• EXPLORE THE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE 8 Days
  with return via Atalaya
• EXPLORE THE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE 6 Days
  with return via Colorado
• EXPLORE THE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE 5 Days
  with return via Colorado
• shorter tour options:
  • Explore Manu Cultural Zone 4 Days 3 Nights

EXPLORE THE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE
8 Days

Fixed departures please see on the right

Price p. person

• 8 days : 1260 US$ * (min 3 persons)
• optional: Macaw Clay Lick (+ 70 US $)

on Camungo tower (42m)
(Foto: C. Buschbeck)

DAY 1: CUSCO TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : We take an 11 hour private 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 & private bathroom). Optional night walk.

Hoatzin
(Foto: B. Szonn)

DAY 2: RIO DE ORO TO MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE : Early start to visit the small parrot clay lick 20 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.

DAY 6: TRAVELLING UPRIVER TO PANTIACOLLA OR YANAYACU LODGE : We travel upriver to make our way back to Cusco. Our first stop is in Boca Manu village, from here we continue further upriver by boat and spend the night in a lodge (Yanayacu or Pantiacolla Lodge). If time allows we make a short visit to the Piro Indian village of Diamante on the way. We explore some of the trails around the lodge in the afternoon and do a night walk after dinner.

DAY 7 : PANTIACOLLA OR YANAYACU TO ATALAYA AND BAMBOO LODGE : Today we continue travelling upriver, always looking for wildlife. Early in the morning we visit a parrot clay lick on the river bank. Later we make a stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) or can visit a small lake close to the river, which is a good place for bird watching. We arrive in Atalaya in the afternoon and continue with our van towards the cloud forest. We spend the night at Bamboo Lodge at 1000m. Optional night walk.

DAY 8 : BAMBOO LODGE – CLOUD FOREST TO CUSCO : We start early to drive to San Pedro in the could forest, where we can see the dance of the Cock of the Rocks. Afterwards we have breakfast and then continue through the cloud forest, with some more opportunities to see birds. We then travel up to the Andes again to return to Cusco in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private bus and boat transport
• Entrance fees to Tapir lick and Blanco & Camungo lakes
• Cook
• All food (vegetarian on request) and drinking water
• Lodge accommodation and night on the tapir observation platform
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication

NOT INCLUDED:

• Optional: entrance fee to the Macaw clay lick (70$)
• Binocular Alcoholic drinks etc.

itineraries and lodges may be changed without prior notice

EXPLORE THE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE
6 Days with return via Colorado

Fixed departures please see on the right

Price per person

• 1300 US$ (min. 3 persons),
• optional: Macaw Clay Lick (+ 70 US $)

DAY 1: CUSCO TO THE CLOUD FOREST OR 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.

It is possible to spend the first night in a Lodge in the cloud forest.

Tourists aboard our boat

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 a 7 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. We make a short stop at Boca Manu village. 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.) or night on the platform at the Mammal Salt Lick.

macaws flying to the clay lick
(Foto: T.Taylor)

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.

tapir at the salt lick
(Foto: T.Taylor)

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.

Hoatzin
(Foto: B. Szonn)

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.

black caiman
(foto H. Garber)

DAY 6: BLANCO LAKE (BLANQUILLO) AND TRAVELLING TO PTO. MALDONADO: After breakfast we get ready to take the boat from Blanquillo to Colorado (2 hours 30 min.), from where we take a car to Puerto Carlos (1 hour). We cross Rio Inambari (20 min.) and from there (Santa Rosa) we continue with our private van to get back to Cusco, arrival around 9 pm.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private bus and boat transport & car to Sta. Rosa
• Entrance fees to Tapir lick and Blanco & Camungo lakes
• Cook
• All food (vegetarian on request) and drinking water
• Lodge accommodation and night on tapir platform
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication

NOT INCLUDED:

• entrance fee to Macaw clay lick ( +70 US$ p.p.)
• Binocular
• Alcoholic drinks etc.

itineraries and lodges may be changed without prior notice

Things you should bring for the Manu Trip:

vermillon flycatcher

• 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, ankle high
• Rain gear (rain poncho is good)
• Sweater (for Andes and cloud forest)
• Bathing suit (optional)
• long pants
• Sandals or light shoes to change/ for bathroom (optional)
• Binoculars (you can also rent them)
• Camera, extra batteries & camera charger
• Plastic bags for clothes and camera etc.
• Personal things (soap, toilet paper, small towel etc.)
• Hat (or handkerchief)
• Sun blocker, sun glasses
• Flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries)
• Water bottle (min. 1,5 litre)
• Day pack
• Rubber boots (provided by ATP)
• Passport copy
• Money (Soles) for soft drinks, handicrafts and tips

Updated:

Amazon Trails Peru Tour Operator
Calle Tandapata 660, San Blas, Cusco - Peru
Tel: (+51 84) 437374 (telefax) / mobile: 984714148
Skype: amazontrailsperu
e-mail: info@amazontrailsperu.com

USA representative : World Class Travel
800-771-3100 (Toll free USA and Canada)
352-371-3100 (local phone)
e-mail: amazontrails@peruperu.com