MANU 8D / 7N

Day 01. Leaving from Cusco at 6.00 am in our comfortable bus. Ascending to the high mountain area of Paucartambo. On the way we visit the funeral towers or chullpas of Ninamarca. The bus then descents through the mysterious cloud forest full of beautiful orchids, heliconias and primitive ferns. Stopping to give you an opportunity to witness Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola Peruviana) mating ritual. There are also possibilities to observe the Amazonian Umbrella bird (Cephalopteros Ornatus), Trogons (Trogon sp.) and many more. With luck the only South American bear, the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus). In the evening we arrive to the village of Pilcopata, where we stay in a typical lodge. Showers and toilets available.

Day 02. After an early but delicious breakfast, the bus transfers the group to the port of Atalaya. The rest of the day is spent travelling on the Alto Madre de Dios river. On the way you can see a variety of birdlife, like herons, egrets, kingfishers, and the ever present vultures of which the most spectacular one is the condor of the jungle, King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa). In the afternoon a short stop at the village of Boca Manu to have refreshing cold beverage. Later on the group arrives to the campsite which is located very close to the famous Macaw Clay Lick. Walks in the afternoon and a night walk to spot caimans in the lake. Night camping on covered platforms. Showers and toilets available. Optional flight in at Boca Manu (M02 & M04 options).

Day 03. Very early in the morning the group visit the Macaw clay lick . From a floating hide you can observe how dozens or even hundreds of parrots start to gather to eat the clay, which they need on their diet. After the parrots, the brilliant and colourful macaws start to arrive, squeaking loudly and illuminating trees with their bright colours. In the afternoon the group arrives to a lodge near Boca Manu. A walk to explore one of the trails in the area. Night in Lodge. Showers and toilets available. Optional flight in (M05 option) .

Day 04. The boat trip goes on and one will be able to understand why Manu is so famous for its wildlife. On the river edges you will be able to observe groups of turtles, White Caimans (Caiman cocodrylus), Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) and maybe a Jaguar (Panthera onca) resting on a log and observing its territory. Arriving in the afternoon to our campsite in Otorongo. We will be the only agency camping there. Later on visiting the trails around the Otorongo Oxbow Lake and the giant otter observation tower together with the guide to learn the functions and secrets of the tropical rainforest. Camping on covered platforms. Showers and toilets available.

Day 05. Today the group visit another oxbow lake called Salvador, which is half an hour boat trip from Otorongo. Here paddling silently on a Catamaran, you have again possibilities to observe a family of giant otters fishing and playing, black caimans and many different rare birdlife like the Hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoatzin). Here in Manu the animals have never suffered hunting pressure from man. In the afternoon we return to our campsite in Otorongo. Camping on covered platforms. Showers and toilets available.

Day 06. The call of the Red Howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) will wake us up. After a delicious breakfast we unfortunately need to start our return. On Manu river, the group might see many different animals, they did not find on the way in. In the afternoon the group arrives to Yanayaco Lodge. Later on a walk in order to visit a mammal clay lick where a large mammal; the tapir may be seen. Lodge with showers and toilets available. Optional flight out. (M03 option) .

Day 07 Continuing the boat trip to the port of Atalaya, where the bus is waiting for us. Lodging and dinner in Pilcopata. Showers and toilets available .

Day 08. Bus trip back to Cusco, visiting the cloud forest again. Arrival in the afternoon.