Manu National Park 8 Days - 7 Nights

Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO TO PILCOPATA:

We take a 11 hour bus trip from the city of Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4200 m (14,000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and may see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly colored Tanagers and Hummingbirds and with some luck the first monkeys, as e.g. the Woolly Monkey. We spend the night in a lodge in Pilcopata.

DAY 2: PILCOPATA TO MAQUISAPAYOJ:

After breakfast we travel another 2 1/2 hours by bus to Atalaya, at 500 m. Here we embark on an 8 hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. Today we have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, King Vultures and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive at Maquisapayoj (place of the Black Spider Monkey). Here we walk to the Mammal Salt Lick at night – where we can observe the Tapir with some luck - and camp for the night.

DAY 3: MAQUISAPAYOJ TO BLANQUILLO:

After exploring the trails around Maquisapayoj we travel downriver for half an hour to get to Blanquillo, our base camp for the next days. We visit Cocha (lake) Blanco to observe the family of Giant River Otters, monkeys (e.g. Red Howler Monkey), caimans and different varieties of birds. We camp at Blanquillo. Optional night walk before dinner and a shower! Macaw Claylick

DAY 4: BLANCO MACAW LICK AND CAMUNGO LAKE:

Early in the morning we walk about 1/2 an hour to Blanco Macaw Clay Lick. From the blind we can observe flocks of Macaws (Ara chloroptera, - ararauna, - macao), Parrots and Parakeets arriving to eat the clay. After the spectacle we have the opportunity to climb a 42 m tower at Camungo lake to get a great canopy view and observe birds. Later we explore the trails around Blanquillo. The night is spent at Blanquillo. Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.)

DAY 5: OPTIONAL MORNING:

Today we have another opportunity to look for the Giant Otters, to explore the Blanco River on dugout canoes, or to observe Macaws at the Macaw Clay Lick. After lunch we head for the Black Lagoon, to fish piranhas or catfish. The night is spent at Blanquillo. Optional night walk

DAY 6: BLANQUILLO TO YANAYACU OR CUSCO:

We start making our way back to Cusco. Either by plane from Boca Manu to Cusco or onwards to Yanayacu by boat. We have a short visit to Boca Manu and the Piro native Diamante village and continue further upriver to camp on the beach for this night.

DAY 7: YANAYACU TO PILCOPATA:

On this day, we travel upriver, make a stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) and continue to Atalaya from where we travel for another hour by bus to Pilcopata town. Here we spend the night in a lodge.

DAY 8 : RETURN TO CUSCO:

Today we travel for 9 hours up to the Andes to return to Cusco around 4 p.m.

The Tour Includes:

• Professional Guide specialized in Manu, specialized birding guide on request
• Entrance to National Park
• Cook
• Food (three meals per day, vegetarian on request)
• Private bus and boat transportation
• Camping equipment,mosquito netting (except your personal sleeping bag)
• Entrance to Macaw Clay Lick, Lakes
• Medical supplies
• Radio communication

Things you should bring for the Manu Trip:

• mosquito repellent
• long sleeved shirts (cotton is better)
• cotton socks
• Sandals
• rain gear
• long pants
• bathing suit
• hiking shoes
• binoculars (you can also rent them from)
• camera and films (400 and 200 ASA)
• plastic bags for clothes and camera etc.
• personal things (soap, toilet paper. towel etc.)
• hat (or handkerchief)
• sun blocker, sun glasses
• sleeping bag (can also be rented)
• flashlight (with spare bulb and batteries)
• day pack
• rubber boots ( only in rainy season, Jan. -April)