3 days dugout canoe excursion and pottery/archery, departures daily
Cocha Mapchiri
Manu is well known as one of the last undisturbed tropical rainforests left on Earth.
Animals on the verge of extinction can still be found in healthy populations here.
Eco-tourism
Little has been heard about Manu’s original human inhabitants. Until recently that is, when the Yine Indians of the Alto Madre de Dios River called attention to their situation.
Park restrictions do not allow the Indians to use as big a hunting territory as their increasing
population requires, a consequence of western ´health measurements´. They have had to look in new directions in order to survive. They have claimed their stake in eco-tourism to find a new sustainable lifestyle.
Yine lodge
The Yine Lodge has comfortable and spacious double occupancy huts, built with traditional grisneja palm leaf roofs, beautiful cedar wood walls, and plenty of open window area (covered with mosquito netting), so you do not miss the slightest detail of the rainforest.
The Yine Restaurant is a beautiful, rustic construction. We offer international cuisine with traditional Yine side dishes. You can also find articles and books to read about the Yine culture.
Tour Itinerary – day 1
From Cusco to the Yine Lodge & Cocha Mapchiri Visit.
In the cold of the Cusco morning you step on a small airplane that flies you over the Andes, to the small landing strip of Boca Manu. Your hosts, an English speaking and a Yine guide, are waiting for you at the side of the landing strip to take you to the attractive and comfortable Yine Lodge.
After settling in, you meet in the Yine Restaurant, where the guide explains about the lodge, the programme and gives you an introduction to the Yine culture, while you sip a welcome drink. This is followed by lunch.
In the afternoon, the two guides take you on a hike to Cocha Mapchiri. Along the way, the English speaking guide not only provides you with information on western rainforest ecology but also
translates the explanations of the Yine guide about their interpretation of rainforest ecology.
On arrival at the Mapchiri you hear the story of the lake, said to be home to a giant anaconda
Dinner. Tonight and tomorrow night, your English speaking guide will be available in the restaurant as interpreter in case you would like to talk with your Yine guide or any of the other Yine people present.
Day 2
To Diamante through the forest and back by river.
Early breakfast. This morning you hike, with guides, from the Yine Lodge to the Yine Community of Diamante. As you pass a variety of habitats, the Yine guide points out the plants and trees, their
special use and local meaning. When you arrive at the village, you
are welcomed with masato, a drink made with fermented yuca.
The tour
through the village shows the virtues of rainforest life, and also
demonstrates the problems of a people caught between their own
traditional Yine culture and our encroaching western culture. Led by Lola Trigoso, one of the most skilled Yine artisans, several
Yine women offer to paint your arm (or head) with traditional Yine
designs. Packed lunch.
In the afternoon, you return to the Yine Lodge, down the Alto Madre
de Dios River, in a dugout canoe. The Yine have long been known as
excellent boatmen, strong paddlers, and are able to read the
significance of every little wave of the river. You can
give it a try as well. The lodge is reached after approximately two
hours. Dinner.
Day 3
Yine pottery, Bow and Arrow shooting & Return to Cusco.
Breakfast is from 05:00 to 06:30. This morning, one of the Yine
artisans is at the lodge to demonstrate the making of Yine pottery.
She will show you how they shape and paint their pots and teach you
to make your own. You will also have time to practise your shooting
skills with a Yine bow and arrow.
Around midday the light aircraft takes you back to Cusco.
More information
The lodge is open continuously, and this Yine Cultural Tour can start any day of the week. However, flights depend on a minimum occupancy of four passengers to or from Boca Manu.
Please contact the office for more information on available departures..
This visit to the Yine can be added to the end of any of our Manu tours or biking tour to Atalaya.
The Yine
Tour includes
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English speaking naturalist guide
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Yine guide
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2 nights at the Yine Lodge
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Excursions and activities mentioned in the program
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