Contents
Accommodation and Transport
Wildlife Trips 1: Cultural Zone
Wildlife Trips 2: Reserved Zone
Mixed Wildlife and Cultural Trips
Cultural Trips
Accommodation, food, and transport
Accommodation in the Cultural Zone ranges from campsites on the riverbank
to double rooms with private bathrooms in beautiful lodges with all services,
except electricity. This means every dinner by candlelight. The best lodges
are constructed entirely from local forest materials with thatched roofs and
natural ventilation. On a jungle rating, these lodges go right up to five stars,
and have terrific food.
In the reserved zone, all accommodation is by camping only, but there are
toilets and showers provided. Manu Explorer provides top quality, spacious,
four season tents with mosquito net doors to allow a welcome breeze at night.
Also included are kitchen and dining tents, tables and chairs, and all other
culinary necessities. Inflatable mattresses and sleeping bags are available
for hire.
All reasonable requests for special dietary needs will be accommodated. Manu
Explorer prides itself on providing for Vegans and Vegetarians of every persuasion.
Wherever possible we will always use locally produced food to support the local
economy. Meals are always of a high standard, balanced in composition, and
plentiful. The emphasis is on fresh fruit, vegetables and salads. Three meals
a day, bottled drinking water and snacks are provided on all full days in the
rainforest.
The airport at Bocu Manu provides quick and easy access by light plane from
Cusco (approx. 45 mins). This permits a short stay of 3 days for those with
a tight schedule, bringing you to within easy reach of the main lodges of the
cultural zone. However, we should point out there can be delays to flights
due to weather conditions. Therefore, it is best to allow some latitude in
your other travel arrangements as a contingency.
The alternative to flying is a private bus journey from Cusco to Atalaya,
four hours upstream from Bocu Manu. We recommend this method of transport for
those who have a little more than three days available. The journey takes you
through majestic mountain scenery in the high Andes before delivering you to
the cloud forest, which marks the perimeter of the Manu National Park. Here,
you can view the national bird of Peru, the magnificent Cock of the Rock from
your own observation lodge. The final approach to the head of the river at
Atalaya takes you down through the foothills to the rice growing area at the
base of the majestic mountains.
The boat journey downriver from Atalaya takes you on the Alto Madre de Dios
(Higher Mother of the Gods). It provides continuous viewing opportunities for
a multitude of bird life. The boats are large canoes made in the rainforest
that typically carry up to twelve adult passengers and their equipment. This
part of the river system is smaller and faster flowing. It passes by important
archaeological remains and gives access to the Machigenka Indians.
Party Composition
Manu Explorer offers private trips or the opportunity to join with others
in a group (maximum 10 Persons).
Private Trips
The advantage of a private group is that you can dictate your own schedule
with a river canoe and guide at your personal disposal. This is particularly
good for ensuring sightings of the more elusive species of mammals, or for
personalised visits to indigenous villages. If you don’t find exactly
what you need here, just contact the office and we will be happy to arrange
things for you.
Programmes
The following three sections provide a selection of our favourite trips to
the Manu National Park. If you opt for a private trip then you are free to
make up your own itinerary with our consultants. There are many other programmes
available from our offices that cover a range of scenarios up to two weeks
in length.
Wildlife trips 1: Cultural Zone
Code MEMW3: 3 Days.
Fly In and Out. Cultural Zone.
2 nights Lodge accommodation,
Macaw Salt Lick, Oxbow Lakes (Caiman and Giant Otters), Forest Trails, Canopy
Observation Tower. This is the trip for people on a tight schedule.
Day One: Fly into Bocu Manu and transfer to the lodge by riverboat. Evening
trip to an oxbow lake to look for Caiman on a paddled catamaran.
Day Two: Early Morning trip downriver to the Macaw Lick. Onboard a camouflaged
catamaran you can watch with awe as successive species of parakeets, parrots
and macaws arrive to feed. Later in the day you go to another oxbow lake to
search for Giant Otters. Afternoon visit to the extensive forest trails in
nearby tropical rainforest and an opportunity to climb to the canopy observation
tower.
Day Three: You depart at daybreak, having breakfast en route, for Bocu Manu
airport. From here, your flight takes you to Cusco, arriving before lunch.
Code MEMW4: Four Days.
As per MEMW3 but an additional day to spend more time
on the viewing opportunities. The third night is spent in a lodge in Bocu
Manu to avoid the early morning departure for your flight home. The extra
day makes this a less hectic visit. Highly recommended. Prices from $XXX
per person.
Code MEMW3T: 3 Days.
Fly in and Out. Cultural Zone. Camping with showers.
Day One: Flight to Bocu Manu from Cusco (50 minutes). Transfer by boat to
Manu Biostation (2 hours) and hike jungle trails to see monkeys, birds, plants
and trees. In the evening, visit Cocha Blanca to see Caiman by night. Camp
on platforms overnight, protected from any showers by palm thatch.
Day Two: Early morning visit to Macaw Lick. Then to another set of forest
trails. Later on, a transfer to Maquisopayoj, the next campsite, where there
is an animal lick and you can see Tapir come in the night.
Day Three: After an early breakfast, transfer back to Bocu Manu airport for
the trip back to Cusco.
Code MEMW6: Six Days.
Drive In/Fly Out. Cultural Zone. Lodge accommodation.
Day One: Depart from Cusco driving across the Andes stopping for viewing of
the cloud forest on the Eastern flank. There is an overnight stop at the Cock
of the Rock Lodge.
Day Two: See the national bird of Peru (Rupiculo peruano) from the observation
platforms. Drive to Pilcopata for lunch. Afternoon river trip to an overnight
lodge.
Day Three: Visit an animal saltlick before continuing the river journey to
Bocu Manu for lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to Blanquillo lodge and visit
the forest. After dinner, an evening visit to the oxbow lake to look for Caiman.
Day Four: Breakfast at daybreak whilst observing the Macaw Lick from the river.
In the afternoon, visit to Cocha Blanca to look for Giant Otters.
Day Five: In the morning, exploring the tropical rainforests looking for birds
and monkeys. In the afternoon, boat journey upriver to Bocu Manu for dinner
and overnight accommodation.
Day Six: Morning flight back to Cusco.
Wildlife Trips 2: Reserved Zone
Code MEMR4: Four Days.
Fly in/Fly out. Reserved Zone. Camping with showers.
Day One: Morning flight from Cusco to Bocu Manu. Transfer to Bocu Manu village
for refreshments before departing for the reserve zone , exploring by boat
and on foot. Overnight camping at Limonal Ranger Station.
Day Two: Continue into the reserved zone by river canoe. Arriving at Otorongo
ox-bow lake, where we explore the forest trails and observation platforms.
Here live a family of Giant Otter. Camping with showers.
Day Three: Explore trails in the forest, observation posts, visits to oxbow
lakes and river frontage. Return to Limonal Ranger Station campsite.
Day Four: Early breakfast before heading downriver to Bocu Manu and the flight
back to Cusco.
Code MEMR6: Six days.
Fly in/Fly out. Reserved Zone. Lodge accommodation and
camping with showers.
Day One: Fly from Cusco in the morning. Transfer to Blanquillo lodge, and
trail-walking.
Day Two: Breakfast at the Macaw Lick. Later, boat transfer (4 hours), via
Bocu Manu, into the reserved zone to Limonal Ranger Station. Camping.
Day Three: A continuing boat journey deeper into the reserved zone, arriving
at a campsite by the ox-lake of Otorongo. Here there are Giant Otter and lots
of nature trails. Camping.
Day Four: Explore trails in the forest, observation posts, visits to oxbow
lakes and river frontage. Camping.
Day Five: Morning observation of birds and animals, followed by a lazy journey
back downriver. Overnight in lodge.
Day Six: Transfer to airport. Morning flight back to Cusco.
Mixed Wildlife and Cultural Trips
Code MEMM4: Four Days.
Fly in and Out. Cultural Zone.
Day One: Fly into Bocu Manu and transfer to Blanquillo lodge by riverboat.
Evening trip to an oxbow lake to look for caiman on a paddled catamaran.
Day Two: Early Morning trip downriver to the Macaw Lick. Onboard a camouflaged
catamaran you can watch with awe as successive species of parakeets, parrots
and macaws arrive to feed. Afternoon visit to the extensive forest trails in
nearby tropical rainforest and an opportunity to climb to the canopy observation
tower.
Day Three: River Canoe trip to Bocu Manu. Afternoon spent visiting the Piro
Indians in nearby Diamante settlement. Opportunities to buy goods direct from
community artisans and to drink Masato (Yuca beer). Overnight accommodation
in lodge at Bocu Manu.
Day Four: After breakfast, transfer to Bocu Manu airport. From here, your
flight takes you to Cusco, arriving before lunch.
Code MEMM5
As per MEMM5 but using an extra day to visit the Piro Indians
near Bocu Manu. This will allow you to see their approach to forestry, artisan
production and healing practices.
Code MEMM6: Six Days.
Drive in and Fly out. Cultural Zone.
Day One: Depart from Cusco driving across the Andes stopping for viewing of
the cloud forest on their Eastern flank. Stopping at Cock of the Rock Lodge.
Overnight in Pilcopata.
Day Two: Drive to Atalaya for a river trip to Blanquillo lodge, showers, and
a candlelit evening meal.
Day Three: Transfer to the viewing catamaran at the macaw lick. Breakfast
whilst observing the birds from the river. After lunch, forest trail walking,
and an evening trip to the ox-bow lake to see caiman. Overnight in Blanquillo.
Day Four: A morning visit to the ox-bow lake to look for Giant Otters. After
lunch move upriver to a lodge in Bocu Manu.
Day Five: Visit the Piro Indians in the neaby Diamante settlement. There are
opportunities to drink Masato (Yuca beer), and trade for traditional ceramics,
basketware and weapons. Overnight in Bocu Manu lodge.
Day Six: Transfer to airport for your morning flight back to Cusco.
Cultural Trips
N.B. Although these are primarily aimed at cultural experiences, there are
continuous opportunities for encounters with wildlife, especially birds. So
we advise all parties to carry binoculars and cameras.
Code MEMC4: Four Days.
Drive in and out. Cultural Zone. Three nights accommodation
(lodge).
Day One: Bus journey from Cusco to Pilcopata. Visit the Chullpas (funerary
architecture) from the Tiwanaku period on the way.
Day Two: Visit the Machigenka Indians on the Alto Madre de Dios river. Overnight
in Pilcopata.
Day Three: Day walk in the tropical rainforest around Pilcopata to learn about
the plants used for healing and visit the prehistoric rock carvings near the
Queros river. Overnight in Pilcopata.
Day Four: Road journey back to Cusco with an opportunity to visit important
Inca sites on the way.
Code MEMC6: Six Days
Fly in and Drive out. Cultural Zone.
Day One: Fly from Cusco to Bocu Manu. River trip in the afternoon to see the
tropical rainforest. Overnight in Bocu Manu lodge.
Day Two: Visit the Diamante village of the Piro Indians and see their production
of traditional crafts.
Day Three: Morning visit to Piro shaman’s garden or timber processing
plant. Afternoon trip upriver to a lodge.
Day Four: Visit the Machigenka Indians on the Alto Madre de Dios river. Overnight
in hotel in Pilcopata.
Day Five: Day walk in the tropical rainforest around Pilcopata to learn about
the plants used for healing and visit the prehistoric rock carvings near the
Queros river. Overnight in Pilcopata.
Day Six: Road journey back to Cusco with an opportunity to visit architectural
remains on the way.
Manu Explorer Service includes:
- Transfers to and from your hotel
- All departures are from Cusco (but we are happy to arrange connecting
flights from Lima and other points of arrival).
- All surface transportation is private
- Bi-lingual professional guides
- Three meals per day plus snacks
- Drinking water provided
- Highest quality equipment
- Showers and Toilets when camping
- Medical supplies and emergency equipment
- Radio Communication in the field
- All permits and fees (including airport taxes)
Excess flight baggage (>10kilos) charged at $2 USD per kilo each way. N.B.
The nature of flying in the Andes can render flights liable to rescheduling.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you allow for some flexibility in your
other travel arrangements e.g. give yourself a day or so to relax in Cusco
after your trip.
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