Manu Biosphere Reserve 7d/6n tour by Bus

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.

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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Tour Itinerary

 

Day 1: Cusco - Bamboo Lodge

The first day of our adventure into the Jungle of Manu, we will pick you up around 6:00 AM from your hotels in Cusco, using the service of our private  transport. The first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains, where we will take a quick opportunity to visit a really nice pleasant lake by the name of Huacarpay, a high Andean Lagoon that boasts heaps of flora and fauna typical of the Andean mountains. Afterwards, we will visit the town of Huancarani which contains the funeral towers of Ninamarca, a cemetery of the Lupaca Pre –Inca Culture, which we will visit briefly on our way to Paucartambo, which is known as the folkloric capital of the district of Cusco. In the face of modern times, this small colonial pueblo has managed to hold on to its rich tradition for centuries upon centuries. At mid-day we will arrive at the entrance of Manu National Park and access to one of the most protected natural areas in South America. We will continue on in our private transport down a dirt road and on through the thick fog from which this section of the forest takes it name. Eventually we will arrive at the home of the exotic Peruvian National Bird, the “Cock of the Rock”, where it is known to gather with others of its kind for some sort of social gathering that seems reminiscent of a large courtship. You will find that this is quite an amazing spectacle complete with an impressive array of sounds and colours that can only be found in the jungle. For our first night, we will stay in the beautiful BAMBOO Lodge, where we will arrive at approx. 5:00 p.m.

Day 2: Bamboo Lodge – Hot spring – Boca Manu

Very early, at 06:30 a.m., we will leave in the direction of Port Atalaya, on the way we will make a few stops to visit the small, native communities of Patria and Pilcopata. These communities are known to be producers of many varieties of jungle fruits, even the famous Coca plant.
Later, we will continue our journey into the jungle by beginning the boating portion of the tour with a river excursion on the Madre de Dios, or “Mother of God” River, one of the tributaries of the mighty Amazon River.
During our day we will have the chance to witness many types of colorful birds such as parrots, Oropendolas, vultures and others species. Hopefully, we will also have the opportunity to see some jungle mammals such as monkeys or the famous capybaras (jungle rodents that are as much as 2.5 ft long). Towards the late afternoon, we will arrive to our next sleeping destination, Boca Manu Lodge, arriving approximately at 3:00 p.m. Here, there will be showers and services available.

Day 3: Boca Manu – Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park

Today we will continue our journey along the Manu River as far as the Matshiguenka lodge, inside the Reserved Area, passing Limonal, the Park Ranger Station, where we will register before entering the Reserved Area. In the course of the trip we will see birds, toucans, macaws, parrots and some mammals such as capybaras, tapirs, peccaries and many varieties of turtles, caiman and, if we are lucky, an impressive, lone jaguar. We will arrive at our lodge in the mid-afternoon, near the Salvador oxbow-Lake, where we will spend two nights.

Day 4: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park

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: Reserved Zone Of Manu National Park – 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.

Day 6: Boca Manu – Bamboo Lodge

Today, after breakfast we will sail Alto Madre de Dios up river to the port of Atalaya, the place from where we started our trip by boat, after reach it we will drive to bamboo lodge where we are going to spend our last night in the jungle of Manu National Park.

Day 7: Bamboo Lodge – Cusco

GOOD BYE TO MANU!! On the day of our return, we will have an early morning departure from the Bamboo Lodge in the direction of Paucartambo, which was the entrance point that led us into the jungle in the first place. At this time we will pass through the beautiful Sacred Valley on the way, arriving in Cusco around 7.00pm.
 

*Price per person (2010): US$830.00

Manu Biosphere by Plane 9d/8n Manu Biosphere by Plane 7d/6n Manu Biosphere by Plane 6d/5n Manu Biosphere by Bus 8d/7n Manu Biosphere by Bus 7d/6n Manu Biosphere by Bus 6d/5n