Expedition to the Manu Biosphere Reserve 5 Days/ 4 Nights

  • Destination: Manu
  • Duration: 5 days
  • Price per person: $1370

Price is based on 4 persons. For smaller groups, there will be additional costs.

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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 shows you the highlights of Manu: lush cloud forest with abundant bird life and great scenery when travelling downriver towards the lowland. 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.

Itinerary

Day 1

CUSCO – CLOUD FOREST – BAMBOO LODGE

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 afterwards in 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 see wildlife as well, such as our national bird: the bright red Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana), showing his mating dance. Walking along the road we can observe brilliantly colored Tanagers, Quetzals, Trogons, Tucanets 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 brief you about the following days activities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

BAMBOO LODGE – ATALAYA – MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE

After an early breakfast, we continue our adventure with our minibus: we pass the village of Pilcopata and cross the river of the same name to get to the small port of Atalaya (600 m). On the way, we will stop at an animal rescue station and at an local orchid garden. We also do some short walks along the road to look out for monkeys and birds. From Atalaya, we navigate for about 8 hours in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River to get to the lowland rainforest. During our trip, we will enjoy the changing landscape and have the great opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky river banks, such as the 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 ahve an evening night walk to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.

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

Day 3

MACAW CLAY LICK (BLANQUILLO) – CAMUNGO LAKE AND TOWER

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, – macao), 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 the Camungo lake: here we take a wooden catamaran to observe Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and different varieties of birds. Nearby, we have the opportunity to climb a 42 meter observation tower to get 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 spotting 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

Day 4

BLANCO LAKE (BLANQUILLO) – MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR LICK

At dawn, we return back 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 Otters family that lives here. We enjoy the beautiful setting at the lake and start to look for monkeys (e.g. Red Howler Monkey), caimans and different varieties of birds. Back in Maquisapayoj, we have the chance to hike some other trails to look out for the Black Spider and Red Howler Monkeys, White and Brown Capuchin, Emperor and Saddle backed Tamarin, Monk Saki monkey, Pavonine Quetzal, 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

Day 5

COLORADO – CUSCO

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 town of Santa Rosa, where our bus is waiting for 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:
  • Professional naturalist guide with telescope (birding guide on request)
  • Local cell phone
  • 24-hour-support from 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 night on tapir platform
  • First-Aid-Kit, poison extractor
  • Radio communication
Not Included:
  • Entrance ticket to the Macaw clay lick (US$ 70.00 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 them 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/ for bathroom (optional)
  • Binoculars
  • Camera, extra batteries and camera charger
  • Plastic bags for clothes and 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 liter)
  • Backpack
  • Passport copy
What we need when you make a reservation:
  • Full name as it is written in your passport (please include a scan 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 may be made via *Western UnionPayPalABN AMRO Bank in Holland or securely and directly through our website by choosing your desired tour and clicking on the BOOK NOW button.

Price per person: $1370
Price is based on 4 persons. For smaller groups, there will be additional costs.

Exclusive international transaction fees: The amount of the extra transaction fees depends on how the payment is made and on your bank. For further information please don’t hesitate to ask.

Departure dates and Availability

Terms and Conditions

 

Upon request, with each booked tour with Green Peru Adventures, you will receive a free walking tour of the mysterious and historic city of Cusco. You will be guided by one of our multilingual, professional guides.

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