ON THIS TOUR YOU GET VISIT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:

NINAMARCA PRE- INCA BURIAL TOWERS (cullpas):

Ninamarca is a pre-inca burial cemetery located along the road of Manu National Park at 3700 masl. As a silent reminder the tombs, called "Chullpas", mark the pre-Inca civilization of the Lupaca people that inhabited the Andes a long time ago.

PAUCARTAMBO

This village is located in a valley at 2,906 masl. Paucartambo overwhelms you by its beauty and simplicity. This colonial style town is home to recognized folk traditions, such as its famous festival to the “Virgen del Carmen”, the sunrise in “Tres Cruces” (three crosses), and the ancient traditional culture of the cultivation of the Peruvian potatoes.

Boundaries:
North: Madre de Dios Region
East: Quispicanchi Province
South: Quispicanchi Province
West: Calca Province

CLOUD FOREST:

Manu covers many types of ecosystems that increase the biological diversity which is enhanced by its different ecological levels. The most southern point of the park, called Acjanaco is 3550masl., its landscape is described as PAJONAL ALTO ANDINO or high Andean grassland. The vegetation in this zone is short and not very abundant; the climate is frequently cold and wet.

Descending by these PARAJES we arrive at the elfin forest with its stunted trees, cold and humid air and a diversity of flora and fauna typical to the zone. Further down, between 3000 – 1550masl it becomes the cloud forest, an ecosystem which receives a lot of rain. Here we find a great number of endemic species such as the Spectacled Bear and the Cock of the Rock bird (Rupicola peruviana)– the Peruvian National bird.

There also you can see species of birds like:
• Crimson –Mantled Woodpecker
• Sickle-winged Guan
• Black-streaked Puffbird
• Brown-backed chat-tyrant
• Golden-headed quetzal
• Higland motmot
• Many-spotted Humingbird.
• Masked trogon
• Speckle - faced Parrot
• Violet-fronted brilliant
• White-rumped hawk
• Aplomado Falcon
• Blue - banded Toucanet
• Brad - winged Hawk
• Tanagers, barbets, and flower creepers.

In addition to the birds you also get see mammals like:
• Woolly monkeys
• South American Coati
• Brown capuchin monkey
• Taira
• Andean fox
• Brown agouti

BAMBOO LODGE:

Our lodge is found at 550 masl. in a quiet place 30 minutes before Pilcopata. The lodge was built in 2004, it has private bungalows with two rooms and two beds in each room, and each bungalow has a private bathroom with both cold and hot water in the showers. The lodge has kitchen and dining room. The walls of lodge are built with bamboo tree, the roof is constructed of giant grass which grows in the area, and the floor is made of wood. Near to the lodge there is a small coca plantation.

ALTO MADRE DE DIOS RIVER:

Madre de Dios River starts in the highlands of Cusco; the beginning of the river is called Pilcopata River, near to Atalaya (the place where we start our trip by boat). Pilcopata River joins Piñipi River and it is here that the river changes its name to Alto Madre de Dios River.
The Madre de Dios River is the namesake to the Peruvian region (Madre de Dios Department). It runs through this region then becomes the Beni River in Bolivia and later turns northward into Brazil, where it is called the Madeira River. The Madeira is a tributary to the Amazon River.

TEPARO RIVER

Teparo River is found at 500masl. To reach it we have to walk two hours and a half from our Mashko lodge. The river water is light blue in color and is a good place for fishing CICHILDS and some cat fish. At night there is a possibility to search for smooth fronted caimans.

MASHKO LODGE:

Mashko lodge is found at 520masl. along the shore of the Alto Madre de Dios River. The lodge it basically made of materials from the area, such as palm tree leafs for the roof, wooded floor, and bamboo walls. It has basic services, like toilets and showers. Around the lodge there is a bamboo forest area were bird watching lovers can see a lot of anteater birds, parakeets, chestnut fronted macaws and toucans.

MACHUHUASI OXBOW LAKE:

Machuhuasi is a small oxbow lake found at 500masl. along the shore of the Alto Madre de Dios River. In this small oxbow lake we can normally see many birds such as; hoatzins, cormorants, egrets, herons, tanagers, fly catchers, aracaris, woodpeckers and toucans. Here we also have the possibility to see Capybaras. Machuhuasi also has some trails were we can see three species of monkeys.

WHAT TO BRING

• Sleeping bag
  
• Repellent with a minimum of 15 % deet
  
• Binocular
  
• Camera with extra batteries
  
• Flashlight with extra batteries
  
• Sun lotion
  
• Pocket money
  
• Daypack
  
• Water bottle
  
• Sun hat
  
• Sandals
  
• Toilet paper
  
• Dark clothes (for the walking days)

TOUR INCLUDES

• Boat Transportation
• Bus or mini bus
• Rubber boots
• Rain poncho
• All accommodations (lodges and Tents according the tour)
• Bilingual tour guide.
• Mineral water
• First aid kit
• Three meals a day included vegetarian option.
• Profetional cook
• Entrance to all the reserves

FAQs ABOUT THIS TOUR

1. What is the weather typically like?

The weather is typically hot and humid. There are normally eight months of rain and four months of dry weather. During the day the temperature can reach 38 degrees Celsius but it will feel hotter because of the humidity. The humidity is around 90%.

2. What are the dangers of visiting the jungle?

There are really no specific dangers in the jungle. In general, the animals are not dangerous. The most dangerous species in the jungle are the snakes, the most common and dangerous ones are the Fer-de- lance snakes. However, these snakes are rarely seen. Precautions are taken which include wearing rubber boots while going on jungle walks to avoid any possible dangers.

3. Are there mosquitoes?

Yes, there are mosquitoes and sand flies. The mosquitoes are most active in the mornings and at dusk. We recommend that you bring a very good mosquito repellent with you to help avoid these mosquitoes while you are walking in the jungle. All the lodges provide mosquito nets for your beds and also the tents which are used have a mosquito net as well.

4. Do you provide clean drinking water?

Yes, all tour prices include mineral water throughout the entire trip and the expeditions include mineral water as well but when you are deep in the jungle the river water is normally boiled which makes it suitable to drink. On the expeditions, we highly recommend that our passengers bring water purifying pills.

5. What types of animals and wildlife will we see?

The Jungle of Madre de Dios departament has the most diverser concentration of wildlife in the world, therefore the probability of seeing animals and wildlife is very high. There are over 150 species of mammals, 99 species of reptiles, 140 species of amphibians, 1000 species of birds, including the beautiful and rare Macaw, 200 species of fish, 1000 species of butterflies, 130 species of dragonflies, and an unknown amount of insect species. However, even though this is a wide variety of wildlife, the area we will be visiting is not a zoo and therefore it is never certain what animals and wildlife you will see during your tour, is depends on luck.

6. What type of food will we eat and are there choices if you are a vegetarian?

The food we provide during these tours will be mostly foods native to the jungle. It will include fish, chicken, beef, rice, and vegetables. Fresh native jungle fruit such as pineapple, bananas, plantains, and passion fruit will be provided. Drinks during the tour will include natural juices like pineapple, star fruit, papaya, and passion fruit, mineral water, café, tea, and hot chocolate. We also make accommodations for vegetarians.

7. What type of things will I need to bring to be prepared for a tour in the jungle?

The most important things for you to bring are: mosquito repellent, a flashlight or torch with extra batteries, camera with extra batteries, sun block, sandals, sleeping bag, a canteen or camel pack, hat, knife, extra money to buy personnel items, and binoculars.

8. Do you provide a first-aid kit?

Yes, we do have a very comprehensive first aid kit with us, but we also recommend that you carry a small first aid kit of your own, which includes all the basic items of a first-aid kit.

9. Is there malaria in the region?

No, there has not been a confirmed case of malaria in the region. However the area is still considered a malaria region and therefore we highly recommend that you take anti-malaria medication during your time in the jungle.

If you have a question that is not answered here, please send us an email at: requests@sacredlandperu.com and we will get you an answer.

PHOTO GALLERY