Manu 8D/7N Tour Program
1st day:
Leave Cusco early in the morning approximately at 6:30
A.M. on our mini private bus and we go through the Andean mountains, making
many stops at different places. Ninamarka is one of these places. We take
a break here to appreciate pre-Inca chullpas [burial towers] and then we
will arrive at the village of Paucartambo, which we will also visit.
At noon, we will have our lunch in Acjanaco, that is the entrance to Manu National Park and resting place before leaving towards the cloudy or rainy forest. From here we will be able to appreciate the dwarf forest rich in orchids, next to the mystical cloudy forest, where the vegetation rich in ferns, cecropias etc., can be appreciated. At the same time we will observe here an ample variety of birds.
That afternoon we arrive at our comfortable lodge located in the cloudy forest (1900 m.a.s.l) where we will spend the night. A nocturnal walk is optional.
2nd day:
Before dawn we leave the lodge in direction to the hiding
platform where we will be able to observe the ritual of the Andean Cock
of the Rock, emblematic bird of Peru and of special beauty. Returning to
the lodge we will get ready to continue on our trip to the port of Atalaya.
On the way, we will be able to visit coca plantations that are grown by
local families. When we arrive at the port of destination our motorboat
will be waiting so that after loading our things on, we will navigate down
the Alto Madre de Dios River. From the boat it is possible to appreciate
different types of birds such as herons, vultures, parrots, etc. We will
have lunch in the hot waters of Shintuya where at the same time we can
enjoy the natural cold or hot thermal waters. Later, we will continue navigating
down the river towards the Amarakaeri Lodge. After settling in we will
take a walk in the afternoon and part of the night through our trails near
the shelter in search of interesting insects, arachnids and others. After
having dinner at the lodge, we will spend the night at the lodge in comfortable
beds with mosquito nettings.
3rd day:
This morning after an early breakfast we will leave towards our first
campsite called Aguas Negras gully. The walk takes approximately 4 hours
long and is 7 kilometers long. During this long walk we will go through
primary and secondary forests, having the opportunity to learn about medicinal
and industrial trees. At the same time, we will have the opportunity to
observe wild life. Arriving at the campsite we will settle in comfortable
tents equipped with camping mattresses under our shelter roof. Our system
of trails offers different alternatives for walks from the campsite, including
a search for caymans, tarantula nests and other overwhelming nocturnal
species.
Night at the open platform of the Aguas Negras campsite
4th day:
After a nutritious breakfast we prepare to continue on
our long walk towards our second campsite called Rio Blanco Campsite. This
second campsite is reached after a 3-hour walk (6 kilometers). From the
lodge, it’s approximately 13 kilometers away. This campsite is on
the left bank of the Rio Blanco River that is in the Amarakaeri Reserve.
This afternoon, after preparing ourselves in the campsite, we will leave
to visit a nearby lagoon where, with traditional hooks, we will fish for
piranhas and other fish of the area, returning to the campsite before dusk.
Night at the open platform of the Rio Blanco campsite.
5th day:
This morning we will walk towards the collpa [observation
post] of mammals. In the morning, we will observe monkeys, guans and even
parrots that come to eat the clay rich in salts and minerals that they
use in their diets. When we visit the collpas, our stay depends on the
amount of activity that we find there.
We return to the campsite for lunch. You can also bathe in the fresh waters of the Rio Blanco river. In your free hours the guides can show you how some of the crafts are made with materials from the area. In the afternoon, we go back to visit the collpa of mammals, the visits at this time of the day until the night give us the opportunity to observe bigger mammals such as tapirs, deer, and herds of wild jungle pigs among others including the biggest Amazon feline, the jaguar.
The return to the campsite depends on the mammal activity at the collpa. On returning to the campsite we will have dinner. Night at the open platform of the Rio Blanco campsite.
6th day:
This morning we prepare to return to the Amarakaeri Lodge.
The walk is direct with brief stops on the way. Normally, the return lasts
from 5 to 6 hours. We have lunch at the lodge after having enjoyed a rest
or having swum in the cold waters of the Madre de Dios River. The first
hours of the afternoon are for resting and enjoyment. At mid-afternoon
we leave to observe the nesting and resting place of macaws. This walk
is near the lodge. Here, with a little luck we will be able to observe,
among others, more than 3 types of macaws and a variety of parrots.
That night dinner customarily takes place outside the kitchen where all can participate.
Night at the Amarakaeri Lodge
7th day:
This day we will visit different communities. In the morning,
we will visit the village Nuevo Eden. This village is the nearest to the
shelter and is inhabited by settlers that migrated from the Andes to live
in the Amazon. Then, we will continue the walk that will take us to the
other side of the river where we will visit the native community of Shipiteari.
This native community is inhabited by the Machigengas that is the most
populated native ethnic group in the area of the Manu. Also, visiting the
community of Shipiteari brings us to the closest possible experience of
observing how the Amazon communities were in the past, since Shipiteari
still have a lot of authenticity and original life style. When visiting
the community we will get to know a little about their customs, traditions
and way of living. We will take the motorized boat back to the shelter
arriving in the afternoon.
Night at the Amarakaeri Eco Lodge.
8th day:
At
early hours in the morning, after breakfast, we will take our motorboat
and we will begin to navigate upriver to the native community of Shintuya
or Puerto de Atalaya (depending on the water level of the river) where
our land transportation will be waiting for us to take us back to Cusco.
This trip is direct and we will be arriving at Cusco in the evening.
Price Information
| 08 Days 2008 : U.S.D. $ 550.00 | Students: 10% discount. | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. |
| This is a share group tour. | ||
| Tour will depart with a minimun of 3 person | ||
Our Service includes:
- Land transportation from Cusco-Atalaya or Shintuya-Cusco.
- Touristic boat from Atalaya or Shintuya - Amarakaeri Eco Lodge and vice versa.
- Bilingual guide.
- Camping Gear (Tents, camping mattresses, rubber boots, life vest).
- First-aid kit.
- Full meals including typical meals.
- Night at lodge in the cloudy forest.
- Nights at the Amarakaeri Eco Lodge.
- Night at campsites
It does not include:
- First Breakfast.
- Last dinner.
- Personal expenses.
We recommend taking:
- Camera with extra batteries, sandals, binoculars, sleeping bag, water bottles, pocket knife or similar, personal hygiene implements, insect repellent, cotton T-shirts, light cloth pants, cotton underwear, cotton socks, bathing suit, light sweaters, cap or hat.
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