TOUR TO MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE 7D/6N

by Bus(In & Out by Bus)

DAY 1: Cusco – Paucartambo – Cloud forest – Asuncion.
On 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 BAMBU Lodge, where we will arrive at approx. 5:00 p.m.

DAY 2: Asuncion – Atalaya- 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 Lodge – Boca Manu Oxbow lake
At the crack of dawn we will go on an early morning trek through the jungle on our way to enjoy one of the Amazon Jungles most impressive spectacles, the amazing Macaw Clay Lick. This is where hundreds of colorful parrots, Pericos, and Guacamayos congregate to “lick” the clay thereby receiving nutrients.

In the evening, we will visit a lagoon of ancient origin, this ecosystem will divulge to us diversity so profound that it is truly breathtaking. This portion of the journey will be made in a catamaran and for couple of hours, we will explore and appreciate this tropical paradise, all the while, enjoying the landscape and beauty of the lagoon. We will make it back to Boca Manu Lodge for our dinner and rest.

DAY 4: Boca Manu – Manu Biosphere Reserve - Casa Machiguenga Lodge
Continuing on with our adventure, we will now go to one of the main areas of the Manu National Park, the Tourist Zone. For the next 5 to 6 hours, depending on the level of the water in the Manu River, we will sail down the robust river in our river boat. Because of the lack of civilization in this part of the jungle it will be much easier for us to notice the rich wildlife found here. Animals such as Capybaras, Caymans, monkeys, and with a little bit of luck, maybe we will be able to see the great, South American feline, the Jaguar, which may be resting in the sun some place along the river.

We will then arrive to our private area in the jungle, Casa Machiguenga Lodge, where we will spend the 3 following nights. If there is sufficient time, we will enjoy a walk on a trail nearby the camp site, all the while your guide will be feeding the group information about the complicated amazonian forest.

DAY 5: Manu Biosphere Reserve.
Today very early, we will head of to visit the Pakitza, which is known as one of the first Biological Stations created for the scientific studies being conducted in Manu. Aguila Arpia which means “Matchiguenga expression”, is as of yet, still an unknown and unvisited palace that will one day be a highly sought after tourist site. We will take you in and around its amazingly complex trail system as the forest exposes more and more of its natural beauty for us around every bend. Maybe we will even have a chance to see a group of Tamarine Monkeys, which are the smallest monkeys in the entire world. Be aware of your surroundings, because they could sneak up right behind you!!

Later on, in the night, we will visit another system of trails with a completely different set of characteristics than the first. Your guide will explain to the group why and show us native plants from the area that can be used as traditional medicines.

DAY 6: Manu Biosphere reserve - Bonanza Ecological reserve.
Early in the morning, we will depart the tourist zone and travel in the direction of the final destination of ourjourney, The Bonanza House. In order to get there, we will make a 25 kilometer journey up the Madre de Dios River. We will arrive at our destination around 3:00 p.m. Upon our arrival, we will take a little bit of time to relax and enjoy a bit of a break before going out on the last trek of the journey. This time we will go with specific intentions of seeing the jungle under the moon. We will see its night time residents, such as the night frog, spiders (tarantulas), insects, etc. Then back to the lodge for a welcome rest at the Bonanza Ecological Reserve.

DAY 7: Bonanza Ecological Reserve – Cusco.
GOOD BYE TO MANU!! On the day of our return, we will have an early morning departure from the Casa Bonanza in the direction of the Port of Atalaya, which was the entrance point that led us into the jungle in the first place. Our private car will already be waiting for us there to take us back to the Magical City of Cusco. We will pass through the beautiful Sacred Valley on the way, arriving in Cusco around 7.00pm.