(PROGRAM EP3:  8 Days 7 Nights)

* Plane tickets are not included.

We leave Cusco early in the morning in our specialized overland vehicles. Approximately mid-morning we visit the interesting tombs of Ninamarca, commonly known as "Chullpas". We continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque 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 2000 and 3500 meters above sea level, and at least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. We camp our first night in this high forest.

Today we wake up very early to observe the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru's national bird. The male birds are a vibrant reddish orange, and at about 5:00AM 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 overland transport down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Atalaya. Here we board our covered, motorized canoe and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River, where we will camp on an appropriate beach.

(Optional flight from Cusco to Boca-Manu; this means that some new members may join our group). After breakfast we board our canoe for the four-hour trip down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu, a small village where you can buy your last fresh supplies and cold drinks before setting off again in the canoe. Now we enter the Manu River and the Reserved Zone, stopping at Limonal where we camp along the riverbank at the Park Rangers Headquarters.

After registering in the official tourist logbook and eating an early breakfast, we follow the Manu River until we arrive at Lake Salvador, our final campsite. This canoe ride gives us the opportunity to observe the immensity of the rainforest and the diversity of bird-life, reptiles and mammals. You will often see animals sunning themselves on beaches, or foraging for food in the trees lining the riverbanks. We arrive early in the afternoon and have lunch before setting off on a jungle trail. Our time is spent looking for wildlife inside the rainforest and on the oxbow lake "Lake Salvador" until the sun goes down and we return to camp.

We rise early in the morning, as the forest is awakened by the Red Howler monkey (Aloatta seniculus) declaring its territory. A morning walk before breakfast is a great way to catch wildlife in the pursuit of food, and the temperature is very pleasant at this time of the day. After relaxing and swimming in the river we enjoy lunch along the riverbank. After eating, we cross the river to walk an 8 km trail to another oxbow lake "Lake Otorongo". A strategically located observation tower rises 15 meters above the lake and the jungle floor, giving us more chances to observe wildlife. With luck we will see the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) which is an endangered species. Late in the afternoon, the Black Caimans rise from the depths of the lake and begin their search for prey. We return to camp at Salvador Lake. At night, with the help of flashlights, we can also observe some Caimans in the lake and river close to our campsite.

DAY 06 :

Once again we wake up early, enjoy a brief morning walk, eat a relaxing breakfast, then pack up camp and descend the Manu River. We arrive at Boca Manu midday. From here we descend the Madre de Dios River for three hours to Blanquillo, where we set up camp on the Blanquillo Lodge grounds. After a swim in the river we set off for a short walk to Cocha Blanquillo. We spend the night here at this campsite.

After a very early wake up, we board a camouflaged catamaran and go down the river to the "Collpa" macaw lick. We quietly observe the various parrots feeding on the clay for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. The brightly colored macaws usually wait patiently in the surrounding trees until the smaller parrot species have left the area. Slowly, the macaws come down to the clay wall to feed. We need a lot of patience and silence on the catamaran so as not to disturb them as they eat the clay. Around mid morning we board our canoe to return to the airstrip at Boca Manu. At this point, those who are returning to Cusco by plane will catch their flight. This optional flight from Boca Manu to Cusco offers spectacular views of the surrounding jungle and the area's meandering rivers. The others continue up the Alto Madre de Dios River to camp on a beach in the Cultural Zone.

DAY 08 :

Waking up very early, we continue the trip by boat to Atalaya, where we board the bus and drive back up and out of Manu, arriving in Cusco the next morning. THIS IS THE END OF OUR SERVICES. AIR CHARTER ALTERNATIVE DAY THREE: Arrive by plane from Cusco to Boca Manu in the mid morning DAY SEVEN: Leave Boca Manu and arrive in Cusco in the early afternoon.

Rainforest expeditions are not comfortable tours, but with the following EQUIPMENT you will get the best out of the forest and yourself:
-Binoculars (imperative)
-Flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries.
-Sleeping bag.
-Day pack.
-Long pants and long sleeved shirts (Thick and baggy fabric against mosquitoes)
-T-Shirts.
-Shorts, bathing suit.
-Sweater or light jacket.
-2 pairs of light shoes / long cotton socks.
-Rain gear
-Rubber boots ( in the rainy season )
-Sunhat, sunglasses, sun block.
-Insect repellent ( with at least 25 % deet’ ) / After-bite.
-Toilet paper.
-Plastic bags ( to keep everything dry )
-Water bottle ( with water for the bus ride into Manu )
-Copy of a valid passport / Copy of yellow FEVER and TETANUS vaccinations.

HEALTH ADVICE: There is an extremely low Malaria risk in the Manu area and the occasional cases of malaria in the Alto Madre de Dios zone have proved to be completely curable. Use insect repellent and effective clothing to avoid being bitten.