Manu National Park - 5, 7 and 9 day itineraries
Day 1: Cusco-Cloud Forest
Leaving Cusco we head over the Andes, stopping for a coffee at the small colonial town of Paucartambo. Continuing, we climb to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere at about 3,800 metres before descending into cloud forest.
In these mysterious surroundings we take a hike to the lek of the incredible cock-of-the-rock, to watch at close quarters a very unusual ritual performed by the males. We spend our first night in the ‘camping huts’ of Posada San Pedro (1,600 m approx).
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 down the turbulant Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu.
As night falls we make camp on one of the beaches.
Days 3 & 4: Lake Salvador and Lake Otorongo
On the morning of the third day we turn up the Manu River. From our 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 which time we will hike through virgin forest and explore by mini catamaran one of the most beautiful ox bow lakes in the Manu basin, Lake Salvador.
There is a chance to see a huge variety of colourful birds, numerous species of monkey and with luck, a family of giant otters. A five hour hike through the forest takes us to Lake Otorongo and a 20 metre-high observation platform that overlooks the lake. At night we can explore the forest by torchlight or go moonlight caiman spotting on the lake.
Day 5: On 5 day trip, boat to Boca Manu, fly to Cusco.
On 7 and 9 day trips, continue to Lake Salvador-Macaw Lick
Joining the Madre de Dios River we continue downstream to Blanquillo, near the macaw claylick, where we spend the night on a beach.
Day 6: Macaw Lick
At first light we head to the macaw lick to watch the dazzling spectacle of hundreds of parakeets, parrots and macaws as they eat clay.
In the afternoon we visit another one of Manu´s beautiful oxbow lakes, Cocha Kamungo. The night is comfortably spend at the Tambo Blanquillo jungle lodge.
Day 7: On 7 day trip, fly Boca Manu-Cusco.
The 9 day trip continues to Pantiacolla Lodge
Passing Boca Manu, we continue up the Alto Madre de Dios River. Throughout the trip, it is while navigating the rivers that we have our best chance to see such rare species as puma and jaguar as they rest or forage on a beach; we also get great views of the Andes.
For the next two nights we stay at the lodge, right at the foot of the forested Pantiacolla Mountains.
Day 8: Pantiacolla Mountains
This day we hike through a very special rainforest: it is here that the Andes and lowland tropical rainforest meet, providing the visitor with a chance to see a good selection of birds from both zones, as well as some endemics.
Day 9: Atalaya-Cloud Forest-Cusco
Back on the boat early in the morning, we head upstream to Atalaya where our bus is waiting to take us back over the Andes to Cusco.
Included
Naturalist guide in English, transportation Cusco/Atalaya by private bus and Atalaya/Cusco by private bus, transportation by private boat: Atalaya/Lake Salvador/Boca Manu/Macaw Lick/Boca
Manu/Pantiacolla Lodge/Atalaya, tents and mattresses, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), guide book for Manu rainforest.
Not included
Sleeping bag (can be rented in Cusco at approx US$2 per day), Soft drinks and beers, airport taxes, personal items, tips, insurance, international flights, Manu entrance fee USD 50.
Health advice
There is an extremely low malaria risk in the Manu area and the occasional cases of malaria in the Alto Madre de Dios zone have proved to be completely curable. Use insect repellent and effective clothing to avoid being bitten.
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