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Peru- Guided Amazon Rainforest Explorer w/ Cusco
10/2 - 10/9 , 2010
10/2 - 10/9 , 2010
Erik's Adventures LLC is a registered tour operator and will work with individuals, group clients, and also with travel agents
AMAZON RAINFOREST ADVENTURE- MANU, PERU
Saturday Oct 2nd-Sunday October 10th (Oct 9th with flight)
Prices Starting From $1679
Manu National Park and World Heritage Biosphere is considered by many experts as the most important rainforest park in the world offering the fabled city of Cusco and the mythical Inca citadel of Machu Picchu as its gateway. About half the size of Switzerland, Manu protects an entire virgin watershed from Andean grasslands at 12,000 ft. down to cloud forests, to the vast lowlands below 1,000 ft. above sea level.
Manu’s virgin primary rainforests boast world-record diversities of birds (more than 1,000 species) mammals (more than 200 species), reptiles, amphibians, fresh-water fishes, insects and plants (over 15,000 species). No other area in North or South America offers such superb viewing of rare or difficult to observe animals, such as the two-meter long and gregarious Giant Otters, 13 species of monkeys, white and black caiman (crocodiles), seven species of macaws (the world’s largest parrots), ten species of toucans, guans, curassows, and trumpeters (all rare game birds), and the largest land animal in Central and South America, the Tapir. No other park on earth can compare with Manu in terms of sheer variety of life forms. A patch of lowland rainforest in Manu harbors 40% more species of birds than a comparable patch of forest in Central Amazonian Brazil. Our Expert Guides and Staff will make sure this is The Rainforest adventure of a lifetime!
*Please note: If doing this trip as an extension of one of our trekking trips (coming in early or staying after) which include RT air between Lima and Cusco then we will adjust your flight to or from Lima to coordinate with the beginning or end of this trip at no charge.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 : ARRIVE IN CUSCO, PERU. Proceed to hotel from airport (taxis are safe, easy, and affordable). Rest of the day is at leisure
Welcome dinner at a Peruvian restaurant to try local cuisine and meet your host and the rest of the group. Exact time TBA. Overnight in Hotel Prisma (or similar)
DAY 2 : CUSCO TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : After breakfast at the hotel, we take an 12 hour bus trip (with stops) from the city of Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 m (13,000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios River. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and may see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly colored Tanagers, Quetzals and Hummingbirds and possibly the first monkeys, e.g. the Woolly Monkey. In the afternoon we arrive to Atalaya (500m), from here it is only 15 minutes by boat to our Rio de Oro Lodge. Optional night walk.
DAY 3: RIO DE ORO TO MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE: Early start to visit the small parrot clay lick 10 minutes downriver. After observing parrots, parakeets and small macaws (Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rare Blue headed Macaw) we continue for an 8-hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. Today we have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fascinated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive to Maquisapayoj Lodge (‘place of the Black Spider Monkey’), where we spend the night in rooms with private bath. Optional night walk before dinner and a shower!
DAY 4: BIG MACAW CLAY LICK & MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR LICK: Early in the morning we travel downriver to the big Macaw Clay Lick in Blanquillo. From a blind we watch flocks of Parakeets, Parrots and Macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao) congregating to eat the clay of the lick, which is essential for their digestion. Breakfast at the blind. Returning we can have a walk on some of Blanquillo’s trails and then have lunch. In the afternoon we go to Cocha (lake) Camungo to look for the family of Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) who lives here. Nearby we have the opportunity to climb a 42 m tower to get a great canopy view and observe birds, e.g. toucans. After the spectacle we travel upstream to return to Maquisapayoj . From the river we walk about 1-½ hours through primary rainforest to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. If you prefer you can spend the night in double rooms close to the river.. From the river we walk into virgin primary rainforest for about 1 1/2 hours to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. Optional night at the lodge.
DAY 5 : MAQUISAPAYOJ TO ALBERGUE CASA MATSIGUENKA : Today we travel about 8 to 9 hours upriver into the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. We stop at Limonal Guard Station where our permit is checked. During this boat trip wildlife viewing along the banks of the Manu River is fabulous. White Caimans (Caiman crocodylus) sunning on the beaches, fish in the shallows, turtles and plenty of colourful birds as e.g. Black Skimmers and Terns may bee seen. And there is always the possibility of seeing larger animals such as Capybara, Tapir and Jaguar. In the afternoon we arrive at Albergue Casa Matsiguenka, where we spend two nights in double rooms. The lodge is built in typical machiguenga style. Optional night walk ( to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).
DAY 6 : EXPLORING COCHA SALVADOR AND OTORONGO : We leave early for a day trip to explore Cocha (oxbow-lake) Salvador by catamaran looking for Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), Caimans, Hoatzins and monkeys. In the afternoon we go for a walk on some of the trails through the forest. You can climb the 18 m observation tower at Cocha (lake) Otorongo - a good place to observe birds - and enjoy the scenery. The night is spent at Albergue Matsiguenka, where we can meet the Machiguenga Indians. Optional night walk.
DAY 7 : ALBERGUE MATSIGUENKA TO CUSCO OR YANAYACU : Today we start early to travel 6 hours down the Manu River, with ideal conditions to see wildlife. After a stop in Boca Manu village we make our way back upriver on the Alto Madre de Dios River for another 3 hours. This night we camp on the beach at Yanayacu, on the Rio Alto Madre de Dios.
Please note: For those who are doing the Lares trek starting October 9th or for any other guests who don’t want to return to Cusco overland (Days 7 and 8 are for traveling back to Cusco the same route we came into Manu) it is possible to fly back from Boca Manu Airstrip to Cusco in 45 min on this day.
DAY 8 : YANAYACU TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : Today we continue traveling upriver, always looking for wildlife. We make a stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) and continue to Rio de Oro Lodge, close to Atalaya, where we spend the night. We can walk on some of the trails in the afternoon or have a night walk.
DAY 9 : RIO DE ORO TO CUSCO : After breakfast we take a short boat ride to Atalaya, where our bus is waiting. We travel up to the Andes again to return to Cusco around 6 p.m. Transfer to your hotel.
“End of tour”
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
·Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
·Private bus and boat transport
·Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick and Tapir lick
·Entrance fees to Manu National Park and Salvador & Otorongo lakes
·Professional Cook to prepare meals
·All food (vegetarian on request) + drinking water
·Lodge accommodation and camping equipment
·First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison), Trained staff in First Aid
·Radio communication
·Hotel stay in Cusco on Oct 2nd
·Welcome dinner in Cusco
·USA Based Host for entire trip
NOT INCLUDED:
·Sleeping bag
·Binoculars
·When returning by plane: airstrip tax Boca Manu
·Personal expenses (Extras, Alcoholic drinks etc.)
·Air ticket from Boca Manu to Cusco if flying back- add $160
Saturday Oct 2nd-Sunday October 10th (Oct 9th with flight)
Prices Starting From $1679
Manu National Park and World Heritage Biosphere is considered by many experts as the most important rainforest park in the world offering the fabled city of Cusco and the mythical Inca citadel of Machu Picchu as its gateway. About half the size of Switzerland, Manu protects an entire virgin watershed from Andean grasslands at 12,000 ft. down to cloud forests, to the vast lowlands below 1,000 ft. above sea level.
Manu’s virgin primary rainforests boast world-record diversities of birds (more than 1,000 species) mammals (more than 200 species), reptiles, amphibians, fresh-water fishes, insects and plants (over 15,000 species). No other area in North or South America offers such superb viewing of rare or difficult to observe animals, such as the two-meter long and gregarious Giant Otters, 13 species of monkeys, white and black caiman (crocodiles), seven species of macaws (the world’s largest parrots), ten species of toucans, guans, curassows, and trumpeters (all rare game birds), and the largest land animal in Central and South America, the Tapir. No other park on earth can compare with Manu in terms of sheer variety of life forms. A patch of lowland rainforest in Manu harbors 40% more species of birds than a comparable patch of forest in Central Amazonian Brazil. Our Expert Guides and Staff will make sure this is The Rainforest adventure of a lifetime!
*Please note: If doing this trip as an extension of one of our trekking trips (coming in early or staying after) which include RT air between Lima and Cusco then we will adjust your flight to or from Lima to coordinate with the beginning or end of this trip at no charge.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 : ARRIVE IN CUSCO, PERU. Proceed to hotel from airport (taxis are safe, easy, and affordable). Rest of the day is at leisure
Welcome dinner at a Peruvian restaurant to try local cuisine and meet your host and the rest of the group. Exact time TBA. Overnight in Hotel Prisma (or similar)
DAY 2 : CUSCO TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : After breakfast at the hotel, we take an 12 hour bus trip (with stops) from the city of Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 m (13,000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios River. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and may see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly colored Tanagers, Quetzals and Hummingbirds and possibly the first monkeys, e.g. the Woolly Monkey. In the afternoon we arrive to Atalaya (500m), from here it is only 15 minutes by boat to our Rio de Oro Lodge. Optional night walk.
DAY 3: RIO DE ORO TO MAQUISAPAYOJ LODGE: Early start to visit the small parrot clay lick 10 minutes downriver. After observing parrots, parakeets and small macaws (Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rare Blue headed Macaw) we continue for an 8-hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. Today we have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fascinated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive to Maquisapayoj Lodge (‘place of the Black Spider Monkey’), where we spend the night in rooms with private bath. Optional night walk before dinner and a shower!
DAY 4: BIG MACAW CLAY LICK & MAQUISAPAYOJ TAPIR LICK: Early in the morning we travel downriver to the big Macaw Clay Lick in Blanquillo. From a blind we watch flocks of Parakeets, Parrots and Macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao) congregating to eat the clay of the lick, which is essential for their digestion. Breakfast at the blind. Returning we can have a walk on some of Blanquillo’s trails and then have lunch. In the afternoon we go to Cocha (lake) Camungo to look for the family of Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) who lives here. Nearby we have the opportunity to climb a 42 m tower to get a great canopy view and observe birds, e.g. toucans. After the spectacle we travel upstream to return to Maquisapayoj . From the river we walk about 1-½ hours through primary rainforest to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. If you prefer you can spend the night in double rooms close to the river.. From the river we walk into virgin primary rainforest for about 1 1/2 hours to the Mammal Salt Lick, where we spend the night on an elevated platform (with mats and mosquito nets) to observe tapirs or other mammals during the night. Optional night at the lodge.
DAY 5 : MAQUISAPAYOJ TO ALBERGUE CASA MATSIGUENKA : Today we travel about 8 to 9 hours upriver into the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park. We stop at Limonal Guard Station where our permit is checked. During this boat trip wildlife viewing along the banks of the Manu River is fabulous. White Caimans (Caiman crocodylus) sunning on the beaches, fish in the shallows, turtles and plenty of colourful birds as e.g. Black Skimmers and Terns may bee seen. And there is always the possibility of seeing larger animals such as Capybara, Tapir and Jaguar. In the afternoon we arrive at Albergue Casa Matsiguenka, where we spend two nights in double rooms. The lodge is built in typical machiguenga style. Optional night walk ( to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).
DAY 6 : EXPLORING COCHA SALVADOR AND OTORONGO : We leave early for a day trip to explore Cocha (oxbow-lake) Salvador by catamaran looking for Giant River Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), Caimans, Hoatzins and monkeys. In the afternoon we go for a walk on some of the trails through the forest. You can climb the 18 m observation tower at Cocha (lake) Otorongo - a good place to observe birds - and enjoy the scenery. The night is spent at Albergue Matsiguenka, where we can meet the Machiguenga Indians. Optional night walk.
DAY 7 : ALBERGUE MATSIGUENKA TO CUSCO OR YANAYACU : Today we start early to travel 6 hours down the Manu River, with ideal conditions to see wildlife. After a stop in Boca Manu village we make our way back upriver on the Alto Madre de Dios River for another 3 hours. This night we camp on the beach at Yanayacu, on the Rio Alto Madre de Dios.
Please note: For those who are doing the Lares trek starting October 9th or for any other guests who don’t want to return to Cusco overland (Days 7 and 8 are for traveling back to Cusco the same route we came into Manu) it is possible to fly back from Boca Manu Airstrip to Cusco in 45 min on this day.
DAY 8 : YANAYACU TO RIO DE ORO LODGE : Today we continue traveling upriver, always looking for wildlife. We make a stop for a swim at Aguas Calientes (hot springs) and continue to Rio de Oro Lodge, close to Atalaya, where we spend the night. We can walk on some of the trails in the afternoon or have a night walk.
DAY 9 : RIO DE ORO TO CUSCO : After breakfast we take a short boat ride to Atalaya, where our bus is waiting. We travel up to the Andes again to return to Cusco around 6 p.m. Transfer to your hotel.
“End of tour”
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
·Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
·Private bus and boat transport
·Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick and Tapir lick
·Entrance fees to Manu National Park and Salvador & Otorongo lakes
·Professional Cook to prepare meals
·All food (vegetarian on request) + drinking water
·Lodge accommodation and camping equipment
·First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison), Trained staff in First Aid
·Radio communication
·Hotel stay in Cusco on Oct 2nd
·Welcome dinner in Cusco
·USA Based Host for entire trip
NOT INCLUDED:
·Sleeping bag
·Binoculars
·When returning by plane: airstrip tax Boca Manu
·Personal expenses (Extras, Alcoholic drinks etc.)
·Air ticket from Boca Manu to Cusco if flying back- add $160
Price: $1679
Single room- add $259
Single room- add $259
Still have time and energy? Want to maximize your time and experience in Peru?
Join us on our Lares Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu (non-trek option also available)
Join us on our Lares Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu (non-trek option also available)