Manu Expedition
6D/5N
- Departure
From Cusco returns to Cusco
- when
From March to December
- Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
- type
Group service Private service
overview
This is an Expedition tour, where trekking and camping is available for nature lovers, entering to 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. Over the course of six days, you will immerse yourself in the stunninglandscapes, encounter exotic species. Guided by experienced naturalists, each day promises new discoveries and unforgettable moments as you navigate the pristine rivers and trails of Manu.
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 – Bonanza Ecological Reserve
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 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 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 midday we will arrive 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. During the afternoon we will visit our metal made 20 meters high bird watching tower. From there we will have an unique view of the evergreen forest, enjoying the flights of Macaws and many other colorful birds, the sunset, later at night we will spot some caimans and there is also optional night walk (herping activities). 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
Expedition in Bonanza Ecological Reserve - Camouflaged House (Tapir Clay Lick)
Very early in the morning, we will leave for a hike through the lush jungle exploring different trail systems in order to encounter terrestrial mammals and arboreal animals including Southern Tamandua, lucky we might find Giant Anteater, this animals forage in varzea forest searching for large colonies of leaf Cutter Ants (Atta) and Monkeys like Red Howlers feeding on fig leaves we will be returnning to our lodge for lunch.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:
- 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
Camouflaged House – Condeja River (Research Zone)
We will continue exploring the vast Amazon jungle through the nucleo zone of Manu National Park. Bonanza Ecological Reserve is located at 320 mts above sea level which contains different habitats from the floodedforest to terra firme forest this is a special place where the both animal and plant life are diverse. Today will be an action-packed day for us we will do several hours of trekking them finally arrive at the clear water Condeja River where we will camp out. This meandering river offers possibilities to see the rare and threatened Giant Otters with a luck, Black Caiman or Jaguar. Entering deeper into the jungle heart will give us many opportunities to see wildlife, and really make your jungle experience as exciting and complete as possible. The guide will let you know about the jungle lifestyles, medicinal plants, ecosystems etc. There will be a night of camping, accompanied by nice warm bonfire night walk available for herping activities. 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
Condeja River (Research Zone) – Muyuna Parrots Clay Lick
After eating our breakfast we will return back to Bonanza Lodge, along the way we will have chance to see a rich biodiversity of birds like Tucans, Macaws, Motmots, Woodpeckers and Monk Saki Monkeys, diverse exotic plants. We will have time to shower and relax a bit them have lunch in the Lodge. Afterwards we will travel upstream by boat for 3 hours approximately arriving to Muyuna Parrots Clay Lick, where we will spend our last night having a delicious dinner and small bonfire. Our night will be spent in camping with tents and mattresses provided for your comfort. There is also an optional night walk especially for White Caiman search. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Day 6
Muyuna Parrots Clay Lick – Cusco
The sixth day will be our final day, we depart early in the morning to the Parrot’s Clay Lick where we can see many Parrot and Parakeets eating minerals.After this activity we will continue traveling upstream to Atalaya port where our private bus will be waiting for us and take us back to the magical city of Cusco arriving at approximately 6:30PM. Breakfast, Lunch
Tour Includes:
- Private bus and boat
- Rubber boots, rain poncho and duffle bag for personal belongings
- All camping equipment (tents and mattress)
- Matrassess and Mosquitos nets for the Camouflage House
- Accommodations and lodges
- Bilingual native guide
- Mineral water
- First aid kit (including Antidote for snake bites)
- 3 meals per day included vegetarian and vegan option
- Midmorning snacks
- Professional Cook
- Entrance to Cock of the Rock (Lek)
- Entrance to the natural Hot Springs
- Entrance to Mammals Clay Lick
- Entrance to Bonanza Ecological Reserve
What you need to take:
- Light sleeping bag or blanket
- Repellent with a minimum of 30% or 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 with extra batteries
- Sun lotion
- Pocket money
- Daypack
- Water bottle
- Sun hat
- Sandals with strapp
- Swimming suit
- Extra toilet paper
- Shampoo and soap
- Small towel
- Thick socks
- Long-sleeved T-shirt
- Dark colored clothes