Manu Jungle Excursion 6D/5N | Exploring the Biodiversity
Resumen
Summary
Enjoy an exciting 6-day Manu Jungle Excursion, where you will have the opportunity to explore the cloud forest and marvel at the diversity of birds and mammals that inhabit this region. During the tour, we will visit the Cock of the Rock lek and pass through the village of Atalaya, from where we will navigate by canoe to a lagoon. Here, we will use traditional rafts to go around the lake and observe aquatic birds such as the muscovy duck, as well as the life of monkeys and other species.
In the evening, we will go on a night walk in search of wildlife that is active during darkness, such as the night monkey or “douricouli”. We will continue our adventure by entering the Manu River Reserve Zone, where we will navigate by boat and have the opportunity to spot caimans, capybaras and even jaguars.
We will visit Cocha Salvador to enjoy fishing for otters and then head to Cocha Otorongo Lagoon for a delicious lunch. Afterwards, we will say goodbye to the Reserve Zone and return to our Amazon Eco Lodge Reserve. The next day, early in the morning, we will return to the Port of Atalaya to take our transport back to Cusco.
The lack of road infrastructure, the rugged nature of these rainforests, the special climatic conditions and the scarce presence of inhabitants have contributed to the conservation of these territories, keeping them practically unaltered and with one of the highest rates of biological diversity in the world, Manu Jungle Excursion.
Itinerary(Manu Jungle Excursion)
- DAY 1: CUSCO – PAUCARTAMBO – SAN PEDRO
- DAY 2: SAN PEDRO – ATALAYA – AMAZON ECO LODGE
- DAY 3: AMAZON ECO LODGE – LIMONAL – MATSIGUENKA HOUSE
- DAY 4: SALVADOR LAKE – OTORONGO LAKE
- DAY 5: MATSIGUENKA HOUSE – AMAZON ECO LODGE
- DAY 6: RETURN TO CUSCO
Itinerario
Cusco – Paucartambo – San Pedro
1
Day 1
- Early pick up from the hotel, we will leave on an 8 hour trip passing through Paucartambo, we will make a stop to have breakfast.
- We will arrive at the highest point of the Reserve and begin to descend into the cloud forest, here we will observe various species of birds such as the tangara paradisiaca, the umbrella bird or the golden-headed quetzal, also visualize monkeys like the monkey choros, capuchins, etc..
- Our walk will take us to the lek of the Cock of the Rock, where we will be able to observe the courtship of the male.
- Overnight at our rustic lodge Posada San Pedro.
San Pedro – Atalaya – Amazon Eco Lodge
2
Day 2
- Our excursion begins with a trip to the lowland rainforest, we will pass by some coca plantations and then we will arrive to the town of Atalaya, at this point we will use a motorized canoe and navigate the upper Madre de Dios river.
- We will have a 30 minutes walk until we arrive to one of the lakes, where we will go around it in traditional rafts to admire the enormous variety of aquatic birds like the moscoyvy duck, the cormorant, the heron, the hoatzin, among others.
- In the afternoon we will continue downstream to the lodge.
- We will have a night walk to explore the jungle and discover some insects, lizards, snakes and hopefully see the only night monkey or “douricouli”.
- Overnight at Amazon Eco Lodge
Amazon Eco Lodge – Limonal – Matsiguenka House
3
Day 3
- We will travel early downstream to enter the Manu River Reserve Zone, we will make a stop at the checkpoint (Puesto de Vigilancia Limonal), we will continue in the direction of our lodge Casa Matchiguenka, halfway to our destination we will hike through the Reserve Zone.
- We will continue the boat trip, we will observe more animals such as monkeys, capybaras, peccaries, caimans, among others.
- We will arrive at our lodge in the afternoon (optional night walk).
Salvador Lake – Otorongo Lake
4
Day 4
- Early departure to visit Cocha Salvador, from a catamaran we will be able to observe giant herons, spider monkeys and giant otters.
- After lunch we will start our hike through the virgin rainforest to Cocha Otorongo Lagoon, here we will find a 20 m observation tower, from here we will have the opportunity to see giant otters and black caimans, the rest of the day we will explore the jungle.
- In the afternoon we will enjoy a beautiful sunset and then return to Casa Matchiguenka Lodge where we will spend the night.
Casa Matsiguenka – Amazon Eco Lodge
5
Day 5
- We will leave Casa Matchiguenka early in the morning and also say goodbye to the Reserve Zone with hopes of spotting a jaguar or tapir.
- After a brief stop at Boca Manu We will return upriver to our Amazon Eco Lodge reserve.
- Overnight at the lodge
Casa Matsiguenka – Amazon Eco Lodge
6
Day 6
- We will have an early breakfast and depart by river to the port of Atalaya, where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
- We will pass through the cloud forest where we can do some short hikes or activities.
- Arrival in Cusco around 18:00.
Incluye
Includes
Round trip transportation
Naturalist guide in English and Spanish
Transportation Cusco / Atalaya and Boca Colorado / Cusco
Transportation by private boat: Atalaya/Pantiacolla Lodge/Lago Salvador/Boca Colorado
Overnight stays in lodges and camping cabins
Meals (05 breakfasts, 06 lunches and 05 dinners)
Water at any time and hot drinks or lemonade with meals.
Entrance fee to the reserved area
All necessary equipment (chair, mosquito nets, tables, mattress, rubber boots, rain gear)
We lend you a duffel bag for your personal belongings during the tour.
Professional cook.
Not included
Binoculars, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses.
Tips for guides and other staff
Travel insurance and personal items: laundry and telephone calls, personal cabs, souvenirs, etc.
Breakfast on the first day
Mineral water first day
Recomendaciones
Recommendations
Repellent with a minimum of 15% DEET
Binoculars/Binoculars
Camera with extra batteries
Flashlight with extra batteries
Sunscreen
Money in local currency
Backpack
Water bottle / cantinflora
Sandals
Shirts, socks
Lightweight pants, shorts and bathing suit/swimsuits
Hat
Toilet paper
Dark clothes (for hiking days)
converter/adaptor for electricity (plugs are typically the 2 flat type found in the U.S.)
Preguntas
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a lot of walking during the tour?
There are no long walks, the walks during the tours are slow as you will be surrounded by vegetation and animals so you should take your time to look around and listen well.
When is the best time to take this tour?
It is advisable to travel between April and January as there is no rain and the weather is cool and dry.
What are the boats like?
The boats that you will use during the tour are motorboats, they have wooden seats with life jackets for all passengers.
Is there electricity at the lodges?
At Casa Matsiguenka there is usually a generator available, be sure to bring enough spare batteries for cameras or flashlights for the tour, we recommend leaving your laptop or ipad in Cusco.
There is no internet access and there is no cell phone signal and only in some places you can receive calls occasionally.
Is the tour ideal for children?
The Manu Jungle Excursion is ideal for families but it is recommended not to take children under 6 years old.
Can I swim in the lakes or rivers?
For safety reasons it is forbidden to swim in the lakes and rivers.
Is the Peruvian Amazon safe?
Yes, the Peruvian Amazon is a safe tourist destination, but as in any place you should exercise caution, i.e. stay with your guide or tour group and within the lodge property.
What should I pack for the tour?
After booking the tour, you will receive a list of everything you should bring. In general, light, synthetic, breathable and quick-drying fabrics are recommended. Bring clothes with long sleeves, sun hat, long pants to protect you from insects and the sun, sunscreen, insect repellent, toiletries.
What are the temperatures like in the manu jungle?
On the first day of the Manu Jungle Excursion you will travel through the Andes and should have a waterproof and windproof sweater or jacket.
The first night in the cloud forest, you can expect temperatures between 12 to 18°c and when you arrive in the lowland forest you should expect between 26 to 36°c, during the day and around 20 to 26°c at night.
What vaccinations are required to explore the manu jungle tours?
Before taking the tour it is advisable to visit your doctor who will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, the areas of the country you will be visiting and the planned activities.
To visit the jungle of Peru it is necessary to be vaccinated against:
Hepatitis A or immunoglobulin
Hepatitis B
Typhoid
Yellow fever
Malaria
