Manu National Park 8 Days

Day 1: Cusco – Cloud forest – Mirador Lodge (Lookout Lodge)

Manu National Park 8 Days,We begin our 7 hour drive, by private vans, reaching an altitude of 3,905 meters (13,000 ft.). We’ll do a quick stop to visti “Ninamarca”, a pre-Inca cemetery and the colonial town of “Paucartambo”.  Then we will descend the east slopes of the highland through “Cloud Forest” which has lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads, bambus etc.) We will enjoy spectacular views of the highland and you’ll observe the wildlife such as; “The red Cock of the Rocks” (our national bird – “Tunky in quechua”), Dazzling colored Tanagers, Quetzals, Trogons Tucans and Hummingbirds.   If we’re fortunate, we will be able to see our first yellow Monkey.

In the afternoon, we will arrive at “Mirador Lodge” (Lookout Lodge – 700 m), where you’ll have good accommodations to rest for the night (double rooms & private bathroom). After dinner, your guide will brief you of the next day’s activities.

Day 2: Mirador lodge – Atalaya – Maquisapayoc Lodge

After breakfast, we will continue our drive to the Port of Atalaya (500 m). On the way we will stop at an animal rescue shelter.  Afterwards, we will have a short hike to look for orchids, bromelias, bamboos, monkeys and birds. From the Port of Atalaya, you’ll embark on a 7 hour journey on a 15-meter canoe down the Madre de Dios River to get to the lowland rainforest.

While we drift down the river we’ll enjoy the changing landscape and have the opportunity to see wildlife (flora and fauna) along the rocky banks of the river.  On our path, we will visit “Diamante”, a Piro Indian town with traditional homes.

In the afternoon we’ll arrive at “Maquisapayoj Lodge” (translated “Place of the Black Spider Monkey”) Accommodations include double beds with private bathroom.   You’ll have an evening night walk to survey the area where you’ll find insects, frogs, snakes, caiman (alligators) and butterflies.

Day 3: Macaw Clay Lick (Blanquillo) & Camungo Lake and Tower

At sun-up, we will take a boat ride to the big macaw clay lick in Blanquillo to a “look-out” area where we will have an excellent view to observe flocks of colorful macaws/parrots (Ara chloroptera, Ara macao), congregating to eat clay, which is important for their digestion. Utilizing the telescope at the Lookout, we’ll have a closer look of the magnificent colors of the birds.

After breakfast, you’ll explore some of the hiking paths in “Blanquillo”.  During you hike you’ll be able to observe more species of monkeys and birds. After lunch, we visit “Camungo Oxbow Lake”: here we take a wooden catamaran (boat with twin parallel hulls) to observe Large River Otters and different types of birds. Nearby the lake, we will have the opportunity to hike about to an Lookout Tower to get a great observation point of toucans and other parrots.  In the afternoon, we return upstream to return to “Maquisapayoj”.

After a short break at the lodge, we’ll hike for about an hour and 45 minutes to one of the rainforest at the Mammal Salt Lick Reserve.  In order to get the best chance to observe animals – like the “tapir” – we will spend the night on an elevated platform (with floor mats and mosquito nets). Your guide will help you to spot the “tapir”.  If you prefer you can stay in double rooms at the lodge we can provide basic accommodations.

Day 4: Blanco lake (Blanquillo) & Maquisapayoc Tapir Lick

At sunrise, we return to the lodge to enjoy breakfast. Following that, we will travel down river to visit ´Cocha Blanco` (White Lagoon). After a short hike, you’ll reach the Oxbow Lake.  You’ll board the catamaran (boat) to see the different wildlife including families of Giant River Otters.  We will have enough time to enjoy the beautiful lake and to observe the monkeys, caimans (alligators) and birds in their natural habitat.  Later, you’ll return to “Maquisapayoj” for another opportunity to take different path to see different species of monkeys like; Emperor and Saddle backed Tamarin monkeys, Monk Saki monkey and birds such as Pavonine Quetzal, Hoatzin and Manakins. We can also visit the salt lick in the afternoon to look for monkeys, guans (a species of deer).  You’ll have the chose to spend another night on the tapir platform or at Maquisapayoj Lodge.

Day 5: Exploring Maquisapayoc and Travelling up-river

If you are a bird lover and want the opportunity to see more animals, we can go for an early morning hike, at first light, and then have breakfast.  Following breakfast, we will have explore other paths to see the “Black Spider” and “Red Howler Monkeys”, White, Brown, Black Capuchin and other birds. The tour guide also enlighten you about the medicinal plants in the surrounding area.

In the afternoon, we travel up-river for about 2 and a half hours to “Hummingbird Lodge”. On our hike, we will stop in Boca Manu, or Fitzcarrald, the main town of Manu. Here we can meet different indigenous groups and their way of making traditional boats. Later, we continue our hike towards Hummingbird Lodge.  You’ll have a break and if you desire you can go on a night walk.  This is a great place to look at different species of birds, especially hummingbirds. Depending upon the season we make take more time to get to our lodge due to the river level. (Especially during May through August).

Day 6: Travelling Upriver on Rio Alto madre de Dios – Soga de oro Lodge

We board our motorboat early to travel up-river making our way back to Cusco.  Of course during our boat ride back, we’ll have the chance to see more animals like; capybara, turtles or caimans. If time allows, we can make a stop at Aguas Calientes (Hot Springs) to have a swim or we can visit Machuwasi Lagoon, to look for some more wild animals. In the afternoon, we will arrive at “Soga de Oro Lodge”, where we’ll spend the night (double beds & private bathroom). You can also explore in the night.

Day 7: Clay Lick parrots – Machuwasi Lake

Very early wake-up call and breakfast.  We embark on the motorboat for about 30 minutes to the parrots lick, where we will see the green and yellow parrots, birds and other smaller animals. Afterwards, we will return to “Machuhuasi Lake” to board another raft for a boat ride (1 and 30 hours).  Here you’ll have the opportunity to view other wild species of bird like hoatzin.  Finally, we will hike for an one hour in the jungle. We stay the night at the lodge.

Day 8: Soga de oro Lodge – Cloud Forest – Cusco

After breakfast, we board the motorboat back to Atalaya. Our transportation will be waiting our arrival.  We will travel through the cloud forest where we can view more birds, insects and butterflies along the roadside and stopping periodically when we spot wild animals. We reach Cusco around 6:00 p.m.  You can also have the option to do the zip line & river rafting class for an additional $30.00 (for each activity).