Your Specialist for Manu and Trekking in Cusco Your Specialist for Manu and Trekking in Cusco Your Specialist for Manu and Trekking in Cusco Your Specialist for Manu and Trekking in Cusco Experience Manu wildlife with Amazon Trails Peru - Manu Tour Operator
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EXPLORE MANU NATIONAL PARK
8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS (or 6 or 7 days)

Price per Person:
  • 8 days: 690 € / 1000 US$ (bus/ bus) ;
  • 6 days incl. flight: 770 € / 1116 US$;
    (min. 4 Pers.), includes Park entrance!

 

Map of Manu

Bridge at Paucartambo

DAY 1 : CUSCO TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : We take an 12 hour bus trip (with stops) from the city of 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 may see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly colored Tanagers, Quetzals and Hummingbirds and with some luck 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. Optional night walk.


The Manu River

DAY 2 : RIO DE ORO TO BLANQUILLO : Early start to visit the small parrot clay lick 10 minutes downriver. After observing parrots, parakeets and small macaws (Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rarest Blue headed Macaw) we continue for an 8 hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. Today we 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 Blanquillo, our base camp for 2 days. Optional night walk before dinner and a shower!


Macaw Claylick

DAY 3 : BLANQUILLO MACAW CLAY LICK TO MAQUISAPAYOJ : Early in the morning we go to the Macaw Clay Lick and - from a blind - watch flocks of Parakeets, Parrots and Macaws arriving to eat the clay of the lick, which is essential for their digestion. Breakfast at the blind. After the spectacle we travel upstream for one hour to Maquisapayoj (place of the Black Spider Monkey). From the river we walk into primary rainforest for about 1 1/2 hours 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.


White caiman on the beach
foto: Ross Murphy

DAY 4 : MAQUISAPAYOJ TO ALBERGUE CASA MATSIGUENKA : Today we travel 9 hours upriver into the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. During this trip the wildlife viewing along the banks of the Manu River is fabulous. White Caimans (Caiman crocodylus) sunning on the beaches, fish in the shallows, turtles and plenty of colourful birds as e.g. Black Skimmers and Terns may bee seen; and there is always the possibility of seeing larger animals such as Capybara, Tapir and Jaguar. In the afternoon we arrive at Albergue Matsiguenka, where we spend two nights. Optional nightwalk.


Giant river otters

DAY 5 : EXPLORING COCHA SALVADOR AND OTORONGO : We leave early for a day trip to explore Cocha ( oxbow-lake) Salvador by catamaran looking for Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), Caimans, Hoatzins and monkeys. In the afternoon we go for a walk on some of the trails through the forest. You can climb the 18 m observation tower at Cocha (lake) Otorongo. The night is spent at Albergue Matsiguenka, where we can meet the Machiguenga indians. Optional night walk.


Brown Capuchin Monkey

DAY 6 : ALBERGUE MATSIGUENKA TO CUSCO OR YANAYACU : Today we travel 6 hours down the Manu River. After a stop in Boca Manu village we make our way back upriver on the Alto Madre de Dios River for another 2 hours. This night we camp on the beach at Yanayacu. It is possible to fly back from Boca Manu Airstrip to Cusco in 45 min. ( 6 day tour).

 


catamaran on Lake Salvador

DAY 7 : YANAYACU TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : Today we continue traveling upriver, always looking for wildlife. We make a stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) and continue to Rio de Oro Lodge, close to Atalaya, where we spend the night. We can walk on some of the trails before or after dinner.

DAY 8 : RIO DE ORO TO CUSCO : After breakfast we take a short boat ride to Atalaya, where our bus is waiting. We travel up to the Andes again to return to Cusco around 5 p.m.

 

Sunset at Blanco Lake
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
  • Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
  • Private bus and boat transport
  • Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick and Tapir lick
  • Entrance fees to Manu National Park and Salvador and Otorongo lakes
  • Cook
  • All food (vegetarian on request)
  • Camping equipment and Lodge stays
  • First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
  • Radio communication
  • 6 day tour: return flight to Cusco

Note: Please consider that Manu flight schedule might be changed or - rarely - even be canceled due to weather conditions or maintenance. Therefore please make sure that you don't book your connecting flights the day after returning from Manu.

NOT INCLUDED:
  • Sleeping bag
  • Binocular
  • when returning by plane: airstrip tax Boca Manu
  • Alcoholic drinks etc.
Things you should bring for the Manu Trip:
 
  • mosquito repellent
  • long sleeved shirts (cotton is better)
  • cotton socks
  • sandals
  • rain gear
  • long pants
  • bathing suit
  • hiking shoes
  • binoculars (you can also rent them in Cusco)
  • camera and films (400 and 200 ASA)
  • plastic bags for clothes and camera etc.
  • personal things (soap, toilet paper. towel etc.)
  • hat ( or handkerchief)
  • sun blocker, sun glasses
  • sleeping bag (can also be rented)
  • flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries)
  • day pack
  • rubber boots ( only in rainy season, Jan. -April)

  • vermillon flycatcher

    Note: Please consider that Manu flight schedule might be changed or - rarely - even be canceled due to weather conditions or maintenance. Therefore please make sure that you don't book your connecting flights the day after returning from Manu.

    NEW in Amazon Trails Peru! Adventure with balsa raft : see itinerary






    Updated:

    Calle Tandapata 660, San Blas, Cusco - Peru
    Tel: (+51 84) 437499 (telefax) / mobile: 984741735 / 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

    Cusco / Trekking / Inka Trail Links
     
    Also Visit:
    Fixed departures 2008:
    (for tours going in by plane 1 or 2 days later)
    January: 6., 14.
    February: 11., 20., 27.
    March: 8., 16., 24., 30., 31.
    April: 7., 13., 21., 27.
    May: 5., 11., 19., 25.
    June: 2., 8., 15., 23., 29.
    July: 4., 7. 13., 18., 21., 27.
    August: 1., 4., 10., 15., 18., 24., 29.
    September: 1., 2.*, 7., 12., 15., 21., 26., 29.
    October: 5., 13., 14.*, 19., 27.
    November: 2., 10., 16., 24., 30.
    December: 8., 14., 22., 28.
    * : 4 day Lodge Tour

    · Why go to Manu?

    Manu is situated in the peruvian part of the Amazon basin and is one of the world´s great wilderness areas where wildlife is still undisturbed and plentiful.

    The Manu Biosphere Reserve protects Tropical Alpine Grasslands ( Puna), Elfin ( temperate) and Cloud Forests, High Rainforest and Lowland Rainforest. In these different ecosistems we can find an extraordinary variety of animal and plant species:

    So far 15.000 plant species, over 1000 bird species and 200 species of mammals have been identified in Manu.

    According to biologists no other rainforest Park can compare with Manu´s biodiversity ( 40 % more bird species than in the brazilian Amazon) and opportunities to observe wildlife, e.g. at the Mammal- and Macaw Salt Licks.

    Manu is remote, away from civilisation and scarcely populated, which distinguishes Manu from other rainforest destinations like Pto. Maldonado. Some of the indigenous tribes in Manu have no contact to civilization.

    Some birds are endemic to this area as e.g. White tufted Sunbeam(Aglaeactis castelnaudii), Red and white Antpitta (Grallaria erythroleuca), Puna Thistletail (Schizoeaca h. helleri) and White cheeked Tody Tyrant (Poecilotriccus albifacies).

    No other area in America offers such excellent viewing of rare or difficult to observe animals.

    -
    Macaws

    · Why go with Amazon Trails Peru?

    We were founded by experienced, professional Manu guides - most of them grew up in the rainforest - , who make sure that you have the best opportunities to observe wildlife without disturbing the animals.

    Our guides are bilingual and give you a comprehensive impression of the rainforest ecosystem and provide you with an unique, learning rainforest experience at a fair price.

    Amazon Trails Peru aims to train local people and work with them, support lodges and enterprises owned by local people and communities (e.g. Casa Matsiguenka).

    · Why go to Blanquillo and Maquisapayoj?

    Blanquillo and Maquisapayoj are private reserves, situated in pristine primary rainforest, only a short boat ride from Boca Manu. In Blanquillo there is the big Macaw Clay Lick and 2 oxbow lakes with ideal conditions to observe giant otters from a wooden catamaran.

    Maquisapayoj has an elevated platform to observe tapirs at night – surrounded by dense forest.

    Nobody else around in hundreds of kilometers of rainforest!

    Both places are surrounded by plenty of private walking trails to discover, ideal to observe animals.·

    -
    Tapir

    · Ecotourism and Conservation

    Manu is a very rich/ biodiverse but fragile ecosystem.

    Being home of several endangered species, e.g. Giant Otter, Harpy Eagle, Giant Anteater, Ocelot and Wooly Monkey, ecologically sustainable tourism in Manu is imperative and a low tourism flow is favourable.

    Visitors should be informed about rainforest conservation and favorabletourism activities have to be controled ( e.g. don´t get too close to the animals).

    Ecotourism also is an important economic activity for the inhabitants of the rainforest that permits its use without distroying the rainforest resources.

    That´s why it´s very important to involve local people in Manu tourism!

    -
    Tapirplatform in Maquisapayoj
     
         


    Calle Tandapata 660, San Blas, Cusco - Peru
    Tel: (+51 84) 437499 (telefax) / mobile: 984741735 / 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
    Important: All Phographic Material is propierty of Amazon Trails Perú
    The sounds of birds you can hear on this site have been recorded in Manu
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