Manu Endemic Tour
Jungle Experience Manu Biosphere Reserve 4 Days 3 Nights
4 days
Starting in Cusco, this programme offers an introduction to the biodiversity of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Andean and Amazonian culture, and the remarkable landscapes ranging from the puna and dwarf forest to lowland rainforest. Activities include hiking, birdwatching, observing butterflies and orchids, learning about cloud-forest ecology, and travelling along the Alto Madre de Dios River. Mountain biking, rafting and extensions can also be arranged according to your preferences.
USD 0.00Displayed tour price · per guest
The experience
Starting in Cusco, this programme offers an introduction to the biodiversity of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Andean and Amazonian culture, and the remarkable landscapes ranging from the puna and dwarf forest to lowland rainforest. Activities include hiking, birdwatching, observing butterflies and orchids, learning about cloud-forest ecology, and travelling along the Alto Madre de Dios River. Mountain biking, rafting and extensions can also be arranged according to your preferences.
Tour programme
DAY 1 CUSCO – CLOUD FOREST – MANU ENDEMIC RESERVE We will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel. We travel through beautiful Andean landscapes until we reach the town of Paucartambo, where we visit a museum and learn about the traditional Virgen del Carmen festivities. We then continue climbing to Acjanaco Pass, the entrance to the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Before lunch, our guide introduces the complexity and biodiversity of the cloud forest awaiting us below. As we descend, the vegetation gradually becomes more tropical. The forest, often wrapped in thick clouds, supports wildlife such as Woolly Monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha), Peru's national bird, the Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus), and Spectacled Bears (Tremarctos ornatus). Dense vegetation means wildlife is not always easy to see, so we take short walks in search of birds such as trogons, motmots and quetzals. Before nightfall, we arrive at Manu Endemic Reserve. Travel: 200 km / 125 miles (approximately 8 hours, including around 2 hours of short walks) Included: Box lunch and dinner. DAY 2 GALLITO DE LAS ROCAS – MACHU WASI – ATALAYA After breakfast, we travel by car to Atalaya and board a motorized boat on the Alto Madre de Dios River to visit Machu Wasi Lake. We move slowly in search of birds and monkeys. At the lake, our guide takes us on a traditional raft while pointing out resident birds such as the prehistoric-looking Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta), caciques, oropendolas and many others. Before the heat of the day increases, we move into the shade of the forest and walk the trails near the lake. With a little luck, we may encounter titi monkeys (Callicebus moloch) or Brown Capuchins (Cebus apella). Our guide also explains the medicinal and practical uses of many tropical plants. After lunch, we continue to our lodge in the lowlands at Manu Learning Center. Included: Breakfast, Box lunch and dinner. DAY 3 GALLITO DE LAS ROCAS – CLOUD FOREST – MANU ENDEMIC RESERVE Early in the morning, we travel by boat to a parrot clay lick, where parrots and other birds gather on the riverbank to consume mineral-rich clay. We then return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, we travel back towards the cloud forest at around 1,000 m. Here, bromeliads and other lush vegetation provide habitat for colourful tanagers and many other birds. With a little luck, we may also encounter Woolly Monkeys. We spend the night at Manu Endemic Reserve, with an optional night walk after dark. Included: Breakfast, Box lunch and dinner. DAY 4 MANU ENDEMIC RESERVE – CUSCO After a final morning in the cloud forest, we travel back to Cusco, stopping along the way to look for species we may have missed. We arrive in Cusco at dusk. Travel: 200 km / 125 miles, approximately 6 hours Included: Breakfast and box lunch.
Wildlife focus
Cock-of-the-rock, Woolly Monkey, Spectacled Bear, trogons, motmots, quetzals, Hoatzin, Horned Screamer, titi monkey and Brown Capuchin.
Included
- Specialist bilingual naturalist guide.
- Accommodation in our lodges with private bathroom (03 nights).
- Transportation by private bus.
- Motorized boat with roof and life jackets.
- All meals specified in the itinerary.
- There is no additional charge for vegetarian diets.
- Basic first aid kit.
- Specialized books are available during the trip.
Not included
- Personal items and medications (for example, equipment, clothing, laundry, telephone calls)
- Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks in the lodges.
Meeting and departure
Early morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco.