Manu National Park Tour - Reserved Zone
Cusco - Cloud Forest - Guadalupe Nature Reserve - El Dorado Lodge - Casa Matsiguenka - Guadalupe Lodge - Cusco
Duration
7 Days
Max. Altitude
1.837 ft - 560 m.
Activities
Bird Watching, Photography, Wild Life, Medicinal Plants, Traditions, History.
Difficulty
Moderate
Transport
Van, Boat and Canoe
Manu National Park Tour Description
This trip to the Reserve Zone of Manu National Park is desing to spend days at the Manu Protected Zone having much more time to explore this untouched and original rainforest with great chances to see the most emblematic and top predators such as Jaguar, Caimans, Giant River Otter and a lot of birds. This trip will give you a great introduction to the beauty of the rainforest and the guided tours will provide you with invaluable information about the hight biodiversity in Manu National Park, Starting in Cusco city, the gateway of our expeditions that covers different elevations and ecosystem from the Andes to the Amazon rainforest.
Trip Highlights
- Guided in the colonial village of Paucartambo.
- Descent to the cloud forest and walk along the road.
- Visit of the pre-Inca cemetery ruins at Ninamarca.
- Observe the mayor predators, rodents, birds, snakes, monkeys, etc.
- Spotting the amazing cock-of-the-rock, considered our national bird.
- Salvador Oxbow lake exploration on a floating catamaran.
- Motor boat ride along the Alto Madre de Dios river.
Note
*The program may have small variations due weather or other factors.
Itinerary
1st Day
2nd Day
3rd Day
4th Day
5th Day
6th Day
7th Day
1st Day
Cusco – Guadalupe Lodge
From 11.647 ft to 1.837 ft
Leaving Cusco the van ride will passing through numerous dry inner-montane valleys during the trip along the small road you can enjoy the native villages and locals going about their lives in their colorful attires, we travel at leisure making several stops including many photos opportunities exploring the high-elevation birds, continuing on we visit the village of Paucartambo with its beautiful arched colonial bridge, from Paucartambo we climbed yet again and gradually became enveloped in a cloudy mist soon we arrived at Acjanaco pass and gateway to Manu National Park.
Once across Acjanaco Pass (3550 m / 11.647 ft) the environment changed dramatically passing from dry valleys to wet and also the view looking down toward the lowlands is stunning.
The lush and misty cloud forest surrounded by massive rocks and waterfalls is perhaps the most fragile and threatened type of rainforest, which is the kingdom of lichens, moss our main target will of course the Peruvian National Bird the brightly red, Andean Cock of the Rock displays daily for female, as we descend we will head down to 1,500 m. in elevation to the lodge which has a wonderful garden for hummingbird observation. Overnight Guadalupe Ecological Reserve.
2nd Day
Guadalupe Lodge – El Dorado Lodge
Departing the lodge we will have chances for some birding along the famous manu road and passing some more open areas and see numerous second-growth specialist, once we get Atalaya which is the first navigable Port, we will say good by to our bus and meet our boatman, we board our motorized and roofed (to provide shelter from the sudden tropical downpour and suns bath) The upper Madre de Dios starts off rocky and fast, with Herons often seen foraging on the rocky gravel bars, and we’ll keep a close watch for raptors.
As we are continuing our downriver boat journey, we will stop briefly at the Shintuya hot springs for a refreshing bath then we will be occupied by traveling by boat down the Madre de Dios to the next 4 hours, we might see some local boats and an native people settlements or lodge along the edge of the river, We will arrive in the afternoon in time to get settled before dark, and likely with enough time to walk around the lodge or on one of the many trails that radiate out from the lodge clearing. Overnight El dorado Lodge.
3rd Day
El Dorado Lodge – Casa Matsiguenka
Leaving the lodge early in the morning, we will get the confluence with the Manu river we enter the wild Manu National Park a brief stop at Limonal Park Ranger Station for check in, this boat trip is more exciting and full of sightings experiences, every river bend will bring us a view of unspoiled beauty. As we travel up river we’ll search diligently for any signs of Jaguar, still only a slim chance but this river is perhaps the best location to find this magnificent mammal, Just a few curves up the river the environment will change.
Suddenly, there will be orders of magnitude more to look at, from hundred if not thousands of swallows and butterflies, every single sandbar being occupied by something interesting, from lapwings, plovers, horned screamers, orinoco geese, we will keep a close watch for wildcats.
In the mid afternoon, we arrive at our rustic lodge which it´s set aside a short distance from the Rio Manu in the heart of Manu National Park and for our following nights at this peaceful place. Overnight, Casa Matsiguenka Lodge.
4th Day
Casa Matsiguenka – Salvador Oxbow Lake
We will have the better part of two days to enjoy the Manu´s Wilderness, in the morning, we will explore the Salvador oxbow lake famous for its population of Giant Otters who usually breeds there, they can be seen at different times of the day, these gregarious and playful carnivorous spend good deal of their time fishing or playing by any side of the lake or just taking a sunbath on their favorite dead logs.
We’ll have access to a floating catamaran (two large canoes connected by wooden planks) with chairs set up for bird and wildlife viewing (which makes paddling around the lake easy and comfortable. Apart from looking for the giant river otters, we’ll have the chance for many of the lake edge species, including the fabulous Hoatzin, Agami and herons, interesting raptors, colorful macaws oropendolas and caciques.
Just floating around the lake will be one of the joys of the trip, In the forest around the lake we’ll also search for more species of monkeys such as white fronted capuchin, pygmy marmoset. Apart from the lake, the forest around Salvador Lake and the lodge is some of the best Amazonian rainforest we have seen, and a nice network of trails allows us to leisurely stroll on flat trails the rest of the day. Overnight: Casa Matsiguenka lodge. (Please notice that the time to visit the Salvador lagoon on this day its subject of availability)
5th Day
Casa Matsiguenka – EL Dorado Lodge
This morning we’ll board our boat and begin the journey down the Rio Manu back to the Rio Madre de Dios. We’ll also have access and briefly to see untouched rainforest.
Returning to boat trip will be again very exciting with lots of bird activity on the many sandbars as well as side necked turtles sunning on the logs.
This will be again another opportunity for catching a glimpse of the magnificent Jaguar. After about four hours we will reach Boca Manu for brief stop and to refuel our boat and exploring the lower portion of the Madre de Dios, we get settled for lunch time and likely with enough time to walk around, Overnight at El Dorado Lodge.
6th Day
El Dorado Lodge – Guadalupe Nature Reserve
We will boat up the fast flowing braided and clear water upper Madre de Dios in the morning as we start our five hours back journey to Atalaya this is the last chance to spot the capybara, the world’s largest rodent.
We’ll keep a close watch for raptors, as we have seen numerous Kites, as well as fun birds such as Vultures, eagles.
We’ll sadly depart Manu´s area for our trip further up the upper Madre de Dios River and our re-introduction into civilization; after one hour of overland transportation we reach the Guadalupe Ecological Reserve and having time for some night walk around the area.
7th Day
Guadalupe Nature Reserve – Cusco
This morning we will take an early ride to the cloud forest.
We’ll make some stops en route looking for colorful birds such as; cock of the rock, quetzals, jays, mountain toucans and the elevation here is perfect for high number of foothill species going up the cloud forest we can enjoy the breathtaking views of the exuberant forest. We will arrive Cusco in the afternoon.
Included:
- Naturalist Guide.
- Tour Transport (van and Boat).
- Entrances fees.
- 3 meals a day.
- 6 nights on selected lodges
- Mineral water + Snacks.
- Rubber boots + Duffel bags.
Not included:
- Tips, Extra expenses.
- Binocular, Alcoholic drinks,
- First Breakfast and last day dinner.
- Original passport.
- Binoculars.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- Small back pack and confortable shoes.
- Rain jacket or poncho (December – April).
- Lightweight pants (for mosquito protection)
- Lightweight long-sleeved shirts
- Five complete change of clothing.
- Sport sandals or water shoes.
- Personal hygiene products.
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun.
- Sun block (sun protection cream).
- Insect repellent.
- Snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, etc.
- Camera, plenty of film and batteries.
- Sunglasses
- Extra Money (soles).
- Swimwear.
Altitude
As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air.
With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office and we will help you get to a doctor.
Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the coca plant contain alkaloids which helps bring oxygen into your blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.
Weather
Of course weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December – just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the trek, please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves.
Also prepare for four seasons. Many of the treks through the Andes involve many micro-climates and you will need to be prepared for all seasons. Layers are always key as they are easy to adjust to the different temperatures. And evenings will always be cold, so please be prepared with a warm, winter-weight jacket.
Can I design my own trip?
Absolutely. If you want you can change the program according your interest, just let us know and the Neotropic Travel Designer is going to give you more options.
Are flights included?
Unfortunately no. Neotropic Peru does not include flights for this trip.
How many people will be part of my tour group?
Our organized itineraries like this 4 Day tour through Cusco region are typically done as individual bookings. While others may join you if interested in the same day, the groups will always be small up to 12 people max. Private groups are very easily accommodated as well.
Can I bring my luggage to Manu?
All larger luggage should stay in Cusco and can be stored either at your hotel or with us at our deposit.
Which Vaccines Do I Need for Peru?
Vaccines for Peru vary based on your specific itinerary. A Passport Health travel specialist will help you decide which vaccines are best for you. The CDC and WHO have recommended that travelers receive the following vaccines:
- Yellow Fever
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
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