Description
The Cultural Zone of Manu is one of the three zones of the Manu National Park that covers the high mountains, cloud forest and lowland forest. This area is home to small settlements of settlers and indigenous communities that support themselves through agriculture and wood production. In the territory you will be able to see the cloud forest, one of the areas with the greatest biodiversity that maintains more than 1000 species of plants and animals in one place. You will be able to navigate through the great rivers of the Amazon, take walks through mysterious trails and observe the infinity of birds flying through the immense Amazonian sky.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco (3,300 msnm) - Cloudy forest (1,700 msnm) - Pilcopata lodge (600 msnm)
We will leave Cusco very early in the morning (5:00 am) in one of our transports. We will cross interesting valleys between the Andes mountain range and the picturesque rural communities. We will visit the pre-Inca tombs of the Lupaca culture and then we will make a stop in Paucartambo, a beautiful colonial city, and we will visit the interesting museum of the city. On the way, we will have lunch in the cloud forest. We will continue our descent through the cloud forest, an area rich in endemic species, such as the Spectacled Bear and the Cock of the Rock, the Peruvian national bird that performs a unique courtship ritual. We can also see orchids, bromeliads, ferns, etc. We will continue observing spectacular nature throughout our journey until we reach our lodge, Pilcopata Inn, where we will spend our first night.
Day 2: Pilcopata - EcoLodge (450 msnm)
We will have breakfast very early and then we will take a walk, during which we will be able to observe the fauna of the forest, such as monkeys and birds. Afterwards, we will visit a coca plantation and a wildlife rescue center. After this, we will travel to Port Atalaya, located along the banks of the Alto Madre de Dios River at 500 meters above sea level. There we will begin our descent by boat to observe the enormous diversity of bird species, such as herons, vultures, cormorants, etc., until we reach Amazon Manu Lodge. There we will bathe in the river and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit a swamp where we can observe birds such as toucans, woodpeckers, macaws, etc. At night, before dinner, we will go to observe the eyes of the alligators, which stand out at night. We will spend the night in the hostel.
Day 3: Amazon Manu Lodge (450 msnm)
Very early in the morning, we will board our boat and head to the macaw lick, a wall along the river bank where different species of parrots are found, such as the blue-headed parrot, the white-eyed parakeet, the chestnut-fronted macaw, among others. They meet every morning. Here they eat the clay, which is rich in minerals and helps them digest and eliminate toxins from their bodies. Afterwards, we will return to our lodge for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, we will take a walk through the forest for 2.5-3 hours. We will return to the lodge to have lunch and then rest in the lodge or swim in the river. After lunch, you will also have the option to go zip-lining. In the afternoon, we will visit Lake Machuwasi, where we will explore rafting rafts to observe birds, such as the prehistoric hoatzin, and hopefully other animals such as monkeys and capybaras. We will then take a night walk through the forest to look for insects and amphibians. After the night walk, we will have dinner and spend the night at Amazon Manu Lodge. *Free Optional Activity: Zip Line: Our guests at Amazon Manu Lodge have the opportunity to appreciate a unique and breathtaking view of the jungle as they fly through the jungle canopy between platforms built high up in the trees. All equipment used is of high quality and safe. After gliding at high speed through the treetops of the amazing Amazon jungle, you will go 20 meters to the ground. Our guests at the Amazon Manu Lodge have the opportunity to appreciate a unique and impressive view of the jungle as they fly through the jungle canopy between platforms built high up in the trees. All equipment used is of high quality and safe. After gliding at high speed through the treetops of the amazing Amazon jungle, you will go 20 meters to the ground. Our guests at the Amazon Manu Lodge have the opportunity to appreciate a unique and impressive view of the jungle as they fly through the jungle canopy between platforms built high up in the trees. All equipment used is of high quality and safe. After gliding at high speed through the treetops of the amazing Amazon jungle, you will go 20 meters to the ground.
Day 4: Amazon EcoLodge - Cusco
After a delicious breakfast, we can enjoy watching the hummingbirds around the lodge, and then we will board our boat back to Puerto Atalaya, where our bus will wait for us to take us back to Cusco. We will have lunch along the way back to Cusco, arriving around 6:30pm.7:00pm.
It includes
Tourist transport
River transport
1 night at Pilcopata Lodge
2 nights at Amazon EcoLodge
3 meals and 1 snack each day (vegetarian option available on request)
Bilingual professional guide
Equipment such as binoculars, telescopes, first aid kit
Drinking water
Does not include
Breakfast and water the first day.
Dinner on the last day.
Extras, like souvenirs
Beverages such as soda or soft drinks
Trekking sticks
Towels and personal toiletries.
Recommendations
Personal medications
Toiletries
Sneakers / hiking shoes
Flip flops
Flashlight and batteries
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.
Insect repellent (40% DEET or more recommended)
Waterproof
Long sleeve shirts
Cotton pants
Swimwear
Warm clothes (mornings and afternoons on the river can be cold)
Binoculars
Camera
Backpack
Plastic bags.
Make a pre-booking
