Manu National Park, cultural zone Tour 4 Days

• Description

 

The Manu National Park, located in the southeastern part of Peru (between the Cusco and Madre de Dios regions) Is one of the largest tropical parks in South America. The park extends from the highlands to the jungle. It covers 2 million hectares (4.5 million acres), and the territory is rich in flora and fauna with a huge variety of habitats including the high Andes, the cloud forests, and the lowland tropical rain forests.

In 1977, Manu National Park was designated as a World Biosphere Reserve since it shelters the best existing example of biodiversity in a protected rain forest area, as well as in the cloud forest endemic areas. Here we can observe the Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), the Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger), the majestic Jaguar (Panthera onca), the strange Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the Ocelot (Felis pardalis), as well as, 13 different species of primates, and an estimated one thousand species of birds including seven species of Macaws.

At the same time, 10% of the world's vascular plant species, including several species of figs and palms, and countless species of medicinal plants, which are currently being catalogued by scientists, grow in Manu National Park.

A single hectare of forest in Manu can hold up to 220 species of trees, while a hectare of temperate forest in Europe or North America may only hold 20 tree species. Manu National Park may be the most biologically diverse and protected park on the planet.

 

• Itinerary

 

DAY 01: CUSCO- SAN PEDRO LODGE

We leave Cusco early in the morning in one of our vehicles. Approximately midmorning We visit the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We Continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Acjanaco 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 2,000 and 3,500 m.a.s.l. and at Least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. Overnight in our “San Pedro Lodge”.

 

DAY 02: SAN PEDRO LODGE- ERIC  LODGE

 

Today we wake up very early to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola Peruviana), Peru’s national bird from a platform.

The male birds are vibrant reddish Orange, and 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 vehicle down the narrow road between waterfalls and Canyons toward the town of Pilcopata (*1) and then to Atalaya Port. Here we board our Covered, outboard motor boat and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River for Approximately 15 minutes toward our private reserve and comfortable / rustic Lodge

 

*1 Free Option: Here in Pilcopata town we will make the final settings for a 1½ hour River rafting (class I and II) trip down the Koshñipata River where we will have the Opportunity for a dip and of course enjoy the spectacular view of the Koñeq Canyon.

*2 New!!! Option: We walk through the trail that leads us to the observation platform Located 15 feet above the mammal clay lick itself where we wait for the lumbering Peccaries to arrive, we observe and photograph them in action. Important: The Observation depends on luck on availability and weather conditions.

 

DAY 03: ERIC LODGE

 

Our Lodge is located in a transition zone between high and low jungle (600 M.a.s.l. to 1,150 m.a.s.l), encompassing different habitats. This altitude range explains The high diversity of wildlife found around this lodge, so immediately after breakfast, we Will start walking near the riverbanks, during the hike our guide will talk about insects, Medicinal plants, trees, reptiles, mammals, etc.

This afternoon we board our boat, and After five minutes, we will walk for another 30 minutes approximately though a very nice trail to observe and talk about the interesting flora fond such as sensitive plants, Heliconias, fruit plantations, etc. until we arrive to Machuwasi Lake where with the help of a telescope we can observe great egrets, tucanets, carpenters, Keskadees, cardinals, etc.

Short night walk to observe American bullfrogs, horned frogs, tree frogs and an incredible Variety of insects.

*3 Free Option: Canopy Zip Down: At our Lodge, our guests traverse from tree to Tree and platform to platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables zip lines), as They sail through the treetops of the tropical rainforest canopy, and over the trails far Below. Expert guides assist you in this exciting journey through the different layers of the Rain forests and explain what’s going on around you from the time you leave the ground, Until you rappel back down to the forest floor.

 

DAY 04: ERIC LODGE - CUSCO

This day we will get up very early to board our boat again for only five minutes Down river to our Parrot clay Lick called “Collpa” on the riverbanks, where many species Of parrots such as the blue headed parrot, white-eyed parakeet, feed for mineral and salt Supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits.

Immediately we continue to Atalaya Port Where the bus will drive us back to Cusco city, arriving late in the evening.

 

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