Magical Manu: 5 days, 4 nights

Day 01.- Cusco - Boca Manu

Reception from the airport. We will start our journey boarding a boat in which we will appreciate beautiful birds endemic of this region of the world. We will be able to buy our last provisions in Boca Manu before we enter the Manu River and the Reserved Zone. Later on, in our way we will stop in a white sand beach where we camp along the riverbank. Here we will have the opportunity to do the Canopy Tour. It consists on having our guests traverse from tree to tree and platform to platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables zip lines as they sail through the treetops of the tropical rainforest canopy, and over the trails far below. Expert guides assist you in this exciting journey through the different layers of the virgin rain forests and explain what’s going on around you, from the time you leave the ground, until you rappel back down to the forest floor. We will arrive to the lodge to spend the rest of the evening there and in the surroundings. Overnight in the lodge.

Day 02.- Parrot Lick Collpa – Limonal – Salvador Lake

Very early and after a ten minutes boat ride, we will arrive to a Parrot Lick Collpa, which is a wall of clay in the riverbanks, where many specimens of parrots such as the blue headed parrot, the white-eyed parakeet, the dusky-headed parrot the chestnut fronted macaw and others search for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. After registering in the official tourist logbook at Limonal, the Park Rangers Headquarters and eating an early breakfast, we will continue travel up the Manu River for 4 hours approximately into the pristine heart of the reserve. We will leave the final human domains behind us and enter the virgin jungle. We will arrive to Salvador Lake, our base safari campsite (screened dining room, toilets / showers and radio communication is available). Differences in wildlife abundance will be noted immediately. We will begin to sight macaws, herons, kingfishers and cormorants frequently and improve our chances of encounters with capybaras, caiman, storks, ducks and other wildlife. You will often see animals sunning themselves on beaches, or foraging for food in the trees lining the riverbanks. This canoe ride gives us the opportunity to observe the immensity of the rainforest. We will arrive early in the afternoon and have lunch before setting off on a jungle trail although at this time of the day mammals and birds are not as active as in the early morning. We will concentrate on the forest itself and discuss general rain forest ecology. Return to the campsite. Overnight.

Day 03.- Salvador Lake – Otorongo Lake 

We will get up early in the morning, as the forest is awakened by the Red Howler monkey (Aloatta seniculus) declaring its territory. A morning walk before breakfast is a great way to catch wildlife in the pursuit of food, as the temperature is very pleasant at this time of day. We will explore Salvador Lake by paddling quietly along on a catamaran, giving us the opportunity to observe unique specimens of birds, monkeys, caimans and, if we are lucky enough, the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). This endangered specimen can be seen swimming, fishing, eating and playing. After lunch, we will cross the river to walk an 8-km trail to another oxbow lake called Otorongo. This forest, which is estimated to be 200 to 300 years old and includes truly huge Ceiba trees and Strangler figs is home to several mammals that are occasionally encountered: Saddleback tamarins, Squirrel, Spider and Brown Capuchin Monkeys, the Collared and the white lipped peccaries. At the lake, a strategically located observation tower rises 15 meters above the lake and the jungle floor. From the top you not only get spectacular view of the lake and the surrounding forest but also excellent opportunities to observe birds from the canopy. This also gives us more chances to observe wildlife including the Giant Otter. Back at Salvador Lake, late in the afternoon, we will use the catamaran and with the help of flashlights we can observe the black caimans rise from the depths of the lake and begin their search for prey. Return to the safari campsite. Overnight.

Day 04.- Salvador Lake – Boca Manu

Once again we will wake up early, enjoy walking around Salvador Lake and then pack up and slowly go downstream the interesting Manu River. We will arrive at approximately 3pm. to the Valley’s Island that belongs to a Native family and it’s possible to do a short walk through the forest to observe American bullfrogs, horned frogs, tree frogs and an incredible variety of colorful insects. We will continue to Boca Manu’s Village, situated a short distance from the confluence of the Manu and Alto Madre de Dios rivers. From there we will descend the Madre de Dios River arriving to Juan de Dios Reserve and spend one more night at the Lodge in this magical Amazon jungle. Possibility to do a short night walk. Overnight.

Day 05.- Boca Manu - Cusco

Around mid morning we will board our canoe to return to the airstrip at Boca Manu where we will take our flight back to the city of Cusco.

The tour includes:

• Transporte Terrestre (Camiones tipo overland y camionetas 4x4)
• Terrestrial Transportation (Overland and four-wheel cars)
• Fluvial Transportation (Motorized and covered boats)
• 02 nights accommodation in Lodge
• 02 nights accommodation in camp base.
• Camping Equipment / two-person tents
• All meals (Vegetarian option available)
• Paperwork and payment for Park permits
• Radio communication equipment in all lodges and campsites
• Satellite telephone for emergencies
• First Aid Kit
• Professional Guidance (Spanish – English)
• Personalized Attention

• Air tickets: Cusco – Boca Manu $185.00 / Boca Manu – Cusco $185.00 (Price is subject to last minute changes)
• Airport taxes
• Airport of Cusco: $5.00
• Airport of Boca Manu: $25.00
• Entrance to the Manu National Park Reserve Area – S./150.00 (Approximately $50.00) Price is subject to change without notice

Important:
The present tour starts every Tuesday and finishes the Saturday at night.

Suggestions:
Bring with you the following items:

• Sleeping bag
• Binoculars, Camera and film ASA 200 and 400 for the inner forest
• Warm clothing (in case of a cold front), long sleeve shirts and long pants (cotton)
• 100% waterproof rain gear (long poncho or rain wear)
• Insect repellent (at least 50% Deet), sunscreen lotion
• One pair of lightweight ankle height boots and sandals
• Flashlight, enough batteries (alkaline) and bulbs
• Wide brim hat (for sunny days), sun glasses
• Towel, swimming suit, personal medicines and/or supplies (liquid for contact lenses, for example)
• Day pack, and one back pack or duffel bag of luggage per person
• One bottle of water for the first day, plastic bags

Reservation