Casa Osambela - Lima - Promperu
Koricancha - Cusco - Promperu
Cloud Forest - Enigma / Silvia Rico
Cock of the Rocks - Promperu / Walter Wust
Jaguar Promperu / Terra Incognita
Sunset - Enigma / Silvia Rico
Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick - Enigma / Silvia Rico
Machupicchu - Enigma / Silvia Rico
Jungle Adventure - Manu National Park, Tapirs and Macaw Clay Licks
13 days / 12 nights (ACMITJ13)
Lima - Cusco - Manu National Park - Machupicchu
- Lima
Manu - the very word has become synonymous with the best rain forest in the world. The protected areas of the great Manu wilderness have become world famous because of their unspoiled rain forest and amazing wildlife. Manu protects more species of animals and plants than any other park on Earth.
The Manu National Park contains 1,000 species of birds, or one out of every nine on Earth, and 200 more than the U.S. and Canada combined. Approximately 550 bird species occur within a few square miles of lowland forest. A visit to the spectacular lowland forest of Manu will allow to see the world's best rain forest wildlife, including the world's most approachable, photographable macaw clay lick.
Also featured are the biggest clay lick of South America's largest land animal -the 600-pound (250 kilos) Lowland Tapir, playful Giant Otters, Jaguars, and ten species of monkeys, including the amazing mustachioed Emperor Tamarin.
Explore the complete transect from the highland to the jungle lowlands in this 13-day itinerary, including the Cock-of-the-Rock in the cloud forest, the Manu Oxbow lakes featuring Giant River Otters, Manu’s only accessible macaw clay lick, the Tapir lick, a canopy platform and trail system for more wildlife observation, as well as a stay in Manu Wildlife Center, considered by Conde Nast Traveler magazine as one of the best rainforest lodges in South America. The program also includes the visit of Lima, Cusco and Machupicchu as we explore the country’s history, its stunning geography and scenery, and the impressive Inca and colonial legacy.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Lima
Meet upon your arrival and transfer to your selected hotel.
Day 2 Lima - Cusco
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cusco
city. Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the morning
free to wander around the charming colonial streets of Cusco and maybe
shop for souvenirs or the beautiful alpaca textiles found in several
shops around the city. In the afternoon, we visit the legendary Koricancha,
the most important temple devoted to worshiping the Sun deity and whose
walls were once plated with sheets of gold. We continue to the Plaza
de Armas or main square to visit the Cathedral, and end our tour in San
Blas, the bohemian quarter of the city, home to the workshops and stores
of the most renowned artisans in Cuzco, including Mendivil and Merida.
B
Day 3 Cusco - Manu Cloud forest
We pick you up by bus from your hotel, after your breakfast, and set off for the cloud forest. We pass over two Andean chains of almost 13,100 feet elevation through a steppe-like landscape, or Puna. On the way we pass stone Chullpas, or burial chambers, of the Pre-Inca people and will hope to catch sight of some of the bird species of the high Andes, including the Giant Hummingbird and Mountain Caracara.
We plan on a delicious boxed lunch at the edge of the
cloud forest, Ajanaco, which if clear affords views over the cloud forest
and the vast sprawling expanse of the lowland rain forest. From here
the road suddenly descends the eastern slope of the Andes. We plunge
downwards, past remnant patches of elfin forest, through swirling mist
and cloud, to emerge in a forest of stunted, evergreen trees, festooned
with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and other epiphytes. Nestled in this
forest within a 2-minute walk of the road, and within earshot of a rushing
mountain stream, lies the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, if there is time available,
we will have a chance to briefly begin our exploration of the surrounding
forest before dinner.
B, L (box-lunch), D
Day 4 Manu Cloud forest - Boca Manu
Observe Cocks-of-the-Rock displaying and calling at
down, and the enjoy breakfast back at the lodge. Explore the cool, moist,
mosquito-free cloud forest and search for the confiding Brown Capuchin
Monkeys. Travel by bus for 2-3 more hours to the riverside hamlet of
Atalaya, where we board our motor canoes to travel down the Alto Madre
de Dios River towards the mouth of the Manu River. Depending on the road
and river conditions on this day, we either sleep in a simple tented
camp (with small tents) or in a rustic local lodge near the mouth of
the Manu River.
B, L, D
Day 5 Boca Manu - Manu Wildlife Tented camps at park
Dawn in the forest or on the riverbank. Morning visit
to Boca Manu town. That day we will join the group that comes from Cusco
by plane and together we will travel by motor canoe up the Manu River
for 5-6 hours to the Wildlife Tented Camp near Cocha Salvador. We will
stop at the Guard park station to be registered. On the way we will have
the chance to observe beaches with different birds, black caimans, capybaras,
turtles, etc. Afternoon arrival at Manu Wildlife Tented camp. Then we
will explore some trails of primary forest searching for monkeys. After
dinner, the visitors with enough energy will have the chance to explore
other trails looking for different species including insects and frogs.
B, L, D
Day 6 Manu National Park
Visit Cocha Salvador and take a canoe or catamaran outing
on the lake to look for the famous endangered Giant Otters and observe
some birds and monkeys searching for food. The rest of the day we will
explore other trails through different forest types, with excellent chances
to observe monkeys.
B, L, D
Day 7 Manu National Park - Boca Manu - Manu Wildlife Center
Leave very early to motor down the Manu River to Boca Manu. After some time exploring the Boca Manu community, we take a motorized canoe for a 90 minutes journey down the Madre de Dios River to Manu Wildlife Center. Late afternoon will be spent exploring some of the 30 miles of clean forest trails that surround the lodge. On these trails you have an excellent chance to encounter some of the 12 species of monkeys, which include the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin, which inhabit the surrounding forest.
We can return for dinner back at the Center, or pack
our meal for the leisurely hike about 60-75 minutes through the night
forest to the Amazon’s largest known Tapir clay lick. Here we climb
a 17 by 17 foot observation platform perched almost 20 feet above the
lick itself where we wait for the lumbering Tapirs to arrive. Then, using
powerful flashlights we hope to observe and photograph them in action.
Our scientific reports reveal that tapirs usually visit the clay lick
between 9:00 pm and midnight; however, their activity continues until
dawn.
B, L, D
Day 8 Manu Wildlife Center
Rising before dawn, we take a 25-minute boat journey downstream to the only large parrot and macaw clay lick in the Manu area. From a blind we are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of hundreds of medium-sized and large parrots arriving first at the lick, followed by the large Red-and-Green Macaws arriving to eat the clay.
Please note that:
The clay lick activity reaches its best from August to October and decreases during the months of May and June.
After lunch at the Center we continue by boat and short hike from the river, you have what promises to be an exciting visit to Blanco Oxbow Lake. This lake has populations of a variety of aquatic life and water birds, including the prehistoric-looking hoatzin and the possibility to see the resident family of giant otters. Alternatively, time is available to independently practice your abilities and experience this expanse of rainforest habitats on your own.
This evening, from the late afternoon until after dinner,
we offer an opportunity to search for caiman and other nocturnal life
along the riverbank by boat.
B, L, D
Day 9 Manu Wildlife Center - Cusco
After early breakfast, we leave near dawn by motor canoe
for the two hour return trip to the Manu landing strip, taking advantage
of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here
you fly to Cusco, where your jungle adventure ends. Arrival at Cusco
Airport, reception and transfer to your hotel.
B
Day 10 Cusco - Sacred Valley
Today we explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with
visits to Pisaq archaeological site and its colorful market. Lunch at
Casa Hacienda Orihuela, a private residence with an impressive collection
of Inca and colonial art and artifacts, where the Lambarri-Orihuela family
will be our hosts. In the afternoon, we visit Ollantaytambo, a still-thriving
Inca village set below an ancient Inca fortress and temple with stunning
views over the valley that makes us feel as if we have stepped back into
the 15th century. Later, we are accommodated at our chosen hotel in the
Sacred Valley.
B, L
Day 11 Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
Early this morning we board the Vistadome train to Machu
Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas”. We visit the Sacred
Inca citadel, exploring its main temples and hidden corners. If we choose
we can also visit the fabulous Inca Bridge or climb Huayna Picchu, offering
impressive views over Machupicchu.
B, L
Day 12 Machu Picchu - Cusco
Free morning to relax in Aguas Calientes or return to
Machupicchu for an optional second visit. In the afternoon, we depart
by Vistadome train from Aguas Calientes arriving in Cusco in the evening.
B
Day 13 Cusco - Lima
Enjoy a free morning in Cusco before you are transferred
to the airport for your flight to Lima. Continuation of your journey
home or connection with another extension.
B
Highlights |
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Recommended for |
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Difficulty degree of this program |
Low to Moderate |
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Rates 2010 |
This customized tour is available from (*):
(*) Price based on a party of four, double accommodation, 3* hotels (**) The jungle portion of this program is operated according to group fixed departure dates, no private tours being available (***) This price is subject to change without prior notice by airline companies. We strongly suggest that you make your booking in advance so that the quoted price can be guaranteed
Please check Our Hotel Selection in the Travel Services section of this website for a detailed description of our recommended hotels. However, since the price per person depends on various factors (date of your visit to Peru, number of people in your party, hotel category requested, type of service preferred, among others), please contact us or go to the Booking Online section of this website for a detailed program design and pricing of your tour. A travel consultant will contact you within a maximum of two working days. |
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Departure Dates |
This program departs on Tuesdays only, as group fixed departures to the jungle portion of this trip are on Thursdays. However, the rest of the program can be adapted to your request, according to your time availability. |
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What Is Included |
(*) Should there be no train tickets available in the direct route Aguas Calientes – Cusco, a train ticket Aguas Calientes – Sacred Valley with an additional private transportation from the Sacred Valley to your hotel in Cusco will be provided Manu Trip
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What Is Not Included |
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What we recommend that you bring |
Jungle portion
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Optional Services |
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Program Alternative |
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Booking Online |
If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to the Booking Online section of this website. |
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Other Useful Information |
The weather in ManuThis area has a dry and a wet season with some sudden cold weather fronts throughout the year. The bulk of the Biosphere Reserve lies within the watershed of the 250 km long Manu River, one of the many small rivers that flow out of the Andes and unite to form the mighty Amazon River. Most of the lowland sections of the park (at 400 mts above sea level) receive about two meters of rain annually, which is only twice as much as New York City. Most of this rain falls from October or November through April or May. The dry months of the year are from June to September. Daytime high temperature average in the lowland sections is 35°C (90°F), while night time low temperature average is 25ºC (79° F). In any month of the year, however, unexpected Cold Fronts from the South can bring one or two days of heavy rain with daytime high temperatures of 18ºC (65° F) and night-time low temperatures of 10ºC (50° F). Health / VaccinationsAlthough no yellow fever cases have been reported in Peru for the past years, the Peruvian government nevertheless recommends a yellow fever vaccination for trips to the rainforest. This vaccination is requested for visits to most rainforest areas around the world. The vaccination, which is valid for 10 years, is only effective starting 10 days after it is administered - if you choose to be vaccinated, please keep this in mind and bring your certificate. A prophylaxis against malaria is also recommended. Manu Wildlife Center is equipped with a basic first aid kit which also includes anti-venom. CommunicationsManu Wildlife Center is equipped with a short-wave radio and is in contact with Cusco every morning and evening. Evacuation - Manu National ParkShould an accident occur and evacuation is required, the injured party can be flown from Boca Manu airstrip to Cusco during daylight hours. The village of Boca Manu also has a small first aid post. In Case of Flight Cancellation
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Customize Your Itinerary 
ENIGMA can create a unique, custom-designed independent itinerary that is fully adapted to your needs, whether you travel solo, with family and friends, or as a group. Please click here to let us know what you are interested in adding or excluding to customize a selected itinerary or to design a completely new program just for you. A travel consultant will contact you within a maximum of two working days.
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