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ITINERARY DESCRIPTION
DAY 01. 06:00 departure of our vehicle from our Cusco office. Our
destination is Manu Nature Tour's 1,300 Ha. Private Reserve in the cloud
forest near the southeastern boundary of Manu Park, nested between the
grasslands and the lowlands of the Upper Madre de Dios River. We travel
south-east through small Andean villages while we observe cameloid
shepherds and native peasants in their colorful attires. We travel at
leisure making several stops along the way, including many photo
opportunities and the colonial town of Paucartambo, the gateway to the
rainforest since pre-Inka times.
Arrival to the Acjanaco Andean pass, located at the southern-most tip of
the Manu Park in the grasslands overlooking the Amazon Basin. We will
offer you the chance to get in touch with this very special kind of
habitat by trekking down different sections of the road through a moss
and lichen-carpeted kingdom, a perfect occasion to learn about the
natural history on the eastern slopes of the Andes. We might have the
opportunity to spot many species of ferns, lichens, bromeliads and
orchids, (i.e. Odontoglossum, Epidendrum, Pachyphyllum, Stelis,
Scaphyglotis) We may also have a chance to spot several species of
raptors (Black-and- Chestnut Eagle, Mountain Caracara, Black-chested
Buzzard Eagle and Puna Hawk).
Mountain Biking: After this experience, for those with the energy and a
sense of adventure we will offer the choice to use a sturdy mountain
bike equipped with front suspension to descend effortlessly the most
scenic and beautiful part of the single-lane dirt road into the heart of
the cloud forests. For your security, and since this is not a
competition but a chance to enjoy nature, you will have to ride behind
our transport. In coordination with your guide you can decide your
mountain bike excursion length, getting back to the ground transport at
any moment. We provide helmets and gloves.
We reach our Manu Cloud Forest Lodge to have a relaxing evening by the
lodge's veranda. The sound of the Union Creek or a visit to the lodge´s
sauna will put us into a pleasant sleep.
Note: The above is an optional activity and must be paid and reserved in
advance.
DAY 02. The lush and misty cloud forest is perhaps the most fragile and
threatened type of rainforest. This forest which starts from 11,000
feet, and continue down to about 5,000 feet of elevation, cover the
eastern slopes of the Andes, before yielding to the vast lowland forest
of the Amazon. This is a kingdom of moss, lichens, ferns, and orchids.
Early excursion to a nearby platform and blind strategically located to
see a "lek" where the brightly red-colored Cocks-of-the Rock display
daily for the females. Afterwards we return to our lodge for a hearty
breakfast.
Later in the morning, we will have the opportunity to explore the serene
beauty of the Cloud Forest. This is a good chance to try our luck and
see Woolly Monkeys, Emerald Toucanet, Torrent Duck, Golden-headed
Quetzal, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Amazonian Umbrella Bird,
Blue-banded Toucanet, Fruit-eating Tanagers, Red-crested Cotinga,
Banded-tail Fruit-eater, tyrant flycatchers and the Blue-crowned
Mot-Mot.
Our journey continues by ground transport to the mid-elevation forest
and to witness how the last Andean foothills yield to the vast Amazon
basin. We will reach the Amazon river port of Atalaya at about noon.
Upon arrival we will have a chance to experience a short dugout canoe
ride down the fast-flowing upper Madre de Dios in order to spend the
rest of the afternoon walking mid-elevation rainforest trails in the
company of our guide. This type of habitat is very special as several
upland and lowland species of birds mingle at this elevation. For
example we may have the chance to see the Military Macaw, an endangered
species of parrot that lives only at this elevation.
This unique habitat is the beginning of the lowlands rainforest and you
may enjoy an extraordinary vista of the Amazon Basin surrounded with
several small hills as well as the Andean Range, a paradise for
birdwatchers and nature lovers who have had the opportunity to spot
exotic species of birds like the Mask-Crimson, Blue-gray and Paradise
Tanagers, the Blue Crowned Trogon, Blue headed Parrot, the Blue-headed
Macaw, the Bluish fronted Jacamar, the Festive and Rufous-Crested
Coquette and many other species of hummingbirds.
We will return to the Manu Cloud Forest Lodge in the late afternoon.
Optional White-water rafting on the Qosnipata River: visitors of all
ages can enjoy 3 hours of exciting class II and III rapids in the
beautiful setting of the tropical rainforest. Lunch is served along the
river course.
Must be reserved in advance. We need a minimum of three-four
participants to run it.
DAY 03. Early this morning we offer you another chance to explore the
Manu Cloud Forest Lodge. This is another good chance to try our luck and
see Woolly Monkeys, Emerald Toucanet, Torrent Duck, Golden-headed
Quetzal, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Amazonian Umbrella Bird,
Blue-banded Toucanet, Fruit-eating Tanagers, Red-crested Cotinga,
Banded-tail Fruit-eater, tyrant flycatchers and the Blue-crowned
Mot-Mot.
Overnight: Manu Cloud Forest Lodge.
DAY 04. This morning we offer you an additional hiking excursion walking
through dense and exuberant cloud forest and crossing rushing streams,
which originate in the mountain peaks high above the forest. Early a
delicious barbecue/brunch awaits near the Union River. Surrounded by
massive rocks, hanging vines and bromeliads, we may enjoy a refreshing
dip in these crystal-clear waters.
Before noon we start our journey back to Cusco.
White-water rafting on the Tono River: If you thought that the class III
rapids of the Qosñipata River were fun, we challenge you to explore the
class IV rapids of the Tono River. This beautiful, narrow and pristine
cloud forest river is born in the Manu Park core area and their
unpolluted waters offer you 3-4 hours of world-class white water
rafting. We offer you a safe experience with well-experienced river
guides, with experience in many rivers worldwide, and training in rescue
techniques. For your security we always take, either to rafts, or a raft
and a security kayak. We need a minimum of three-four participants.
Additional cost: $ 138.00 per person.
Inclusions: Round trip ground transport from Cusco, English-speaking
guide, all meals, accommodations at the Manu Cloud Forest Lodge and
mid-elevation jungle lodge.
Important Note: The sequence of the itinerary is subject to change due
to weather conditions.
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