Manu Amazon Tours for 6days. This is our shortest tour to the Reserve Zone of Manu Park that is designed for people who don’t have the time to do a longer tour.
TOUR ATTRACTIONS: Two Oxbow Lakes inside the Reserved Zone, Cloud Forest of Manu Park, Cultural Zone of Manu National Park, and Biosphere Reserve of Manu National Park.
TOUR ACTIVITIES: Bird watching, night walk, jungle exploration, boat sailing, Giant Otter searching and catamaran sailing in Salvador Oxbow Lake, caiman searching, turtle searching, and Jaguar searching along Manu River, and Giant Otter searching.
Overview
This jungle tour to Manu National Park visits the Reserved Zone of Manu National Park, the Reserved Zone is an area with great biodiversity, the flora and fauna its abundant where several species of endangered species of animals are observed including the Giant Otters.
Itinerary
The first day of our adventure into the Jungle of Manu, we will pick you up around 5:00 AM from your hotels in Cusco, using the service of our private transport. The first part of our excursion will take us through the majestic Andean mountains. Afterwards, we will visit the town of Huancarani which contains the funeral towers of Ninamarca, a cemetery of the Lupaca Pre –Inca Culture, which we will visit briefly on our way to Paucartambo, which is known as the folkloric capital of the district of Cusco. In the face of modern times, this small colonial pueblo has managed to hold on to its rich tradition for centuries upon centuries. At mid-day we will arrive at the entrance of Manu National Park and access to one of the most protected natural areas in South America. We will continue on in our private transport down a dirt road and on through the thick fog from which this section of the forest takes it name. Eventually we will arrive at the home of the exotic Peruvian National Bird, the “Cock of the Rock”, where it is known to gather with others of its kind for some sort of social gathering that seems reminiscent of a large courtship. You will find that this is quite an amazing spectacle complete with an impressive array of sounds and colours that can only be found in the jungle. For our first night, we will stay in the beautiful Bamboo Lodge, where we will arrive at approx. 5:00 p.m.
After eating our breakfast we continue the tour by bus going through the high forest arriving to Atalaya which is found next to Madre de Dios River (700 meters over the sea).we will pass by Alto Madre de Dios river whit its relatively clean waters, before lunch we will stop at Manu Hot Springs where we will relax. In the afternoon we will arrive to our lodge and from there we will head towards the Tapir Clay lick where we will spend the night in the middle of the jungle.
This morning from clear waters of Alto Madre de Dios River we will enter the clay laden waters of the Manu River. With a brief stop at the park ranger station at Limonal to present our permits we travel for about five hours up the Manu. Beaches, especially in the dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name a few. Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans (South American relatives of the Alligators) and breeding Side-necked Turtles. Hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches and there is a chance of encountering a sunning Jaguar - the world’s third largest cat. In 1999 one in three of our trips saw Jaguar in Manu. We will see some species of primate on this river trip, possibly Red Howler Monkeys or the smaller Squirrel Monkeys. After having lunch by the river we arrive at our Safari Camp near the lake of Cocha Salvador. We'll have the afternoon to explore some of the trails through the pristine rainforest in the area. A visit to the lake of Cocha Otorongo is planned, where observation piers and a 20 meter observation tower in the rainforest canopy overlooking the lake are available for observing wildlife. We will also be on the lookout for a large family of Giant Otters that inhabit this lake. Before or after dinner an optional excursion into the forest at night is available with your guide in search of nocturnal creatures. The lakes are full of eye-shine of the large Black Caiman and if we are lucky we may encounter an Olingo Kinkajou or even an Ocelot on the trails. Certainly the night-time noise of tree frogs and insects in the forest is an experience not to be forgotten. Night at Casa Matshiguenka lodge, there are flush toilets and shower facilities.
Today we will start with a long walk of some three or four hours, from the banks of Manu River to Otorongo lake, here we will climb a 15m high observation tower, from where birds such as the exuberantly feathered and primitive Shansho (Hoatzin) can be seen, as well as monkeys feeding on fruits and several species of flowers and brightly-colored butterflies. We will then return to our camp by canoe to enjoy a delicious lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to exploring Salvador Oxbow Lake and the surrounding area aboard our catamaran, from which will be able to observe the mega diversity attracted by this oxbow lake, including Black Caiman, White Caiman, a family of Giant Otters and waterfowl. Return to the lodge in the evening.
Early in the morning we will have another chance to go for a nature walk or one more visit to the oxbow lake and hear choirs of birds defining their territory in song. As the sun rises, the eastern sky changes to a pale yellow and we will be able to see falcons or other predatory birds patiently searching for prey from the treetops. After lunch we will board our boat again and head downstream towards Boca Manu and from there we will start our journey up river towards our lodge where we will spend the night.
Today we will start our journey back to Cusco, the first part of the journey will be by boat and after reach Atalaya we will continue our journey by car. We will arrive to Cusco between 4 to 7pm.
Includes
The tour includes
- Tour guide in English and Spanish with spotting scope
- Transportation (bus and boat)
- Cook
- Three meals a day
- Mineral water
- All Nights in Lodge
- Fresh fruit
- Snacks,
- Rain Poncho
- Rubber boots
- Entrance fee to the Oxbow Lakes
- Entrance fee to Manu National Park
- Entrance fee to all the private Natural Reserves
- First aid kit
Cost Excludes
- First Breakfast
- Last day Dinner
- Alcoholic beverages and sodas
- Tips
Yes, it is open all year round. The best time to visit is from April to November, during the dry season. The torrential rainy season is from February to March, when access by road and air becomes more difficult and forest trails can be flooded.
Manu National Park is one of Peru’s thirteen National Parks, It is located in Cusco and Madre de Dios, extending from the Cusco highlands (4000 m) to the Amazon floodplain at the mouth of the Manu River (300 m).
This park is also home to the Matsigenka natives, as well as other little-known groups such as the Mashco-Piro or Nomole, who live in voluntary isolation within the park.
In 1977, UNESCO declared Manu National Park and adjacent areas as a Biosphere Reserve with an area of 1881.200 ha. Ten years later, in recognition of its exceptional natural value, UNESCO added the park to the list of World Heritage Sites:
Some researchers believe that in the virgin areas of this reserve lies Paitititi or the lost city of the Incas
Located in the Madre de Dios and Cusco regions of Peru, the closest city to Manu National Park is Cusco.
Manu National Park is accessible by road from Cusco, although the only access to the lowlands is by boat on the Manu River. The bus from Cusco to Shintuya or Atalaya takes about 10 to 12 hours, then requires another 8 hours by boat to Boca Manu. From here, it is another 8 hours of travel to reach the entrance to the “reserved zone” of the National Park.
This remote location is what has allowed it to remain so well preserved,
Manu Amazon rainforest tours can be done with normal fitness by people of all ages. You should be able to walk medium distances (for approximately 2 to 3 hours) and often on uneven surfaces. Be sure to bring good walking shoes.
If you are traveling with children, please inform us in advance for further recommendations, depending on the age of your children.
We do not have to cover long distances on hikes; we will often walk slowly or stop to observe animals and plants along the way. Night hikes are optional and usually last about 1 hour. You are not expected to bring your luggage to the lodge, but your help is appreciated.
Due to the humidity and warm temperatures, some people may feel a little weak or faint, but there is usually a short midday nap and you have the option of staying at the lodge instead of participating in a trek. In the rainforest it is important to drink plenty.
A rainforest tour is not a “comfort tour”, but if you bring the right equipment (see our packing list) you will have an incomparable experience.
Manu Amazon rainforest tours can be done with normal fitness by people of all ages. You should be able to walk medium distances (for approximately 2 to 3 hours) and often on uneven surfaces. Be sure to bring good walking shoes.
If you are traveling with children, please inform us in advance for further recommendations, depending on the age of your children.
We do not have to cover long distances on hikes; we will often walk slowly or stop to observe animals and plants along the way. Night hikes are optional and usually last about 1 hour. You are not expected
to bring your luggage to the lodge, but your help is appreciated.
Due to the humidity and warm temperatures, some people may feel a little weak or faint, but there is usually a short midday nap and you have the option of staying at the lodge instead of participating in.
The service in the Manu Amazon jungle is excellent, fresh and authentic. Generally, lodges seek to provide a mix of local and international cuisine. The fruits, vegetables and juices of the jungle provide a unique freshness that is unmatched in more temperate climates. Although menu options are limited in the more remote lodges, all can accommodate vegetarians or other common dietary preferences if advance notice is given.
The guides in the Amazon are exceptional. They are fluent in English and generally speak the local languages of the jungle and Spanish. They are trained in biology or ecology and specialize in jungle guiding, which gives them a unique ability to spot elusive wildlife. Some lodges employ both a guide native to the local area and a biologist guide with formal training.
Absolutely! We organize tours in small groups (6 or less), so these tours are an excellent option for individual travelers interested in meeting a small group of other travelers. Some accommodations are easier to arrange for individual travelers than others so numbers are not an issue.
At the moment it is forbidden to do these activities since the Manu National Park is protected by the Peruvian State and UNESCO for being a reserve of an enormous amount of flora and fauna in its natural state.
It is recommended to bring a polo shirt with long sleeves, a sun hat and long pants to protect you from insects and the sun. Lightweight convertible pants that zipper into shorts are an excellent choice, as you can convert them to shorts during the heat of the day and back to full length when the bugs are at their worst at night. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent, as well as any toiletries you need, as replacements are hard to find in these remote lodges.
The native communities in Manu Park are not accessible to tourists. The chances of seeing the nomadic peoples living in isolation are very low, as the tourist zones are set up to avoid the areas they use, but in case of encountering them, you should leave the area and avoid any contact with them and immediately report the incident to park staff.
The short answer is yes. Especially if you are a nature lover, the Amazon is one of the most fascinating places in the world. It is home to at least 10 percent of the world’s biodiversity. In fact, its residents include 40,000 species of plants (16,000 types of trees) and more than 5,000 species of animals. However, if you’re only in PeARE MANU JUNGLE TOURS IDEAL FOR CHILDREN?ru to see ancient ruins and don’t like being immersed in nature, it’s probably not the place for you.
Manu rainforest tours are an excellent choice for children interested in wildlife and the outdoors. Watching colorful macaws fly, listening to howler monkeys roar in the trees and climbing through the treetops of the rainforest inspires awe around the world and can be especially fascinating for children. Some lodges require much longer travel time to reach or are especially remote and rustic, which can be uncomfortable for children, so prior consultation with the agency is recommended. Some vaccinations and malaria preventives are also recommended for these excursions. Some of these cannot be administered to children under a certain age or weight, although alternatives are usually available, but medical consultation is always necessary.
It will depend on the exact place in the Amazon jungle you visit, as in many of the lodges there is no electricity signal due to the lack of connection in these places but in others there is because the electricity is obtained by solar panels so it can not be a problem when it comes to connect all your appliances.
All Manu jungle lodges are built with traditional materials designed to minimize the impact on the local environment and maintain the jungle environment. Accommodations can be simple and rustic or very comfortable. All lodges have running water, showers and flush toilets. The more remote ones have shared bathrooms and no electricity or hot water. They are an excellent option for adventurous travelers interested in really getting away from distractions and experiencing the jungle in the most authentic way possible.
