 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 2: 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.


Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 03: Erika Reserve – Boca Manu Village

After having had 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 tour 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.


Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 04: Boca Manu – 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 05: Salvador Lagoon – Primary Forest

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 (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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 06: Salvador Lagoon – 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 08: Manu / Cusco

Arising very early 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

End of our services

Tour Inclusions

INCLUDED:

• 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)
• All 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 1: We also offer Luggage Storage and Safe for Documents and Valuables.

Note 2: Due to the Ever Changing Climate Conditions in the Peruvian Rain Forest, the Programmed Daily Activities are Subject to Change Without Previous Notice.


NOT INCLUDED:

• International or Domestic Flights (Approx. 294 USD Lima/Cusco/Lima)
• Airport Taxes (Approx. USD 30.25 for International Flights and USD 6.05 for Domestic Flights)
• Excess Luggage
• Additional Nights due to Bad Weather or Flight Cancellations
• Alcoholic Drinks, Sodas and Bottled Water
• Snacks
• Laundry
• National and International Telephone Calls