CLOUD FOREST, LAKE SALVADOR AND LAKE OTORONGO, MACAW LICK

7 days - in by bus via Manu Road, out by bus via Interoceánica Road

DAY 1: Cuzco-Cloud Forest

Leaving Cusco early in the morning, we begin an 8-hour journey over the Andes by bus, stopping for breakfast at the beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo. Continuing, we climb to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere at about 4000m before descending to the cloud forest. In these mysterious surroundings we take a hike to the lek of the incredible cock-of-the-rock, to see the 'performance' of the males right under our eyes. We spend our first night in the rustic lodge Posada San Pedro (appr. 1,600 m).

DAY 2: Cloud Forest-Atalaya-Manu River

At daybreak we continue by bus to the tropical lowland rainforest. Here at the small village Atalaya at 650 m, we change into a motorized canoe to navigate some 5 hours down the turbulant Alto Madre de Dios River to Boca Manu. After about 2 hours, we collect the people who are doing the 9-day tour from Pantiacolla Lodge to join us for the rest of the tour. You spend the night at Yine Lodge -a small eco-lodge, which is part of a joint project of Pantiacolla with the Yine indians.

DAY 3 & 4: Lake Salvador and Lake Otorongo

On the morning of the third day we turn up the Manu River for a 6-hour ride into the heart of Manu's Reserved Zone. From this vantage point we will have great views of riverside birds, sunbathing caiman, and the enormous aquatic guinea pig, the capybara.

We reach our Camping Huts deep inside Manu in the afternoon. This will be our base for this and the next day. During this time, we will hike through virgin forest and explore one of the most beautiful lakes of the Manu basin, Lake Salvador, by catamaran. There is a chance to see a huge variety of colourful birds, numerous species of monkey and with luck, a family of giant otters. There is another hike in this habitat-rich forest that ends in Lake Otorongo and a 20 meter-high observation platform overlooking the lake. At night we can explore the forest by torchlight or go moonlight caiman-spotting on the lake.

DAY 5: Lake Salvador-Macaw Lick

After a final walk through the forest surrounding Lake Salvador, we return back down the Manu River. Joining the Madre de Dios River we arrive at Blanquillo, near the claylick for macaws, where we spend the night in the jungle lodge Tambo Blanquillo.

DAY 6: Macaw Lick

At first light we head to the macaw lick to watch the dazzling spectacle of hundreds of parakeets, parrots and big macaws eating clay. In the afternoon we visit another one of Manu's beautiful oxbow lakes or visit a 42-meter high canopy tower. We spend the night again in the jungle lodge Tambo Blanquillo.

DAY 7: Blanquillo-Boca Colorado-Cusco

Back on the boat early in the morning, we head downstream to the small mining village Boca Colorado. Here and in Mazuco later on, you can see the negative effects of certain human activities on the delicate ecological balance of the rainforest. We take local transportation to the crossing of the Inambari River. On the other side, our bus is waiting to take you over a newly paved road, through beautiful cloud and elfin forest. Near Cusco, you have stunning views of the Ausangate Mountain. Cusco is reached in the early evening.

Rate per person in 2012: US$1295

Rate includes:

• Naturalist guide in English and Spanish
• Transportation Cusco/Atalaya & Mazuco/Cusco by private bus
• Transportation by private boat: Atalaya/ Lake Salvador/Tambo Blanquillo/Boca Colorado
• Overnights in lodges and camping huts
• Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Water at any time and warm drinks or lemonades with meals
• Guide book for rainforest of Manu - Talking About Manu
• Entrance fee reserved zone

Rate does not include:

• Soft drinks and beers
• Personal expenses
• Insurance of any kind

See Pre-departure information and frequently asked questions

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES 2012:

Notes:
Important notes:

*Bearing in mind the uncontrollable forces of nature, the program may be subject to change at any time

**Every group can contain people who travel for 7 or 9 days

***Due to several recent cases of malaria in the area on the way to Manu, we do recommend everyone to take a prophylaxis when going on one of our tours. The yellow fever situation is about the same. Moreover, yellow fever is almost always lethal. Therefore, it is not only recommended but even required that one receives the yellow fever vaccination at least ten days before entering Manu.

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.