Jaguar - Promperu / Terra Incognita
Cock of the Rocks - Promperu / Walter Wust
Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick - David Segurado
Manu National Park 4d/3n - Manu Wildlife Center
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.
Manu Wildlife Center is located east of the Manu River on the north bank of Madre de Dios River. The Lodge contains 22 double-occupancy fully screened private bungalows, separate complexes with hot showers and toilets, a large fully screened dining room and a charm bar with hammocks for relaxing. Manu Wildlife Center has no electricity. Lighting in the communal areas is by kerosene lamp and candles, with the paths around the lodge complex lit by kerosene lamps. Lighting in the guests’ bedrooms is by candle. An 110V generator is available from which camcorder batteries can be recharged. Please note that guests may need to bring a special adaptor to plug into the generator.
On December 2002 the famous Conde Nast Traveller magazine considered the Manu Wildlife Center as one of the best rainforest lodges in South America.
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco - Manu Wildlife Center
Early morning our
representative will pick you up from your hotel to transfer to Cusco
airport. A thirty-five minute flight in a radar-equipped plane takes
you to Boca Manu. Here you take a motorized canoe for the 90 minutes
journey down the Madre de Dios River to Manu
Wildlife Center to
arrive for lunch. The 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. After dinner you will have a short night excursion
to explore nocturnal life in the rainforest.
L, D
Day 2 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 floating catamaran 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
- During the dry season (June-September) the water level on the river does not always allow for a floating blind and it will then be sitting on the ground
After lunch at the Center we continue to explore the forest trails surrounding the lodge, and plan to spend the late afternoon up a 34-meter canopy platform. Here, we watch the last frantic activity in the rainforest before night settles.
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 3 Manu Wildlife Center
After another early morning departure 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.
After returning for lunch at the Center your guide is available to further explore the forest trails for more wildlife encounters. 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 4 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
(*) Please note that the program may vary slightly so as to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.
(**) ENIGMA reserves the right to change the order of the activities.
Origin |
This extension is available as described starting in Cusco. |
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Difficulty degree of this extension |
Low |
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Rates 2010 |
This extension is available from (*):
(*) Prices per person in USD based in double occupancy with private bath. Minimum group size: 2. Prices subject to change without prior notice due to reserve entrance fees, tax and other increases beyond our control |
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Departure Dates |
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays |
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What Is Included |
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What Is Not Included |
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What we recommend that you bring |
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Optional Services |
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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. CommunicationsThe lodge 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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