|
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.
*Optional: Here in Pilcopata town you may make the final
settings for a 3 hour river rafting (class I and II) trip
down the Koshñipata river where you will have the opportunity
for a dip and of course enjoy the spectacular view of the
Koñeq Canyon. Then, continue down the Alto Madre de
Dios River to the Erika Lodge. Ask for the price.
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.
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 in the night or the
next early morning. End of services.
|
|
- 3 nights accomodation in the Lodge. (01 night in San Pedro
open air lodge, 01 night in Erika Lodge and 01 night at Tambo
Blanco).
- 4 nights accomodation in the camp .
- Camping equipment, including two-persons tents, mattress, dining tents, cooking tent, first aid kit.
- All ground (overland buses and 4WD vehicles) and river transportation
(covered motor boats). Air charters depending on your choice.
- Entrance fees
- Specialized English/spanish speaking guide for all tours
mentioned.
- All meals
- Radio communication equipment in the lodges.
- Satellite telephone for emergencies.
- All applicable taxes for the tour
** Custom made programs may be prepared
for groups with special interests. Extra nights, optional
starting and ending points, additional tours and extra flight
reservations may be arranged upon request. All tours may be
provided in private upon request as well.
|
