Manu Biosphere Reserve

Manu Cultural Zone

Manu Park to Maldonado

Manu Jungle Expeditions

New Jungle Expeditions

Birdwatching Tours

Trekkings in Cusco

THE COMPLETE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE EXPERIENCE 9d/8n

(6 nights lodge +2 nights in tents)

Bus in and Fly Out are Included

Note: Flights are not available at Boca Manu Airport from November to April because this is the rainy season in Peru and because the runway at Boca Manu is not paved it is just dirt. Flights are available from April/May to November and are determined based on the weather conditions.

ON THIS TOUR YOU GET VISIT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:

NINAMARCA PRE- INCA BURIAL TOWERS (cullpas):

Ninamarca is a pre-inca burial cemetery located along the road of Manu National Park at 3700 masl. As a silent reminder the tombs, called "Chullpas", mark the pre-Inca civilization of the Lupaca people that inhabited the Andes a long time ago.

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PAUCARTAMBO

This village is located in a valley at 2,906 masl. Paucartambo overwhelms you by its beauty and simplicity. This colonial style town is home to recognized folk traditions, such as its famous festival to the “Virgen del Carmen”, the sunrise in “Tres Cruces” (three crosses), and the ancient traditional culture of the cultivation of the Peruvian potatoes.

Boundaries:
North: Madre de Dios Region
East: Quispicanchi Province
South: Quispicanchi Province
West: Calca Province

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CLOUD FOREST:

Manu covers many types of ecosystems that increase the biological diversity which is enhanced by its different ecological levels. The most southern point of the park, called Acjanaco is 3550masl., its landscape is described as PAJONAL ALTO ANDINO or high Andean grassland. The vegetation in this zone is short and not very abundant; the climate is frequently cold and wet.

Descending by these PARAJES we arrive at the elfin forest with its stunted trees, cold and humid air and a diversity of flora and fauna typical to the zone. Further down, between 3000 – 1550masl it becomes the cloud forest, an ecosystem which receives a lot of rain. Here we find a great number of endemic species such as the Spectacled Bear and the Cock of the Rock bird (Rupicola peruviana)– the Peruvian National bird.

There also you can see species of birds like:
•    Crimson –Mantled Woodpecker
•    Sickle-winged Guan
•    Black-streaked Puffbird
•    Brown-backed chat-tyrant
•    Golden-headed quetzal
•    Higland motmot
•    Many-spotted Humingbird.
•    Masked trogon
•    Speckle - faced Parrot
•    Violet-fronted brilliant
•    White-rumped hawk
•    Aplomado Falcon
•    Blue - banded Toucanet
•    Brad - winged Hawk
•    Tanagers, barbets, and flower creepers.

In addition to the birds you also get see mammals like:
•    Woolly monkeys
•    South American Coati
•    Brown capuchin monkey
•    Taira
•    Andean fox
•    Brown agouti

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BAMBOO LODGE:

Our lodge is found at 550 masl. in a quiet place 30 minutes before Pilcopata. The lodge was built in 2004, it has private bungalows with two rooms and two beds in each room, and each bungalow has a private bathroom with both cold and hot water in the showers. The lodge has kitchen and dining room. The walls of lodge are built with bamboo tree, the roof is constructed of giant grass which grows in the area, and the floor is made of wood. Near to the lodge there is a small coca plantation.

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ALTO MADRE DE DIOS RIVER:

Madre de Dios River starts in the highlands of Cusco; the beginning of the river is called Pilcopata River, near to Atalaya (the place where we start our trip by boat). Pilcopata River joins Piñipi River and it is here that the river changes its name to Alto Madre de Dios River.
The Madre de Dios River is the namesake to the Peruvian region (Madre de Dios Department). It runs through this region then becomes the Beni River in Bolivia and later turns northward into Brazil, where it is called the Madeira River. The Madeira is a tributary to the Amazon River.

BOCA MANU:

Boca Manu is a small village located at the intersection of the Alto Madre de Dios River and Manu River. The town is a major town in the jungle and a necessary stop before continuing on into Manu Biosphere Reserve or Blanquillo Ecological Reserve. Here we stop to buy gas supplies and also there is a small airport where travelers can fly out of or into Manu National Park.
Around the Boca Manu there is an Oxbow lake called “Isla de los Valles”. Here you have opportunities to see a family of giant otters and some groups of monkeys. This oxbow lake is a very good place for bird watchers.

MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE:

Manu National Park is a biosphere reserve located in Madre de Dios and Paucartambo, Cusco. Before becoming an area protected by the Peruvian government, the Manu National Park was conserved due do its inaccessibility. The park remains fairly inaccessible by road to this day. In 1977, UNESCO recognized it as a Biosphere Reserve and in 1987 it was pronounced a World Heritage Site. It is the largest National Park in Peru, covering an area of 15,328 km². The Biosphere Reserve includes an additional 2,570 km² and an extra 914 km² are included in a "Cultural Zone" (which also is protected), bringing the total area to 18,811 km².

The park protects several ecological zones ranging from as low as 150 meters above sea level in parts of the Amazon Basin to the Puna grasslands at altitudes of 4200 meters. This topographical range is the primary factor that contributes to it having one of highest levels of biodiversity of any park in the world. Overall, more than 15,000 species of plants are found in Manu, and up to 250 varieties of trees have been found in a single hectare. The reserve is a destination for birdwatchers from all over the world, as it is home to over 1000 species of birds, more than the number of bird species found in the United States and Canada combined.

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MANU RIVER:

Manu River is one of the main tributaries of the Madre de Dios River which is a tributary of the Amazon River.
Manu River is found in the southeastern section of Peru. It runs down from the eastern slopes of the Andes to the Amazon Basin through Manu National Park. Manu River has a high concentration of wildlife in its waters and also on its river banks. You will see many white and black Caimans lying on river bank. We have reports from a group of tourist who had the opportunity to see five jaguars in one morning. Also along the river you can see several monkeys, deers, capybaras, Tapirs and many varieties of birds.

MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE OXBOW LAKES:

An oxbow lake is a U-shaped body of water formed when a wide meander from the mainstream of a river is cut off to create a lake. This landform is called an oxbow lake for the distinctive curved shape that results from this process. In Australia, an oxbow lake is called a billabong.
Manu National Biosphere Reserve has 13 oxbow lakes near the Manu River, were tourist get see a lot of wildlife including species such as the black Caiman, families of giant others, spider monkeys, red howler monkeys. The largest and most beautiful oxbow lake in Manu Biosphere reserve is Salvador Lake.

CASA MACHIGUENGA LODGE:

Our Machiguenga lodge is located inside the Manu National Park near Cocha (Lake) Salvador. The lodge is established and run by native Machiguenga Amerindians from two communities located in the heart of the Manu National Park. From this lodge we have access to unexplored forest and oxbow lakes.

MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE MAMMALS:

Manu is the most biologically diverse region of the Amazon when considering mammals. It provides unforgettable opportunities for seeing about 200 species of mammals. There are 13 species of monkey and it is estimated that there are over 100 species of bats.

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MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE BIRDS:

Manu represents 25% of all the birds known in South America and 10% of all the species in the world. It is thought that there may be as many as 1,000 bird species in total. According to Renton, six species of macaws occur in the lowland forest to include Ara ararauna, A. chloroptera, A. macao, A. severa, and A. manilata. Three Endemic Bird Areas are represented within the park. Manu Park is also home to 15 restricted range species.

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BLANQUILLO PRIVATE RESERVE

Tambo Blanquillo Lodge is located two and a half hours down river from Boca Manu. At the Lodge we have platforms with a comfortable dining room. The reserve has three oxbow lakes (blanco, Blanquillo and Camungo oxbow lakes) with ideal conditions to observe giant otters from a wooden catamaran. Also there is a 45 meter metal tower perfect location where bird watchers can spot many birds.
Near the lodge there is one of the most beautiful places in the world called “collpa.” A collpa is a clay lick where some species of mammals and birds go every day to neutralize the toxins in there system.
In Blanquillo tourist can enjoy an amazing macaw clay lick. Red and green macaws are daily visitors of the clay lick along with many parrots and medium size macaws.

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MACAW CLAY LICK:

One distinctive habitat nearby Tambo Blanquillo is the shebonal forest. This type of forest is high in clay content, creating clay licks, locally known as collpa which are specially used by macaws and other rainforest species as a healthy diet supplement that helps them remove toxins from their digestive tracks. Macaws usually obtain these noxious chemical substances from unripe fruits they ingest.

Our lodge is just 10 minutes away from the Macaw Clay Lick. A blind of 10 meters of altitude has been built facing it, so you can take close-up pictures without disturbing the bird’s activity. It consists of 40 comfortable seats, each with a personal counter where your binoculars and cameras can be placed in order to give you better stability to take superb pictures of the macaws on the clay lick. Breakfast will be served at the blind and a toilette facility is available.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Paucartambo - Cloud Forest - Bamboo Lodge.

We will depart Cusco in a 4WD vehicle traveling on a small one way road that changes direction by day of week! Along the way, we will see incredible views of the Andean valleys, the snow covered Vilcanota and Urubamba ranges, and the Amazon Basin. Our journey will take us over the Andes Mountains (12,795''pass) and into the cloud forest. On the way we pass pre-Inca burial towers called Chullpas and stop at the historic town of Paucartambo (9,530''). From the high desert we will descend into cloud forest and then the lush rainforest. Overall there is approximately 8 - 10 hours of driving. We will stay the night at our lodge ( L. D)

Day 2: Bamboo Lodge.- Pilcopata - Atalaya - Alto Madre de Dios River - Boca Manu.

After waking up to the morning noises of the jungle, you have the option of taking a pre-breakfast walk with your guide. After breakfast we will hike through the rainforest to board our motorized canoe to begin our journey down the Alto Madre de Dios River (or the Amarumayu River of Serpents, as it was known by the Incas), past the last folds of the Andes, to its confluence with the Manu River. We will pass settlements and native communities as we make our way up the river. Just before we get to the village of Boca Manu we pass the Diamante`s, the largest native community in the area. They have a small handcraft shop here which offers hand painted fabrics, necklaces of seeds native to the region, and a small selection of weavings and ceramics. A stop here can be pre-arranged with your guide. Tonight we have a chance to see two species of Tamarin monkeys - the Saddlebacked and Emperor tamarin. The Emperor has a long, white moustache and is a rare but precious site. This night we will stay at the Boca Manu Lodge.
(B. L. D)

Day 3: Boca Manu - Salvador Lake - Otorongo Lake - Salvador oxbow Lake.

Traveling upstream on the Manu River we will see more of the untouched jungle and its inhabitants. This is the same route taken by French explorer Jaques Cousteau on his 1980 Amazon expedition. Because of the lack of hunting in this area, we are likely to pass groups of Red Howler and Squirrel monkeys and Capybaras - the world’s largest rodent. There will be a variety of birds nesting and feeding on the beaches - Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name a few. Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans (South American relative to the alligator) and breeding Side-Necked turtles. Hundreds of Sand-Colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches. It is not unheard of to see a jaguar sunbathing on the banks of the river here. After lunch we will arrive at our Safari Camp near the Cocha Salvador Lake. We have the afternoon to explore some of the trails through the pristine rainforest. At Lake Cocha Otorongo we will observe the wildlife from a 20-meter (65 feet) observation tower. We will be especially on the lookout for a large family of Giant River Otters that inhabit the lake below. After dinner we may can search for nocturnal creatures. The lakes are full of large Black Caiman and if we are lucky we may encounter an Olingo Kinkajou or even an Ocelot on the trails. Tonight we will fall asleep as we listen to the nighttime sounds of tree frogs and insects of the rainforest. Overnight Cocha Salvador Camp or Casa Machiguenga Lodge.
(B. L. D)

Day 4: Salvedor Lake - Manu Biosphere Reserve.

An early morning start will have us paddling in small canoes or on our floating platform in the tranquil oxbow lake, Cocha Salvador, as the morning mists rise. We may encounter an Agami Heron or Sungrebe and Brown Capuchin Monkeys feeding on fruit. We may also see a jaguar, giant river otters - called river wolves, and hoatzins (prehistoric birds). The otters can reach 6 feet in length and weigh up to 70 lbs. and consume between 9 to 11 lbs. of fish daily. They are one of the rarest animals on earth and only remain common in Manu. We will be on the look out for some of the 13 species of monkeys found here. The sound of red howler monkeys through the mist may make our skin crawl while parrots will be seen flying high overhead. After lunch we walk trails which pass through terra firma forest as we look at the complex ecosystem that surrounds us. Our ecologist guide will explain how the plants and insects interact with the forest. We will be on the lookout for some of the smaller inhabitants of the jungle, such as the emperor or saddleback tamarins. We may even cross paths with a group of Peccaries, a species of wild boar found here. In the late afternoon we may swim in the river as we watch the sun set. Overnight Cocha Salvador Camp or Casa Matshiguenka Lodge.

Day 5: -Otorongo Oxbow Lake - Boca Manu.

Today we will walk from camp through the forest to a different oxbow lake, Cocha Otorongo - "Jaguar Lake", to experience another setting and a chance to see further wildlife. We may encounter troops of monkeys especially the Common Woolly Monkey. We’ll pay special attention to the plant life and listen carefully for rustling vegetation and fruits falling to the rainforest floor indicating the presence of animals or large birds. After a leisurely lunch we take our canoes for a 4-hour trip down river until we reach Boca Manu for the night. Overnight at Boca Manu Lodge. (B. L. D)

Day 6: Boca Manu - Blanquillo - Macaw lick.

Today we travel downstream (2.5 hours) on the Madre de Dios to the Blanquillo Macaw clay lick, strategically located on a recently formed oxbow lake. We will arrive in time for lunch. The afternoon is set aside for a refreshing shower and to relax. Those who desire, can walk through the magnificent rainforest surrounding the lodge.

The lodge is near one of the few known "collpas" (macaw-licks) where the colourful birds gather in the morning to "lick" clay found in the banks of the river here. It is thought that birds eat the clay as a dietary supplement, perhaps as a source of minerals or to neutralize the poisons in seeds and leaves. Fifteen of the eighteen species of floodplain parrots have been sighted at the licks. This is truly one of the world's premier wildlife spectacles. The lodge has a small camouflaged floating platform that allows us to observe the birds from several meters away. Overnight at Blanquillo Ecological Reserve. (B. L. D)

Day 7: Macaw Clay Lick - Blanquillo Lodge.

Activity at the clay lick begins about 5:30 am as medium sized parrots arrive with the dawn, pair by noisy pair, and land in the treetops above the lick. Hundreds of screeching birds clamber about in the branches in preparation for their descent to the riverbank. Eventually, cascades of green, blue, and red parrots circle down to the clay wall. About 7:00 or 7:30 am large macaws start to arrive. After about 40 to 100 have gathered and deemed the lick safe, they begin to descend. This colourful and noisy scene continues for 20 to 40 minutes while the birds eat their fill of clay or until danger arrives in the form of a hawk, eagle, or ocelot. There are normally between 80 to 100 macaws and 600 or more other parrots. This is truly one of the world's great wildlife spectacles. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the jungle on trails and visiting a nearby oxbow lake. Overnight at Blanquillo lodge. (B. L. D)

Day 8.- Blanquillo Ecological Reserve- Mammal Clay lick.

Today we will explore the jungle in the Blanquillo Ecological Reserve such as the transitional floodplain forest trails and up into terra firma forest (an area that is never flooded). We will be on the lookout for Monk Saki - an uncommon and rarely seen monkey of the terra firme forest. We explore trails where groups of Manakins, perhaps the most enigmatic of neo-tropical birds, perform their strange mating dances. On occasion there may be groups of Black Spider Monkeys visiting the clay lick to help their digestion. In the afternoon those who wish can fish on the river or participate in activities with our guide in the surrounding rainforest. There is also the opportunity to stay at the lick until after dark to see what nocturnal creatures come to visit. The Tapir, the largest South American land mammal is a frequent night visitor. (B. L. D)

Day 9 :- Blanquillo Ecological Reserve- Boca Manu - Manu River - cusco.

After breakfast we head upriver (about 2 hours) to the confluence of the Manu River and the Madre de Dios. Travelling upstream we will see more untouched jungle and its inhabitants. We may see anacondas basking on the hot sand along with the elusive, yet curious, jaguar watching us from the shore or a Capybara, the world's largest rodent. Arriving at the Boca Manu airstrip, we board a pressurized Beech craft (scheduled flight) for the 40 minute spectacular flight over the seemingly endless rainforest, back over the Andes, passing glaciers and snow peaks to Cusco. End of our services. (B.)

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