Copyright ® Vertigo Travel Peru
✓ Metal canteen 1lt
✓ Towel for face and hands
✓ Toiletries and personal medications
✓ Trekking shoes, tennis shoes and flip flops
✓ Flashlight, spare batteries, adapter and charger
✓ Cabana or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen
✓ Insect repellent (recommended with 40% or more DEET)
✓ Raincoat, poncho and umbrella
✓ Loose-fitting clothing in environmentally friendly colors (not white): long-sleeved shirts, long pants, cotton socks and underwear, bathing suit.
✓ Warm clothes when cold fronts
✓ Binoculars. Minimum increase of 8×25, with strap to wear them hanging on our neck
✓ Imaging camera, adapter and charger; with strap to wear them hanging on our neck
✓ Large backpack and backpack, plastic bags
✓ Toilet paper for the first day of the trip, in a plastic bag
✓ Small denominations of money for incidentals and tips
Leaving Cusco early, we begin our 9-10 hour journey by private minibus ascending to the high mountain area at 4000m (13,000ft). We make a stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and in the colonial town of Paucartambo. Then we will descend the eastern slope of the Andes through the cloud forest with exuberant vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads, etc.). We enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and can see wildlife such as our national bird: the bright red Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruviana) displaying its mating dance. Walking along the path you can observe brightly colored Tanagers, Quetzals, Trogons, Toucanets and Hummingbirds, as well as Hawks and possibly the first monkeys, such as the Woolly Monkeys. At the end of the afternoon we arrive at Bamboo Lodge (950m), where we will spend the night (double rooms and private bathroom). After dinner, your guide will brief you on the next day's activities. Accommodation: rooms and private bathroom.
After an early breakfast we continue with our minibus: we pass the town of Pilcopata and cross the river of the same name to reach the small port of Atalaya (600 m). On the way we stop for some bird watching walks, we also stop at an animal rescue station and to look for orchids. Before reaching Atalaya we enjoy a great view of the river basin from a viewpoint. At the port we embark on a half-hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. On the way we will walk along the trails near the river and visit Lake Machuwasi, on the opposite side of the river. We use a wooden raft to explore the lake and observe the bird life. We then sail for approximately 4 hours in a motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River to reach the lowland rainforest to our lodge. , Glitter Jays, Skimmers and some of the monkey species that live on Manu. At night we can go to observe alligators in the river or take a night walk. We spend the night at Dorado Ecological Lodge. Accommodation: rooms and private bathroom.
At dawn we travel downriver by boat to the parrot clay lick. This is a special place where parrots, parakeets and small macaws, including the chestnut-fronted macaw and the rare yellow and blue macaws, come to eat minerals that help with digestion. After the natural spectacle we return to our lodge for breakfast. Later we explore some of the trails close to our lodge, we have the opportunity to see more species of monkeys and birds. After lunch, we have a short rest in our lodge. In the afternoon we walk for about 1 ½ hours through the primary rainforest to the reserve's mammal salt lick. For the best chance of spotting animals, especially the tapir, we spend the night on a raised platform (with mats and mosquito nets). Your guide will help you spot the tapir with a light. If you prefer, you can sleep in double rooms in the hostel.
We continue up the river making a few stops to see some birds and monkeys. We will also make a short stop to relax in the thermal baths. We will arrive at the port of Atalaya where our comfortable bus awaits us. We will then continue up through the cloud forest again, with a few stops. We then travel back to the Andes, arriving in Cusco around 7 pm. Transfer to your hotel.