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DAY 1:  Cusco - Cloud Forest

Leaving Cusco early in the morning, we begin an 8-hour journey over the Andes by bus, stopping for a coffee at the beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo. Continuing, we climb to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere at about 3,530 m before descending to the cloud forest. In these mysterious surroundings we take a hike to the lek of the incredible cock-of-the-rock, to see the ‘performance’ of the males right under our eyes. We spend our first night in the rustic lodge Posada San Pedro (appr. 1,600 m).

DAY 2:  Cloud Forest-Atalaya-Manu River

At daybreak we continue by bus to tropical lowland rainforest. Here at the small village Atalaya at 650 m, we change into a motorized canoe to navigate some 5 hours down the turbulant Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. As night falls we stay in a basic lodge, or camp next to that lodge, depending on availability.

DAY 3 & 4:  Lake Salvador and Lake Otorongo

On the morning of the third day we turn up the Manu River for a 6 hour ride into the heart of Manu’s Reserved Zone. 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 camping huts 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 chance to see a huge variety of colourful birds, numerous species of monkey and with luck, a family of giant otters. There is another hike in this habitat-rich forest, that will end in Lake Otorongo and a 20 metre-high observation platform overlooking the lake.  At night we can explore the forest by torchlight or go moonlight caiman-spotting on the lake.

DAY 5:  Lake Salvador-Boca Manu

After a final walk through the forest surrounding Lake Salvador (flight schedule permiting), we return back down the Manu River. At Boca Manu, you return mid-day to Cusco by light aircraft, if you are participating in the 5-day trip.

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Important notes:

Bearing in mind the uncontrollable forces of nature, the programme could be subject to changes at any time

Every group can contain people who travel for 5, 7 or 9 days

INCLUDES

-        Naturalist guide in English and Spanish

-        Transportation Cusco/Atalaya by private bus (5 & 7 day tour) and back Atalaya/Cusco (9 day tour) 

-        Transportation by private boat: Atalaya/Lake Salvador/Boca Manu (5 day tour) – Macaw Lick/Boca Manu (7 day tour) – Pantiacolla Lodge/Atalaya (9 day tour) 

-        Flight Boca Manu/Cusco (5 & 7 day program)

-        Overnights in lodges and camping huts

-        Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

-        Guide book for rainforest of Manu – Talking About Manu

-        Paper work for entrance

NOT INCLUDED

-        Entrance fee reserved zone

-        Sleeping bag (can be rented in Cusco at $2 per day)      

-                     Soft drinks and beers     

$15 airport tax (5 & 7 day tours)

EQUIPMENT AND HEALTH

Equipment:

Rainforest expeditions are not comfortable tours, but with the following EQUIPMENT you will get the best out of the forest and yourself:

- Binoculars (imperative)

- Flashlight with spare bulbs and extra batteries

- Sleeping bag

- Day pack

- Long pants and long-sleeved shirts

- T-shirts

- Shorts/Bathing suit

- Towel

- Sweater or light jacket

- 1 pair of hiking boots and 1 pair of light shoes or sandals

- Long socks

- Rain gear

- Rubber boots (only in the rainy season—we provide them)

- Sunhat, sunglasses, sun block

- Insect repellent (with at least 25% 'deet') and after bite

- Toilet-paper

- Plastic bags (to keep everything dry)

- Water bottle (with water for the bus ride into Manu)

- Copy of a valid passport

- Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations

- Money for soft drinks or beers and handicrafts at the Boca Manu landing strip

Health:

Though it only is a small risk, it is possible you get infected with malaria in Manu, and we recommend you take a prophylaxis when going on one of our tours.

The yellow fever situation is about the same. Moreover, yellow fever is almost always lethal. Therefore, it is not only recommended but even required that one receives the yellow fever vaccination at least ten days before entering Manu.

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