day 1
DAY 01: Cusco – EcoManu lodge.
Cusco – EcoManu lodge.
Early in the morning pick up from your Hotel in Cusco, to travel through Andean mountains, beautiful landscapes, folkloric rural communities such as Paucartambo and Ninamarca (chullpas or funerary tombs) that belong to the pre-Inca LUPACAS culture. Immediately we climb the last mountain to reach Acjanaco, entrance to the MANU NATIONAL PARK, from where we will descend to the lush cloud forest which is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Being an ideal place for epiphytes, orchids, jokes, etc. It is there where we will explore the cloud forest and we can appreciate the National bird of Peru, the colorful Cock of the Rock in its ritual mating dance, as well as toucans, trogons, quetzals, monkeys and with luck the South American spectacled bear (Tremantus ornatos ). Then we will resume the trip for 2 hours to the tourist port of Atalaya, where our motorized boat awaits us to be transported by the Madre de Dios river in the direction of the EcoManu lodge. To spend the night in our comfortable rooms.
What is this day like? check our photos
day 2
Day 02.- EcoManu lodge – Manu Dorado Lodge
EcoManu lodge – Manu Dorado Lodge
In the morning we wake up under the song of the birds and the exuberant Amazon jungle, it is time to enjoy our healthy breakfast to explore the lush Amazon forest through the different trails and appreciate the giant rubber trees, tonillos, ficus, which They are home to groups of capuchin monkeys, woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys and dozens of bird species such as colorful parrots, parakeets and woodpeckers. 3 hours of activity.
Return to the lodge to enjoy some drinks and lunch. It is time to continue our excursion to the depths of the Amazon, I board our comfortable boat to descend the meandering Madre de Dios River in the direction of Manu Dorado Lodge, a 5-hour boat trip. Along the way we will make interesting stops to observe Families of capybaras, red howler monkeys, herons, cormorants, and hawks. There are not many intact and remote jungles left in the world that are home to tribes isolated from the outside world, the Manu is one of these few privileged Amazonian jungles, where nomadic tribes live by gathering and hunting, it is the MASHCO PIRO tribe, who are currently displayed on the banks of the Madre de Dios River, it is a great opportunity to observe the families who come to collect bananas and hunt. It is the Mashco Piro tribe (nomadic ethnic group isolated from civilization).
When the afternoon arrives it is time to prepare for a fabulous activity within the Amazon jungle, we will begin to explore the trails in search of wild pigs called peccaries, owls and a good number of nocturnal creatures. Night walks or activities are possible every night, which will be available to the organization of our guides.
day 3
Day 03.- Manu Dorado lodge – Reserved Zone Casa Matsigenka lodge
Manu Dorado lodge – Reserved Zone Casa Matsigenka lodge
After a healthy breakfast, it is time to continue our excursion to the depths of the Amazon, we board our boat to descend the meandering Madre de Dios River in the direction of Boca Manu and from there continue along the Manu River in the Reserved Zone, trip in boat. Along the way we will make interesting stops to observe Families of capybaras, howler monkeys, herons, cormorants, hawks, etc.
There are no longer intact and remote jungles in the world that shelter tribes isolated from civilization, the Manu is one of these few privileged Amazonian jungles, where nomadic tribes live by gathering, hunting and fishing.
Ethnic groups live here, who have no contact with the outside world. For several years we have been observing from our boat a tribe in initial contact with civilization called Mashco Piro. Information articles on Survival International, National Geographyc, the BBC and reference photos on our website.
After our registration in the Park, we begin our expedition through the calm waters of the Manu River towards the heart of the biological diversity of Amazonian flora and fauna. In the course of the trip we will carefully find white caimans and huge black caimans sunning themselves on the sandbanks, hundreds of turtles called “Taricayas” on the trunks on the river bank, Families of capybaras, flocks of parrots, macaws, hundreds of mimicked nightjars on the trunks and with luck the impressive jaguar (Pantera onca) the third largest cat in the jungle, out of every three trips to Manu two are observed.
At 5:00 p.m. we arrive at our typical and comfortable Casa Matsigenka lodge, where the families of the lodge are waiting for us to lead us to our accommodations and show us all the infrastructure and services for a pleasant stay.
day 4
DAY 04: Casa Matsigenka lodge in the Manu Reserved Zone
Casa Matsigenka lodge in the Manu Reserved Zone
It is the most moving place for the sighting of flora and fauna of the Amazon. It is time to head through the primary forest in the direction of the most famous lake in Manu; Lake Salvador or Cocha Salvador and travel on a catamaran that will make it easier for us to find a great variety of birds such as Hoatzin, snake duck, toucans, woodpeckers, macaws, eagles, the inevitable spider monkeys, emperor monkeys, squirrel monkeys, black caimans and the large family of river otter or giant otter (Pteronura Brasiliensis), this endangered species is seen in its greater time of the day swimming, fishing, eating and playing with each other on the floating logs of the lake. After this fantastic appreciation we will return to our lodge to enjoy an exquisite typical Manu lunch.
In the middle of the afternoon and following our search plan for the largest cat in South America, it is time to board our boat to navigate upstream to the depths of the Manu Reserved Zone and with the help of our expert guide and local collaborators we will be able to observe this beautiful feline. Overnight in our comfortable lodge.
day 5
Day 05.- Casa Matsigenka lodge – Manu Dorado lodge
Casa Matsigenka lodge – Manu Dorado lodge
In the morning we begin to slowly descend the currents of the impressive Manu River, in our motor boat, giving us an opportunity to appreciate the different stationary birds that are occasionally found on the banks of the Manu River; osprey, jabirú, stork, roseate spoonbill and once arrived at Boca Manu we will stop to enjoy some cold and icy drinks.
day 6
Day 06.- Manu Dorado lodge – EcoManu lodge.
Manu Dorado lodge – EcoManu lodge.
Very early in the morning we go to the parrot clay lick, macaws (clay wall with mineral salt content) very important in the place, where many noisy parakeets, parrots and small green and blue macaws or parrots ingest the clay as the final diet for their detox. After this fantastic show, we will enjoy our healthy breakfast at the Lodge. Then we return in our comfortable motorized boat, to enjoy the last hours of the entire panorama and the lushness of the Amazon on board our boat. Optional activity visit the hot springs and enjoy this unique natural place.
Arrival time at Eco Manu lodge to settle back in our rooms and in the middle of the afternoon we go to the mammal clay lick, a very special place in the Amazon jungle. After 35 minutes walking in the middle of the forest we will arrive at the hideout and as the day turns into darkness, a truly fascinating and unforgettable new experience begins in which you will be completely in the Amazon world.
The hideout is a wooden platform more than 4 meters high, it is perfectly camouflaged among the trees located in front of the mammal clay lick, there we will observe the mythical Amazonian tapir, peccaries, deer and with luck the largest cat in South America Jaguar ( onca panther). The observation platform includes mosquito netting mats to wait until the arrival of the mammals.
day 7
DAY 07: EcoManu Lodge – Port of Atalaya – Cusco
EcoManu Lodge – Port of Atalaya – Cusco
After breakfast it is time to say goodbye to our team: Guides, cook, boat drivers and the staff of EcoManu Lodge who give us all their support and skill in an adventure excursion and practical knowledge of Amazonian life.
20 minutes return in our boat to the Port of Atalaya and 6 hours return to the city of Cusco. On the way we will make interesting stops to appreciate once again the famous Gallitos de las rocas, Quetzals and the infinite landscapes of the Amazon. Arrival time at 4:00 p.m. directly to your Hotel in Cusco.
WHAT INCLUDED?
- Professional guide (English and Spanish). Telescope equipment, binoculars and books to facilitate sighting.
- Transportation by bus and private boat with safety equipment.
- Accommodation in our single, double, triple and matrimonial tourist hostels with all services included.
- First aid kit.
- Mineral water.
- Complete food (D. A. C. & vegetarian, prepared by our professional chefs).
- Long rubber boots.
- Books on the flora and fauna of the Amazon and the list of animals and plants.
- Entrance to the Reserved Zone of Manu
NOT INCLUDED
- Frozen drinks and extra expenses.
- Travel insurance
- first breakfast
- last lunch
- extra binoculars
- Food not mentioned: These can be requested.
- Personal expenses and Tips: How to buy handicrafts, clothes, drinks, etc. Tips are not included either, these are voluntary according to the service received.
- Travel insurance: It is a very important requirement in the event of any unforeseen event that may occur during a trip: Such as medical assistance during your trip, Stay due to illness or accident, Loss of luggage, Forced cancellation of the trip due to protests or natural disasters.
PACKING LIST
- Towel for the whole trip.
- Personal medications and personal hygiene products
- Sneakers or hiking shoes, sandals
- Lantern
- hat or cap
- Sun glasses
- sunscreen
- Insect repellent (recommended with 40% or more DEET)
- Waterproof
- Long sleeve shirts
- cotton pants
- Swimsuit
- Warm clothes, in case of cold
- optional binoculars
- photographic camera
- Luggage backpack and small backpack
RECOMENDATIONS
What is the best time to travel?
The best time to visit the Manu National Park is between October and May, which corresponds to the dry season. Both in the Andes and in the southern jungle there is this season, which runs from May to October and is characterized by warm days and cold nights; and the rainy season. The latter runs from November to April and has more regular temperatures both day and night.
The dry season provides greater security when traveling and better possibilities of sighting wild animals. In the rainy season the flow of the rivers increases and there may be landslides on the roads, hence it is not recommended.