DAY  01: We leave Cusco early in the morning in our specialized overland vehicles. Approximately mid-morning we visit the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to  the Acjanacu pass, which marks the beginning of the Cultural Zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Here, a thick cloak of clouds provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads.  This varied and fascinating world is home of the Cock of the Rock, Spectacled Bear, Orchids, Tree Ferns (one of the oldest living plants), mosses and lichens.  This cloud forest exists between 2000 and 3500 meters above sea level, and at least 50% of  the plant species found here are endemic to this region  Overnight in our open air lodge “San Pedro”.

DAY  02: Today we wake up very early to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola  peruviana), Peru’s national bird. The male birds are a vibrant reddish orange, and at about 5:00am. as many as several dozen come together for an exhibition of a mating ritual dance in a place called Lek. The males display their crest, showing off and posturing for the females. The females, fewer in number, watch to select the most suitable males. After breakfast we continue in our overland transport down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Atalaya.  Here, we board our covered, outboard motor boat and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River for aproximately 30 minutes towards Erika Lodge where we will hike through the interesting trail system that this transitional area between high jungle and low jungle offers. Overnight in the lodge.

DAY  03: After breakfast we board our canoe for the three-hour trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Shepitiari Native Community that we are going to visit and then continue to Boca Manu’s airstrip. (Optional flight from Cusco to Boca-Manu; this means that some new members may join our group, the plane flies over the Andes to a narrow gravel landing strip in the jungle (300 m.a.s.l.), the flight takes aproximately 45 minutes), Boca Manu´s village is situated a short distance from the confluence of the Manu River with the Alto Madre de Dios River place where you can buy your last fresh supplies and cold drinks before setting off again in the canoe. Now we enter the Manu River and the Reserved Zone, stopping at Limonal where we camp along the riverbank at the Park Rangers Headquarters.

DAY  04: After registering in the official tourist logbook and eating an early breakfast, we follow the Manu River until we arrive to Salvador Lake, our base campsite. This canoe ride gives us the opportunity to observe the immensity of the rainforest and the diversity of birdlife, reptiles and mammals. You will often see animals sunning themselves on beaches, or foraging for food in the trees lining the riverbanks. We arrive early in the afternoon and have lunch before setting off on a jungle trail. Our time is spent looking for wildlife inside the rainforest and on Salvador Oxbow Lake, until the sun goes down and we return to camp. We explore Salvador Lake by paddling quietly along on a catamaran, giving us the opportunity to observe unique species of  birds, monkeys, caimans and with luck the Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis). This endangered species can be seen swimming, fishing, eating and playing.

DAY 05: We rise early in the morning, as the forest is awakened by the Red Howler monkey (Aloatta seniculus) declaring its territory. A morning walk before breakfast is a great way to catch wildlife in the pursuit of food, and the temperature is very pleasant at this time of day. After relaxing and swimming in the river we enjoy lunch along the riverbank, after this, we cross the river to walk an 8 km trail to another oxbow lake called Otorongo. A strategically located observation tower rises 15 meters above the lake and the jungle floor, giving us more chances to observe wildlife including the Giant Otter. Late in the afternoon, the black caimans rise from the depths of the lake and begin their search for prey. We return to camp at Salvador Lake. At night, with the help of flashlights, we can also observe the caimans in the lake and river close to our campsite.

DAY  06: Once again we wake up early, enjoy a brief morning walk, eat a relaxing breakfast, then pack up camp and descend the Manu River. We arrive at Boca Manu midday. From here we descend the Madre de Dios River for three hours to Blanquillo Reserve. After a refreshing shower, we set off for a walk through the trails before enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight at Tambo Blanquillo Lodge.

DAY  07: After a very early wake up, we board a camouflaged catamaran and go down the river to the “Collpa” macaw lick. We quietly observe the various parrots feeding on the clay for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. The brightly colored macaws usually wait patiently in the surrounding trees until the smaller parrot species have left the area. Slowly, the macaws come down to the clay wall to feed. We need a lot of patience and silence on the catamaran so as not to disturb them as they eat the clay. Around mid morning we board our canoe to return to the airstrip at Boca Manu.  At this point, those who are returning to Cusco by plane will catch their flight. This optional flight from Boca Manu to Cusco offers spectacular views of the surrounding jungle and the area’s meandering rivers. The others continue up the Alto Madre de Dios River to camp on a beach in the Cultural Zone and enjoy the sites and sounds of the jungle for one last night.

DAY  08:  Waking up very early, we continue the trip by boat to Atalaya, where we board the bus and drive back up and out of Manu, arriving in Cusco very late this night or the next morning. END OF OUR SERVICES.

We also have other options for this program.

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