Manu Biosphere Reserve Experience

By far the richest, most extraordinary biological transect in the Peruvian Amazon, or the world, starts in Cusco and runs northeast by road and river to the great Manu Wilderness.

Manu offers by far the greatest quantity and diversity of animals and plants in the world. No other destination in Peru or beyond can compare with Manu Nowhere else can you enjoy a superbly intact transect of tropical habitats from Andean grasslands and cloud forests down to foothill and lowland forests.

Manu boasts the highest bird, mammal, and plant diversity of any park on Earth, including 1,000 of the world's 9,700 bird species, 200 species of mammals, and 15,000 species of flowering plants. The most photogenic spectacles are frolicking Giant Otters, 1,000 parrots and macaws at a riverbank clay lick, dancing Cocks-of-the-Rock, habituated monkeys, and huge Lowland Tapirs at a forest clay lick.

Join us on an incredible wildlife exploration tour through Manu National Park in southern Peru. Begin in the stunning Andes Mountains, towering over the Amazon Basin. Through a combination of walking, canoeing, vehicle and air transport, you will spend time each day scouting out wildlife unique to the Amazon rainforest. 13 species of monkeys, hundreds of exotic birds, wild boar, capybara (world's largest rodent), tapirs and even jaguars are some of the animals you will likely encounter on this once-in-a-lifetime excursion. Bus down the rugged terrain of the Andes to reach the jungle floor, where you will canoe down the Madre de Dios River, to the Manu River.

The river trips allow the opportunity to see the wildlife that congregate at the river's banks as well as water species. See Black Caimans (South American alligators), and Side-necked Turtles sunning along the shores, and catch sight of a family of Giant Otters fishing for their lunch. Led by an expert guide of the region, you have a great chance to see, and learn about, much of the local wildlife as well as the unique medicinal plants that are used by local, indigenous groups, and increasingly, in modern western medicine. You even have the chance to explore the rainforest at night in search of elusive, nocturnal animals! Relax at the lodges, explore local indigenous villages, swim in the river, hike, boat, canoe…this trip has all the activities you could ask for!

Spend two days camping in elaborate tents, complete with screened twin rooms, comfortable beds and shared flush toilets, and shower facilities on site. The remaining nights are spent in two different rainforest lodges. Six-day excursion sadly ends here and you will be transferred back to Cusco. Nine Day Expedition: Spend three days in and around the Manu Wildlife Center, a base for scientific research of the Amazon. Talk to researchers and learn what is being done for conservation of the rainforest. A bird watcher's dream, take a walk to the “Macaw Clay Lick,” where hundreds of brightly colored Parrots and Macaws come to eat the mineral-rich clay. Spend the last three nights at the Manu Wildlife Center lodge. On your last day enjoy a gorgeous 45 minute plane ride over the seemingly endless rainforest and over the Andes to return to Cusco where you can transfer to your hotel or catch your connecting flight home.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Leaving Cusco after breakfast around 7:00am we travel through traditional Quechua communities and through the spectacular eastern ranges of the Andes to the village of Paucartambo, passing snow-peaks and small Andean farmsteads. We will have time here to look around this picturesque village We then ascend to the last pass overlooking the Amazon Basin and begin the breath taking descent from 3500 meters to 1600 meters above sea-level to our comfortable lodge in the orchid laden Cloud Forest. This is a spectacular journey passing cascading waterfalls and multicoloured birds along the way. In the late afternoon, we'll walk into the lodge to the sounds of Quetzals, Trogons and Gray-breasted Wood-Wrens. Night at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge or Paradise Lodge. L:D:

Day 2: Pre- breakfast walk to a nearby spot in the Cloud Forest where the strange and beautiful Cocks-of-the-Rock display at dawn. This is a wonderful sight, as up to 25 bright red-orange males dance and sing, attempting to attract the favours of the duller, burgundy coloured females. After visiting this lek we return to the Lodge for a leisurely breakfast and continue in our all terrain bus to the Madre de Dios River and our motorized dugouts and we begin our journey down the river, past the last folds of the Andes, to it's confluence with the Manu River. We'll pass settlements and native communities during the trip. Just before we get to the village of Boca Manu we pass the native community of Diamante. Their culture is Piro and this is the largest settlement in the area. Passing the village of Boca Manu we arrive at tonight's destination - a small, locally built and managed lodge. The lodge is across the river from the tiny airstrip of Boca Manu. The two species of Tamarin monkeys are here -the Saddleback and Emperor. The latter with their long, white moustaches are a rare and precious sight. There is a trail system we can explore if time permits. Night at Boca Manu Lodge B:L:D

Day 3: Well fed and rested we leave Boca Manu, leaving the relatively clean waters of the Madre de Dios River behind, we enter the clay laden waters of the Manu River. 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 but 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-coloured 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 2007 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 lunched by the river we arrive at the Casa machuguenka Lodge. 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 nighttime noise of tree frogs and insects in the forest is an experience not to be forgotten. We stay at our tented camp. There are shared flush toilets and ambient temperature shower facilities and screened twin rooms with comfortable beds and mosquito nets. B:L:D

Day 4: After breakfast we'll spend the morning at the lake of Cocha Salvador. Some of the time will be spent canoeing the lake on a floating platform observing ox-bow lake animal life from the water. We may encounter an Agami Heron or a Sungrebe and Brown Cappuchin Monkeys are usually feeding on fruits nearby. Specially constructed piers that jut out into the lake enable us to look for a family of Giant Otters that live here. These, the world's largest freshwater carnivores, remain common only in Manu, having been hunted to extinction throughout most of their former range. Each animal consumes between 4 and 5 kilos of fish daily and often they can be seen eating large fish on logs at the lakeside. The rest of the day will be spent walking the trails in the area in search of some of the 13 species of Monkey found in the forest here. Your guide will explain some of the basics of rainforest ecosystems and point out some of the medicinal plants of the area used by local, indigenous groups. We may cross paths with a group of Peccaries - a species of wild boar found here. A late afternoon swim in the river near the camp as the sunsets. Night at the tented camp. B:L:D

Day 5: Today we'll walk very slowly from camp for 4-5 hours through the forest to Cocha Otorongo. We may encounter troops of Monkeys. This is a particularly good trail for Woolly and Black Spider Monkeys. We'll pay special attention to the plant life on this walk and take it slowly listening for the rustle of vegetation or the soft sound of fruits falling to the rainforest floor that may betray the presence of animals or large birds. We'll be met at the river by our cook with a picnic lunch and then board our motorized dugout for the 4 hour trip down river to Boca Manu for the night. The river trip may hold surprises and we'll be attentive for any wildlife on the beaches. Night at the lodge at Boca Manu. B:L:D

Day 6:
For those that are on the 6-day trip: we have time to explore the small trail system at the lodge before heading across the river to the tiny airstrip of Boca Manu. We'll take the 45 minute flight over seemingly endless rainforest and then over the Andes, passing glaciers and snow peaks to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco where our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel. B
For those that are on the 9-day trip: Leaving the lodge we'll head down the Madre de Dios River for two hours to the comfortable lodge facility near the Macaw Clay Lick - Manu Wildlife Centre. This strategically located lodge facility is jointly owned and run by Manu Expeditions and a local conservation group and is a base for scientific research in the area and a centre for visitors wanting to explore the rainforest. We should arrive in time for lunch and a shower (hot water) and get to meet whichever researchers are onsite. The afternoon is set aside to relax or, if you want, to explore a trail through the untouched forest to a lookout point on a cliff over the river to watch roosting flights of Parrots and Macaws as the sun sets. Manu Wildlife Center has a canopy platform and an observation tower. The canopy platform is accessible via a spiral staircase so everyone can get to enjoy the rainforest canopy. Those who wish can participate in a night walk with your guide in search of nocturnal animals. Night at Manu Wildlife Center. B:L;D
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are taking the 9 day trip and continuing onto Manu Wildlife Center, a delay may occur at the Boca Manu Aerodrome en route as some of your traveling companions may be taking the 6 day option and flying to Cusco this day

Day 7: Early start to-day for the Macaw Clay Lick. This is truly one of the world's great wildlife spectacles as hundreds of Parrots and their larger relatives, the Macaws, congregate at this traditional locality to eat the mineral rich clay that is essential to their digestion. We'll use a comfortable blind (hide) to get close to the birds and breakfast will be served. The noise alone is incredible and the sight of these brightly colored birds at the lick is a sight not to be forgotten. As the lick slows down in mid-morning we'll head for Cocha Blanco, an old ox-bow lake, in search of a family of Giant Otters that live there, and canoe around the lake on our floating platform looking for other wildlife. After a leisurely lunch at the lodge we'll explore other trails in search of Emperor and Saddleback Tamarins, and we have seen the rare Goeldi's Monkey repeatedly in this area. Night at the Manu Wildlife Centre B:L:D

Day 8: A full day to explore the forest and trails around the lodge. We'll be on the lookout for Monk Saki - an uncommon and rarely seen monkey of the tierra firme forest that is occasionally seen here. We'll explore trails where groups of Manakins, perhaps the most enigmatic of neo-tropical birds, perform their strange mating dances and walk to one of our blinds at a large mammal lick where Guans and forest Parakeets and Parrotlets come for clay. Here too, groups of Black Spider Monkeys visit on occasions for clay to help their digestion. Those who wish will return with the guide to the lodge in the late afternoon however there is an opportunity to stay at the lick after dark to see what nocturnal creatures come to the lick. Tapirs, the largest South American land mammal are frequent visitors with up to 12 animals visiting in one night. We watch them from the comfort of mosquito nets and mattresses from our specially constructed blind. Other nocturnal creatures are always possible. Night at the Manu Wildlife Centre. B:L:D

Day 9: After breakfast we head upriver (about 2 hours) to the small airstrip at Boca Manu. Early morning flocks of birds pass over the boat, and we may see a Capybara, the world's largest rodent. Arriving at the airstrip we board our aircraft for the 45 minute flight over seemingly endless rainforest and then over the Andes, passing glaciers and snow peaks to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco where our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel. B:

Other Details

Accommodation Details

You will be lodging at different lodges and tent camps throughout your trip.

Day 1: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge or Paradise Lodge
This location provides the world´s best Andean Cock-of-the-Rock viewing in a pristine cloud forest reserve. The Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge is located in the magical Manu cloud forest on the lush eastern slopes of the Andes, and is part of the Tropical Nature conservation system.

Situated at the temperate elevation of 1,600m/5,200 ft in the pleasant, mosquito-free Kosñipata Valley, the lodge protects and supports a 5,060ha./12,500-acre private cloud forest reserve. Though peaceful and secluded it stands very close to the scenic Cusco–Shintuya highway. It consists of 12 double-occupancy wooden bungalows with private bath facilities, and a separate complex with a large dining room. A local highland family staffs the lodge, and they also work as rangers, patrolling the private reserve.
12 private bungalows include: Spacious interiors, private bathrooms, screened windows and mosquito nets, private balcony

Meals are served on the fully screened dining platform. The lodge cook prepares hearty dishes using fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and meat. Vegetarian and other special diets can be provided upon request.

Day 2 and 5: Boca Manu Lodge

Day 3 and 4: Tented Camp.
On the shores of Manu River (lowland rainforest inside Manu National Park near large lake). There are shared flush toilets and ambient temperature shower facilities and screened twin rooms with comfortable beds and mosquito nets.

Day 6, 7 and 8: Manu Wildlife Center
The Manu Wildlife Center is a privately owned rainforest reserve which forms part of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. It is located in the Cultural Reserved Zone, set aside for indigenous Amazonian peoples. The lodge is on the banks of the Madre de Dios River in pristine rainforest.

The Manu Wildlife Center is a 44 bed lodge located on the Madre de Dios river only 90 minutes by motorized dugout canoe from the Boca Manu airstrip at the confluence of the Manu and Alto Madre de Dios rivers. It is owned by Manu Expeditions (Expediciones Manu), and the Peru Verde Conservation Group, a non-profit, non-government organization involved in rainforest conservation projects.

Facilities
Manu Wildlife Center consists of 22 double bungalows built in the style of, and using. the same materials as the local Machiguenga indigenous communities. Local wood, bamboo and palm fronds for roofing are used. All materials used have been sustainably harvested or brought in from distant areas. For example, the wood used in the construction is collected from the river as, each rainy season, hundreds of trees are washed into the river as it cuts its ever-changing course. On an average every three or four years the river actually enters the lodge towards the end of the wet season (around March) therefore all the bungalows are raised and connected to each other and the rest of the lodge facilities by gravel walkways. Each room has good quality foam mattresses and all beds have cotton sheets and quilts (best for hot tropical conditions). Although all the rooms are screened with imported insect netting, beds are furnished with individual mosquito nets. Furniture includes bedside tables and writing tables. The bungalows are arranged around a pleasant and well planned Amazonian garden with plants and shrubs that attract birds, butterflies and mammals. All bungalows are private and separated from each other for privacy and all have large windows facing the forest and garden. All the 22 bungalows boast private toilet and shower facilities. Hot and cold water is always available and all toilet facilities are flush. The large dining and bar/lounge areas are separate from the other facilities but close to all bungalows and the nearby kitchen area. Food is good and wholesome not gourmet, and we use a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and meats in our menu. Our cooks are used to providing for vegetarian diets. There is a separate spacious bar and lounge area which is located a short distance from the dining area. A variety of cold non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are always available here.