Amazon / Manu National Park & Macaw Clay Lick
Amazon / Manu National Park & Macaw Clay Lick
The Peruvian Amazon is never more openly displayed than in the Manu National Park & Macaw Collpa, a World Natural Heritage Site.
Here everything seems to be found in its purest form: 221 species of mammals, thousands of birds and the entire range of climates from the tropical lowland forest to the frigid highlands of more than 4000 m above sea level. In Manu, there are also native populations that preserve their traditions; some are completely isolated voluntarily.
The Manú Biosphere Reserve and National Park is located in the southwest of Peru, partially located in the regions of Madre de Dios and Cusco, in the provinces of Manu and Paucartambo. With a territory of 1,909,800 ha, it is divided into three large zones: the National Park, with 1,532,806 ha; the Reserved Zone, with 257,000 ha; and the Transition or Cultural Zone, with 120,000 ha.
It extends from 300 meters above sea level, at the confluence of the Manú River with the Alto Madre de Dios River, to 3,800 meters above sea level at the summit of the Apu Kañahuay mountain. Some researchers believe that the Paititi or lost city of the Incas is located in the virgin areas of the Manu National Park.
ITINERARIO
Tour Amazon / Manu National Park & Macaw Clay Lick 8 days / 7 nights
TOUR ITINERARY:
DAY 01: CUSCO – MANU CLOUD FOREST – PARAIZO LODGE.
We leave the city of Cusco in our vehicle, we will ascend to the high area of Paucartambo 3900 meters above sea level and throughout our trip we will observe the natural paradise of the Andes covered by snow-capped mountains, continuing our trip we arrive at Ajanaco 3560 meters above sea level where the Manu National Park begins. Then we will descend through the mysterious cloud forest, full of beautiful orchids, flowers, heliconias and many bromeliads, to better observe the high jungle we will walk for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and we will stop to witness the ritual of the cock of the rocks (Peruvian rock monkey) and with a lot of luck we can observe many birds and some mammals such as woolly monkeys, black machin etc. and in the afternoon we will arrive at our typical Pilcopata lodge. With bathrooms and showers available.
DAY 02: PILCOPATA – BOCA MANU –MANU BIHOSFERA LODGE
After breakfast we will continue the trip by car for approximately 1 hour to the port of Atalaya where we will board a boat to travel along the upper Madre de Dios River for an average of 7 to 8 hours until we reach our lodge. Throughout our trip we can observe a great variety of birds such as herons, cormorants, kingfishers and many vultures of which the most spectacular is the jungle condor, king of vultures (scarcoramphus papa) among other animals that are essential in the Amazon jungle. At midday a brief stop in the village of Boca Manu where we will have the opportunity to visit and learn about the different activities that the people of this jungle town are dedicated to. Continuing our boat trip along the imposing Madre de Dios River until we reach the hostel where we will spend the night, with bathrooms and showers available, optional night walk.
DAY 03: MANU BIHOSFERA LODGE – GUACAMOY LICK – TAPIR LICK
Very early at 5:00 am we head in our boat to the macaw hideout that is located in front of the clay lick, just 30 meters away from the wall to the platform. Where we will learn the reason for the presence of parrots and macaws in this place. Little by little, hundreds of parrots begin to arrive at this point to feed on the minerals contained in this clay wall (with luck we will be able to see hundreds of parrots and macaws of different types). What most attracts the attention of the visitor in this clay lick are the most colorful and largest macaws. After this spectacular *show* we return to our lodge to enjoy our lunch. In the afternoon we will have another very important activity. We will enter the jungle and visit the mammal clay lick, the perfect place to see the largest mammal in the Amazon, the tapir (tapirus). This giant and beautiful tapir licks the salt or minerals from the ground in this specific place every afternoon. We will locate ourselves on a platform camouflaged in the jungle and from this point we will be able to see and photograph the tapir and other animals such as the spider monkey, the howler monkey and sometimes you can see the jaguar prowling or chasing the impressive tapir.
DAY 04: MANU BIHOSFERA LODGE – ESTACION LIMONAL – ALBERGUE CASA MACHIGUENGA
Very early our trip continues by boat along the Madre de Dios River and the Manu River. As we go deeper into the dense jungle, one begins to realize why the Manu Reserve is so important and famous in the world. Throughout this trip within the Manu Reserved Zone we will appreciate a great diversity of flora and fauna. On the riverbank you can see different types of animals such as turtles, alligators, birds, ronsocos, monkeys and with a little luck you can see the impressive jaguar (Panthera onca) which is the king of the Amazon jungle. In the afternoon we arrive at our Casa Machiguenga lodge. You will be given your corresponding rooms and after a short rest we will organize ourselves to do our first walk within a primary and virgin forest to observe different types of animals and trees that are more than 1000 years old. This part of the reserve is a very interesting place to visit. The jungle has never suffered from hunting or logging by men. Night in camp (in beds with mosquito nets) shower and toilets available.
DAY 05: CASA MACHIGUENGA LODGE – COCHA SALBADOR – TRACHA MAQUISAPA
This morning we will dedicate our time to visit the cocha or lake Salvador, habitat of the giant otter and the anaconda. First we will travel by boat for an average of 15 minutes and then we will walk through the jungle for an average of 20 minutes until we reach the dock of the lake. We will use a catamaran to navigate and we will paddle very slowly to have the possibility of seeing and photographing the river otters that live in a group of 8 to 10 individuals and a great variety of strange birds such as the sultana cock or the agami heron and some alligators that live next to the river otters. In this lake on many occasions it has been possible to see boa constrictors and the yacu mama which is the anaconda. Lunch will be at the lodge and in the afternoon we will walk on the main trails to learn the functioning and secrets of the tropical forest and we will have more opportunity to see groups of monkeys and wild pigs.
- Optional night walk.
DAY 06: CAMPING – OTORONGO OCEAN – HAMMINGBIRD LODGE
After a delicious breakfast we board our boat to visit the Otorongo lake, which is a 40-minute boat ride away. Then we walk through the dense rainforest and from a 45-meter-high tower we will once again observe the river wolf, the black caiman, aquatic turtles and the impressive canopy of the rainforest. Lunch will be at our lodge and then we will pack our bags and continue the return trip by boat to our next lodge. The boat trip is really fantastic and relaxing and from the boat you can see some animals such as turtles, capybaras, birds, caimans and a group of monkeys.
- Optional night walk along one of our trails.
DAY 07: HUMMINGBIRD LODGE – AGUAS CALIENTES – ARPIA LODGE
We will board our boat to continue the return trip to the next lodge. This day we will travel by boat for an average of 7 hours with some stops at important places. One stop will be in the community of Diamante where the inhabitants still maintain their jungle customs. Another stop will be at the Shintuya hot springs (optional). During the trip along the Alto Madre de Dios River we will have the option of seeing more animals such as monkeys, ospreys and ronsocos etc. Night at our lodge.
The Alto Madre de Dios River is born in the headwaters of the Manu National Park and is one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River, which is considered the largest river in the world.
DAY 08: ARPIA LODGE – ATALAYA – CUSCO
Unfortunately, it is the last day in the Amazon jungle. First we will travel by boat to the port of Atalaya, then we will continue the trip by car to the city of Cusco. The first 5 hours of travel will be through the high jungle where we will have the last opportunity to see the cock of the rocks, which is the national bird of Peru, and the monkey of the high jungle, which is the woolly monkey or Choro monkey. We will continue our trip until we reach the imperial city of Cusco.
Arrival in the city of Cusco between 6:00 p.m.
QUE SERVICIOS?
Servicios Incluidos
- Land transportation.
- River transportation.
- Lodging (hostel).
- Three meals a day plus snack.
- Optional vegetarian food.
- Professional and specialized guide.
- Mineral water during the trip.
- Safety equipment.
- Professional cook.
- Rubber boots.
- Efficient motorcycle team.
- Entrance to the Manu National Park.
- Entrance to the macaw clay lick.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PACKAGE?
WHAT WE RECOMMEND YOU BRING FOR YOUR TRIP TO MANU:
- Warm clothing (it gets cold by the river).
- Waterproof clothing.
- Water bottle.
- Binoculars.
- Camera with extra batteries.
- Sunscreen.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Hat or cap.
- Long-sleeved shirts.
- Mosquito repellent 50/DEET C.
- Sandals, swimwear and towel.
- Trekking shoes.
- Extra money.
- Personal hygiene equipment.
FAQs
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The rainforest of the Manu National Park is considered the virgin forest of Peru, home to many animals that are in danger of extinction such as the Jaguar, black caiman, giant otters, colorful macaws, etc., a place where many human groups still live, preserving their original customs and in voluntary isolation from modern civilization.