MANU PARK – RESERVE ZONE 6 DAYS

Leaving Cusco early in the morning, we begin an 8-hour journey over the Andes in our private bus, on a road that partly goes up to 4000 meters above sea level. We travel through traditional Quechua communities and through the spectacular eastern ranges of the Andes, on the way, we have a few stops, to see the pre-inka cemetery of Ninamarca or to visit the famous folkloric village of Paucartambo (2900 m above sea level). Then we continue to “Acjanaco“, the park’s entrance from here we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (bromeliads, ferns, orchids etc.) in the cloud forest we can see wildlife such as our national bird: the bright red Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) showing his mating dance. Quetzals, Trogons, Brilliantly colored Tanagers can be seen and possibly the first monkeys, such as capuchin monkey or Woolly Monkeys). In the afternoon, we arrive at Bamboo Lodge (700m above sea level), where we will have dinner and then spend the night in double rooms with private bath.

After an early breakfast we continue with our private bus: we pass the village of Pillcopata and cross the river of the same name to get to the small port of Atalaya (600 m). Wherefrom we take our boat for about 3-4 hours downstream the river “Madre de Dios“. On the way we stop at Aguas Calientes hot springs to relax. Then we Arrive at El Dorado Lodge we´ll explore one of the trails at this charming location. Night El Dorado Lodge in double rooms with private bath.

In the morning if there is activity, we may visit a clay lick where many parakeet and parrot species eat clay in the mornings. Also the smaller macaws such as the Chestnut-fronted and the scarce Blue-headed Macaws can be found there. After this we take our boat for about 45 minutes downstream the river “Madre de Dios“. Then we enter the reserved zone and continue our way for about4- 5 hours on the Manu River until arriving at the Casa Matshiguenka Lodge. On the way we can see a lot of biodiversity like e.g. birds, capybaras, monkeys, caimans and tapirs. With luck we can also see the biggest cat in South America: the jaguar. We spend our night at the Casa Matshiguenka Lodge located in the Manu National Park.
Double rooms & shared bathroom

This day we will visit by catamaran the famous “Cocha Salvador“ lake, home of the giant otters, this Cocha Salvador is the highlight in Manu park . especially in the dry season, is loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, caimans Caimans (South American relatives of the Alligators) , Terns, Skimmers, Shock-headed & Large-headed Capuchin Monkeys are usually feeding on fruits nearby. to name but a few. In the afternoon we have time to explore the trails in the area and a visit to the lake of Cocha Otorongo is planned, where a 20-meter observation tower in the rainforest canopy overlooking the lake are available for observing wildlife. We spend our second night at the Casa Machiguenga Lodge. Double rooms & shared bathroom.

We start early to travel 6 hours down the Manu River along the river beaches we can see more wildlife like monkeys, caimans, birds, Capybaras, etc. We make a short stop in Boca Manu village, the main settlement in Manu called after the confluence of the sediment rich Manu River with the wider Madre de Dios River after Boca Manu village we arrive to Maquisapayoc lodge.
Once in the lodge we go for a walk to the mammal salt lick, where we look for tapirs, deer monkeys, and other animals who visit the salt lick. After returning to the lodge we explore the forest on a night walk to see frogs, insects and snakes etc., optional night on the platform at the salt lick.
Night in double rooms with private bath

Back on the boat early in the morning, we head downstream to the small mining village Boca Colorado. Here you can see the negative effects of certain human activities on the delicate ecological balance of the rainforest. We take local transportation until crossing the Inambari River. On the other side, our private bus is waiting to take you over a newly paved road to Puerto Maldonado city where you can take an airplane to Lima or Cusco.