MANU WILDLIFE, BIOSPHERE RESERVE (8D/7N)

Manu Expedition Wildlife Itinerary

• DAY 1: We leave the city of Cusco early in the morning by bus. Approximately mid-morning,we visit the interesting tombs of Ninamarca ,commonly known as ¨Chulpas¨. We continue to the picturesque town of Paucartambo, and on toward the Acjanacu Pass, which marks the beginning of the Cultural Zone of Manu
  Biosphere Reserve. Here a thick cloak of clouds provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromiliads. This varied and fascinating world is home of the Cock of the Rock, The Spectacled Bear, orchids, tree ferns, mosses and lichens. This cloud forest exists between 2000 and 3000 meters above sea level and at least 50 % of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. We camp our first night in this high forest. 

• DAY 2 : Today, we wake up very early in the morning to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola Peruviana), Perus national bird, whose males are a vibrant reddish orange. At about 5:00 am as many as several dozen come together in an exhibition of a mating ritual dance in a place called Lek.
  The males display their crest, showing off and posturing for the females.
  The females , fewer in number, watch to select the most suitable males.
  After breakfast we continue by bus down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Atalaya. Here, we board our motorized canoe and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River, where we will camp on the beach. 

• DAY 3 : (Optional flight from Cusco to Boca Manu) Here some new members may join our group. After breakfast we board our canoe for the four hour trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu, a small village where you can buy your last fresh supplies and cold drinks before setting off again in the canoe. Now we enter the Manu River and the Reserve Zone, stopping at Limonal where we camp along the riverbanks at the Park Rangers Headquarters. 

• DAY 4 : After an early morning breakfast at Limonal and signing our names in the official tourist logbook, we follow the Manu River until we arrive at our campsite at Salvador Lake. This canoe ride gives us the opportunity to observe the immensity of the rainforest the diversity of bird life and reptiles and mammals sunning themselves on beaches ,or foraging for food in the trees lining the riverbanks. Arriving early afternoon we have lunch and set off on a jungle trail. Here we spend time looking for wildlife inside the rainforest and on the oxbow Lake Salvador, until the sun goes down and we return to camp. 

• DAY 5 : You rise early in the morning as the forest is awakened by the Red
  Howler Monkeys (Aloatta seniculus) declaring territory. A morning walk before breakfast is a great way to catch wildlife in the pursuit of food and the temperature is very pleasant at this time of the day. After relaxing or swimming in the river , then lunch,. We cross the river to walk an 8 km. trail to the oxbow lake Otorongo, here a strategically located observation tower rises 15 meters above the lake and the jungle floor, giving us more chances to observe wildlife such as the Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), which is an endangered species. Late afternoon the Black Caiman rises from the depths of the lake and begin their search for prey.
  With the help of flashlights we can observe them in the lakes and river at night. We return to camp at Salvador Lake. 

• DAY 6 : Once again we wake up early , enjoy a brief morning walk eat a relaxing breakfast, then we pack up camp and descend Manu River, arriving at Boca Manu around midday. From here we descend the Madre de Dios river, for three hours to Blanquillo, where we set up camp on the lodge grounds. After a swim in the river we can set off for a short walk to Cocha Blanquillo.
  Return to campsite. 

• DAY 7 : After a very early wake-up, we board a camouflaged catamaran down the river at the "Collpa", Macaw Lick. We quietly observe the various parrots feeding on the clay for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. The brightly colored macaws usually wait patiently in the surroundings trees until the smaller parrot species have left the area.
  Slowly, the macaws come down to the clay wall to feed. We need a lot of patience and silence on the catamaran so as not to disturb them as they eat the clay. Around mid morning we board our canoe to return to the airstrip at Boca Manu.Those who return to Cusco by plane can catch their flight. The others continue up Alto Madre de Dios River to camp on a beach in the Cultural Zone. This optional flight from Boca Manu to Cusco offers spectacular views of the surrounding jungle and the areas meandering rivers. 

• DAY 8 : Waking up very early we continue the trip by boat to Atalaya, where we board the bus and drive back up and out of Manu, arriving in Cusco the next morning.
  
  AIR CHARTER ALTERNATIVE :
  Day Three: Optional : Arrive by plane from Cusco to Boca Manu mid morning
  Day Seven: Boca Manu to Cusco, return early afternoon.