SS3 - MANU CAMPING TOUR

7 days / 6 nights -- from US$ 1100.-- / EUR 770.-- The majority of visitors to Cusco come in search of Peru’s Inca heritage. But Cusco is also the gateway to the most biodiverse tropical forests in South America. The Manu National Park is internationally recognized as one of the most pristine rainforests on Earth. It is home to some 1000 species of birds, 13 species of monkey, 1200 species of butterfly and at least 15,000 flowering plants. In addition, many endangered species such as the giant river otter, black caiman, tapir, giant anteater and jaguar also find refuge in the park. Animals in this sparsely populated park have little instinctive fear of man, making wildlife observation here a unique experience.

ITINERARY DAY 1: CUSCO – CLOUD FOREST Leaving Cusco by private bus, we head over the Andes, stopping for a coffee at the beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo. Continuing, we climb to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere at about 3800 mts/12’550 ft before descending to the cloud forest. In these mysterious surroundings we take a hike to the lek of the incredible cock-of-the-rock, to see the 'performance' of the males right under our eyes. We spend our first night in the camping huts of Posada San Pedro (appr. 1600 mts/5’300 ft). (L/D) DAY 2: CLOUD FOREST – ATALAYA – MANU RIVER At daybreak we continue by bus towards the tropical lowland rainforest. At the small village of Atalaya at 650 mts/2’150 ft, we change to a motorized canoe to navigate down the turbulent Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. As night falls we camp on one of the beaches. (B/L/D) DAY 3: MANU RIVER – COCHA SALVADOR On the morning of the third day we turn up the Manu River. From this vantage point we have great views of riverside birds, sunbathing caimans, and the enormous aquatic guinea pig, the capybara. We reach our campsite deep inside Manu in the afternoon. This will be our base for the next two days. During this time, we will hike through virgin forest and explore one of the most beautiful lakes of the Manu basin, Lake Salvador, by catamaran. There is a chance to see a huge variety of colorful birds, numerous species of monkeys and with luck, a family of giant otters. (B/L/D) DAY 4: COCHA SALVADOR - COCHA OTORONGO Today a five hour hike through the forest takes us to Lake Otorongo and a 20 meter-high observation platform that overlooks the lake. At night we can explore the forest by torchlight or go moonlight caiman spotting on the lake. (B/L/D) DAY 5: COCHA SALVADOR – BEACH TAMBO BLANQUILLO After a final walk through the forest surrounding Lake Salvador, we return down the Manu River. At Boca Manu we continue on the Madre de Dios River until arriving at Blanquillo, near the Macaw Clay Lick, where we spend the night on a beach. (B/L/D) DAY 6: MACAW LICK At first light we head to the Macaw Lick to watch the dazzling spectacle of hundreds of parakeets, parrots and macaws eating clay. In the afternoon we visit another one of Manu´s beautiful oxbow lakes, Cocha Kamungo. The night is comfortably spent in the jungle lodge Tambo Blanquillo. (B/L/D) DAY 7: BOCA MANU - CUSCO A short boat ride takes us to Boca Manu airport for our return flight (appr. 50 minutes) over the rainforest and the Andes to Cusco by light aircraft. (B) OUR SERVICE INCLUDES: Private transport Cusco-Atalaya, flight Boca Manu-Cusco, 6 nights camping (double tents), Visits as mentioned in the itinerary incl. transports, bilingual guide and respective entrance fees, full board NOT INCLUDED: Not mentioned meals and extra services such as tips SEASON: April-December DURATION: 7D/6N Cusco - Cusco FITNESS-LEVEL: Moderate DEPARTURE DATES 2008: January February March April - - - - - - 18, 25 May June July August 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 06, 13, 20, 27 02, 04, 11, 16, 18, 25, 30 01, 06, 08, 15, 22, 29 September October November December 05, 12, 19, 26 03, 10, 17, 24, 31 07, 14, 21, 28 05, 12, 19, 26 TRIP COST 2008 2-3 Participants 4+ Participants Single Supplement Standard Tour US$ 1100.--/Pers. EUR 770.--/Pers. US$ 1100.--/Pers. EUR 770.--/Pers. US$ .-- EUR 0.-- For special group discounts or customized tours contact us: info@culturasperu.com PRINT THIS PAGE BOOK THIS TRIP