Description Manu Reserved Zone Tour
With the Manu Reserved Zone Tour or “Manu Reserved Zone Tour Package”, you will be able to enjoy one of the most extensive tropical parks in South America. Located in the southeastern region of Peru, nestled in the last Andean foothills of the department of Cusco and the jungle of Madre de Dios. Manu National Park, located in southeastern Peru, is one of the largest parks in South America. The park area encompasses parts of the Andean department of Cusco and the jungle department of Madre de Dios.
The Manu tourist destination protects more than 2 million hectares of territory rich in flora and fauna species in a variety of habitats, including the Andes, cloud forests and lowland rainforests. This natural paradise, recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, is home to the greatest biological diversity in protected areas of rainforest and several endemic species of cloud forest.
It is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. In Manu it is possible to find all the variety of ecological floors that exist in the Amazon and this makes it one of the most appreciated protected areas.
The number of plant species is very high, in a single hectare there are up to 250 varieties of trees. The aguajal forests are one of the most outstanding ecosystems, where the aguaje and huasaí palms are the dominant ones and develop on areas that are almost permanently flooded, especially on the right bank of the Manu River. There is also the presence of cedar, cético, tornillo, chestnut, Lupuna and jebe.
Among the large mammals are the otorongo, the tiger, the sachavaca, the huangana, the sajino, the deer, the ashy deer, the river wolf, the ronsoco, the coto monkey, the black maquisapa, the choro monkey, the white and the black machin monkey. It is estimated that there are about 30 million species, more than 1,300 species of butterflies, 136 species of dragonflies, at least 300 species of ants (more than 40 species were found in a single tree) and more than 650 species of beetles.
The bird species found in Manu represent 25% of all known birds in South America and 10% of all species in the world and it is thought that there may be more than 1,000 bird species in total. It is estimated that there are more than 100 species of bats. There are also 77 species of amphibians.
Species known to be globally threatened that are found in Manu are: the choro monkey, the emperor, giant otter, anteater, giant armadillo, ocelot, Andean cat, jaguar Panthera onca, small eared fox, bush dog, spectacled bear, crocodile and black caiman. The fish species identified are: paco, red tail shad, boquichico, mullet and mullet.
The best time to visit Manu is during Cusco’s dry season, from May to October, when we can avoid the most rainy days. During the rainy season, especially January and February, the fall of water increases the flow of rivers, which often block the roads and greatly hinder the transfers.
Enjoy the Manu Reserved Zone Tour
MAIN POINTS OF VISIT
- Andes – (3650 m.a.s.l.)
- Bosque de Nubes (1,700 m.a.s.l.)
- Erika Lodge (500 m.a.s.l.)
- Aguas Calientes (Hot springs)
- Gallito de las Rocas (3,005 m.a.s.l.)
- Macaw Clay Lick
- Boca Manu (365 m.a.s.l.)
- Reserved Zone
- Cocha Salvador (395 m.a.s.l.)
Day 1: Cusco (3,300m.a.s.l.) – Andes (3650m.a.s.l.) Cloud Forest (1,700m.a.s.l.)
- We will start our tour package in Manu at hotel pick up at the agreed time, leaving the city of Cusco very early in the morning.
- We will cross interesting inter-Andean valleys and picturesque rural communities. We will visit Paucartambo, picturesque colonial town and its interesting museum.
- Lunch en route.
- We continue our tours to Manu to the Cloud Forest, an area very rich in endemic species such as the Spectacled Bear and Cock of the Rock, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, lichens, etc..
- Observing nature and then continue until we arrive at our Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge where we will spend our first night comfortably installed.
Dinner and overnight.
PERNOCTE: BUNGALO – ORQUIDEAS LODGE.
BREAKFAST – PASSENGER/LUNCH AND DINNER – AGENCY
Day 2: Cloud Forest – Erika Lodge (460m.a.s.l.)
- 05.30 am At dawn we will start our tour to Manu looking for the interesting Cock of the Rock, Peru’s national bird that makes a unique courtship ritual.
- After breakfast we continue to the village of Pilcopata, it is optional and free to do CANOTAJE in the Manu Free from Pilcopata for 1 hour (classes I and II) by Koñeq rivers and / or Alto Madre de Dios. We enjoy the scenery and take the opportunity to cool off and then reach the port of Atalaya, a place located on the banks of the Alto Madre de Dios River.
- We could also choose to do CANOPY, going from tree to tree and its aerial platforms using harnesses on horizontal cables with a system of rails with which we will slide at high speed on the top of the trees of the fabulous Amazon rainforest until we rappel down from 15 meters high.
- From this point at 700 m.a.s.l. we will start the descent by boat to observe the enormous diversity of bird species, such as herons, vultures, cormorants, etc. until we reach our Private Reserve “Erika”.
- Lunch at the Lodge.
- Later we will walk along the trails of this transitional point between high and low jungle. Our lodge is connected to the surrounding jungle through a 15 km trail system. We will walk along the trails at your leisure, as long as you are under the supervision of the guide. On the way to Erika we will see many species of plants and animals, some of them endangered. The surrounding jungle also serves as a major source of seeds and trees for reforestation projects.
- We will walk along a trail to a 5 meter high platform where we will be able to see and photograph peccaries interacting on a wonderful mud bed. Observing the peccaries in this place depends on luck and weather conditions.
- We will have a night walk to observe insects and amphibians.
- Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
PERNOCTE: Bungalow – ERIKA LODGE.
BREAKFAST – LUNCH AND DINNER – AGENCY
Day 3: Erika Lodge – Aguas Calientes – Boca Manu (365m.a.s.l.)
- Early in the morning, we will take our boat to go to the Collpa, a river wall where different species of parrots such as the blue-headed parrot, white-eyed parakeet and possibly the Maracano macaw, among others, will come down as every morning to extract clay necessary for their dietary balance. After this beautiful spectacle of nature we will return to the lodge.
- Breakfast at the lodge.
- We will pack and again in our boat we will navigate the Alto Madre de Dios River to the Aguas Calientes pools surrounded by the beautiful jungle.
- After relaxing in the water and a refreshing cold lunch, we will continue to the town of Boca Manu.
- Boca Manu is surrounded by the Manu National Park where there is abundant biodiversity of animals and plants so in this tour we will have the opportunity to observe birds such as skimmers, herons, several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers.
- Dinner and overnight.
Overnight stay: BOCA MANU.
BREAKFAST – LUNCH AND DINNER – AGENCY
Day 4: Boca Manu -Reserved Zone / Cocha Salvador (395m.a.s.l.)
- 05.00 am At dawn, we will make another brief stop at the Limonal Guard Post to register in the Visitor’s Book at the entrance control to the Reserved Zone.
- We will continue our journey along the Manu River leaving all traces of civilization, heading towards the heart of the Reserved Zone for approximately 4 hours to Cocha Salvador, where we will spend the next two nights in our safari camp.
- During this journey we will be able to see a number of bird species such as macaws, herons, pink rosette and often capybaras, caimans, river turtles, monkeys, hopefully some felines that often sunbathe on the beaches or feed on the surrounding trees.
- Lunch at the Safari Camp.
- In the afternoon we will dedicate our time to walk in search of wildlife in this pristine jungle.
Overnight stay: COCHA SALVADOR CAMP.
BREAKFAST – LUNCH AND DINNER – AGENCY
Day 5: Reserved Zone / Cocha Salvador (395 m.a.s.l.)
- 04.30 – 07.30 am In the morning, we will probably be awakened by the howler monkey declaring its territory. Before breakfast we will have a morning walk as the temperature at this time is pleasant and it is common to find animals in search of food.
- We will return to our camp for breakfast.
- We will explore Cocha Salvador using the catamaran and try to see the Giant Otters, an endangered species that can be seen fishing, playing or swimming, the Black Caiman, the Hoatzin, interesting flora of the surroundings.
- Afterwards, we will visit Cocha Otorongo and its observation tower strategically located at 15 meters to appreciate the landscape of the surrounding primary forest and better chances to see the resident otter family, as well as observe birds that inhabit the canopy.
- Lunch en route.
- Possibility to make a short night walk to search for the American Toad, horned frogs, tree frogs and a lot of colorful and interesting insects.
- Return to our camp in Cocha Salvador, dinner and overnight.
Overnight stay: COCHA SALVADOR.
BREAKFAST and LUNCH – AGENCY / DINNER – PASSENGER
Day 6: Reserved Zone / Cocha Salvador (395m.a.s.l.) – Boca Manu
- Today we will also get up early to hike around our camp and Cocha Salvador. We will be amazed by the giant Ceibas, colorful butterflies and surely the curious Squirrel Monkeys, Capuchins and Choros.
- After breakfast, we will pack up and board our boat that takes us slowly down the Manu River to continue the experience of watching probably peccaries, caimans, turtles, birds.
- We will arrive at sunset at Boca Manu.
- Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Overnight: Hostel – BOCA MANU.
BREAKFAST and LUNCH – AGENCIA / DINNER – PASSENGER
Day 7: Boca Manu – Erika Lodge
- After breakfast, we will board our boat and sail the Alto Madre de Dios River upstream, always observing the beautiful scenery of our Amazon rainforest and the enormous diversity of bird life.
- Lunch on the boat.
- In the late afternoon, we will arrive at the Erika Private Reserve where we will rest comfortably in our facilities and we will have dinner, here we will spend this last night more wrapped by the magic of the sounds.
Overnight stay: Hostel – ERIKA LODGE.
BREAKFAST and LUNCH – AGENCY / DINNER – PASSENGER
INCLUDES:
HOSTELS:
SAN PEDRO ORCHIDS 1 night
ERIKA 2 nights
BOCA MANU 2 nights
SAFARI CAMP 2 nights
MANU
- Land transportation
- River transportation (outboard and roofed boats)
- Complete canoeing equipment
- Full meals (vegetarian option available)
- Specialized bilingual naturalist guide
- Procedures to obtain permission to enter the P.N.M.
- Radio communication equipment at all points of stay.
- First aid kit
- Luggage guard service
- Safe deposit box for documents and valuables.
NOT INCLUDED:
- First breakfast
- Water for the first day
- Carbonated beverages (bottled drinks)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Handicrafts
- Last dinner
- Air flights or Bus Ticket (from Cusco)
- Tips
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Light clothing with long sleeves and long pants, sandals, towel, bathing suit and personal medication.
- Daily backpack and luggage backpack.
- Binoculars and zoom cameras
- Waterproof jacket, raincoat, long sleeve shirts, cotton pants, bathing clothes, warm clothes in case of cold weather.
- Bring your passport
- Towel for the whole trip
- Medicines and personal hygiene implements
- Sneakers or hiking shoes, sandals
- Flashlight with batteries and spare lights.
- Hat or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, sun protection
- Insect repellent (recommended with 40% or more DEET),
- Binoculars, Camera
- Luggage backpack and small rucksack, plastic bags
