Reserved Zone Program 8 days / 7 nights Program – Manu National Park

• 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 (Panther a 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 NorthAmerica 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 Mid-morning 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 at 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 (*1) down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Pilcopata (*2) 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

The interesting trail system that this transitional area between high and low jungle.
Offers. Overnight at the lodge.

*1 Free Option: Here in Pilcopata town we will make the final settings for a 1 ½ river Rafting (class I and II) trip down the Koshñipata River where we will have the Opportunity for a dip and of course enjoys 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 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 – BOCA MANU VILLAGE.

After breakfast we leave our Lodge and board our canoe ride down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu Village during our voyage we may see bird species Typical of the river or forest edge such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, and several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers.

Boca Manu’s village is situated a short distance from the confluence of the Manu River with the Alto Madre de Dios River place where you can buy your last fresh supplies and cold Drinks before setting off again in the canoe toward Boca Lodge where we will spend the Night.

Option to do a short nigh walk.

*3 Free Option: Canopy zip down: At Eric 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: BOCA MANU VILLAGE- SAN SALVADOR LAKE

Very early and after a ten minutes boat ride, we will arrive to a Parrot Lick “Collpa”, which is a wall of clay in the riverbanks, where many species of parrots such as the blue headed parrot, the white-eyed parakeet, the dusky-headed parrot the chestnut fronted macaw and others feed for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. After registering in the official tourist logbook at Limonal, the Park Rangers Headquarters and eating an early breakfast, we will continue travel up the Manu River for 4 hours approximately into the pristine heart of the reserve; we will leave the final Traces of human habitation behind us.

We arrive Salvador Lake, our base safari campsite (Screened dining room, toilets / showers, solar panel system for some electricity and with radio communication available).

Differences in wildlife abundance will be noted Immediately we will begin to sight macaws, herons, kingfishers and cormorants frequently and improve our chances of encounters with capybaras, caimans, monkeys, and other wildlife, you will often see animals sunning themselves on beaches, or foraging for food in the trees lining the riverbanks.

This canoe ride gives us the opportunity to observe the immensity of the rainforest. We arrive early in the afternoon and have lunch before setting off on a jungle trail although at this time of day mammals and birds are not as active as in the early morning, we will concentrate on the forest itself and discuss general rain forest
Ecology, return to the campsite.

 

DAY 05: SAN SALVADOR LAKE- OTORONGO LAKE- SAN SALVADOR LAKE.

We rise early in the morning, as the forest is awakened by the Red Howler monkey (Aloatta seniculus) declaring its territory. A morning walk before breakfast is a great way to catch wildlife in the pursuit of food, as the temperature is very pleasant at this time of day.

We explore Salvador Lake by paddling quietly along on a catamaran, giving us the opportunity to observe unique species of birds, monkeys, caimans and with luck the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis).
This endangered species can be seen swimming, fishing, eating and playing. After we enjoy lunch, we cross the river to walk a trail to another oxbow lake called Otorongo.

This forest, which is estimated to be 200 to 300 years old and includes truly huge Ceiba trees and Strangler figs, and it, is home to several mammals that are occasionally encountered: Saddleback tamarins, Squirrel, Spider and Brown capuchin Monkeys, the Collared and the white lipped peccaries. At the lake a strategically located observation tower rises 15 meters above the lake and the jungle floor, from the top you not only get spectacular view of the lake and the surrounding forest but also excellent opportunities to observe birds from the canopy, this also gives us more chances to observe wildlife including the Giant Otter.

Back at Salvador Lake, late in the afternoon we will use the catamaran and with the help of flashlights we can observe the black caimans rise from the depths of the lake and begin their search for prey.

 

Return to the safari campsite.

 

DAY 06: SAN SALVADOR LAKE- BOCA MANU LODGE

Once again we wake up early, enjoy walking around Salvador Lake and then Pack up and slowly go down stream the interesting Manu River. We continue to Boca Manu’s Village, situated a short distance from the confluence of the Manu and Alto Madre de Dios Rivers.

From here we descend the Madre de Dios River arriving Boca Lodge and spend one more night in this magical Amazon jungle. Possibility to do a short night walk through the forest to observe American bullfrogs, horned frogs, tree frogs and an incredible variety of colorful insects.

 

DAY 07:  BOCA MANU LODGE- ERIC LODGE

Around mid morning or before, we continue up the Alto Madre de Dios River to  camp on an appropriate beach in the Cultural Zone if for some chance we can not arrive Eric Lodge and enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle for one last night.

 

DAY 08: ERIC LODGE - CUSCO

Waking up very early, we continue the trip by boat to Atalaya, where the bus will be waiting for us and drive back up and out of Manu, arriving in Cusco very late this night or the next early morning.

 

END OF OUR SERVICES.

 

IMPORTANT: In order to meet with group and guide, receive last recommendations and answer questions; briefing one day prior to departure at 7:00pm. at the agency.

 

• Includes

 

 

• No Includes

 

 

• We Recommend to Bring:

 

2011 FIXED DEPARTURE PRICES:
A) PROGRAM 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS (in and out by bus from Sunday to Sunday)
OPTIONS: Leaving on Monday.

• Prices