DAY 1.- CUSCO – MANU CLOUD FOREST (COCK-OF-THE-ROCK) – BAMBU LODGE

We leave early at 5:30 am on ten hour trip climbing to 4,000 masl at the highest point.  On our way we will stop at famous sites like the Chullpas of Ninamarca, a pre Inka cemetery.  Later we descend through valleys between the mountains until we reach Paucartambo, a town of great history which is known as the folkloric capital of Peru at 2,900 masl.  After we visit this beautiful town we head to Acjanaco, at 3,560 masl this is the entrance point to the Manu National Park.  From here we descend into the Cloud Forest, where we do some walking to observe more orchids than you can count; birds like Quetzales, Toucans, and multicolored Tanagers.  We will stop at the San Pedro strategic viewpoint called L.E.K. to observe the national bird of Peru, ¨El gallito de las rocas.¨ These colorful birds will perform their mating ritual with acrobatic jumps and wonderful songs.  With a little luck we will be able to see the first mammals of the rainforest like Monkeys and Spectacled Bears.  We will continue our trip to our place for the night, the ¨Bambun Lodge¨.

Included costs for the day,
Food: Breakfast, a Snack, Lunch and Dinner
Entrance to the LEK (strategic viewpoint) to see the ¨Gallitos de las Rocas¨
Lodging:  Bambu Lodge with private bathroom and hot shower

DAY 2.- BAMBU LODGE – BOCA MANU LODGE

We will get up early again, this time we will enjoy a delicious breakfast of rich fruits from the rainforest then we will continue the trip on our bus to Atalaya and on the way we will see the plant life of the rainforest, typical of the Manu cultural zone.  In Atalaya we will get on our motor boat and navegate in the Rio Alto Madre de Dios for 6 hours to the ¨Boca Manu Lodge¨. On the way we will be able to watch the native birds that make their homes near the riverbank like Storks, Macaws, Vultures and some mammals like the Capybaras, Monkeys and Pumas among others.  We will also see banana and yucca plantations and stop for a break to enjoy natural hot springs known for their medicinal qualities.  Afterward we will visit the native community of Diamante, home of the Yine tribe.  The Yine are known in the Amazon as the best navigators of the Manu National Park area.  Today we will have a scenic lunch on board our boat.
We will arrive at our lodge, Boca Manu, at approximately 4:00 pm.  There will be an optional nighttime walk around the lodge to see the nocturnal forest life.

DIA 3.- BOCA MANU LODGE – MANU NATIONAL PARK, CASA MACHIGUENKA

Today we have an early start as we leave on a 4 hour trip by boat toward the Manu River and the entrance to the heart of the Manu National Park (Zona Reservada).  We will make a stop at the Limonal outpost where the park guards will check us in and look at our passes to the reserve area and give us their recommendations for the protected nature area.  Navigating the Manu River we will have the chance to experience the amazing natural paradise by seeing the great variety of wildlife and plantlife along the river like Caimans, Tortoises and Turtles, Monkeys, Tapirs, Jaguars, and colorful birdlife like Fisher Martins, Flycatchers, Storks, Toucans and more.

We will arrive at our Manu riverbank lodging called Casa Machiguenka, which is the only lodge in the Manu Zona Reservada with its own lake, offering us the opportunity to explore the lake during the night.  We will stay two nights here in the heart of the Manu reserved zone.

DAY 4.- CASA MACHIGUENKA – COCHA SALVADOR / COCHA OTORONGO

We will have another early start in the boat heading to Cocha Salvador (Lake) entering further into the Manu Reserved Zone upriver, COCHA SALVADOR, is a mirror like lake that is very important within the Manu National Park because its ecosystem is home to the ¨Lobo del Rio¨ or Giant Nutria, Black Caiman and Anacondas as well as varieties of birds and up to 13 species of Monkeys in the surrounding forests.  After the visit to Cocha Salvador we will explore the rainforest entering the deepest parts of the Manu Reserved Zone to visit the home of the Machiguenka and the observation tower in Cocha Otorongo.  Then we will return to the Casa Machiguenka for the second night of our stay in the Manu National Park.

DAY 5.- CASA MACHIGUENKA – MANU MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE – COLLPA TAPIR

Today we will leave the Manu Reserved Zone for the area known as the Manu Biosphere, on the way to Maquisapayoc.  Here we will visit an important large mammal gathering area to observe the action in the Collpa, where mammals go to eat clay that is known as a natural detoxifier.  Mammals like Tapirs, Deer, Sihuayros (wild boars); Maquisapa and Coto monkeys; and Porcupines make the trip to this special area.  The visit to the mammal collpa happens at night and is a guided tour.  The trip from Casa Machiguenka to Maquisapayoc takes about 6 hours.  Lunch will be served in the boat and we will arrive at our destination at 3:00pm.

TAPIR: The Tapir is the largest land animal of the Amazon.  It reaches a size of 2.5 meters in length, a height of 70 centimeters and can weigh up to 300 kilos.  Despite its size the Tapir is a timid animal by nature and is nocturnal.  For this reason it is almost impossible to see wild Tapirs in their habitat, so you don´t want to miss this unique opportunity to observe them in action.  DURING THE OBSERVATION THESE ANIMALS WILL NOT KNOW OF YOUR PRESENCE SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY QUIET AND HIDDEN BECAUSE THE TAPIR HAS ONE OF THE MOST ACUTE SENSATORY SYSTEMS IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.  VISITING THE TAPIR COLLPA IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE.

DAY 6.- COLLPA GUACAMAYOS – MANU MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE

At 5:00am we set off to the Collpa Guacamayos on a 40 minute boat ride.  At this spot we will observe from a hidden platform we will watch dozens of Macaws and Parrots gather to eat minerals contained in the clay cliffs.  We will also provide binoculars and telescopes so you can see up to 5 different species of these regal birds of the Amazon.  In the afternoon we will visit the Torre Canopy that is situated 50 meters above the forest floor, giving us a great panoramic view of the rainforest. From the canopy we will see different species of birds and monkeys from the eagle´s viewpoint. We will stay overnight in the Manu Maquisapayoj Lodge.

DAY 7.- MANU MAQUISAPYOJ LODGE – CUSCO OR PUERTO MALDONADO / LIMA

At 5:00am we will go by boat to Boca Colorado, a 2 hour trip, and from Boca Colorado, Cusco is a 7 hour bus trip.

TRAVEL OPTION: 

If you would like to take a return flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima, the ticket is not included in the price.  Ask for a special price quote including a return flight to Lima.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please note that the program may vary slightly so as to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides.