Expedition to the Manu Biosphere Reserve 5 Days/ 4 Nights

Duration

5 days

From

$1550.00

Overview

This is a short tour through the cloud forest and all the way to the lowland forest of Manu. You visit the macaw clay lick, tapir salt lick and two oxbow lakes and climb a canopy tower.

This tour showcases the highlights of Manu, featuring a lush cloud forest with abundant bird life and breathtaking scenery as you travel downriver towards the lowlands. Here we visit Oxbow Lakes to observe giant river otters, the mammal salt lick and the big macaw clay lick. We also climb a canopy tower and do several walks to look for monkeys and birds, as well as night walks. Return via Colorado and the Transoceanic road.

Full Itinerary

Starting early from Cusco, we begin our 8-hour journey by private bus, first ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 meters (13,000 feet). We make a stop in Ninamarca to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and then proceed to the colonial village of Paucartambo. Then we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through the cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads, etc.). We enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and can also see wildlife, such as our national bird, the bright red Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana), performing its mating dance. Walking along the road, we can observe brilliantly coloured tanagers, Quetzals, Trogons, Toucans, and Hummingbirds, as well as hawks and some monkey species, such as the Woolly Monkeys. We arrive at the Bamboo Lodge (950 m.) in the late afternoon and spend the night. After dinner, your guide will provide a briefing on the activities planned for the following day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, we continue our adventure with our minibus, passing through the village of Pilcopata and crossing the river of the same name to reach the small port of Atalaya (600m). On the way, we will stop at an animal rescue station and at a local orchid garden. We also do some short walks along the road to look out for monkeys and birds. From Atalaya, we navigate for approximately 8 hours in a 15-meter motorised canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River to reach the lowland rainforest. During our trip, we will enjoy the changing landscape and have the excellent opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky riverbanks, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans, and some of the 13 monkey species that live in Manu. On the way, we stop in Boca Manu, or Fitzcarrald, the main village of Manu. In the afternoon, we arrive at the Maquisapayoj Lodge (“Place of the Black Spider Monkeys”). Afterwards, we will have an evening walk to see insects, frogs, snakes, and other wildlife.

Accommodation: Double room with private bathroom
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

At dawn, we take the boat to the big macaw clay lick in Blanquillo. From a platform, we will have an excellent view to observe flocks of colourful macaws (Ara chloroptera – macaws), parrots, and parakeets congregating to eat the clay, which is essential for their digestion. Looking through our spotting scope, we can observe every detail of the birds! We will have breakfast at the blind and afterwards explore some of the trails in Blanquillo to see more species of monkeys and birds. After lunch, we visit Camungo Lake, where we take a wooden catamaran to observe Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and various bird species. Nearby, we have the opportunity to climb a 42-meter observation tower for a great canopy view and observe birds, such as the beautiful toucans. In the afternoon, we travel upstream to return to the Maquisapayoj lodge. After a short break at the lodge, we hike for about 1 ½ hours through the primary rainforest to the mammal salt lick. To have the best chance to observe animals – especially the tapir – we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets). Your guide will help us spot the tapir with a light. If you prefer, you have the opportunity to sleep in double rooms at the lodge as well.

Accommodation: Double room with private bathroom or tapir platform
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

At dawn, we return to the lodge to have breakfast. Afterwards, we travel downriver to visit the “Cocha Blanco” (Blanco Lake). After a short hike, we reach the oxbow lake, which we explore by catamaran to look out for a Giant River Otter family that lives here. We enjoy the beautiful setting at the lake and start looking for monkeys (e.g., Red Howler Monkey), caimans, and different varieties of birds. Back in Maquisapayoj, we have the chance to hike other trails to look out for the Black Spider and Red Howler Monkeys, White and Brown Capuchin monkeys, Emperor and Saddle-backed Tamarins, Monk Saki monkeys, Pavonine Quetzals, Manakins, and other birds. The guide also informs you about interesting plants. We spend the night in Maquisapayoj, either on the platform at the mammal salt lick or at the lodge, close to the river.

Accommodation: Double room with private bathroom or tapir platform
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at the lodge, we travel downriver by boat to Colorado (2 1/2 hours), a small gold mining town. Accompanied by the guide, we take a car to Puerto Carlos (1 hour). We cross the Inambari River to the small village of Santa Rosa, where our bus awaits us to drive back to Cusco. We travel on the paved Transoceanic Road through the cloud forest and up to the Andes, where we enjoy a spectacular view of the Ausangate Mountain. We arrive in Cusco in the evening and then transfer you to your hotel.

Included/Exclude

  • Professional naturalist guide with telescope (birding guide on request)
  • 24-hour support from the company owner
  • Private bus and boat transport & taxi to Puerto Carlos
  • Entrance fees to Tapir lick and Blanco & Camungo lakes
  • Cook
  • All food (vegetarian on request) and drinking water
  • Lodge accommodation and a night on the tapir platform
  • First-Aid-Kit, poison extractor
  • Radio communication
  • Entrance ticket to the Macaw clay lick (US$80.00 p.p.)
  • Binoculars
  • Alcoholic drinks, etc.
  • Insurance of any kind

Recommendations, what to bring

  • Mosquito repellent (with DEET is more effective)
  • Long-sleeved shirts (cotton or breathable fabric, but not too thin)
  • T-Shirts
  • Cotton socks (long enough to put over your pants)
  • Hiking shoes, ankle high
  • Rain gear (rain poncho is good)
  • Sweater (for Andes and cloud forest)
  • Bathing suit (optional)
  • Long pants
  • Sandals or light shoes to change into/ for bathroom (optional)
  • Binoculars
  • Camera, extra batteries and camera charger
  • Plastic bags for clothes, camera, etc.
  • Personal things (soap, toilet paper, small towel, etc.)
  • Hat (or handkerchief)
  • Sun blocker, sunglasses
  • Flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries)
  • Water bottle (min. 1,5 litres)
  • Backpack
  • Passport copy

What we need when you make a reservation

  • Full name as it is written in your passport (please include a scanned copy of your passport)
  • Passport number
  • Nationality
  • Date of birth
  • Tour departure date
  • Send a deposit of 60% of the total price of your tour. (The remainder of your balance will be due upon your arrival in Cusco.) Payment can be made via Western UnionPayPalor ABN AMRO Bank in Holland, or securely and directly through our website by selecting your desired tour and clicking the BOOK NOW button.

Prices

Price per person: $1,550.00
The price is based on a group of four people. For smaller groups, additional costs will apply.

“With every tour you book with Green Peru Adventures, you can request a free walking tour of Cusco’s mysterious and historical city, accompanied by one of our professional guides, who speaks several languages.”

We are looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience for you.

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