Manu Cultural Zone 3D/2N
Ecological Tours
ITINERARY:
DAY 01: we leave cusco early in the
morning in one of our vehicles. approximately mid-morning we visit
the interesting tombs of ninamarca, commonly known as “chullpas”. we
continue 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. here, a thick cloak of clouds
provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic
plants such as bromeliads. this varied and fascinating world is home
of the cock of the rock, spectacled bear, orchids, tree ferns (one
of the oldest living plants), mosses and lichens. this cloud forest
exists between 2,000 and 3,500 m.a.s.l. and at least 50% of the
plant species found here are endemic to this region. we have lunch
on the way with a spectacular view overnight at our “orquídeas de
san pedro lodge”.
DAY 02: today we wake up very early to observe the cock of
the rock (rupicolaperuviana), peru’s national bird from a platform.
the male birds are a vibrant reddish orange, and as many as several
dozen come together for an exhibition of a mating ritual dance in a
place called lek. the males display their crest, showing off and
posturing for the females. the females, fewer in number, watch to
select the most suitable males. after breakfast we continue in our
vehicle down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward
the town of pilcopata (*1) and then to atalaya port where we have
lunch, here we board our covered, outboard motor boat and head down
the alto madre de dios river for approximately 40 minutes toward our
private reserve of “erika” a comfortable / rustic lodge owned also
by manu adventuras where we will hike through the interesting trail
system that this transitional area between high and low jungle
offers. overnight at the lodge.
*1 free option: here in pilcopata town we
will make the final settings for a 1 ½ river rafting (class i and
ii) trip down the koshñipata river where we will have the
opportunity for a dip and of course enjoy the spectacular view of
the koñeq canyon. continuing down the alto madre de dios river to
erika lodge.
DAY 03: this day we will get up very early to board our boat
and after five minutes arrive to a parrot clay lick called “collpa”
on the riverbanks, where many species of parrots such as the blue
headed parrot, white-eyed parakeet, feed for mineral and salt
supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. after that will visit
a small lake near to the alto madre de dios river, here we are going
to have the chance to see the hoatzin, a primitive bird, white
caimans, many species of birds, insects, etc immediately after we
return to erika lodge have breakfast the we take the boat to
continue to atalaya where the bus will drive us to cusco city, we
have lunch on the way arriving late in the afternoon.
*2 free option: canopy zip down:aterika
lodge, our guests traverse from tree to tree and platform to
platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables zip lines), as
they sail through the treetops of the tropical rainforest canopy,
and over the trails far below. expert guides assist you in this
exciting journey through the different layers of the rain forests
and explain what’s going on around you from the time you leave the
ground, until you rappel back down to the forest floor. end of our
services.
IMPORTANT
manu national park is not endemic area about malaria neither
yellow fever you can bring a good insect repellent but if you decide
to put the yellow fever vaccination for prevention you can do it 10
days before start your trip to the jungle.