Paradise is blessed with the greatest biodiversity in the world, inhabited by native communities that still keep alive their ancestral traditions and live in harmony with nature. This fascinating destination is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and exotic animals in the Peruvian Amazon. Becoming an ideal place for those who love nature and like experiential tourism.
The Manu National Park, a World Heritage Site, is one of the areas with the greatest biodiversity on the planet. It is located in the departments of Cusco (province of Paucartambo, district of Kosñipata) and Madre de Dios (province of Manu, districts of Fitzcarrald and Manu), covering the whole of the Manu River basin. Located in the south of Peru, in the eastern sector of the Andes mountain range and the western edge of the Amazon basin, it is the only park in Latin America that includes the entire range of environments between the rainforest and the frigid Punas, above 4,000 m.a.s.l
The Park was created on May 29, 1973, has an area of ​​1,716,295.22 hectares and is one of the best destinations for nature tourism. The Amazon plain's exuberance stands out in the Manu River's lower basin. There are up to five recommended areas for tourist visits, with a high diversity of flora and fauna: Salvador, Otorongo, Juárez, Pakitza and Limonal. All navigable circuits in the lakes or oxbow lakes, where you can see the river wolves and the black lizard. Manu is also home to several small communities of Machiguengas indigenous communities. The park is divided into three zones: the "core zone", which covers 80% of the park and is accessible to scientists and researchers, and the "reserved zone", which covers 10% of the park and is open to a number. Limited tourist groups, and the "cultural zone" covers the last 10% of the park and is open to the public. Because the park includes several ecological zones ranging from 150 to 4,200 meters (490 to 13,780 feet) above sea level, it has one of the highest levels of biodiversity that any park in the world.
Manu has more than 15,000 species of plants and more than 1,000 species of birds. It is also home to a host of other kinds of wild animals 14 species of monkeys, 210 species of fish and more than 1,300 species of butterflies. This biodiversity attracts scientists and visitors from all over the world. Don't miss the opportunity to get to know this natural paradise, and accompany us during the adventure.
Day 1: Cusco to Wayquecha Biological Station.
Day 2: Wayquecha Biological Station to Cloud Forest Lodge
Day 3: Cloud Forest Lodge to Amazonia Lodge.
Day 4: Amazonia Lodge – Manu Learning Centre
Day 5: Manu Learning Centre.
Day 6: Manu Learning Center – Tambo Blanquillo Lodge.
Day 7: Tambo Blanquillo Lodge – Macaw Clay Lick - Camungo oxbow Lake and Observation Tower.
Day 8: Tambo Blanquillo Lodge – Blanco oxbow Lake – Mammals Clay Lick
Day 9: Departure Day
Peruvian Jungle, specifically Manu National park has a great diversity of animal species; more than 800 species of birds such as the harpy eagle, the jabiru, the jungle goose, the cock of the rocks and the pink spatula; 200 species of mammals such as the common woolly monkey, the black maquisapa, the river wolf, the jaguar, the tigrillo, the spectacled bear and the taruca; and more than 100 species of bats. You can also see trees with more than 45 meters high and 3 meters in diameter. The most characteristic species are the cetic, the topa, the cedar, the screw, the white lupuna and the mata palo. Currently, 30 Quechua-speaking peasant communities live in the Manu National Park, as well as numerous Amazonian native populations such as the Matsiguenka, Amahuaca, Yaminahua, Piro, Amarakaeri, Huashipaire and Nahua.
The scientific interest that the Manu awakens is based on the great diversity of species of flora and fauna that is one of the largest in the world and that remains almost unchanged in millions of years of natural evolution. The biggest research point of the park is the biological station of Cocha Cashu, which has the best ecological database of the entire South American tropics; that station was built in 1969 by professors and students of the National Agrarian University La Molina in agreement with Zoological Society of Frankfurt. There are many studies that have been carried out in the station that receives annually between 20 and 30 scientists from all over the world; However, the work done is little in comparison to the possibilities offered by the Park.Now we will emntion some of the most representative species of flora and fauna:
Among the main flora species of Park are:
Dicotyledons:
Monocotyledons:
Among the main fauna species of the Park are:
Mammals:
Birds:
Reptiles:
Fishes:
The Kosñipata valley is considered one of the corners with the greatest biodiversity on the planet. In this place is the Wayqecha Cloud Forest Biological Station, a space that was originally intended only for scientific research but that was eventually opened to the public. The infrastructure is impeccable and the trails are well signposted. On this first day we will leave Cusco for the route to Paucartambo and then we ascend to the Acjanaco pass, the highest point. From there, it's 20 minutes downhill on a stated trail.
Today we will have the opportunity to see some tough of birds like Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Blue-banded Toucanet, the hummingbirds may include Gould´s Inca, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Violet-throated Starfrontlet, Tyrian Metaltail and Rufous-capped Thornbill. Sorting through mixed flocks, we hope to find Montane Woodcreeper, Marcapata Spinetail, Pearled Treerunner, Streaked Tuftedcheek, White-throated and White-banded Tyrannulets, Handsome and Inca Flycatchers, Barred Becard, Mountain Wren, Spectacled Redstart, Citrine and Pale-legged Warblers, Capped Conebill, Blue-and-black, Golden-collared, Blue-capped, Rust-and-yellow and Grass-green Tanagers, Hooded and chestnut-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, Yellow-whiskered Bush-Tanager, and Black-capped, Black-eared and Superciliaried Hemispinguses. Additional species we may find in this area include Andean Guan, Speckle-faced and Scaly-naped Parrots, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Azara´s Spinetail, Striped Treehunter, the endemic but hard to see Red-and-white Antpitta, Trilling Tapaculo, Barred and Band-tailed Fruiteaters, Red-crested Cotinga, Sierran Elaenia, Black-throated Tody-Tyrant, Olive and Pale-edged Flycatchers, Rufous-breasted and Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrants, Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant, White-winged Black-Tyrant, Blue-and-white and Pale-footed Swallows, White-collared Jay, Fulvous Wren, Glossy-black, Great and Chiguanco Thrushes, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager and Mountain Cacique. Night in Cock of the rock.
This third day, we will go to Cock of the Rock Lodge, located just few minutes from the spectacular viewpoint of Cock of the Rock in the famous cloud forest of the Manu Mountains. Here we will have the opportunity to observe colorful birds and their traditional morning mating ritual.The Lodge offers us 12 spacious suite with hot and cold water, bathrooms and two single beds in each room, plus several rooms with shared facilities. The private bungalows have their own private balcony. Lighting is provided by candles and flashlight, but there is a small generator available to charge the batteries. There is a large dining room and living room overlooking a feeding station for Brown Capuchin Monkeys and Tayra.Also you will explore the Cloud Forest and makes it easy to see some species that you probably do not see from the road, such as chestnut-headed wrens, scaled antpittas, rough-chested shorts. In addition, orchids abound with 80 species registered around the lodge. Today we left San Pedro and boarded a boat to Port River. Pay attention to the forest of the tropical zone, which surrounds us all the way, which has already disappeared in a large part of the Andes slopes in South America due to its suitability for commercial crops such as tea, coffee and coca, but in this part of Peru the forest remains intact.
This day we will leave Amazonia Lodge to direct us to Manu Learning Center (MLC) attracts a variety of parrots and macaws thanks to the spectacular red mineral or Collpa carved by the High Madre de Dios river. This Collpa is the only one of its kind in the area, and is visited daily by hundreds of millions of colors and noisy macaws, as well as potatoes and pigeons. It is one of the best places in the world to see the Macaw in danger of extinction. We are going to visit this clay tear at dawn; for after the show return for breakfast and take a look at the orchid garden. We continue our journey along the Madre de Dios River to its confluence with the Manu River. Finally we will pass and learn about native communities during the trip.
The Manú Learning Centre (MLC) is located within the Fundo Mascoitania Reserve, a 643 hectare private nature reserve, encompassed within the cultural zone of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest protected areas in Peru. It is home to a variety of rainforest types including lowland Andean, pre-montane, bamboo and high terrace forests. This geographical complexity creates habitats for a diversity of flora and fauna. The MLC is operated by the CREES group, a non-profit and business collaboration working towards sustainability for the Manú Region.The MLC serves local schools and communities as well as international researchers and volunteers. It has hosted workshops for the Organization for Tropical Studies, and on behalf of the Manú National Park Guards, as well as research projects from the University of Oxford, Aberdeen, and Glasgow University. The MLC has also worked alongside schools from the UK including Southbank International School and Tonbridge School.
This day we will wake up very early to take a boat trip through Madre de Dios River and Manu River. Arriving at the Boca Manu village, we will pass a native community called Diamante, here we will learn more about its culture called Piro and this is the largest settlement of Amerindians in the area. You will observe many parrots and macaws before we go an hour and a half more on the famous Madre de Dios River. During the trip along the river we will enjoy a packed lunch and we will start to observe some of the renowned wild animals of the area, including the sand-colored nightjars, the goose of the Orinoco and the capybaras, the largest rodent in the world. Finally we will enjoy a dinner freshly prepared by our resident chefs.
Two attractions that will make you want to visit Tambo Blanquillo Lodge:
Following a healthy breakfast, we will dedicate most of this day to visit the most important Oxbow Lake in the area, the Blanco Oxbow Lake. On the way is not rare to see peccaries and other mammals walking in the riverbanks. It is common for visitors to delight themselves with great views of Jaguars resting and sunbathing in the early morning sun, after long nights of hunt. Once on the lake, we will paddle another of our catamarans and navigate through the water filled with Giant River Otters, Caimans and other top predators. Groups of monkeys are easily seen feeding on the fruiting trees. This lake is actually famous around the region for actually spotting more than 600 species of birds. After, we will head back to the lodge for a remarkable lunch and a very deep relaxing moment. After lunch, we will get to visit the Mammal Clay Lick, where we will have a chance of encountering many species of monkeys like the spider monkey and of course various species of reptiles and invertebrates. At night we will have a very nice dinner and enjoy our last night at Tambo Blanquillo, under the staggering scenery of shining stars and the splendid moon.
Very early, we will leave the town of Colorado. This day you will have a delicious breakfast on the boat. Then we will disembark in the mining townof Colorado to begin your trip by land to Puerto Carlos, which lasts approximately 45 minutes and then cross the Inambari River to Santa Rosa, another 15 minutes before it finally takes you to the bus. Finally ,in Cusco, our staff and your guide will assist you to your hotel where our adventures end.
