6day Tour to the Reserved Zone of Manu Park

Day 1: Cusco – Pona Lodge

The first day of our adventure into the Jungle of Manu, we will pick you up around 5:00 AM from your hotels in Cusco, using the service of our private transport. The first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains. Afterwards, we will visit the town of Huancarani which contains the funeral towers of Ninamarca, a cemetery of the Lupaca Pre –Inca Culture, which we will visit briefly on our way to Paucartambo, which is known as the folkloric capital of the district of Cusco. In the face of modern times, this small colonial pueblo has managed to hold on to its rich tradition for centuries upon centuries. At mid-day we will arrive at the entrance of Manu National Park and access to one of the most protected natural areas in South America. We will continue on in our private transport down a dirt road and on through the thick fog from which this section of the forest takes it name. Eventually we will arrive at the home of the exotic Peruvian National Bird, the “Cock of the Rock”, where it is known to gather with others of its kind for some sort of social gathering that seems reminiscent of a large courtship. You will find that this is quite an amazing spectacle complete with an impressive array of sounds and colours that can only be found in the jungle. For our first night, we will stay in the beautiful Pona Lodge, where we will arrive at approx. 5:00 p.m. (L+D)

Day 2: Pona Lodge – Reserved Zone – Casa Matsiguenka

This morning from clear waters of Alto Madre de Dios River we will enter the clay laden waters of the Manu River, after leave our lodge at 3:30am we will head towards Atalaya Port and from there we will continue our journey by boat and from there sail directly to the Reserved Zone of Manu Park. With a brief stop at the park ranger station at Limonal to present our permits we travel for about five hours up the Manu. Beaches, especially in the dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name a few. Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans (South American relatives of the Alligators) and breeding Side-necked Turtles. Hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches and there is a chance of encountering a sunning Jaguar – the world’s third largest cat. In 1999 one in three of our trips saw Jaguar in Manu. We will see some species of primate on this river trip, possibly Red Howler Monkeys or the smaller Squirrel Monkeys. After having lunch by the river we arrive at our Safari Camp near the lake of Cocha Salvador. We’ll have the afternoon to explore some of the trails through the pristine rainforest in the area. A visit to the lake of Cocha Otorongo is planned, where observation piers and a 20 meter observation tower in the rainforest canopy overlooking the lake are available for observing wildlife. We will also be on the lookout for a large family of Giant Otters that inhabit this lake. Before or after dinner an optional excursion into the forest at night is available with your guide in search of nocturnal creatures. The lakes are full of eye-shine of the large Black Caiman and if we are lucky we may encounter an Olingo Kinkajou or even an Ocelot on the trails. Certainly the night-time noise of tree frogs and insects in the forest is an experience not to be forgotten. Night at Casa Matshiguenka lodge, there are flush toilets and shower facilities.(B+L+D)

Day 3: Reserved Zone of Manu National Park – Casa Matsiguenka – Salvador Oxbow Lake

We will start our activity very early in the morning at the Salvador oxbow lake using a floating platform called a catamaran. This morning we will be able to see an infinity of species of birds and mammals, herons, cormorants, eagles, hawks, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, giant otters and giant river otters. The Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) can reach up to 6 feet or 1.82 cm in length and weigh up to 70 pounds or 31 kilograms. They consume between 9 to 11 lbs (4-5kilos). of fish per day. This is one of the rare animals on earth which are common in Manu. We will also look for some of the 15 species of monkeys which inhabit this place. The sound of the red howler monkeys through the mist can make our skin crawl. After lunch at our lodge we will explore one of the trails through the jungle and look at the complex ecosystem that surrounds us. Our ecologist guide will explain how plants and insects interact with the forest. We will be on the lookout for some of the smaller inhabitants of the jungle, such as the emperor pichico or the spotted-backed tamarin. On the way it is also possible to come across a group of peccaries, a species of wild boar found here. Overnight at Casa Matsiguenka Lodge (B+L+D)

Day 4: Reserved Zone of Manu National Park – Casa Matsiguenka – Macaw Clay Lick

Very early in the morning we will walk towards a Macaw Clay lick found in Manu Park (Scarlet Macaws as well as Red and Green Macaws are seeing at this clay Lick), The activity at the clay lick begins about 5:30 am as medium sized parrots arrive with the dawn, pair by noisy pair, and land in the treetops above the lick. Several screeching birds clamber about in the branches in preparation for their descent to the riverbank. Eventually, cascades of green, blue, and red parrots circle down to the clay wall. About 7:00 or 7:30 am large macaws start to arrive. Around 10am the Macaws will begin to descend. This colorful and noisy scene continues for 20 to 40 minutes while the birds eat their fill of clay or until danger arrives in the form of a hawk, eagle, or ocelot. This is truly one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles.
After the exiting morning we will return for lunch to the Lodge.
Free afternoon! Additional activities for the afternoon will be arranged if requested. (B+L+D)

Day 5: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park – Papaya Lodge

Early in the morning we will have another chance to go for a nature walk or one more visit to the oxbow lake and hear choirs of birds defining their territory in song. As the sun rises, the eastern sky changes to a pale yellow and we will be able to see falcons or other predatory birds patiently searching for prey from the treetops. After lunch we will board our boat again and head downstream towards Boca Manu and from there we will start our journey up river towards our lodge where we will spend the night. (B+L+D)

Day 6: Papaya Lodge – Cusco

Today we will start our journey back to Cusco, the first part of the journey will be by boat and after reach Atalaya we will continue our journey by car. We will arrive to Cusco between 4 to 7pm. (B+L)

INCLUDED

• Tour guide in English and Spanish with spotting scope
• Transportation (bus and boat)
• Cook
• Three meals a day
• Mineral water
• All Nights in Lodge, a night in a blind might be included in the tour
• Fresh fruit
• Snacks
• Rain Poncho
• Rubber boots
• Entrance fee to the Oxbow Lakes
• Entrance fee to Manu National Park
• Entrance fee to all the private Natural Reserves
• First aid kit

EXCLUDED

• Travel Insurance
• Firs breakfast
• Mineral water in the first day
• Last day Dinner
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips for the team