MANU PERU AMAZON | Cusco,expeditions,cocha,native,tourism,tambopata,inka,pantiacolla,trail

The Manu National Park in Peru is the most extensive Reserve of tropical forest on the planet, with almost two million hectares; located in southeast Peru between the department of Cusco and Madre de Dios, very important part of the Amazonian river basin. In 1977 it was declared by UNESCO: Biosphere Reserve and recognized in 1987 like world patrimony of the Humanity.

DAY CUSCO - ASUNCION:
With the first light in the morning a 4x4 truck with the guide, the driver and the cook will pick you up from your hotel, together, we start the trip in South direction; our first stop is 25 km from Cusco in “Huacarpay” lake to use an observation tower where is possible to see many birds around the lake, in the mean time the cook will be serving breakfast on a side of the lake. We continue our trip in East direction, in the way we visit the beautiful folkloric colonial town of “Paucartambo”, we also stop in the pass of “Acjanacu” (3850masl) entrance point to the park, here is also the separation point of the Andes and the beginning of the Amazon basin.

After lunch we descend through different kinds of forest, where is possible to see a big diversity of flora and fauna, habitat of mammals like the Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatos), unique bear in south America, the Andean fox (Cerdocyon thous), the puma (puma concolor) and others; also habitat of many species of birds like eagles, raptors and others colourful tropical birds as the famous Cock of the rock (Rupicola peruviana) endemic bird of the cloud forest; around are possible to find Cedars, more than 600 species of ferns, orchids and begonias etc. We continue our trip until Asuncion Lodge (800 masl), Overnight in bungalows with private toilettes and hot water.

DAY ASUNCION - LUPUNA RESERVE:
After breakfast we continue by road to Pilcopata’s town where after a short stop we meet our captain of river to receive the explanations for 2 hours of an optional river rafting, we start to descend the Kosñipata River, after it joins together to Piñi Piñi river and form the Alto Madre de Dios river, in the way the guide will explain about the different ecological levels that we pass through. We continue this optional rafting (passengers that don’t want to raft can continue from Pilcopata’s town by road until the river port of “Atalaya”) until the river port of “Atalaya”to board a motor boat and navigate around 40mnts, until finding our private Reserve “Lupuna”, here we have a rustic accommodation, with double rooms, leaving room and toilets; we stay the next two nights here, visiting the 35 protect hectares of this Reserve and enjoying the interesting trail system.

DAY LUPUNA RESERVE:

Early wake up to depart for the marvelous “collpa” activity where hundreds of parrots, parakeets and some species of macaws congregate each morning to clay lick, this is possible to watch from a side of the river without disturbing them. We return to the lodge for a good breakfast.

Later, we go into the forest along the trails to observe the flora and fauna like monkeys or other animals and visit an oxbow lake, habitat of a big quantity of birds like the “hoatzin” (Opisthocomus hoatzin) particular for its modus vivendi, related as been the connection of evolution between reptiles and birds. By night in the lodge we have the chance to hear from the guide stories and explanations about what we have seen. An optional night walk is possible to hear the music of jungle as frogs, tarantulas, crickets, grasshoppers or other interesting nocturnal animals.

DAY LUPUNA RESERVE - CUSCO:
After breakfast we board the boat for the returning trip to Cusco city until reach Atalaya’s port, where our bus wait to drive us back. Here is the end of our services.

All activities may be changed depending of weather or river conditions.

TOUR/ DAYS/US$
Lupuna Reserve/4D & 3N/350

DEPARTURES:
Every day with minimum two passengers.