CLOUD FOREST, LAKE SALVADOR AND LAKE OTORONGO

Cloud Forest, Pantiacolla Lodge, Lake Salvador and Otorongo, Macaw Lick
9 days - in by bus over Manu Road, out by bus over Interoceánica Road

DAY 1: Cusco-Cloud Forest

Leaving Cusco early in the morning, we begin an 8-hour journey crossing the Andes by bus. We will stop 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 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 (approx. 1,600m).

DAY 2: Cloud Forest-Cocha Machuhuasi-Pantiacolla Lodge

At daybreak we continue by bus to tropical lowland rainforest. Here at the small village Atalaya at 650 m, we change into a motorized canoe to navigate some 2 hours down the turbulent Alto Madre de Dios River. From here we get great views of the Andes. We stop for a visit of one of the very view lakes on the Alto Madre de Dios River, where you can go around on small traditional rafts. For the next two nights we stay at the Pantiacolla lodge, right at the foot of the Pantiacolla Mountain Range. The forest of Pantiacolla Lodge is a very special rainforest: this is where the Andes and the lowland tropical rainforest meet and offers visitors the opportunity to see a good range of birds and plants from both zones as well as endemics to the area. Your first hike will be on the lowland trails, at 400m above sea level. Also at night, we explore the forest by torchlight looking for insects, snakes and the uniquely nocturnal night-monkey or 'douricouli'. We spend the night in Pantiacolla Lodge.

DAY 3: Clay lick for parrots-Excursion to the Petroleo stream

Early in the morning the boat takes you to a nearby clay lick for parrots and the rare blue-headed macaw. Their spectacle is both impressive to see and to hear! From there we visit the higher trails of the Pantiacolla Mountains: its 'Oil' stream with small hot springs, oil wells and natural swimming pools. At night we visit Ranacocha, Frog Lake. Overnight in Panctiacolla Lodge.

DAY 4: Pantiacolla Lodge-Yine Lodge

In the morning we take another hike on one of the lodge's many trails. At midday we join the people doing the 7-day tour going down the Alto Madre de Dios River to Yine Lodge -a small eco-lodge which is part of a project of Pantiacolla with the Yine Indians.

DAY 5 & 6: Lake Salvador and Lake Otorongo

In the morning 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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$1395

Rate includes:

• Naturalist guide in English and Spanish
• Transportation Cusco/Atalaya & Mazuco/Cusco by private bus
• Transportation by private boat: Atalaya/Pantiacolla Lodge/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.