Manu Tapir and Clay Licks itinerary
Day 1: Cuzco/Manu Cloud forest
Depart Cusco in our private, custom-designed expedition bus/van with reclining seats and extra legroom and drive all day through all elevated in our private, 11000-acre (4,400-hectare) cloud forest in Peru.
The bus stops frequently during the trip to permit visits to small Andean towns and exploration of the incredible range of cloud forest habitats. (L,D).
Day 2: Manu Cloud forest/Boca Manu
We wake early to make sure we are in place in time to observe Cocks-of-the-Rock displaying and calling at dawn. We return to the lodge and enjoy breakfast, after which we explore the cool, moist, mosquito-free cloud forest and search for the confiding Brown Capuchin Monkeys.
Then we travel by bus for 2-3 hours to the riverside hamlet of Atalaya, where we board motor canoes to travel down the Alto Madre de Dios River towards the mouth of the Manu River. Depending on the road and river conditions on the day, we either sleep in a simple tented camp (with small tents) or in a rustic local lodge near the mouth of the Manu River. (B,L,D).
Day 3: Tented camps, Cocha Salvador, forest walks
We wake at dawn either in the forest or on the riverbank and then visit Boca Manu the town.
Our group will be swelled by people joining by plane from Cusco. Together we travel by motor canoe up the Manu River for 5-6 hours to the Wildlife Tented Camp near Cocha Salvador.
On the way we observe beaches with different birds, black caimans, capybaras, turtles, etc. Afternoon arrival at Manu Wildlife Tented camp.
After settling in, we explore trails of primary forest, searching for monkeys. After dinner, thosewith enough energy explore other trails looking for different species including insects and frogs. (B,L,D).
Day 4: Manu National Park
Visit Cocha Salvador. Here we take a canoe or catamaran outing on the lake to look for the famous endangered Giant Otters and can observe some birds and monkeys searching for food.
The rest of the day we will explore other trails through different forest types, with excellent chances to observe monkeys. (B,L,D).
Day 5: Madre de Dios, Wildlife Centre and Tapir Lick
We leave very early to motor down the Manu River to Boca Manu (here some of the people will take the flight to Cusco). Next we hop into a motorized canoe for the 90 minutes journey down the Madre de Dios River to Manu Wildlife Centre.
Late afternoon will be spent exploring some of the 30 miles of clean forest trails that surround the lodge. On these trails you have an excellent chance to encounter some of the 12 species of monkeys, which include the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin which inhabit the surrounding forest.
We can return for dinner back at the Centre, or pack our meal for a leisurely hike about 60-75 minutes through the night forest to the Amazon’s largest known Tapir clay lick.
Here we climb a 17 by 17 foot observation platform perched almost 20 feet above the lick itself where we wait for the lumbering Tapirs to arrive. Then, using powerful flashlights we hope to observe and photograph them in action. Our scientific reports reveal that tapirs usually visit the clay lick between 9:00 pm and midnight; however, their activity continues until dawn.(L/D)
Day 6: Macaw Licks
Rising before dawn, we take a 25-minute boat journey downstream to the only large parrot and macaw clay lick in the Manu area. From a blind we are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of hundreds of medium-sized and large parrots arriving first at the lick, followed by the large Red-and-Green Macaws arriving to eat the clay.
Please note: The clay lick activity reaches its best from August to October and decreases during the months of May and June
After lunch at the Centre we continue by boat and short hike from the river, you have what promises to be an exciting visit to Blanco Oxbow Lake. This lake has populations of a variety of aquatic life and water birds, including the prehistoric-looking hoatzin and the possibility to see the resident family of giant otters.
Alternatively, time is available to independently explore experience this expanse of rainforest habitat on your own.
From late afternoon until after dinner, we offer an opportunity to search for caiman and other nocturnal life along the riverbank by boat. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Return to Cusco
After an early breakfast, we leave near dawn by motor canoe for the two-hour return trip to the Manu landing strip, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you fly to Cusco, where your jungle adventure ends. Arrival at Cusco Airport, reception and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Important note: Please note that the program may vary slightly so as to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.
You could extend your trip by trekking the Inca Trail or visiting other parts of the Amazon.
Check out our Peru group trips, or our many tailor made Peru options. You can always contact the office for more information on tailor made and group options.
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