What gives the Manu Biosphere Reserve its incredible biodiversity is the vast altitudinal range within its 1,800,000 hectares. As well as pristine Amazon lowland rainforest, Manu encompasses high altitude grasslands, cloud forest and high mountain forest.
Bird Watchers’ Paradise (4 days/3 nights)
This Amazonian adventure is designed with the bird-watching enthusiast in mind. With 18.5% of the world’s bird species and 45% of all neo-tropical species, Peru is a birder’s paradise. The southern Peruvian Amazon is home to myriad species of birds, many of them endemic. Watching Peru’s national bird, the cock-of-the-rock, performing its courtship ritual dance is something to be seen. Another highlight is observing parrots and macaws as they feed at their mineral clay lick. The amateur anthropologist will delight in meeting and interacting with the Huachipaire people: an indigenous community native to the region. We will also travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and get a taste of traditional Andean life.
Day 1
:
Cusco - Paradise Lodge (Bus & hikes)
Travel from Cusco to the Paradise Lodge via the colonial town of Paucartambo.
Day 2
:
Paradise Lodge - Amazon Basin (Optional: Bikes & Rafts)
Spend the day hiking the jungle, birding and observing local flora and fauna.
Day 3
:
Macaw Lick - Huacaria Native Village - Lodge (Boat & Bus)
Morning at the clay lick and afternoon visit to the Huachipaire people.
Day 4
:
Lodge - Sacred Valley or Cusco (Bus)
Travel back to Cusco, through the traditional Andean villages of the Sacred Valley
Manu Multi-Sport Adventure (4 days/3 nights)
The Multi-Sport program is a great combination package. Those with a taste for real adventure will love biking down to the Kosnipata river valley for an unforgettable white water experience shooting Class II and III rapids as the river courses through lush jungle vegetation. The nature lover is rewarded with fantastic opportunities to closely observe every kind of plant and animal, as well as bird life, in their natural habitat. A visit to the village of the Huachipaire ethnic group shows how the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin live in the 21st century. The return trip through the highlands with its traditional villages of weavers, farmers and shepherds is one of the best ways to savour the real flavour of life in the Andes.
Day 1
:
Cusco-Paradise Lodge
Travel from Cusco to the Paradise Lodge via the colonial town of Paucartambo.
Day 2
:
Paradise Lodge-Amazon Basin
Hike and bike the local trails. Raft the Class II and III rapids of the Kosnipata River.
Day 3
:
MacawLick- Huachipaire Community
Morning at the clay lick and afternoon visit to the Huachipaire people.
Day 4
:
Paradise Lodge - Sacred Valley or Cusco
Travel back to Cusco, through the traditional Andean villages of the Sacred Valley.
Cloud Forest & Macaw Lick (5 days/4 nights)
Beginning in Cusco, this 5-day adventure offers a wide range of activities. Old colonial towns, indigenous jungle villages and the immense Amazon basin are just part of this package. For the adventurous, there´s biking and shooting Class II and III rapids on the Kosnipata river. The cloud forest is home to a fantastic selection of plant, animal and bird life. Cruising down the Madre de Dios River offers the opportunity to see animals like tapirs and capybaras on the banks while turtles and caiman swim in the river. A visit to the macaw clay lick is a unforgettable experience. This mineral-rich riverbank clay deposit is where hundreds of parrots and macaws gather to feed in a colourful and noisy display. A visit to an indigenous village to watch the inhabitants at their daily labours; fishing, boat building, etc., provides an insight into the realities of life in the Amazon
Day 1
:
Cusco-Paradise Lodge Travel from Cusco to the Paradise Lodge via the colonial town of Paucartambo.
Day 2
:
Paradise Lodge-Amazon Basin
Observe cock-of-the-rock and hike the local trails. Optional raft the Class II and III rapids of the Kosnipata River.
Day 3
:
Amazon Basin-Blanquillo Lodge
Cruise down the Madre de Dios River to Blanquillo Lodge visiting indigenous villages along the way.
Day 4
:
Blanquillo Lodge
Morning visit to the clay lick, afternoon hikes and a night walk through the jungle.
Day 5
:
Blanquillo Lodge-Boca Manu-Cusco
Cruise the Madre de Dios to Boca Manu, flight back to Cusco
Manu Grand Amazon Circuit (7 days/6 nights)
As the name implies, this program is large in scope. With a mixture of adventure, cultural and eco-tourism, it has something for everyone. The cloud forest and Amazon basin contain countless numbers of plant, animal and bird species. Day and night jungle hikes, river expeditions and visits to tropical lakes are great opportunities to observe tapirs, deer, peccaries, capybara, monkeys, turtles, etc. Birdlife includes parrots, toucans, macaws, cock-of-the-rock and harpy eagles, among others. Watch parrots and macaws feed at their clay lick in a wild display of colour and sound. See a family of rare giant river otters at Lake Blanquillo. A night time canoe ride to observe caiman at close quarters is a real thrill. A symphony performed by a vast insect orchestra accompanies every activity. Traversing the waterways of the Amazon brings us into contact with native communities such as Shipetiari. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what living in the heart of the Amazon is really like. The return flight to Cusco – from jungle to highlands – is breathtaking.
Day 1
:
Cusco-Paradise Lodge
Travel from Cusco to the Paradise Lodge via the colonial town of Paucartambo.
Day 2
:
Paradise Lodge
A full day in the cloud forest, birding and observing wildlife.
Day 3
:
Paradise Lodge-Eco Lodge
Cruise the Madre de Dios River visiting local communities.
Day 4
:
Eco Paradise-Blanquillo
Another day dedicated to hiking and cruising the river.
Day 5
:
Blanquillo
Morning at the macaw lick.
Afternoon exploring Lake Blanquillo.
Day 6
:
Blanquillo-Puerto Maldonado
A full day on the Madre de Dios and Inambari rivers to Puerto Maldonado.
Day 7
:
Puerto Maldonado-Cusco or Lima
Time to relax after the fantastic plane ride to Cusco or Lima.
Manu Paradise Adventure (5 days/4 nights)
This adventure offers a variety of activities. Starting from Cusco, the journey goes through old colonial towns and small traditional Andean villages. It traverses many different microclimates before reaching the expanse of the Amazon basin. Hiking and boat rides through the Amazon jungle observing first-hand the unbelievably diverse plant and wildlife. Parrots, macaws and toucans fly overhead as tapirs, capybara and peccaries come to drink. With luck, the elusive jaguar may be seen. The lake is home to turtles, caiman and the giant river otter. Found only in the Amazon basin, this rare species lives in family units. Watching these large, graceful animals as they glide through the placid waters of the lake is an unforgettable experience before returning to Cusco by light aircraft.
Day 1
:
Cusco-Paradise Lodge
Travel from Cusco to the Paradise Lodge via the colonial town of Paucartambo.
Day 2 y 3
:
Paradise to Amazon Base
Boat ride, hiking the local trail system of the lodge, visiting local communities.
Day 4
:
Amazon Base to Boca Manu
Spotting wildlife, boat ride to Boca Manu, night hike and local culture.
Day 5
:
Boca Manu to Cusco
A morning jungle walk before return flight to Cusco.
Cruise the Madre de Dios to Boca Manu, return flight to Cusco.
