Short Programs

Explore Manu Cultural Zone 4 Days 3 Nights

Fixed departures please see on the right

Map of Manu

Cock of the Rock (Foto: B. Szonn)

Price per Person:

• 440 US $ ( min. 2 Pers.) , in and out by bus

DAY 1: CUSCO TO MANU CLOUDFOREST OR PILCOPATA : We take an 10 hour private bus trip 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 coloured Tanagers and Hummingbirds and with some luck the first monkeys, as e.g. the Wooly Monkey. We spend the night in a lodge in San Pedro cloudforest (1500 m) or in Pilcopata ( 600 m).

Rio de Oro Lodge

DAY 2: SAN PEDRO OR PILCOPATA TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : After breakfast we walk along the road increasing with our list of flora and fauna. We continue 1 hour by bus to Atalaya, at 500 m. Here we embark on a half hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. We have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we walk on the trails around the lodge and visit Machuwasi lake. Optional night walk to see caimans at the river. We spend the night at Rio de Oro Lodge.

Rio de Oro Lodge

DAY 3: EXPLORING AROUND RIO DE ORO LODGE : Very early in the morning we travel by boat to see the parrot clay lick. This is a special place where parrots, parakeets and small macaws (Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rare Blue headed Macaw) go to eat minerals which help them with digestion. After the natural show we walk on the trails and climb up to a lookout from where we have a view over the Alto Madre de Dios River. We can go fishing or have a bath in the river. The night is spent at the lodge. Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

DAY 4: RIO DE ORO LODGE TO CUSCO : After breakfast we take the boat back to Atalaya where our bus is waiting and start the return trip to Cusco. We arrive around 6 pm, transfer to your hotel.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private bus and boat transport
• Entrance fees to the Cock of the Rock observatory and Machuwasi lake Cook
• all food (vegetarian on request) and drinking water
• Lodge accomodation
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)

Not included:

• binocular
• alcoholic drinks

Programs with flights :

Regular Manu flights are only available from april to november.

Explore Manu Clay Licks, by Plane
4 days, 3 nights

Price per person :

• 1150 US$ (min. 2 pers.)

Macaw Clay Lick

DAY 1.- USCO TO BOCA MANU AND MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE : We pick you up from your hotel to bring you to the airport for the flight to Boca Manu (45 min.). Your guide will meet you at Boca Manu airstrip and from here we travel by boat to ´Maquisapayoj` (Place of the Black spider monkey) (1,5 hours). In the afternoon we explore the trails in the area, to look for monkeys and birds. The night is spent in double rooms with privat bathroom. Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes) or night at the tapir lick.

DAY 2: BIG 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 (im web from the lodge) 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.

Kapoc Tree at
Camungo Tower
(Foto: C. Buschbeck)

DAY 3: BLANCO LAKE (BLANQUILLO) & MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR SALT 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 4.- BOCA MANU TO CUSCO : After breakfast we travel upriver to Boca Manu airstrip to take the flight back to Cusco (45min.). From the plane we enjoy great views of the rainforest. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private boat transport
• Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick, Tapir lick and Blanco & Camungo lakes
• Cook & food (vegetarian on request) and drinking water
• Camping equipment and Lodge stays
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication
• flight Cusco - Boca Manu - Cusco

NOT INCLUDED:

• Binocular
• Airport tax Cusco and airstrip tax Boca Manu
• Alcoholic drinks etc.

Note: Please consider that Manu flights may be delayed or - rarely - even cancelled due to weather conditions or maintenance work. Therefore please make sure that you don't book your connecting flights the day after returning from Manu.

Explore Manu Clay Licks, by Plane
3 days, 2 nights

Price per person :

• 1110 US $ (min. 2 pers.)

Boca Manu airstrip

DAY 1.- CUSCO TO BOCA MANU AND MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE : We pick you up from your hotel to bring you to the airport for the flight to Boca Manu (45 min.). Your guide will meet you at Boca Manu airstrip and from here we travel by boat to Maquisapayoj (Place of the Black spider monkey) (1,5 hours). The night is spent in double rooms with privat bathroom. Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes) or night at the tapir lick.

Tapir

DAY 2.- BIG 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 3.- MAQUISAPAYOJ TO CUSCO : By dawn we walk back to the river, have breakfast and travel upriver to Boca Manu airstrip and take the flight back to Cusco. From the plane we enjoy great views of the rainforest. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private boat transport
• Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick, Tapir lick and Blanco and Camungo lakes
• Cook & food (vegetarian on request) and drinking water
• Camping equipment and Lodge stays
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication
• flight Cusco - Boca Manu - Cusco

NOT INCLUDED:

• Binocular
• Airport tax Cusco and airstrip tax Boca Manu
• Alcoholic drinks etc.

Note: Please consider that Manu flights 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.

Explore MANU NATIONAL PARK by Plane
5 days, 4 nights

Price per person :

• 1365 US $(min 4 pers.)

DAY 1 : CUSCO TO BOCA MANU AND MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE : We pick you up from your hotel to bring you to the airport for the flight to Boca Manu (45 min.). Your guide will meet you at Boca Manu airstrip and from here we travel by boat to ´Maquisapayoj Lodge` (Place of the Black spider monkey) (1,5 hours). In the afternoon we explore the trails in the area, to look for monkeys and birds. The night is spent in double rooms with privat bathroom. Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes) or night at the tapir lick.

DAY 2 : BIG MACAW CLAY LICK AND CAMUNGO LAKE & TOWER : Early in the morning we travel downriver to the Macaw Clay Lick where Parrots, Parakeets and Macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao) arrive to eat the clay, which is essential for their digestion. Breakfast at the blind. After this natural show we walk on the trails in Blanquillo to see more species of monkeys and birds. Later we travel upriver for one hour to Maquisapayoj. From the lodge close to the river we walk about 1 ½ hours into primary rainforest to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) or other mammals at night. Optional night at the lodge in double rooms with private bathroom.

DAY 3 : MAQUISAPAYOJ TO ALBERGUE CASA MATSIGUENKA : Today we travel about 8 to 9 hours upriver into the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. We stop at Limonal Guard Station where our permit is checked. During this boat trip 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 Casa Matsiguenka, where we spend two nights in double rooms. The lodge is built in typical machiguenga style. Optional nightwalk (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

DAY 4 : 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 – a good place to observe birds - and enjoy the scenery. The night is spent at Albergue Matsiguenka, where we can meet the Machiguenga indians. Optional night walk.

DAY 5 : ALBERGUE MATSIGUENKA TO CUSCO: Today we travel down the Manu River for about 5 to 6 hours to Boca Manu village. We take our 45 min. flight from Boca Manu airstrip back to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private boat transport
• Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick, Tapir lick and Camungo lake
• Entrance fees to Manu National Park and Salvador and Otorongo lakes
• Cook and food (vegetarian on request)
• Camping equipment and Lodge stays
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication
• flight Cusco - Boca Manu - Cusco

NOT INCLUDED:

• Binocular
• Airport tax Cusco and airstrip tax Boca Manu
• Alcoholic drinks etc.

Note: Please consider that Manu flights 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.

Updated:

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