Manu Macaw Clay Lick and Photography
5D/4N
- Departure
Cusco
- when
From April to November
- Difficulty
Moderate
- type
Private
overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Manu Biosphere Reserve with our 6-day, 5-night tour. This adventure invites you to explore one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, where lush rainforests teem with unique wildlife and vibrant ecosystems. Over the course of six days, you will immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes, encounter exotic species, and learn about the rich cultural heritage of the local communities. Guided by experienced naturalists, each day promises new discoveries and unforgettable moments as you navigate the pristine rivers and trails of Manu. Join us for an extraordinary experience that connects you with nature and the incredible beauty of the Amazon.
daily summary
Day 1
Cusco – Rainforest Lodge
Our adventure begins in the exciting Jungle of Manu ; we will pick you up around 4:30AM from your hotels in Cusco in our private transport. The first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains and afterward, we will pass throught town of Huancarani them we travel to Paucartambo, a small traditional town, which is know for its folklore. At midmorning, we will arrive at Acjanacu the entrance of Manu National Park here we will do a short hike exploring the Puna Grassland Paramo this place is considered as the continental divide there we might see the Andean Fox, Gray-tailed Deer and in a lucky day we might encounter the Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus).We will continue in our transport down throught Manu Road stopping at different ecosystems and ecological levels that contains waterfalls, open gaps, epiphytic forest and wonderfull views. Eventually we will come to the home of the exotic Peruvian National Bird, the “Andean Cock of the Rock”, you will be amazed by the spectacle in the Lek, we do have changes to see Gray Woolly Monkey and many others exotic birds like Blue-banded Tucanet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Crested Quetzal. After that we continue driving to Rainforest Lodge where we will spend our first night. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights:
- Explore the Ecological levels at Manu Road (Enfinwood forest, Mountain Forest, Cloud Forest)
- Visit the Andean Cock of the Rock LEK at Cloud Forest (Peruvian National Bird)
- Bird Watching looking for Tanagers, toucans, barbets, hummingbirds, quetzals, trogons, motmots, woodpeckers and hawks and sightseeing, at the cloud forest where you can see beautiful landscape fog and mist natural scenary.
Day 2
Rainforest Lodge – Tambo Blanquillo Lodge
Very early in the morning we will depart to Atalaya port, on the way we will make a stop to sighting birds such Hummingbirds, Aracari Toucans, Amazonian Umbrella Bird. Later we will begin the boating part of our journey in a river excursion on the Madre de Dios River a tributary of the famous Amazon River.We will make a stop at the natural hot springs to have a bath and relax, travelling by boat exist chances to see the famous Capybaras (worl’s largest rodents), Red Howler Monkeys, Rosiate Spoonbills, river Scavengers like King Vulture, Caracaras, river Owls etc.After mid afternoon we will arrive to Tambo Blanquillo Lodge after enjoying a short break we will start walking through the jungle to hear the natural sounds of animals and see Monkeys like Dusky-titi Monkey, Owls and the sunset after that later on the night we will go to try and spot some Owls continue for a night walk looking for spiders, insects and snakes. We return to the lodge for dinner and spend the night at Tambo Blanquillo Lodge. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights:
- Hummingbird garden, at this place we can see several hummingbird species like Rufous-crested Coquete, Buff-tailed sicklebill, White-necked Jacobin, Gould´s Jewelfront.
- Natural Hot Spring, authentic hot pools surrounding by nature and mineral licking butterflies.
- Tapir Clay Lick a blinded wooden platform in front of Mammals Clay Lick, big wildlife can be seen at night like Brazilian Tapirs, Red-brocket Deers, bicolored porcupine, bats.
Day 3
Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick – Blanco Oxbow Lake
Very early in the morning, we will go by boat to the Macaw Clay Lick, a special place where flocks of Parakeets, Parrots and Macaws come every in the morning to eat the nutritious lick, located at the wall of the river. We will stay here at this Camouflaged Hideout house it is a birds lover’s paradise, where you will see and hear many of them however, this activity is very much weather dependent.In the afternoon we will visit the amazing Cocha Blanco Oxbow Lake, from a catamaran we can see animals such as Agami Herons, Spider Monkeys, King Fisher, Hornet Screamer, family of Giant Otters fishing (Pteronura brasiliensis the world’s largest freshwater carnivores) that lives here. Them when is getting dark we also include a night walks for plenty of Herping Activities night at Tambo Blanquillo Lodge. Breaskfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights:
- Stunning boat ride along Madre de Dios River and Manu River, rivers dynamics, banks characteristics, colors show from the boat. Wildlife also is possible to enjoy like Caimans, turtles, monkeys species, birds species, capibaras.
- Along the Madre de Dios River is possible to see uncontacted indigenous people, the Mashco Piro an Amazonian tribe.
- Otorongo and Salvador oxbow lakes unique habitats for the endangered Giant Otters.
Day 4
Tambo Blanquillo - Bonanza Ecological Reserve – Tapir Clay Lick
We will explore early in the morning the amazing jungle them we leave Tambo Blanquillo very early to have another opportunity to see a Jaguar on our way to Bonanza Ecological Reserve. We might also see Tapirs, Turtles and Caimans. After a short stop in Boca Manu, we continue upriver (Alto Madre de Dios River) to Bonanza Lodge after enjoying a short break we will start trekking through the jungle to hear the natural sounds of animals and see Monkeys like Dusky-titi Monkey, Brown Cappuchins, We will spend the night at our Tapirs Clay Lick this Camouflage House is strategically located near to the Mammal’s Clay Lick where we will have the opportunity to see the Brazilian Tapir, Red Brocket Deer, and Porcupines during the night time. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Highlights:
- Macaw Clay Lick, at only 20 minutes walk from Jaguar Ecolodge, parrots, parakeets are starting the spectacle of the day, later scarlet – red and green macaws come to clay lick, however, depends on the weather condition.
- The pristine primary forest at the trails systems is fascinating to learn about flora and fauna interactions.
- Night search, there are many nights walks on this tour best time to see reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, arachnids, and many others nocturnal creatures.
Day 5
Bonanza Ecological Reserve – Cusco
The fifth day will be our final day, we depart early in the morning traveling upstream to Atalaya port, where our private transportation will be waiting for us for driving back passing through cloud forest, where we can do some wildlife sightseeing, and arriving in Cusco at approximately 6:30PM. Breakfast, Lunch
Highlights:
- Early morning boat ride to look for the elusive Jaguar, they tend to stay camouflage, other wildlife like capibaras, tapirs, sloths are active too.
- Observations Towers, metal made towers reach the canopy level of the forest giving fantastic views of the evergreen forest and bird species to enjoy like toucans, oropendolas, woodpeckers, tanagers, etc, sunset too, all combine a great experience,
- Nights walks for owling, and herping tour.
Tour Includes:
- Private bus and boat
- Rubber boots
- Rain poncho
- Duffle bag for personal belongings
- Mattresses and Mosquitos nets for the night in the Camouflage House
- Accommodations and lodges
- Bilingual native guide
- Mineral water
- First aid kit
- 3 meals per day including vegetarian, vegan option
- Midmorning snacks
- Professional Cook
- Entrance to the Natural hot Spring
- Entrance to Blanco Oxbow Lake
- Entrance to Macaws Clay Lick in Blanquillo
- Entrance to Bonanza Ecological Reserve
- Entrance to the Mammals Clay Lick
What you need to take:
- Light sleeping bag or blanket
- Insect Repellent with a minimum of 30% – 40% % DEET
- Good binoculars 10 x 42 (you can rent with us good quality binoculars)
- Camera with extra batteries, if you like taking pictures take telephoto lens of 400mm.
- Flashlight/torch with extra batteries
- Sun lotion
- Pocket money
- Daypack
- Water bottle
- Sun hat
- Sandals with strapp
- Swimming suit
- Extra toilet paper
- Small towel
- Thick socks
- Long-sleeved T-shirt
- Dark colored clothes
- Shampoo and soap