Manu National Park 8 Days 7 Nights

From: March – December 2016

Day 01: Cusco – Cloud Forest – Paititi Lodge

Leaving Cusco very early in the morning in our comfortable bus. Ascending to the high mountain area of Paucartambo. On the way, we’ll visit the funeral towers or Chullpas of Ninamarca. The bus then descends 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 much more. With luck the only South American bear, the Spectacled Bear (“Tremarctos Ornatus”). In the afternoon, we’ll arrive to the village of Atalaya where we’ll take our boat 30 minutes to “Alto Madre de Dios River” to our typical lodge. Showers and toilets available.

Day 02: Paititi Lodge – Boca Manu

After an early and delicious breakfast, the rest of the day is spent travelling on the “Alto Madre de Dios River”. On the way, you can see a variety of bird life, like herons, egrets, kingfishers, and the ever present vultures of which the most spectacular 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. Walks in the afternoon and a night walk to spot caimans in the lake. Night at the lodge. Showers and toilets available. Optional flight in Boca Manu.

Day 03: Boca Manu – Otorongo Lake

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”) 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 the only agency camping there. Later upon 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. NIGHT AT SAFARI CAMPING (in bed with mosquitos net). Showers and toilets available.

Day 04: Otorongo Lake – Salvador Lake

Today, the group will visit another Oxbow Lake called “Salvador” which is half an hour boat trip from Otorongo. Here, paddling silently on a Catamaran, you’ll have again possibilities to observe a family of giant otters fishing and playing, black caimans and many different rare bird life like the Hoatzins (“Opisthocomus Hoatzin”). Here in Manu, the animals have never suffered hunting pressure from man. In the afternoon, we’ll return to our campsite in Otorongo. NIGHT AT SAFARI CAMPING (in bed and mosquito net). Showers and toilets available.

Day 05: Otorongo Lake – Pakitza

In the morning, the group will go by boat from Otorongo until Pakitza one on the way you have again possibilities to observe black caimans and many different rare birds .Then, you’ll arrive to Pakitza where you could explore the trail and observe another kind of mammals. In the afternoon, we’ll return to our campsite in Otorongo. NIGHT AT SAFARI CAMPING. Showers and toilets available.

Day 06: Otorongo Lake – Boca Manu

The call of the red Howler Monkey (“Alouatta Seniculus”) will wake us up .We unfortunately need to start our return on Manu river, 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) and maybe a Jaguar (“Panthera Onca”) resting on a log and observing its territory. Spending the night at the Lodge with showers and toilets available.

Day 07: Boca Manu – Paititi Lodge

After the breakfast, we’ll come back on the river of “Alto Madre de Dios” where you can observe more birds and plants in the beaches. Night in Lodge . Showers and toilets available.

Day 08: Paititi Lodge – Cloud Forest – Cusco

We’ll take the boat from Paititi Lodge to Atalaya where the bus is waiting for us, back to Cusco, visiting the cloud forest again. Arrival in the afternoon. At approximately 05:00-06:00 p.m.