DAY 1:
Departure from the city of Cusco very early in the morning in one of our specially equipped vehicles for the route. We will cross interesting inter-Andean valleys and picturesque rural communities. At mid-morning we will visit the Pre-Inca Tombs of Ninamarca, known as “Chullpas” and then head to Paucartambo, a typical colonial town of great importance at that time and that still retains its flavor. Continuing the journey, we will ascend to the Acjanacu pass at 3,850 m.s. From here we start the descent through the Cloud Forest, an area very rich in endemic species such as the Spectacled Bear and Gallito de las Rocas, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, etc. This varied and fascinating world is home to the Cock of the Rocks, Bear Eyeglasses, orchids, ferns (one of the oldest living plants), mosses and lichens. This Cloud Forest is located between 2,000 and 3,500 m.s. and at least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. Lunch on the route observing nature until we reach our hostel Orquídeas de San Pedro where we will spend our first night comfortably installed.
DAY 2:
Very early we will look for the interesting Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana), national bird of Peru, who has a striking red-orange plumage very intense. After breakfast we continue our trip by bus, crossing the high forest, arriving at the town of Pilcopata (* 1), then to the port of Atalaya, located on the banks of the Alto Madre de Dios River, 700 m.s.n.m. where we will have lunch, then we will start the descent by the river for approximately 50 minutes until we reach our Private Reserve “Erika” (* 2) where we will walk through the interesting trails of this transitional zone between high and low jungle. Overnight in our hostel.
* 1 Optional free: Canoeing: From Pilcopata we will undertake a journey of approximately 1 and a half hours of canoeing (class I and II) along the Koshñipata and / or Alto Madre de Dios rivers, passing through the spectacular Pongo del Koñeq where we will stop to enjoy the landscape and a bath in its tropical waters.
2.-Optional free – Canopy tour: At Erika Lodge, our customers have the opportunity to move from tree to tree and platform to platform using harnesses on a horizontal cable with a system of lanes with which they glide at high speed on the glass of the trees of this fabulous Amazon rainforest where you can enjoy from high up, the birdlife and the roads below. Specialized personnel will help you at all times during this exciting experience and will explain everything interesting that happens from the moment you leave the ground until you descend in rappel 15 meters high.
DAY 3:
After breakfast, we will board our boat in which we will navigate along the Alto Madre de Dios river to the town of Boca Manu. This boat tour gives us the opportunity to observe typical river birds such as: rayadores, herons, several species of Kingfisher , swallows and flytraps. Boca Manu is located a short distance from the confluence of the Manu River and the Alto Madre de Dios River where it is possible to buy the latest supplies and frozen drinks. We spent the night in the hostel. Possibility of a short night walk.
DAY 4:
Very early, our boat will pass through a clay lick of the Pericos, a clay wall of the river where different species of parrots such as blue-headed parrots, white-eyed parrots, among others come down every morning to extract and lick pieces of clay to feed on salts and minerals necessary for digestion. At the end of this activity, we will make another brief stop at the Limonal Surveillance Post, where we will register in the Guestbook to control entry into the Reserved Zone. We will start the journey up the river Manu upstream leaving all traces of civilization to the heart of Zona Reservada for about 4 hours to Cocha Salvador, where we will spend the next two nights in our Sajino Safari camp that has double rooms completely enmallados, dining mesh, Shared toilet services including showers, radio communication and photovoltaic energy. During this trip you will be able to appreciate frequently a number of bird species: macaws, herons, martin fishers, cormorants; and improve our chances of finding capybaras, alligators, river turtles, monkeys and some mammals frequently sunning on the beaches or feeding on the surrounding trees. This tour shows us the immensity of our Amazon rainforest. After lunch we dedicate our time to walk in search of wildlife in this pristine jungle and then talk about the general ecology of this forest. Return to the Camp.
DAY 5:
At dawn, we are probably awakened by the howler monkey (Aloatta seniculus) declaring its territory before others. Before breakfast we will have a morning walk since the temperature at this time is pleasant and makes it frequent to find animals in search of food. We will explore Cocha Salvador using the catamaran, being able to appreciate some species of fauna such as the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) a species in danger of extinction and important inhabitant that can be seen fishing, playing or swimming, in the same way to the Black Caiman ( Melanosuchus niger), the Hoatzin (Ophisthocomus hoatzin), the Spider Monkey (Ateles paniscus), etc. and flora of its surroundings; Then we will return to the camp where our friendly staff will be waiting to offer us a good breakfast. We will cross a primary forest with a greater diversity of species towards Cocha Otorongo, a lagoon where there is an observation tower strategically located 15 meters high from which we will have the opportunity to appreciate the landscape of the surrounding primary forest and greater possibilities of seeing the resident family of giant otters, as well as great opportunities to observe birds that inhabit the canopies. This forest is 200 or 300 years old that includes giant Ceibas, Ficus and is home to many mammals that can occasionally be found: Tamarin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, black spider monkey, brown capuchin monkey; and sajinos. Overnight at our Sajino safari camp.
DAY 6:
This day we will get up early to take walks around Cocha Salvador and then pack and board our boat that takes us downstream slowly down the Manu River to Boca Manu. From this point, the river takes the name of Madre de Dios, becoming the hydrographic axis of the Department of Madre de Dios. Possibility to do a short night walk for the search of the American Toad, bugle frogs, tree frogs and a lot of colorful and interesting insects. Overnight at the hostel in Boca Manu.
DAY 7:
At midmorning or before, we will cross the Alto Madre de Dios River, always observing the enormous diversity of birdlife, at the end of the afternoon, we will arrive at the Erika Private Reserve where we will walk through its interesting trail system, we will spend this last night more, wrapped by the magic of the Amazon rainforest.
DAY 8:
Getting up very early we will continue crossing the river to the port of Atalaya and then take the bus back to the city of Cusco arriving at this very late at night.
END OF OUR SERVICES.
IMPORTANT: In order to know the guide, the group of participants and receive the latest recommendations and answer questions; One day before departure at 7:00 pm we have a meeting at the agency. The Manu National Park is not an endemic area of malaria or fever.
SUGGESTED TEAM LIST
• Towel for the entire trip.
• Drugs and personal hygiene implements
• Slippers or hiking shoes, sandals
• Flashlight with batteries and replacement bulbs
• Hat or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Insect repellent (recommended with 40% or more of DEET),
• Waterproof, long-sleeved shirts, cotton pants, swimwear
• Warm clothes in case of cold.
• Binoculars, Camera
• Luggage backpack and small backpack, plastic bags.
