Starting
from Cusco through the different ecosystems of the Manu National Park with
its rich flora and fauna.
We depart from Cusco to cross the Andes, have a coffee in the
beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo. We ascend to the highest
point of the Manubiosphere (approx. 3800 m) and then descend to the
cloud forest. In this mysterious area we can observe the spectacle
of the unusual «Gallito de las Rocas» (cock of the rock) right in
front of our eyes. We spend the first night in the huts of the
Posada San Pedro campsite (approx. 1600 m).
Early in the morning we continue by bus
to the tropical-humid low-lying jungle. Here in the village of
Atalaya (650 m) we take a motor boat to go downstream on the upper
reaches of the Madre de Dios river, which has a strong current here,
to Boca Manu. In the evening we camp on one of the beaches.
In the morning of the third day we cross
the Manu. From this strategic point we can easily observe the birds
on the shore, caimans basking in the sun and the giant «capybara»,
the «ronsocos». In the afternoon we reach our tent camp in the
depths of the Manus. This will be our base camp for the next two
days. During this time we hike through the untouched jungle and
explore one of the most beautiful lakes in the Manu basin, Cocha
Salvador, on a catamaran. You can see a great variety of colorful
birds, numerous species of monkeys and, with a bit of luck, a family
of giant river otters. A five hour hike through the jungle brings us
to the Cocha Otorongo and a 20 m high observation platform
overlooking the lake. At night we explore the jungle with the light
of a flashlight and look for caimans in the lake in the moonlight.
After a final hike through the Salvador
region, we return downstream on the Manu. From Boca Manu we fly to
Cusco by light aircraft if you take part in the 5-day trip.
If you choose the longer seven-day tour, it will proceed as follows:
Going downstream on the
Madre de Dios we reach Blanquillo near the macaw clay lick.
Overnight at the jungle lodge Tambo Blanquillo.
At first light we head to
the macaws (guacamayos) clay lick to watch the magnificent spectacle
of countless parrots, parakeets and macaws (guacamayos) eating soil.
In the afternoon we will visit another beautiful lake of the Manu,
Cocha Kamungo. We spend the night comfortably in the hostel Tambo
Blanquillo.
If you've booked the seven-day trip, a
short boat ride will take you to the Boca Manu airstrip for a
light-duty plane flight over the jungle to Cusco.
If you choose the longer
nine-day tour, the rest of the journey is as follows:
We go upstream on the upper
reaches of the Madre de Dios. During the river trip we have many
opportunities to observe rare animals resting or eating, e.g. puma
and jaguar. One can also enjoy impressive views of the Andes. We
spend the following two nights in the Pantiacolla Lodge at the foot
of the Pantiacolla mountain range.
Today we walk in a special jungle: here
the Andes and the deep jungle meet and therefore the visitor has the
opportunity to observe animals, and especially birds, of both areas.
Early in the morning we continue upstream
to Atalaya where the bus awaits for the return journey across the
Andes to Cusco.
Day 1: from Cusco to the cloud forest
Day 2: Cloud forest to Atalaya in deep Manu
Day 3 and 4: Cocha Salvador and Cocha Otorongo
Day 5: from Cocha Salvador to Boca Manu and Cusco
Day 5: from Cocha Salvador to Macaw Clay Lick
Day 6: Macaw Clay Lick
Day 7: from Boca Manu to Cusco
Day 7: from Boca Manu to Pantiacolla Lodge
Day 8: Pantiacolla Mountains
Day 9: From Atalaya to the cloud forest and to Cusco
Arequipa
Cajamarca
Chachapoyas
Chiclayo, Trujillo
Cusco
Huaraz
Iquitos
Lima
Manu
Pacaya-Samiria
Paracas, Ica, Nasca
Puno
Selva Central
Northern Beaches
Tambopata
Tarapoto
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