EXPLORE THE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE
8 DAYS (or shorter: 5 or 6 days)

Contact: ulla@amazontrailsperu.com

Price per Person:

• 8 days (bus/ bus) : 1060 US $ ;
• 6 days, incl. flight : 1180 US $ ;
• 5 days, incl. flight : 1140 US $; (min. 2 pers.)

DAY 1: CUSCO TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : We take an 12 hour bus trip (with stops) from Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 m (13,000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios River. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and can see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly coloured Tanagers, Quetzals and Hummingbirds and possibly the first monkeys, e.g. the Woolly Monkey. In the afternoon we arrive to Atalaya (500m), from here it is only 15 minutes by boat to our Rio de Oro Lodge (double rooms). Optional night walk.

DAY 2: RIO DE ORO TO MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE : Early start to visit the small parrot clay lick 10 minutes downstream. After observing parrots, parakeets and small macaws (Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rare Blue headed Macaw) we have breakfast and continue for an 7 to 8 hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. Today we enjoy the changing landscape and have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive to Maquisapayoj Lodge (place of the Black Spider Monkey). The night is spent in rooms with private bath in Maquisapayoj. Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

DAY 3: MACAW CLAY LICK AND CAMUNGO LAKE & TOWER : Early in the morning we take the boat to the big Macaw Clay Lick in Blanquillo. From the blind we can observe flocks of macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao), parrots and parakeets congregating to eat the clay, which is essential for their digestion. Breakfast at the blind. Later we explore some of the trails in Blanquillo to see more species of monkeys and birds. After lunch we visit Camungo oxbow lake: 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 m tower to get a great canopy view and observe birds, e.g. toucans. In the afternoon we walk back to the river and we travel upriver for one hour to return to Maquisapayoj. From the river we walk about 1 ½ hours through primary rainforest to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. If you prefer you can spend the night in double rooms at the Lodge close to the river.

DAY 4: BLANCO LAKE (BLANQUILLO) AND MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR LICK : At dawn we return to the lodge to have breakfast. Afterwards we travel downriver for about 40 minutes to visit ´Cocha Blanco` (Blanco lake). We take a wooden catamaran to explore the oxbow-lake and look for the family of Giant River Otters that lives here. We enjoy the beautiful setting at the lake and can also see monkeys (e.g. Red Howler Monkey), caimans and different varieties of birds. Returning we have a walk on some of Blanquillo’s trails before lunch. In the afternoon we can visit another oxbow lake in the area or return to Maquisapayoj by boat to explore the trails in Maquisapayoj, to look for monkeys and birds. With some luck we can also see some bigger animals like sloth or anteater. We spend the night in Maquisapayoj, either on the platform at the Mammal Salt Lick or at the Lodge, close to the river.

DAY 5: EXPLORING MAQUISAPAYOJ : We have breakfast at the lodge. Later we explore other trails around Maquisapayoj looking for 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 will also explain about some plants, ants etc. The night is spent at Maquisapayoj, either on the tapir platform again or at the Lodge. (Today you can fly back to Cusco from Boca Manu airstrip (45 min.).)

DAY 6: TRAVELLING UPRIVER BY BOAT OR FLIGHT BACK TO CUSCO : Today we travel upriver to make our way back to Cusco. Our first stop is in Boca Manu village. For the 6 day tour you take the small plane from Boca Manu airstrip to Cusco (a 45 minute flight). For people doing the 8 day tour we continue further upriver by boat and camp at Yanayacu beach on Rio Alto Madre de Dios for this night. If time allows we make a short visit to the Piro Indian village of Diamante.

DAY 7: YANAYACU BEACH TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : Today we continue travelling upriver, always looking for wildlife along the river banks. We make a stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) and continue to Rio de Oro Lodge, close to Atalaya. We can visit Machuwasi lake and walk on some of the trails in the afternoon or have a night walk. We spend the night at Rio de Oro Lodge.

DAY 8: RIO DE ORO TO CUSCO : After breakfast we take a short boat ride to Atalaya, where our bus is waiting. We travel up to the Andes again to return to Cusco around 6 p.m.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private bus and boat transport
• Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick, Tapir lick and Blanco and Camungo lakes
• Cook
• All food (vegetarian on request) and drinking water
• Camping equipment and Lodge accomodation
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication
• 5 or 6 day tour: return flight to Cusco

NOT INCLUDED:

• Binocular
• when returning by plane: airstrip tax Boca Manu
• Alcoholic drinks etc.

 

Manu Rafting
6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS

Price per Person :

• 8 days: 990 US $
• 6 days , incl. flight : 1100 US $
  (min. 2 Pers.)

 

DAY 1: CUSCO TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : We take an 12 hour bus trip (with stops) from Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 m (13,000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios River. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and can see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly coloured Tanagers, Quetzals and Hummingbirds and possibly the first monkeys, e.g. the Woolly Monkey. In the afternoon we arrive to Atalaya (500m), from here it is only 15 minutes by boat to our Rio de Oro Lodge (double rooms). Optional night walk.

DAY 2: ATALAYA TO SERJALI : Early in the morning we prepare our raft and descend the upper Madre de Dios River for around 6 hours. Today we enjoy the changing landscape floating downriver on the raft. We have good opportunities to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive to the area of Serjali and camp on the beach.

DAY 3: SERJALI TO BOCA MANU TO MAQUISAPAYOJ : After an early breakfast we continue by boat to Boca Manu village, where we have a stop and can have a look around the village or get a cold drink. Afterwards we continue by boat for 2 ½ hours to Maquisapayoj Lodge (place of the Black Spider Monkey). Later we explore other trails around Maquisapayoj looking for 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 will also explain about some plants, ants etc. The night is spent in rooms with private bath. Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

DAY 4: MACAW CLAY LICK AND CAMUNGO LAKE & TOWER : Early in the morning we take the boat to the big Macaw Clay Lick in Blanquillo. From the blind we can observe flocks of macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao), parrots and parakeets congregating to eat the clay, which is essential for their digestion. Breakfast at the blind. Later we explore some of the trails in Blanquillo to see more species of monkeys and birds. After lunch we visit Camungo oxbow lake: 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 m tower to get a great canopy view and observe birds, e.g. toucans. In the afternoon we walk back to the river and we travel upriver for one hour to return to Maquisapayoj. From the river we walk about 1 ½ hours through primary rainforest to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. If you prefer you can spend the night in double rooms at the Lodge close to the river.

DAY 5: BLANCO LAKE (BLANQUILLO) AND MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR LICK : At dawn we return to the lodge to have breakfast. Afterwards we travel downriver for about 40 minutes to visit ´Cocha Blanco` (Blanco lake). We take a wooden catamaran to explore the oxbow-lake and look for the family of Giant River Otters that lives here. We enjoy the beautiful setting at the lake and can also see monkeys (e.g. Red Howler Monkey), caimans and different varieties of birds. Returning we have a walk on some of Blanquillo’s trails before lunch. In the afternoon we can visit another oxbow lake in the area or return to Maquisapayoj by boat to explore the trails in Maquisapayoj, to look for monkeys and birds. With some luck we can also see some bigger animals like sloth or anteater. We spend the night in Maquisapayoj, either on the platform at the Mammal Salt Lick or at the Lodge, close to the river.

DAY 6: TRAVELLING UPRIVER BY BOAT OR FLIGHT BACK TO CUSCO : We travel upriver to make our way back to Cusco. Our first stop is in Boca Manu village. For the 6 day tour you take the small plane from Boca Manu airstrip to Cusco (a 45 minute flight). For people doing the 8 day tour we continue further upriver by boat and camp at Yanayacu beach on Rio Alto Madre de Dios for this night. If time allows we make a short visit to the Piro Indian village of Diamante.

DAY 7: YANAYACU BEACH TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : Today we continue travelling upriver, always looking for wildlife along the river banks. We make a stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) and continue to Rio de Oro Lodge, close to Atalaya. We can visit Machuwasi lake and walk on some of the trails in the afternoon or have a night walk. We spend the night at Rio de Oro Lodge.

DAY 8: RIO DE ORO TO CUSCO : After breakfast we take a short boat ride to Atalaya, where our bus is waiting. We travel up to the Andes again to return to Cusco around 6 p.m.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private bus and boat transport and the raft
• Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick, Tapir lick and Blanco and Camungo lakes
• Cook
• All food (vegetarian on request)
• Lodge accomodation and Camping equipment
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication
• 6 day tour: return flight to Cusco

NOT INCLUDED:

• Binocular
• when returning by plane: airstrip tax Boca Manu
• Alcoholic drinks etc.

Fixed departures please see on the right

Please note: you have to be prepared to get wet on this trip, please protect you and your equipment adequatly.

Things you should bring for the Manu Trip:

• 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
• sandals or light shoes to change
• rain gear (rain poncho is good)
• sweater ( for Andes and cloudforest)
• long pants
• bathing suit
• binoculars (you can also rent them)
• camera and films (400 and 200 ASA) & extra batteries
• camera charger
• plastic bags for clothes and camera etc.
• personal things (soap, toilet paper, towel etc.)
• hat (or handkerchief)
• sun blocker, sun glasses
• light sleeping bag (can also be rented)
• flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries)
• water bottle ( min. 1 l)
• day pack
• rubber boots (from dec. to april) provided by ATP
• passport copy
• money (Soles) for soft drinks, handicrafts and tips