MANU JUNGLE TOURS Package Name: Manu Wildlife Center Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights Type of Trek : ecological and Adventure Group Size : To suit group requirements Difficulty degree of this hike Moderate   Departures Day: - Our company organize daily departures for this unforgetable tour with the best camp staff,  along the year although due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this tour is April to October. - All private service departure dates are adapted to your request. DESCRIPTION Manu Biosphere Reserve, located in the remote South-western region of the Amazon basin (Departments of Madre de Díos and Cusco), is the largest and definitely the only untouched reserve in the world. Manu is the unique reserve that covers an area of 2 701 641 hectares of undisturbed and pristine forest with the greatest biodiversity on the earth. The biosphere protects one of the planet’s most important wild lands; Andean grasslands, elfin forest, cloud forest, and lowland Amazon rainforest. It is the refuge of many animals, including 1000 species of birds (including seven species of color full Macaws), 3500 species of plants registered (50% are not still identified), 200 species of mammals, 140 species of amphibians, 40 species of small lizards, 210 species of fishes, 13 species of monkeys, 6 of turtles, and 3 of caiman. Manu National Park is also home to indigenous tribes of Amazonian Indies, some of them are uncontacted yet, such as Machiguenga. Manu jungle is divided into three zones: the National Park (strict protected area); the Cultural Zone for subsistence activities and the Reserve Zone (Ecotourism and recreational area). Manu National park was internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO and the Biosphere Programme in 1977 and it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. ITINERARY DAY 1: CUSCO - PAUCARTAMBO - NINAMARCA - PILCOPATA After early breakfast we pick you up by our private van or overland vehicles, and then travel through Andean villages till the highest mountain chains (4700m) of Paucartambo. Approximately mid-morning visit the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly know as Chullpas or burial chambers, of the Pre-Inca Lupaca people. Continue driving to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish colonial town, and then to the Acjanacu pass, which marks the beginning of the cultural zone of Manu Biosphere Reserve. Our transport descend through the mysterious cloud forest, exists between 2000 - 3500m, and at least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic. The humidity provides ideal habitat for full of beautiful orchids, bromelias. Stopping to give you opportunity to witness Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola Peruviana) mating ritual, Amazonian Umbrella bird (Cephalopteros Ornatus), the South American bear, the Spectacled bear (Tremarctos Ornatus). At the evening arrival to open air lodge at Pilcopata, shower and toilet available. DAY 2: PILCOPATA - ATALAYA - CANOE TRIP - MACAW CLAY LICK After an early but delicious breakfast, the bus transfers the group to the port of Atalaya. The rest of the day will be boat trip on the Alto Madre de Dios River. On the way you can see a variety of birdlife, like herons, egrets, kingfishers, and the ever present vultures of which the most spectacular one is the condor of the jungle, King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa). In the afternoon a short stop at the village of Boca Manu to have refreshing cold beverage. Later on the group arrives to the campsite which is located very close to the famous Macaw Clay Lick. Walks in the afternoon and a night walk to spot caimans in the lake. Shower and toilet available. DAY 3: MACAW CLAY LICK - BOCA MANU Very early in the morning the group visit the Macaw clay lick. From a floating hide you can observe how dozens or even hundreds of parrots start to gather to eat the clay, which they need on their diet. After the parrots, the brilliant and colourful macaws start to arrive, squeaking loudly and illuminating trees with their bright colours. In the afternoon the group arrives to a lodge near Boca Manu. Walk to explore one of the trails in the area. Stay at lodge, shower and toilets available. DAY 4: BOCA MANU - WILDLIFE CANOE TIP - OTORONGO OXBOW LAKE The boat trip goes on and one will be able to understand why Manu is so famous for its wildlife. On the river edges you will be able to observe groups of turtles, White Caimans (Caiman cocodrylus), Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) and maybe a Jaguar (Panthera onca) resting on a log and observing its territory, arrival to our camping at Otorongo. After walk the trails around the Otorongo Oxbow Lake and the giant otter observation tower together with the guide to learn the functions and secrets of the tropical rainforest. Dinner and stay in tents. Shower and toilet available. DAY 5: OTORONGO OXBOW LAKE - COCHA SALVADOR Today the group visits another oxbow lake called cocha Salvador, which is half an hour boat trip from Otorongo. Here paddling silently on a Catamaran, you have again possibilities to observe a family of giant otters fishing and playing, black caimans and many different rare birdlife like the Hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoatzin). Here in Manu the animals have never suffered hunting pressure from man. In the afternoon we return to our campsite in Otorongo. Shower and toilet available. DAY 6: MMANU WILDLIFE PARK - BOCA MANU - CUSCO After a delicious breakfast we unfortunately need to start our return. On Manu River, the group might see many different animals, they did not find on the way in. Arrival to Boca Manu and then we will catch the flight to Cusco. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco. What is included: Van/Overland trip from Cusco to Manu jungle Flight from Boca Manu to Cusco Professional naturalist guide Described motorboat trip Entrance to the reserve Night on the Boca Manu lodge and camps 3 meals per day during the expedition Camping gear (Tents and mattress) Dining and cooking tents Chairs and tables Drinking water on all trip Rubber boots (only in the rain season) Medical and security supplies Radio communications service during the whole trip Experience motorboat staff Professional cook Jungle tour include government sales tax (19% as known IGV) What is not included: Day pack Rain gear Insect repellent (with at least 25% 'deet') Sleeping bag and sheets Binoculars (imperative) Flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries Afterbite Camera and extra films (asa 100 is good for lakes and river, but inside the forest you will need asa 400) Long sleeve shirts and long trousers (thick and baggy fabric against mosquitoes) T-shirts Towel Shorts/bathing suit Sweater or light jacket Sandals 1 pair each of hiking boots and light shoes Sunhat Sunglasses Sunblock Toilet paper Plastic bags (to keep everything dry) Personal hygienic and medical supplies Copy of a valid passport Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations Money for soft drinks or beers, and handicrafts Tips for guide and camp staff. We recommended that you bring: Binoculars (imperative) Flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries Sleeping bag Sheets Day pack Long pants and long-sleeved shirts (thick and baggy fabric against mosquitoes) T-shirts Shorts/Bathing suit Towel Sweater or light jacket 1 pair each of hiking boots, light Shoes, and sandals Sun hat, sunglasses, sun block Insect repellent (with at least 25% 'deet') and after bite Toilet-paper Plastic bags (to keep everything dry) Water bottle (with water for the bus ride into Manu) Copy of a valid passport Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations Money for soft drinks or beers and handicrafts at the Boca Manu landings strip Prices Information: Trek prices are not stated on this website due to forever changing government and park fee prices. Please email us for more information.