MANU NATIONAL PARK SAFARI: ESCORTED ADVENTURE July 17-24, 2013
Itinerary Overview Extend your Wildland Adventure tour in Peru on this escorted Amazon adventure deep into Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve, one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in the entire Amazon rainforest. Due to its ecological diversity Manu boasts among the highest recorded bird, mammal, and plant diversity of any protected area on Earth, including 1,000 of the world's 9,700 bird species, 200 species of mammals, and 15,000 species of flowering plants. Accompanied by a naturalist Peru travel guide, we traverse a vast elevation range traveling by land over the Andes we make overnight stops at the Cock-of-the-Rock Cloud Forest Lodge and at the Boca Manu in the Manu foothills. In Manu National Park we stay two nights at a secluded tent camp, located close to two wildlife-rich oxbow lakes. At the Manu Wildlife Center we hike on an extensive network of trails, take nocturnal forays through the forest to a tapir clay lick blind, canoe in oxbow lakes in search of giant river otters, and climb a steel circular staircase into the rain forest canopy. Nearby are two macaw licks to photograph and observe colorful macaws from a blind. Fly to Cusco for an overnight at the end of the trip before departing for home via Lima. DAY DATE OVERNIGHT HOTELS MEALS HIGHLIGHTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wednesday, July 17 Thursday, July 18 Friday, July 19 Saturday, July 20 Sunday, July 21 Monday, July 22 CLOUD FOREST Cock of the Rock Lodge BLD MANU LOWLANDS Boca Manu Lodge BLD MANU Manu Tent Lodge BLD MANU Manu Tent Lodge BLD MANU Manu Wildlife Center BLD MANU Manu Wildlife Center BLD Drive overland to Andean cloud forest Morning birding, road and boat down Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu lowlands Boat up the Manu River, wildlife observation Oxbow lakes and river wildlife observations Wildlife observation Wildlife observation 7 8 Tuesday, July 23 Wednesday, July 24 CUSCO Garden House Hotel BL DEPARTURE B Boat and drive to Puerto Maldonado, fly to Cusco Airport transfer for departing flight to Lima. -2-
Itinerary in Detail DAY 1: PAUCARTAMBO CLOUD FOREST OVERLAND After breakfast in Paucartambo, we break camp and set off on our next Peru adventure tour with our naturalist guide for the Manu cloud forest through high grassland puna of the Andes. On the way we pass stone chullpas, or burial chambers, of the Pre-Inca Lupaca people, and catch site of some of the bird species of the high Andes, including the Giant Hummingbird and Mountain Caracara. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Ajanaco pass affording a spectacular view on a clear day over the vast expanse of lowland Amazon rain forest. The road plunges down the eastern slope of the Andes, 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 earshot of a rushing mountain stream lies our lodge for the night, the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge. [BLD] DAY 2: MANU FOOTHILLS Rise before dawn to see the display ground (lek) of the Andean cock-of-the-rock. From our observation blind we watch the blazing orange males just a few feet in front of the blind strut and dip their crested heads, screeching in the hope of attracting a mate. After breakfast we walk along the sinuous jungle road looking at orchids, flowers and cloud forest birds such as the golden-headed trogon, as well as numerous, brightly colored tanagers and hummingbirds. We may see a troop of muscular-limbed woolly monkeys or brown capuchin monkeys. In the late morning we continue our drive (2-3 hours), as mountains give way to low rolling hills and farmland. At Patria we visit a coca plantation grown legitimately for the Peruvian coca leaf market. At midday we reach the small riverside port of Atalaya to board our motorized dugout canoe with comfortable seats shaded by a canopy roof. Following down the river s broad, rushing course, the foothills of the Andes fade and our ever-changing route offers sightings of new lowland birds. After about 5 hours downstream we reach Boca Manu, a small outpost village where native peoples, gold miners, subsistence farmers and ecotravelers congregate on their way in or out of the jungle. Here we see how the sturdy dugout canoes are made: logging is prohibited here, so the resourceful villagers work entirely with logs carried downriver by floodwaters. Overnight at Boca Manu Lodge [BLD] DAY 3: MANU RIVER AND NATIONAL PARK This morning we turn northward to motor up the chocolate-brown waters of the Manu River into the lush, pristine lower reaches of the Manu National Park. The pristine quality of the forest habitat becomes apparent with abundant birdlife and no signs of outside development. We check into the park at Limonal ranger station and then proceed upstream, as our boat driver steers skillfully through shallows and driftwood snags. Orinoco geese and horned screamers strut on the beaches, capped and white-necked herons patrol the shoreline, butterflies flutter around us, and countless sunbathing turtles dive off their log perches as we approach. After approximately six hours on the river we reach Manu Tented Camp, a simple but comfortable low-impact lodge nestled in the forest. Time permitting, we will take a short walk before dinner to stretch our legs in the primary rainforest. Here we are on the boundary of the core zone of the Manu Biosphere Reserve where only scientists are allowed to enter and native Machiguenga families still reside, some of whom have never made contact with outside civilization. Overnight at Manu Tented Camp. [BLD] DAY 4: MANU NATIONAL PARK AND OXBOW LAKES Today we visit two beautiful oxbow lakes hidden in the rainforest near our camp. Our short morning canoe downstream to our trailhead offers the chance to spot a family of capybaras, the world s largest rodent, browsing on the riverbank, or if we are very lucky, a solitary jaguar might be found drinking by the bank of the river. Oxbow lakes provide critical habitat between forest and water for fish, birds and other wildlife including caimans, the primitive looking hoatzin bird, and the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), one of the Amazon s most endangered mammal species. On easy walks along the lake shore we typically encounter several of the 13 monkey species leaping through the forest canopy above. The -3-
massive kapok, ironwood and stranger fig trees are astounding with the vast size of their trunks and buttressed root systems. We explore this habitat and photograph the wildlife from docks extending out from shore, paddling on a stable floating platform great for tripods, and a 50ft tower into the canopy from which to scan the trees and marshy shoreline for monkeys, kingfishers, scarlet, chestnut-fronted and blue-and-gold macaws, and countless other species. With a little luck, chances are good for sighting the resident giant otter families as they dive for piranhas and other fish. Overnight at Manu Tented Camp. [BLD] DAY 5: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER Set off downriver at dawn, the best time to observe wildlife along the river s beaches, stopping at the ranger station to file our wildlife report before leaving the park. After reaching the turbulent union of the Alto Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers (2 hours) it s just ninety more minutes downstream to arrive at Manu Wildlife Center in time for lunch. This afternoon we continue our Amazon jungle exploration on specially designed forest trails through the private rain forest reserve in search of 10 species of resident monkeys, including the red howler and black spider monkey and many other species of flora and fauna. Take a nocturnal foray through the forest to the tapir clay lick blind where you can observe and photograph these 500 pound beasts, the largest land animal in South America. The blind is complete with mattresses and pillows so you can relax and nap until the first tapirs arrive,. Overnight Manu Wildlife Center. [BLD] DAY 6: MANU WILDLIFE CENTER Rise before dawn to motor by boat 25 minutes downriver to the Blanquillo macaw clay lick. This is perhaps the best macaw lick in the world to photograph and observe macaws eating mineral-rich clay on the bank of the river. The spacious blind is located in front of a wide swath of river bank where the macaws perch to eat clay. Breakfast is served in the blind and a bathroom is available. First smaller parrots flock to the lick, and if the weather is good and no predators are in sight, the macaws congregate and descend in a cacophony of sound and color. Return to the lodge for lunch. Later, we continue to explore and discover the rainforest, its lore and plant life, on the network of trails surrounding the lodge, arriving in the late afternoon at the 34m/112ft canopy tower. On its platform high up in the rainforest where most species reside, we witness the activity of twilight in the rainforest before night closes in. From late afternoon until after dinner, we may have the opportunity to search for caiman and other nocturnal life along the riverbank by boat if the level of river allows it. Overnight at Manu Wildlife Center [BLD] Note: Although the macaw clay lick is active year round, the best months for viewing and photography are July through November when there are larger flocks and less rain. DAY 7: RETURN TO CUSCO Depart from the lodge very early for the return boat trip downstream to the gold-mining town of Colorado Village (2.5 hrs). Enjoy breakfast on the way while watching early morning wildlife activity and miners who pan for gold along the Madre de Dios River. Drive 45 minutes to Puerto Carlo where we ll cross the Inambari River for a 15 minute boat trip to Santa Rosa. In Santa Rosa a vehicle awaits for the two and a half hour drive to Puerto Maldonado. We ll catch our afternoon flight to Cusco and return to the Garden House Hotel for a final overnight to collect luggage and relax before departing the next day. [BL] DAY 8: DEPARTURE Transfer to the Cusco airport to check in for your flight to Lima and onward international departure. [B] END OF SERVICES Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives. -4-
PRICING: Group Size Per Person Internal Airfare 8-12 $2700 $175 Single Supplement: $550. Airfare is an estimate for the ticket from Puerto Maldonado back to Cusco. Cost cannot be confirmed until tickets are issued. Note that alumni discounts are not applicable towards the extension. INCLUDED SERVICES All guided tours and excursions and National Park entrance fees English-speaking naturalist guides Airport-hotel transfers, land and sea transportation Jungle lodges and camping accommodations as indicated Meals as indicated [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner] Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services Wildland Adventures tour leader All gratuities NOT INCLUDED SERVICES International or internal airfare ( Airport departure taxes Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meals other than listed above Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above Accommodations GARDEN HOUSE HOTEL, CUSCO Located 15 minutes from the busy tourist district of central Cusco, the Garden House hotel is a haven of peace on the edge of the city. Run by two sisters, this boutique hotel has just 7 rooms though several can accommodate families as multi-room suites with a shared bath. An elevated library and wrap-around porch offer sweeping views of Cusco and the expansive grounds are home to the city s largest rose garden. Spa facilities are available and complimentary homemade breakfast is served each morning in the dining room. Staff will happily arrange a taxi for guests venturing into Cusco on -5-
their own and provide a complimentary cell phone for ease of communication and arranging transport. COCK-OF-THE-ROCK LODGE Located at 5000 feet elevation within a 10,000 acre cloud forest reserve, the lodge is a comfortable accommodation featuring double-occupancy cabanas with hot showers, flush toilets and a dining room with excellent wildlife viewing. A short walk away is the world's largest and most accessible Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek where groups of males can be seen at close range jumping and squawking to attract females. MANU TENT LODGE Manu Tent Lodge is a simple but comfortable low-impact fixed camp located several hours up the Manu River deep inside Manu National Park. It is situated just across the river from Cocha Salvador, the largest and most beautiful of the 13 oxbow lakes of the Manu River and one of Manu's prime wildlife viewing habitats. Manu Tent Lodge features spacious thatched-roof double-occupancy tents with hinged, lockable doors and solid wooden floors. Each tent measures 16.5x10x7 feet (5x3x2.2m) with extra-long twin beds draped with mosquito netting. They are fully screened and raised on wooden stilts to provide maximum ventilation and protection from flooding and insects. Meals at Manu Tent Lodge are served in an elevated, screened dining room. Hot-water showers and flush toilets are available in a separate shared bath house complex. MANU WILDLIFE CENTER Manu Wildlife Center features 22 fully screened doubleoccupancy, thatched-roof bungalows with large living area and private bathrooms with hot water showers. The dining room is fully screened and the commons building contains a fully stocked bar and reading room with hammocks for relaxing. Candlelight in the rooms and paths lit by oil lamps contribute to the natural ambiance. There is no electricity other than a generator for the kitchen and to recharge batteries. -6-
NOTE: Wildland Adventures, Inc. has arranged your trip utilizing the travel services of local in-country ground operators who are independent contractors. These local outfitters, lodges, hotels and other suppliers of your travel services will make every effort to conduct this trip as described in the itinerary. It is however possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, this itinerary may vary from what is described. Participants must assume all risks whether identified in advance or unforeseen. All optional activities are at your own risk. Extra costs due to unexpected changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. We highly recommend purchasing traveler s insurance for trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage, accident or sickness. Representatives are available for assistance at any time during your trip. If preferred hotels are not available, every attempt will be made to reserve alternative accommodations of similar quality. (If upgrade is necessary, higher rates may apply.) All information and services provided are subject to our Reservation Form Terms and Conditions. -7-