Information
In this tour We will include a Tapir Clay Lick visit, a Hummingbird Garden visit where up to 21 species are observed and a visit to a small macaw clay lick where large macaws are observed (this last activity it’s based on weather conditions).
TOUR ATTRACTIONS: Two Oxbow Lakes inside the Reserved Zone, Cloud Forest of Manu Park, Cultural Zone of Manu National Park, and Biosphere Reserve of Manu National Park.
TOUR ACTIVITIES: Bird watching, night walk, jungle exploration, boat sailing, Giant Otter searching and catamaran sailing in Salvador Oxbow Lake, caiman searching, turtle searching, and Jaguar searching along Manu River, and Giant Otter searching.
TYPE OF TOUR: Ecological and Adventure
TOUR AREAS: Biosphere Reserve of Manu Park and the Cultural Zone [Itinerary]
PLACES VISITED ALONG THE TOUR: Huancarani town, Ninamarka pre-Inca cemetery, Paucartambo, Acjanacu (border of Manu Park) Cloud forest, Pilcopata, Atalaya Port, Alto Madre de Dios River, Manu River, Cultural Zone of Manu Park, Reserved Zone of Manu Park.
GROUP SIZE: Tour starting with a minimum of 2 people booking together, departures are 100% guaranteed.
DEPARTURE DATES: Daily departures are available between March to January.
TRANSPORTATION USED: Bus and boat
FOCUS: Bird Watching, wildlife, and photography
SHORT TOUR INFORMATION: This 6day tour is the shortest tour we have to the Biosphere Reserve of Manu National Park and it has similar activities as the 7day tour. Night walk, jungle exploration, jaguar and Giant otter searching are part of our activities. All accommodations are in lodges, meals, mineral water, binoculars, tour guide with spotting scope and all entrance fees are included.
TRIP CONSIDERATIONS
CLIMATE: Very Cold the first part of the tour on the first day. Warm to very hot with 90% of humidity on the lowland. Please bring a rain poncho with you because we might have some rain.
DIFFICULTY: Mostly very easy; however, because of the heat and the humidity you might run out of energies.
ACCOMMODATION: Good! in most of the Lodges we provide private rooms that have private bathrooms; however, at Casa Matziguenka you will have to share the showers and toilets, some have hot showers, and electricity but also expect to have basic accommodations. Accommodations are based in double bed rooms.
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Cusco – Bamboo Lodge
Day 2: Bamboo Lodge – Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park
Day 3: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park
Day 4: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park – Boca Manu – Hummingbird Lodge
Day 5: Hummingbird Lodge – Bamboo Lodge
Day 6: Bamboo Lodge – Cusco
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Bamboo Lodge
The first day of our adventure into the Jungle of Manu, we will pick you up around 5:00 AM from your hotels in Cusco, using the service of our private transport. The first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains. Afterwards, we will visit the town of Huancarani which contains the funeral towers of Ninamarca, a cemetery of the Lupaca Pre –Inca Culture, which we will visit briefly on our way to Paucartambo, which is known as the folkloric capital of the district of Cusco. In the face of modern times, this small colonial pueblo has managed to hold on to its rich tradition for centuries upon centuries. At mid-day we will arrive at the entrance of Manu National Park and access to one of the most protected natural areas in South America. We will continue on in our private transport down a dirt road and on through the thick fog from which this section of the forest takes it name. Eventually we will arrive at the home of the exotic Peruvian National Bird, the “Cock of the Rock”, where it is known to gather with others of its kind for some sort of social gathering that seems reminiscent of a large courtship. You will find that this is quite an amazing spectacle complete with an impressive array of sounds and colours that can only be found in the jungle. For our first night, we will stay in the beautiful Bamboo Lodge, where we will arrive at approx. 5:00 p.m.
Day 2: Bamboo Lodge – Tapir Clay Lick
After eating our breakfast we continue the tour by bus going through the high forest arriving to Atalaya which is found next to Madre de Dios River (700 meters over the sea).we will pass by Alto Madre de Dios river whit its relatively clean waters, before lunch we will stop at Manu Hot Springs where we will relax. In the afternoon we will arrive to our lodge and from there we will head towards the Tapir Clay lick where we will spend the night in the middle of the jungle.
Day 3: Tapir Clay Lick – Reserved Zone – Casa Matsiguenka
This morning from clear waters of Alto Madre de Dios River we will 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 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-colored 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 1999 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 lunch by the river we arrive at our Safari Camp near the lake of Cocha Salvador. 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 night-time noise of tree frogs and insects in the forest is an experience not to be forgotten. Night at Casa Matshiguenka lodge, there are flush toilets and shower facilities.
Day4: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park
Today we will start with a long walk of some three or four hours, from the banks of Manu River to Otorongo lake, here we will climb a 15m high observation tower, from where birds such as the exuberantly feathered and primitive Shansho (Hoatzin) can be seen, as well as monkeys feeding on fruits and several species of flowers and brightly-colored butterflies. We will then return to our camp by canoe to enjoy a delicious lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring Salvador Oxbow Lake and the surrounding area aboard our catamaran, from which will be able to observe the mega diversity attracted by this oxbow lake, including Black Caiman, White Caiman, a family of Giant Otters and waterfowl. Return to the lodge in the evening.
Day 5: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park – Papaya Lodge
Early in the morning we will have another chance to go for a nature walk or one more visit to the oxbow lake and hear choirs of birds defining their territory in song. As the sun rises, the eastern sky changes to a pale yellow and we will be able to see falcons or other predatory birds patiently searching for prey from the treetops. After lunch we will board our boat again and head downstream towards Boca Manu and from there we will start our journey up river towards our lodge where we will spend the night.
Day 6: Papaya Lodge – Cusco
Today we will start our journey back to Cusco, the first part of the journey will be by boat and after reach Atalaya we will continue our journey by car. We will arrive to Cusco between 4 to 7pm.
Included & Bring
- Tour guide in English and Spanish with spotting scope (Tour guide specialized on bird watching or biologist with previous request),
- Transportation (bus and boat)
- Professional cook.
- Three meals a day included vegetarian option.
- Mineral water
- All accommodations and lodges.
- Tents for 2 people.
- Snack food (fresh fruits, sweets/caramels, chocolates, cookies, juices)
- Rain Poncho
- Rubber boots
- Entrance fee to the Oxbow Lakes
- Entrance fee to Manu National Park
- Entrance fee to all the private Natural Reserves
- First aid kit
NOT INCLUDED:
- Mineral water in the first day
- Alcoholic beverages
- Diner the last day
What we Recommend that you Bring
- Aside from Binoculars and photo-equipment
- A spotting scope, if you have one
- Flashlight for night birding and night walks
- Light day pack
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- T-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt
- Jeans or other cotton pants are comfortable, as well as quick-drying nylon ones
- Cotton socks
- Sweater, jacket or fleece for night birding
- Light jacket, water resistant, or poncho
- Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
- Water bottle/canteen or camel pack
- Sandals for after hours
- Hat and sunglasses
- Plastic bags for camera, clothes, etc. Personal toiletries (shampoo, towel, etc)
- Converter /adaptor for the electricity (Plugs are typically the 2 pronged flat type found in the US)
Availability
OUR FIXED DEPARTURE 2023-2024
January: 11th,15th,17th
Fefruary:
March: 5th,8th,10th,13th,16th,18th
April: 3rd,7th,9th,10th,12th,14th,15th,18th,21st
May: 14th,15th,18th
June: 01st,03rd,05th,10th,12th,14th,15th,21st,24th,26th,27th,30th
July: 02nd,04th,06th,08th,10th,12th,18th,21st,24th,26th,27th,30th
August: 3rd,7th,9th,10th,12th,14th,15th,18th,21st,24th,26th,27th,30th
September: 1st,2nd,5th,8th,10th,13th,16th,18th,19th,20th,21st,23th,24th,25th
October: 05th,10th,12th,14th,15th,21st,24th,26th,27th,30th
November:02nd,04th,06th,08th,10th,14th,16th,20th,25th
December: 04th,06th,08th,10th,12th,14th,16th,18th,22nd,26th,28th