MANU NATIONAL PARK 8D/7N

TREKKING OUTDOOR CUSCO

ADVENTURE CUSCO

UPLAND TOURS

RURAL TOURISM

INICIO

ECO JUNGLE EXPEDITIONS

Manu National Park 8d/7n

Introduction

The Manu National Park Peru's largest protected natural area and one of the largest on the planet, with a biological megadiversity that is unparalleled

The Manu National Park was created in 1973 and established a Biosphere reserve in 1977; in 1987 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, due to the world's highest biodiversity in Manu. It is one of the largest and most important conservation units of the world, it protects an entire virgin watershed, covering altitudinal ranges from 200 m to 4100 m above sea level.

On the various tours that we offer you will pass through different habitats of the Andes: cloud forest and lowland rainforest. In Manu you have the best opportunities to observe wildlife on the trails or along the Manu, Madre de Dios and Blanco Rivers.

You have the chance to see the Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) in oxbow-lakes, Black and White Caimans (Melanosuchus niger, Caiman crocodylus), Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja), Jaguar, Giant Anteaters, Collared Peccaries, Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), Capybaras, deer, 13 species of monkeys, Toucans (10 species), Macaws (7 species), Storks and an incredible number of other colourful birds.

Manu is famous for its Biodiversity. So far more than 1000 species of birds have been registered, more than 200 species of mammals among them 13 species of monkeys, and 15,000 species of flowering plants

Itinerary

Day 1: cusco to Pilcopata

We take an 11 hours bus trip from the city of Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4200 m (14,000 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, etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers. 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 and Hummingbirds and with some luck the first monkey. the Wooly Monkey. The night is spent in a Lodge in Pilcopata.

Meals provided: All meals
Estimated time: 10 hours

Day 2 : Pilcopata / Blanquillo

After breakfast we travel another 1/2 hour to Atalaya at 500 m. Here we embark a 15-meter motorized canoe to travel down the Alto Madre de Dios River for 8 hours. Today you will have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the rivers, such as Fasciated Tiger Heron, Purplish Jays, King Vultures and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive to Blanquillo where we spend the night in a lodge. Optional night walk before dinner (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

Meals provided: All meals
Estimated time: 8-9 hours

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. After the spectacle we pack everything and travel for 45 minutes upstream to Maquisapayoj. Here we sleep on a platform with mosquito nets close to the mammal salt lick to observe Tapirs and other mammals at night.

Meals provided: All meals
Estimated time: 7-8 hours

Day 4 : Maquisapayoj / albergue matsiguenka

On this day we travel 9 hours upriver into the 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, turtels and plenty of colorful birds. 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 the Albergue Matsiguenka, where we spend the night.

Meals provided: All meals
Estimated time: 9- 10 hours

Day 5 : Exploring cocha salvador

Today we leave early for a day trip to explore Lake Salvador by catamaran looking for the 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 observation tower at Cocha (oxbow-lake) Otorongo. The night is spent at the Albergue Matsiguenka.

Optional nightwalk.

Meals provided: All meals
Estimated time: 7-8 hours

Day 6 : Cocha salvador / Cusco or yanayaco

Today we travel 8 hours down the Manu River, after a stop in Boca Manu village we make our way back up river on the Alto Madre de Dios River. We camp on the beach at Yanayaco this night. It is possible to fly back from Boca Manu Airstrip to Cusco in 45 min. ( 6 day tour).

Meals provided: All meals
Estimated time: 8 hours

Day 7 : Yanayaco / Pilcopata

Today we travel 7 hours upstream, stopping at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) for a bath and arriving to Atalaya in the afternoon, from where we travel another hour by bus to Pilcopata, where we spend the night in a Lodge.