Day 1:
Boca Manu - Cusco - Cloud Forest
Leave Cusco early in the morning in our specialized
overland vehicles. Approximately mid-morning visit the interesting
tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as "Chullpas".
Continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town,
and then to the Acjanacu pass, which marks the beginning of
the Cultural Zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Here, a thick cloak
of clouds provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat
for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads. This varied and fascinating
world is home of the Cock of the Rock, Spectacled Bear, Orchids,
Tree Ferns (one of the oldest living plants), mosses and lichens.
This cloud forest exists between 2000 and 3500 meters above
sea level, and at least 50% of the plant species found here
are endemic to this region. Overnight in our open air lodge
"San Pedro".
Day 2: Cloud Forest - Pilcopata
- Atalaya - Erika
Today you will wake up
very early to observe, from a platform, the Cock of the Rock
(Rupicola peruviana), Peru's national bird. The male birds
are a vibrant reddish orange, and at about 5:00AM as many
as several dozen come together for an exhibition of a mating
ritual dance in a place called Lek. The males display their
crest, showing off and posturing for the females. The females,
fewer in number, watch to select the most suitable males.
After breakfast continue your overland transport down the
narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town
of Pilcopata* and then to the Atalaya port. Here, your will
board a covered, outboard motor boat and head down the Alto
Madre de Dios River for approximately 15 minutes towards the
private reserve of "Erika" where you will hike through
the interesting trail system that this transitional area between
high and low jungle offers. Overnight in the lodge Erika.
Day 3: Erika - Boca Manu - P.V.
Limonal
After breakfast board your canoe for a three-hours ride down
the Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu's airstrip. (Optional
flight from Cusco to Boca-Manu; this means that some new members
may join our group, the plane flies over the Andes to a narrow
gravel landing strip in the jungle, the flight takes approximately
45 minutes). Boca Manu´s village is situated a short
distance from the confluence of the Manu River with the Alto
Madre de Dios River place where you can buy your last fresh
supplies and cold drinks before setting off again in the canoe.
Then, enter the Manu River and the Reserved Zone, stopping
in a white sand beach where you will camp along the riverbank.
Short walk around the area.
Day 4: P.V. Limonal - Salvador Lake
After registering in the official tourist logbook at Limonal,
the Park Rangers Headquarters and eating an early breakfast,
follow the Manu River until you arrive Salvador Lake, our
base safari campsite (screened dining room, bathrooms, radio
communication is available). This canoe ride gives the opportunity
to observe the immensity of the rainforest and the diversity
of birdlife, reptiles and mammals. You will often see animals
sunning themselves on beaches, or foraging for food in the
trees lining the riverbanks. Arrive early in the afternoon
and have lunch before setting off on a jungle trail. You time
will be spent looking for wildlife inside the rainforest and
on Salvador Oxbow Lake, until the sun goes down and you return
to the camp. Explore Salvador Lake by paddling quietly along
on a catamaran, giving you the opportunity to observe unique
species of birds, monkeys, caimans and with luck the Giant
Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). This endangered species can
be seen swimming, fishing, eating and playing.
Day 5: Salvador Lake - Otorongo
- Salvador Lake
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, as the temperature is very pleasant
at this time of day. After relaxing and swimming in the river
enjoy lunch along the riverbank, after this, cross the river
to walk an 8-km trail to another oxbow lake called Otorongo.
A strategically located observation tower rises 15 meters
above the lake and the jungle floor, giving us more chances
to observe wildlife including the Giant Otter. Late in the
afternoon you can use the catamaran and with the help of flashlights
observe the black caimans rise from the depths of the lake
and begin their search for prey. Return to the campsite.
Day 6: Salvador Lake - Boca Manu
- Tambo Blanco
Once again wake up early to enjoy a brief morning
walk and have breakfast, then pack up camp and go down steem
the interesting Manu River. Arrive at Boca Manu midday, this
village is situated a short distance from the confluence of
the Manu and Alto Madre de Dios rivers. From here you will
descend the Madre de Dios River arriving early in the afternoon
after three hours ride to Blanco Private Reserve. Camp at
the safari campsite and spend one more night in this magical
Amazon jungle.
Day 7: Tambo Blanco - Macaws Clay
Lick - Boca Manu
After a very early wake up, use a special hide
in the river shore in front to the "Collpa" macaw
lick to 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
wall to feed. We need a lot of patience and silence on the
catamaran so as not to disturb them as they eat the clay.
Around mid morning we board a canoe to return to the airstrip
at Boca Manu, where you will catch your plane back to Cusco.
End of services.
Day 8: Boca Manu - Atalaya - Cusco
Waking 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 services.
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