Activity description
This adventure begins in Cusco, crossing the cloud forest to enter Manu. Then, we'll take a boat from Puerto Atalaya to Cocha Machuwasi, where we'll observe shansho, monkeys, and reptiles.
Next, we'll go in search of colorful mud-licking parrots and macaws, then sail by boat to Cocha Maravilla and, from a platform, observe the species that inhabit this area.
ITINERARY
Day 1: #1: CUSCO - CLOUD FOREST - PILCOPATA LODGE
Early morning departure from your hotel, between 5:30 and 6:00 am, in our comfortable, private bus.
On the way, we will visit the funerary towers or Chullpas of Ninamarca, at 3,750 masl, and a brief visit to Paucartambo, a folkloric village with a colonial bridge.
We will ascend to the Paucartambo area, Acjanaco sector (4,000 masl). This is the entry point to Manu National Park.
Next, we'll descend through the mysterious cloud forest, home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, replete with beautiful orchids, heliconias, and primitive ferns. We'll take a hike so you have the opportunity to see the Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola Peruviana) in its mating ritual. There's also the chance to spot frogs (Trogon sp.), quetzals (Pharomachrus sp.), and more, and if we're lucky, we might spot spectacled bears (Tremantus ornatos).
In the afternoon, we will arrive at a village called Pilcopata, 550 meters above sea level, at our typical accommodation, located outside the village, with private bathrooms and showers, where we will spend the night.
Day 2: #2: PILCOPATA - LAKE MACHUWASI - PAITITI
After a delicious breakfast, we continue our journey by bus to Atalaya for 45 minutes, altitude of 490 masl, where we will board a boat for 30 minutes to the Paititi lodge, where we will spend the night in our typical lodge with private bathrooms and showers.
Along the way, we will observe a wide variety of animals.
After a delicious lunch, in the afternoon, we will go to Lake Machuwasi, where we will ride on a typical catamaran of the region, to observe a variety of birds, such as the Shansho (Ophisthocomus hoazin), monkeys, reptiles, dwarf caimans and insects, and perhaps some ronsocos (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris).
In the evening, we will have the optional night walk program.
Day 3: #3: PARATO VERDE BIDDING - LAKE MARAVILLA
Early in the morning, we'll take a boat ride to the Green Parrots' Clay Lick (a clay wall with minerals), where three to four parrot species can be observed. Then, we'll return by boat and take a walk through the forest, reaching the private lagoon, or cocha maravilla, from a platform where we can see a variety of birds, monkeys, small reptiles, dwarf caimans, and insects.
In the afternoon, we will return to our lodge for lunch.
In the evening, we will go for night walks.
Day 4 : #4 : PAITITITI LODGE - ATALAYA - CUSCO
After our delicious breakfast, we return by boat from Paititi Lodge to Atalaya, where the bus awaits us to return to Cusco, passing again through the mysterious cloud forest to the imperial city of Cusco (arrival approx. 6:30 am to 7:00 pm).
Notes:
Reservations can be made up to one day before departure.
A minimum of 2 passengers is required for departure.
What do I need to bring?
- Thick clothing (cold at sunrise by the river)
- Rain gear
- Water bottle
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Flashlight or lantern with spare batteries
- Hat or cap
- Long sleeve shirt and long pants
- Mosquito repellent with at least 10% deet
- Sandals, swimsuit and towel
- Personal hygiene material (toilet paper)
