manu biosphere reserve

Cloud Forest, Salvador and Otorongo Lake, Macaw Clay Lick, Pantiacolla Mountains,
5 -7 -9 days - in by bus, out by plane or bus

Day 1º - Cusco - Cloud Forest

Leaving Cusco early in the morning, we begin an 8-hour journey over the Andes by bus, stopping for a coffee at the beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo. Continuing, we climb to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere at about 3,530 m before descending to the cloud forest. In these mysterious surroundings we take a hike to the leek of the incredible cock-of-the-rock, to see the ‘performance’ of the male’s right under our eyes. We spend our first night in the rustic lodge Posada San Pedro (appr. 1,600 m).

Day 2º - Cloud Forest - Atalaya - Manu River

At daybreak we continue by bus to tropical lowland rainforest. Here at the small village Atalaya at 650 m, we change into a motorized canoe to navigate some 5 hours down the turbulent Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. As night falls we make camp or stay in a basic lodge, depending on weather and availability.

Day 3º & 4º - Lake Salvador and Lake Otorong

On the morning of the third day we turn up the Manu River for a 6 hour ride into the heart of Manu’s Reserved Zone. From this vantage point we will have great views of riverside birds, sunbathing caiman, and the enormous aquatic guinea pig, the capybara. We reach our camping huts deep inside Manu in the afternoon. This will be our base for the next two days. During this time, we will hike through virgin forest and explore one of the most beautiful lakes of the Manu basin, Lake Salvador, by catamaran. There is a chance to see a huge variety of colourful birds, numerous species of monkey and with luck, a family of giant otters. There is another hike in this habitat-rich forest that will end in Lake Otorongo and a 20 metre-high observation platform overlooking the lake. At night we can explore the forest by torchlight or go moonlight caiman-spotting on the lake.

Day 5º - Lake Salvador - Boca Manu

After a final walk through the forest surrounding Lake Salvador (flight schedule permiting), we return back down the Manu River. At Boca Manu, you return mid-day to Cusco by light aircraft , if you are participating in the 5-day trip.

IF YOUR TOUR IS OF 7 OR 9 DAYS, IT CONTINUES AS FOLLOWS:

Day 5º - Lake Salvador - Macaw Clay Lick

Joining the Madre de Dios River we arrive at Blanquillo, near the claylick for macaws, where we spend the night in the jungle lodge Tambo Blanquillo.

Day 6 º - Macaw Clay Lick

At first light we head to the macaw lick to watch the dazzling spectacle of hundreds of parakeets, parrots and macaws eating clay. In the afternoon we visit another one of Manu´s beautiful oxbow lakes, Cocha Blanco. Going back up the river we camp or stay in a basic lodge, depending on weather and availability.

Day 7 º - Boca Manu - Cusco

A short boat ride takes us to Boca Manu airport and our mid-day return flight over the rainforest and the Andes to Cusco by light aircraft, if you are participating in the 7-day trip.

IF YOUR TOUR IS OF 9 DAYS, IT CONTINUES AS FOLLOWS:

Day 7 º - Boca Manu - Pantiacolla Lodge

We carry on up the Alto Madre de Dios River for about 5 hours. Here we get great views of the Andes. For the next two nights we stay at the Pantiacolla lodge, right at the foot of the Pantiacolla Mountains.

Day 8 º - Pantiacolla Mountains

This day we hike through a very special rainforest: this is where the Andes and the lowland tropical rainforest meet, providing the visitor with a chance to see a good selection of birds, insects and flora from both zones as well as some endemics.

Day 9 º - Atalaya - Cloud Forest - Cusco

Back on the boat early in the morning, we head upstream to Atalaya where our bus is waiting to take us back over the Andes to Cusco .

Important notes:

Bearing in mind the uncontrollable forces of nature, the programme could be subject to changes at any time
Every group can contain people who travel for 5, 7 or 9 days

 

INFORMATION TOURS TO MANU 2007

Included:

Not Included:

• Entrance fee reserved zone ($50 per person)
• Sleeping bag (can be rented in Cusco at $2 per day)
• Soft drinks and beers
• $10 airport tax (5 & 7 day tours)

Important:

Rainforest expeditions are not comfortable tours, but with the following EQUIPMENT you will get the best out of the forest and yourself:

• Binoculars (imperative)
• Flashlight with spare bulbs and extra batteries
  Sleeping bag
• Day pack
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• T-shirts
• Shorts/Bathing suit
• Towel
• Sweater or light jacket
• 1 pair of hiking boots and 1 pair of light shoes or sandals
• Long socks
• Rain gear
• Rubber boots (only in the rainy season—we provide them)
• Sunhat, sunglasses, sunblock
• Insect repellent (with at least 25% 'deet') and afterbite
• Toilet-paper
• Plastic bags (to keep everything dry)
• Water bottle (with water for the bus ride into Manu)
• Copy of a valid passport
• Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations
• Money for softdrinks or beers and handicrafts at the Boca Manu landing strip

Health Advice:

• There is an extremely low malaria risk in the Manu area and the occasional cases of malaria in the Alto Madre de Dios zone have proved to be completely curable. Use insect repellent and effective clothing to avoid being bitten.

Additional information:

• Confirmation of the excursion will be received at time of booking.
• All tours are operated in English unless otherwise stated.

Travel voucher:

• For every confirmed booking you will be required to print a voucher for presentation at our office in Puno.
• You will receive an electronic voucher via e-mail once your booking is confirmed.

Local Operator Information:

• We will send you a complete operator information, including phone numbers at your destination in Cusco.
• Our Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

How to book this tour....

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