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Cusco - Rainforest Manu 7 & 9 days
Introduction
Manu
National Park was established in 1977 and in recognition of its
uniqueness was designated a ''World Heritage Site" ten years
later. Manu is internationally acclaimed as one of the most biodiverse
areas on earth.
Approximately half the area of Switzerland, the Manu Biosphere
is a complete ecosystem with protected watershed embracing Andean
mountain cloud forest, tropical lowland forest and the rios Alto
Madre de Dios and Manu drainage systems. The biosphere itself is
subdivided into national park and two adjacent zones, one for tourism
and the other for cultural subsistence. It is home to over 1000
species of bird, 15,000 species of plant, over 200 species of mammal,
an untold number of insects and within its heart remain yet uncontacted
peoples.
Manu retains healthy populations of jaguar, tapir, anteater, black
caiman, giant otter and among the 13 species of monkey we find the
unique pigmy marmoset, the smallest monkey in the world, and the
nocturnal night monkey. Because of Manu's low human population and
their continued use of traditional hunting techniques, the animals
in the park show little fear of man and are more readily approachable
than in many other rainforest locations. Manu, therefore, offers
unparalleled animal watching opportunities.
Wildlife
aside, however, the journey into the park itself is amazingly spectacular
and not to be missed either. Access is normally by road and the
two day trip from Cusco to the entrance of the Manu Reserved Zone
carries you over the mountains to an elevation of 4000 m, past pre-Inca
ruins and down through the cloud forest on the eastern side of the
Andes into lush lowland rainforest. Roads remain largely unpaved
and wind their way precariously past cascading water, deep gorges
and precipices. Manu is truly a complete experience.
Llama tours offer 2 different jungle programs in the Manu Biosphere
Reserve:
Itineraries
Itinerary 7 Day Jungle Program
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Day 1 |
Leaving
Cusco we head over the Andes stopping for a coffee at the beautiful
colonial village of Paucartambo. Continuing, we climb for the highpoint
of almost 4.000 mtr before descending to the cloud forest.
In these mysterious surroundings we take a short hike and make
our first camp.
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Day 2 |
At daybreak we walk to the leek of the incredible cock of the rock,
to see the ¨performance¨ of the males right under our eyes.
Afterwards we continue by bus to tropical lowland rainforest. Here
at 650 mtr we change into a motorized canoe to navigate down the
turbulent Alto Madre de Dios river to Boca Manu. As night falls
we make camp on one of the beaches.
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| Day 3 & 4 |
On
the morning of the third day we turn up to the Manu River. From
this vantage point we will have great views of riverside birds,
sunbathing caiman and the enormous aquatic guinea pig, the capybara.
We reach our campsite deep inside Manu in the afternoon. This will
be our base for the next two days.
During this time we will hike through virgin forest and explore
one of the most beautiful lakes of the Manu basin, Lake Salvador
by catamaran. There is a change to see a huge variety of colorful
birds numerous species of monkeys and with luck the a family of
giant otters. A five hour hike through the forest takes us to lake
Otorongo and a 20 mtr high observation platform that overlook the
lake.
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At night we explore the forest by torchlight and go for moonlight
caiman spotting on the lake.
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Day 5 |
After a final walk through the forest we return back down to the
Manu river. Joining the Madre de Dios river we arrive al Blanquillo,
near the macaw clay lick where we spent the night at the beach.
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Day 6 |
At first light we head to the macaw lick to watch the dazzling
spectacle of hundred parakeets, parrots and macaws eating clay.
In the afternoon we turn back up the Madre de Dios river, making
camp near the airstrip.
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Day 7 |
A short boat ride takes us to Boca Manu airport and our return
flight over the Rainforest and the Andes takes us back to Cusco.
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Includes:
- Guide;
- All the mentioned transport;
- All days breakfast, lunch and dinner;
- Tent and sleeping bag;
- Entrance fee;
- Guide book of Manu.
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Itinerary 9 Day Jungle Program
The first 6 days are equal to the 7-day program.
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Day 1 |
Leaving Cusco we head over the Andes stopping for a coffee at the
beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo Continuing, we climb for
the highpoint of almost 4.000 mtr before descending to the cloud
forest. In these mysterious surroundings we take a short hike and
make our first camp.
|
|
Day 2 |
At
daybreak we walk to the leek of the incredible cock of the rock,
to see the ¨performance¨ of the males right under our eyes.
Afterwards we continue by bus to tropical lowland rainforest. Here
at 650 mtr we change into a motorized canoe to navigate down the
turbulent Alto Madre de Dios river to Boca Manu. As night falls
we make camp on one of the beaches.
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Day 3
& 4
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On the morning of the third day we turn up to the Manu River. From
this vantage point we will have great views of riverside birds,
sunbathing caiman and the enormous aquatic guinea pig, the capybara.
We reach our campsite deep inside Manu in the afternoon. This will
be our base for the next two days. During this time we will hike
through virgin forest and explore one of the most beautiful lakes
of the Manu basin, Lake Salvador by catamaran.
There
is a change to see a huge variety of colorful birds numerous species
of monkeys and with luck the a family of giant otters.A five hour
hike through the forest takes us to lake Otorongo and a 20 mtr high
observation platform that overlook the lake At night we explore
the forest by torchlight and go for moonlight caiman spotting on
the lake.
|
|
Day 5 |
After a final walk through the forest we return back down to the
Manu river. Joining the Madre de Dios river we arrive al Blanquillo,
near the macaw clay lick where we spent the night at the beach.
|
|
Day 6 |
At first light we head to the macaw lick to watch the dazzling
spectacle of hundred parakeets, parrots and macaws eating clay.
In the afternoon we turn back up the Madre de Dios river, making
camp near the airstrip.
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Day 7 |
By boat we go to the river Alto Madre de Dios. Over here we have
a beautiful sight at the Andes. At the afternoon we will arrive
at Pantiacolla lodge where we will stay for 2 nights.
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Day 8 |
Today we have a jungle walk up way to the Pantiacolla mountain.
These mountains are over 1000 meter above our lodge and is the main
reason for finding an extreme variety of wildlife.
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Day 9 |
In the morning we continue following the river Alto Madre de Dios
until we arrive at Atalaya where we take a bus back to Cusco.
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Includes:
- Guide;
- All the mentioned transport;
- All days breakfast, lunch and dinner;
- Tent and sleeping bag;
- Guide book of Manu.
Back to top
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