Manu National Park, located in the southeastern part of Peru (between the Cusco Department in the north and the Madre de Dios Department.) It is one of the largest tropical parks in South America. The park extends from the highlands to the jungle. It covers 2 million hectares (4.5 million acres), and the territory is rich in flora and fauna with a variety of habitats including the high Andes, the cloud forests, and the lowland tropical rain forests.
For our guests that enjoy the jungle while combining adventure sports, we have this excellent option, and at the same time we can see many different kinds of birds and mammals, and a lot of plants.
There will be a briefing the night before departure
Day 1 CUSCO – CLOUD FOREST
We will leave Cusco early in the morning, stopping to visit the interesting pre-Inca tombs of Ninamarca, and the colonial town of Paucartambo on the way to the Cloud Forest. There the thick cloak of clouds provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads. This place is the habitat of the Cock of the Rock, the Spectacled Bear, Orchids, Tree Ferns (one of the oldest living plants), and different mosses and lichens. At least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. We will spend tonight camping.
We can go from the high pass in the road to the Cloud Forest by Front Suspension Mountain Bike.
Day 2 CLOUD FOREST – SHIPETEARI LODGE
After our first night in the Cloud Forest, we have a pre-breakfast Walt to possibly watch the spectacular Cock of the Rocks, displaying in a mating ritual that daily takes place in a leek where between eight to ten male individuals perform for a female. Returning to our campsite for a hearty breakfast, we prepare to continue our ride to the village of Pilcopata, from where we will start our hike to the native community of Huacaria. This is a Huachipaire ethnic group that will share with us their typical food and will allow us to hike their trails and swim in their rivers. Late in the afternoon we will return to Pilcopata for dinner and overnight in a local lodge.
Day 3 MANU NATIONAL PARK
We will observe the ritual mating dance of the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru's national bird. After breakfast we continue in our overland transport down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons towards the town of Pilcopata. After 30 minutes on the bus we will arrive to the Port of Atalaya, to board our covered motorized boat. We will head down the Alto Madre de Dios River for approximately 30 minutes toward Shipeteari where we will spend the next two nights. Later we will take some short walks around the lodge.
We can do some rafting between Pilcopata and Shipeteari Lodge and we will provide you all the equipment.
Day 4 MANU NATIONAL PARK - CUSCO
We will wake up early to board our boat. After five minutes ride, we will arrive at a small "Collpa", which is a wall of clay in the riverbanks where many species of parrots feed for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. After this colorful and noisy show we continue by boat to Atalaya Port and then the bus will take us back to Cusco, arriving late in the afternoon.
- Specialized English/Spanish Speaking guide
- 2 nights in the Shipeteari Lodge
- All land and river transportation
- Camping equipment
- All meals
- Rafting equipment
- Mountain biking equipment
- Safety box for values and storage for luggage
- First aid kit.
- Personal sleeping bag
- Binoculars, camera and film ASA 200 and 400 for the inner forest
- One pair of lightweight ankle height boots and sandals
- Warm clothing, long sleeve shirts and long pants (cotton)
- 100% waterproof rain gear (long poncho or rain wear)
- Insect repellent (recommended with 50% Deet), sunscreen lotion
- Flashlight, enough batteries (alkaline) and bulbs
- Wide brim hat (for sunny days), sunglasses
- Towel, swimming suit, personal medicines and/or supplies
- Daypack, and one backpack or duffel bag of luggage per person
- One bottle of water for the first day, plastic bags.
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