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From the Andes to the Jungle - 6 days/5 nights
Departure by bus from Cuzco. Return by air back to Cuzco
Fixed Departures: Wed to Mon or Sat to Thu
Cost per person based on double occupancy + airfare.
Operated from May through November
2 to 4 US$ 1,575.00
Single Supplement Fee: US$ 375.00
Flight Boca Manu to Cuzco US$ 195.00 (subject to change)
Reduced rates available for bookings of 5 or more people.
Day 2 of program operated with Pantiacolla Lodge (Wed.) Amazonía Lodge (Sat.)
This extraordinary 6-day nature journey begins in the heart of the high Andes at the Inca capital city of Cuzco and transects the cloud forests of Manu Biosphere Reserve located on the verdant eastern slopes of the Andes. Trip highlights include stays at two of the world's top 10 ecolodges; the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge and the Manu Wildlife Center. The Cock-of-the Rock Lodge offers the world's best opportunity to observe the Andean Cock-of-the Rock in a pristine natural setting and in the comfort of a world class lodge. Opened in 1997, it is named after the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru's large, bright-red national bird that puts on a colorful, noisy mating display adjacent to the lodge every morning. Spectacled Bears, Woolly Monkeys, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, quetzals and a host of other colorful birds inhabit the surrounding forest, and a bubbling mountain stream tumbles pass by the lodge.
Manu Wildlife Center, located east of the Manu River on the north bank of Madre de Dios River, is a superb lodge offering excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. The Center's extensive trail system is designed to provide a variety of ecosystems including bamboo forests. Other attractions include a comfortable blind at an enormous parrot and macaw clay lick, two 130-foot-high (40 m) canopy platforms, mobile platforms at fruiting trees, and two oxbow lakes. The Lodge contains 22 double-occupancy fully screened private bungalows, separate complexes with hot showers and toilets, a large fully screened dining room and a charm bar with hammocks for relaxing.
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The Manu Biosphere Reserve covers 1,800,000 hectares and located in the remote southwestern region of Peru in the Amazon basin. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987, the reserve protects one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Manu is believed to have more biodiversity than any other Reserve in Peru due to the variety of habitats that include high altitude cloud forests on eastern slopes of the Andes and rainforest lowlands of the Amazon Basin. Some 850 bird species have been identified and rare species such as jaguars, the giant otter and the giant armadillo are also located in the park.
| The Manu Biosphere Reserve covers 1,800,000 hectares and located in the remote southwestern region of Peru in the Amazon basin. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987, the reserve protects one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Manu is believed to have more biodiversity than any other Reserve in Peru due to the variety of habitats that include high altitude cloud forests on eastern slopes of the Andes and rainforest lowlands of the Amazon Basin. Some 850 bird species have been identified and rare species such as jaguars, the giant otter and the giant armadillo are also located in the park. |
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ITINERARY
Day 1
Cuzco - Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge
We pick you up by bus from your hotel, after your breakfast, and set off for the cloud forest. We pass over two Andean chains of almost 13,100 feet elevation through a steppe-like landscape, or Puna. On the way we pass stone Chullpas, or burial chambers, of the Pre-Inca Lupaca people and will hope to catch sight of some of the bird species of the high Andes, including the Giant Hummingbird and Mountain Caracara.
We plan on a delicious boxed lunch at the edge of the cloud forest, Ajanaco, which if clear affords views over the cloud forest and the vast sprawling expanse of the lowland rainforest. From here the road suddenly descends the eastern slope of the Andes. We plunge downwards, past remnant patches of elfin forest, through swirling mist and cloud, to emerge in a forest of stunted, evergreen trees, festooned with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and other epiphytes. Nestled in this forest within a 2-minute walk of the road, and within earshot of a rushing mountain stream, lies the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, If there is time available, we will have a chance to briefly began our exploration of the surrounding forest before dinner.
Box Lunch,D
Day 2
Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge - Amazonia Lodge
We need to get up before sunrise to visit the lek of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Next, we spend some hours of the morning searching from the road looking for cloud forest birds, and with luck, Common Woolly Monkeys. Then continue by bus for Atalaya. After a 3-4 hour bus ride we reach the Alto Madre de Dios River, where we may have box lunch in Atalaya. From here we switch over to a cargo canoe with a 55 hp or 65 HP outboard motors and continue for 10 minutes on the Alto Madre de Dios River to Amazonia Lodge.
This famous birdwatching destination is situated in the premontane zone at 500 meters or 1640 feet above sea level. Here it is possible to do birding as well as general tropical wildlife observation in a diversity of habitats like bamboo forest, successional flood plain, hill forest and swamp within short walking distances, without using other transportation. Amazonia also maintains a veranda with a view of the garden and wildlife feeders, where it is possible to see several species of hummingbirds. This afternoon we plan a walk around the lodge in successional flood plain, the possibilities include the endemic Fine-barred Piculet, Johanni’s Tody-Tyrant and Black-capped Tinamou. Finishing the day in the mini tower in the swamp area it is possible to see Blackish Rail, Rufous-sided Crake, the prehistoric Hoatzin and Black-capped Donacobious. As night falls the various bat populations emerge and the owling possibilities include Black-banded Owl, Tawny-bellied Screch-Owl, Mottled Owl, Long-tailed , Great and Common potoos. Dinner and overnight Amazonia Lodge.
B,Box Lunch,D
Day 3
Amazonia Lodge - Manu Wildlife Center
You may take a small hike on the Lodge trails before leaving early for Manu Wildlife Center. On the way we have wildlife viewing possibilities throughout the morning until you stop for a visit at an Indigenous Piro Indian Village. Later after passing the entrance to the Manu National Park, we take a break at Boca Manu. Now on the River Madre de Dios, after traveling today approximately 6 hours by boat, you arrive at Manu Wildlife Center. A Wildlife Center Reception and Orientation are planned before unpacking in your private bungalow and resting to escape the afternoon heat. Today, at one of the top ten wildlife lodges in the world, we begin your exploration through 48 kilometers, almost 30 miles, of diverse forest trails.
B,Box Lunch,D
Day 4
Manu Wildlife Center
Rising before dawn, we take a 25 minute boat journey downstream to the only large parrot and macaw clay lick in the Manu area. From a floating catamaran blind we are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of hundreds of medium-sized and large parrots arriving first at the lick, followed by the large Red-and-Green Macaws arriving to eat the clay.
Please note that:
The clay lick activity reaches its best from August to October and decreases during the months of May and June.
During the dry season (June-September) the water level on the river does not always allow for a floating blind and it will then be sitting on the ground.
After lunch at the Center we continue to explore the forest trails surrounding the lodge, and plan to spend the late afternoon up a 34 meter canopy platform. Here, we watch the last frantic activity in the rainforest canopy, or rush hour, before night settles.
We can return for dinner back at the Center, or pack our meal for the leisurely hike about 60-75 minutes through the night forest to the Amazon’s largest known Tapir clay lick. Here we climb a 17 by 17 foot observation platform perched almost 20 feet above the lick itself where we wait for the lumbering Tapirs to arrive. Then, using powerful flashlights we hope to observe and photograph them in action. Our scientific reports reveal that tapirs usually visit the clay lick between 9:00 pm and midnight; however, their activity continues until dawn.
B,L,D
Day 5
Manu Wildlife Center
After another early morning departure by boat and short hike from the river, you have what promises to be an exciting visit to Blanco Oxbow Lake. This lake has populations of a variety of aquatic life and water birds, including the prehistoric-looking hoatzin and the possibility to see the resident family of giant otters.
After returning for lunch at the Center your guide is available to further explore the forest trails for more wildlife encounters. Alternatively, time is available to independently practice your abilities and experience this expanse of rainforest habitats on your own.
This evening, from the late afternoon until after Dinner, we offer an opportunity to search for caiman and other nocturnal life along the riverbank by boat.
B,L,D
Day 6
Manu Wildlife Center - Cuzco
After early breakfast, we leave near dawn by motor canoe for the two hour return trip to the Manu landing strip, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you fly to Cusco, where your jungle adventure ends. Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, reception and transfer to your hotel.
B
Booking Conditions: Please note that the program may vary slightly so as to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.
General Conditions:
- Services with Spanish/English speaking naturalist guides.
- We can prepare AND QUOTE any private tour program according to the interest of individual travelers or small groups.
- Prices are per person in double accommodation (Twin) and subject to change without notice due to entrance fees, price of oil, airfares, taxes, and other
Increases out of our control.
- Airfares costs are subject to change without any previous notice.
- We have quoted USD 70 as Manu National Park entrance fee.
- One tour conductor free of cost for each 15 paying passengers. (Airfare and Manu National park entrance fee not included). Max 2 free.
- Fam trips for professional travel agents available at discounted rates.
- Educational, birding and family itineraries upon request.
- Children under 10 years: 10% discount off per child (Traveling with two adults).
- Mondo Verde Expeditions strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance to ensure you are appropriately and adequately covered during your trip in Peru.
- For more information, itineraries & maps please contact us.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE ACTIVITIES. |
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