Manu reserve zone, Camping-lodge tour 8 days
Manu reserva zone
FREE OPTIONAL
* 1 Option – Rafting: In Pilcopata will have 90 minutes of rafting (grade I & II) on the Koñeq and/or Madre de Dios Rivers. You can enjoy the beautiful landscape and have a swim in the refreshing wáter.
* 2 Option – Canopy Zip Line: In Erika our guests can glide from tree to tree and from platform to platform with a harness on a horizontal cable rail system at high speeds above the trees in the incredible amazon jungle. You then rappel from a height of 15m back to the jungle floor.
With fixed departures every Sunday and Monday.
Manu National Park, located in southeast Peru, is one of the largest parks in South America. The area of the park encompasses parts of the Andean department of Cusco and the jungle department of Madre de Dios. Manu protects over 2 million hectares (4.5 million acres) of territory rich in flora and fauna species in a variety of habitats including high Andes, cloud forests, and lowland tropical rain forests.
Unesco officially recognizes this natural paradise as a world heritage site. In 1977 they designated Manu National Park as a World Biosphere Reserve because it contains the best existing example of biodiversity in protected areas of rain forest, as well as endemic areas of cloud forest.
We can observe a variety of animals in their natural habitats, including: Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), Black Caiman (Melanosuchus Niger), the majestic Jaguar (Panthera onca), the strange Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the Ocelot (Felis pardalis), 13 species of primates and an estimated one
thousand species of birds including seven species of Macaws (Ara sp.).
Manu also contains 10% of the world’s vascular plant species, including several species of figs and palms, as well as countless species of medicinal plants that scientists are currently cataloging. A single hectare of forest in Manu can have up to 220 species of trees, while a hectare of temperate forest in Europe or North America may only have 20 tree species. Manu National Park may be the most biologically diverse and protected park on the planet.
DAY 1. – Cusco (3,300m.s.n.m.) – Andes- (3650m.s.n.m.) Cloud Forest (1,700m.s.n.m.)
We leave Cusco early in the morning in one of our vehicles. We will pass through interesting valleys and picturesque communities. We will visit pre Incan tombs and then we will stop in Paucartambo, a beautiful colonial town. Here we will visit a very interesting museum. We will have a packed lunch en route. We continue to the cloud forest, an area rich with endemic species like the Spectacled Bear, the Cock of The Rock, a variety of orchids, bromelia’s and ferns etc. Take in the beautiful nature as we make our way to San Pedro de Orquídeas Lodge where we will spend our first night in our comfortable accommodation.
DAY 2. – Cloud Forest – Erika Lodge (460m.s.n.m.)
Very early we will go in search of the Cock of the Rock, the National bird of Peru, that has a very unique courtship dance. After breakfast we will continue to the small town of Pilcopata*, then to the Port of Atalaya, which is located on the shores of the Madre de Dios River (700 m.s.n.m). Here we will take a boat to our Private Reserve of “Erika”*. From the boat we will be able to see an enormous diversity of bird species such as Herons, vultures and cormorants etc. We will walk along the interesting trails that are in the transition zone between high and low jungle and your guide will point out and explain the interesting diversity of wild life that surrounds you. We will have the chance for a night walk to catch a glimpse of insects and amphibians. We overnight in our Erika Lodge.
* 1 Free Option – Rafting: In Pilcopata will have 90 minutes of rafting (grade I & II) on the Koñeq and/or Madre de Dios Rivers. You can enjoy the beautiful landscape and have a swim in the refreshing wáter.
* 2 Free Option – Canopy Zip Line: In Erika our guests can glide from tree to tree and from platform to platform with a harness on a horizontal cable rail system at high speeds above the trees in the incredible amazon jungle. You then rappel from a height of 15m back to the jungle floor.
DAY 3. –Erika Lodge – Aguas Calientes – Boca Manu (365m.s.n.m.)
Very early we board our boat and make our way to Collpa, a clay wall by the river where a variety of parrots such as the blue headed parrot, the White eyed parakeet, possibly the Maracana Macaw and others come every morning to substitute their diet with minerals and salts. After this activity we return to Erika for breakfast, pack up and board our boat again. We will head down the Alto Madre de Dios River to the of the hot springs of Aguas Calientes, which are surrounded by the magnificent Jungle. After relaxing in the water and a refreshing cold lunch, we wil continue to the town of Boca Manu. During this part of our journey we will see birds like skimmers, herons, several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers.
DAY 4. –Boca Manu –Reserved Zone / Lake Salvador (395m.s.n.m.)
At dawn, we will make a brief stop at the Limonal Ranger Station where we will register in the Visitor’s Book which controls entry into the reserve. We continue on the Manu River towards the heart of the reserve for about 4 hours to Lake Salvador leaving all traces of civilization behind. We will spend the next two nights in our safari camp. During this trip you can often see a variety of bird species like macaws, herons, pink rosettes and with a Little luck, capybaras, caimans, river turtles, monkeys, and hopefully some felines often sunning on the beaches or feeding in surrounding trees. In the afternoon we spend our time walking in search of wildlife in this pristine forest.
DAY 5. –Reserved Zone / Lake Salvador (395m.s.n.m.)
We will most likely be woken early by the howler monkey declaring his territory. Before breakfast we will talk a morning walk as the temperature at this time is more pleasant and it makes it a bit easier to find animals who are in search of food. We will explore Lake Salvador by catamarán and try to see the giant otter, a species in danger of extinction. They can be seen fishing, playing or swimming. We will be looking for the Black Cayman, the Hoatzin and the interesting surrounding flora. We will visit Lake Otorongo and the observation tower which is 15m heigh which enables us to fully appreciate the landscape of the surrounding primary forest and we are more likely to see the family of otters whom reside here. There may be a possibility to do a short night walk to look for American bullfrogs, horned frogs , tree frogs and a host of colorful insects.
DAY 6. –Reserved Zone / Lake Salvador (395m.s.n.m.) – Boca Manu
We will wake early again to take a walk around our campsite and Lake Salvador.. You will be amazed by the gigantic Ceibas, colorful butterflies and curious squirrel, capuchin and wooly monkeys. After breakfast we will pack up, board our boat and head down the Manu River. We will keep our eyes open for peccaries (hogs), caymans, turtles and birds. We arrive at BOca Manu at dusk. Overnight at the lodge.
DAY 7. –Boca Manu – Erika Lodge
Today we cross the Alto Madre de Dios River, against the current, taking in the beautiful scenery of the Amazon jungle and the huge diversity of bird species. Late afternoon, we will arrive at our Private Reserve of Erika where you can rest comfortably and spend your last night, surrounded by the magic of the jungle
DAY 8. –Erika Lodge – Cusco
We get up very early, we travel up the river to Atalaya Port where our bus is waiting to take us back to Cusco, arriving early evening. END OF OUR SERVICES.
Departure:
Important: Briefing on Saturday prior to departure at 7:00pm. At the agency, receive last recommendations and answer any last minute questions you might have.
Depart For the 8 days / Only on Sunday
Depart for the 7 days/ only on Monday
Service includes:
*Ground transportation (overland buses and 4WD vehicles).
*boat transportation (covered motorized boats).
*specialized and bilingual guides.
*01 night in San Pedro open air lodge, 01 night in Erika Lodge.
*Full mountain bike(optional) and rafting equipment.
*Two-person tents and sleeping mattress.
*Meals, dinning tent & cooking tent.
*First aid Kit (including anti- ophidian shots).
*Paperwork for Park permits, radio communication equipment in all lodges and campsites.
*Satellite telephone for emergencies.
*As an additional service, we offer safety box for valuables and storage for luggage in Cusco’s main office.
Not Incuded:
*Entrance to the national Park (65 USD to pay in soles).
*Alcoholic drinks.
Health advice:
There is an extremely low malaria risk in the Manu area and the occasional cases of malaria in the Alto Madre de Dios zone have proved to be completely curable. Use insect repellent and effective clothing to avoid being bitten. Yellow Fever vaccination recommended.
Fixed departures
Program 8 Days/ 7 Nights (in and out by bus from Sunday to Sunday)
Program 7 Days / 6 Nights (in and out by bus from Monday to Sunday)
Ask us what date we have Fixed departure!
Not included:
*Sodas, alcoholic drinks, tips and breakfast on the first day.
Important to consider: Flights from 2011 are no longer possible.
Things to bring with you on the trip to Manu:
*Binoculars (imperative), Camera and film ASA 200 and 400 for the inner forest.
*Flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries.
*Sleeping bag + sheet.
*Personal medicines and/or supplies.
*Day pack
*Long pants and long-sleeved shirts (thick and baggy fabric against mosquitoes).
*T-shirts.
*Shorts/Bathing suit.
*Towel.
*Sweater or light jacket.
*1 pair of hiking boots, 1 pair of light shoes and 1 pair of sandals.
*Long cotton socks.
*Rain gear.
*Rubber boots (only in the rainy season, we can privide).
*Sunhat, sunglasses, sun block.
*Insect repellent (with 50% ‘deet’) and after bite.
*Toilet-paper
*Plastic bags (to keep everything dry)
*Water bottle (with water for the bus ride into Manu)
*Copy of your valid passport
*Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations
*Money for soft drinks or beers and handicrafts at the Boca Manu landings strip.
*Batteries for video cameras can be recharged on the second night of the trip, bring your own charger.
We also have other Programs and other jungle lodges. Just ask for info !