Manu Jungle Expeditions

Day 1: Cusco - Paucartambo - Rainforest - Bamboo Lodge

The first day of our adventure into the Jungle of Manu, we will pick you up around 6:00 AM from your hotels in Cusco, using the service of our private transport.

The first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains, where we will take a quick opportunity to visit a really nice pleasant lake by the name of Huacarpay, a high Andean Lagoon that boasts heaps of flora and fauna typical of the Andean mountains.

Afterwards, we will visit the town of Huancarani which contains the funeral towers of Ninamarca, a cemetery of the Lupaca Pre –Inca Culture, which we will visit briefly on our way to Paucartambo, which is known as the folkloric capital of the district of Cusco.

In the face of modern times, this small colonial pueblo has managed to hold on to its rich tradition for centuries upon centuries. At mid-day we will arrive at the entrance of Manu National Park and access to one of the most protected natural areas in South America.

We will continue on in our private transport down a dirt road and on through the thick fog from which this section of the forest takes it name.

Eventually we will arrive at the home of the exotic Peruvian National Bird, the “Cock of the Rock”, where it is known to gather with others of its kind for some sort of social gathering that seems reminiscent of a large courtship.

You will find that this is quite an amazing spectacle complete with an impressive array of sounds and colours that can only be found in the jungle. For our first night, we will stay in the beautiful Pilcopata Lodge, where we will arrive at approx. 5:00 p.m.

Day 2: Bamboo Lodge – Hot spring – Boca Manu

Very early, at 06:30 a.m., we will leave in the direction of Port Atalaya, on the way we will make a few stops to visit the small, native communities of Patria and Pilcopata. These communities are known to be producers of many varieties of jungle fruits, even the famous Coca plant.

Later, we will continue our journey into the jungle by beginning the boating portion of the tour with a river excursion on the Madre de Dios, or “Mother of God” River, one of the tributaries of the mighty Amazon River.
During our day we will have the chance to witness many types of colorful birds such as parrots, Oropendolas, vultures and others species. Hopefully, we will also have the opportunity to see some jungle mammals such as monkeys or the famous capybaras (jungle rodents that are as much as 2.5 ft long).

Towards the late afternoon, we will arrive to our next sleeping destination, Boca Manu Lodge, arriving approximately at 3:00 p.m. Here, there will be showers and services available.

Day 3: Boca Manu – Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park

Today we will continue our journey along the Manu River as far as the Matshiguenka lodge, inside the Reserved Area, passing Limonal, the Park Ranger Station, where we will register before entering the Reserved Area.

In the course of the trip we will see birds, toucans, macaws, parrots and some mammals such as capybaras, tapirs, peccaries and many varieties of turtles, caiman and, if we are lucky, an impressive, lone jaguar. We will arrive at our lodge in the mid-afternoon, near the Salvador oxbow-Lake, where we will spend two nights.

Day 4: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park

An early morning start will have us paddling in small canoes or on our floating platform in the tranquil oxbow lake, Cocha Salvador, as the morning mists rise. We may encounter an Agami Heron or Sungrebe and Brown Capuchin Monkeys feeding on fruit.

We may also see a jaguar, giant river otters - called river wolves, and hoatzins (prehistoric birds). The otters can reach 6 feet in length and weigh up to 70 lbs. and consume between 9 to 11 lbs. of fish daily.

They are one of the rarest animals on earth and only remain common in Manu. We will be on the look out for some of the 13 species of monkeys found here. The sound of red howler monkeys through the mist may make our skin crawl while parrots will be seen flying high overhead.

After lunch we walk trails which pass through terra firma forest as we look at the complex ecosystem that surrounds us. Our ecologist guide will explain how the plants and insects interact with the forest. We will be on the lookout for some of the smaller inhabitants of the jungle, such as the emperor or saddleback tamarins.

We may even cross paths with a group of Peccaries, a species of wild boar found here. In the late afternoon we may swim in the river as we watch the sun set. Overnight Cocha Salvador Camp or Casa Matshiguenka Lodge.

Day 5: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park Full Day

Today we will walk from camp through the forest to a different oxbow lake, Cocha Otorongo - "Jaguar Lake", to experience another setting and a chance to see further wildlife. We may encounter troops of monkeys especially the Common Woolly Monkey.

We’ll pay special attention to the plant life and listen carefully for rustling vegetation and fruits falling to the rainforest floor indicating the presence of animals or large birds. After a leisurely lunch we take our canoes for a 4-hour trip down river until we reach Boca Manu for the night. Overnight at Boca Manu Lodge.

Day 6: Boca Manu – Bamboo Lodge

Today, after breakfast we will sail Alto Madre de Dios up river to the port of Atalaya, the place from where we started our trip by boat, after reach it we will drive to Bamboo lodge where we are going to spend our last night in the jungle of Manu National Park.

Day 7: Bamboo Lodge – Cusco

GOOD BYE TO MANU!! On the day of our return, we will have an early morning departure from Bamboo Lodge in the direction of Paucartambo, which was the entrance point that led us into the jungle in the first place. At this time we will pass through the beautiful Sacred Valley on the way, arriving in Cusco around 5:00pm.

Includes:

• Private transport van and boat
• Rubber boots
• All camping equipment
• Qualified bilingual native guide with own equipment
• Mineral water
• First aid kit
• 3 meals per day
• Cook
• Entrance to the accommodation (lodge)

Not includes

• Sleeping bag
• Rain coat or rain poncho
• Repellent with a minimum of 15 % deet
• Binocular
• Camera with extra batteries
• Flash Light with extra batteries
• Sun lotion
• Pocket Money
• Daypack
• Water bottle
• Sun hat
• Sandals
• Toilet paper
• Dark clothes

We recommend bringing:

• Test...