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Price Guide
4 Nights - £1,595pp

Meals & Transport Included

Tour Info
  • Bus & boat transfers
  • English speaking guide
  • Full Board
  • All activities

Manu National Park Tour

Macaw Clay Lick

Macaw Clay Lick

Jaguar

Jaguar

Manu National Park

Manu National Park

Capybara

Capybara

Macaw Clay Lick

Macaw Clay Lick

Squirrel Monkey

Squirrel Monkey

Butterfy

Butterfy

 

Located in the south of Peru, bordering the Amazon Basin, the Manu National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet.

Manu is the only park in Latin America to cover the full range of environments, from lowland tropical jungle to cooler high grasslands over 4,000 metres above sea level.

Navigable circuits in the park lead across lakes and swamps and one of the main attractions of the park are the clay licks, regularly visited by flocks of macaws as well as other birds and animals.

Manu is home to 221 species of mammal, including the otorongo (jaguar), black panther, tapir, collared peccary, deer, capybara and spider monkey.

Keen birders will be on the look out for the harpy eagle, jabiru, roseate spoonbill, jungle goose and the cock of the rock.

An observation tower 18 metres high, with an elevated walkway provides a great viewing platform over the rainforest.

Visitors can also climb the Tres Cruces lookout point and enjoy both the sunset and two contrasting landscapes, the Andes and the rainforest.

A large part of Manu is indigenous territory and there are also other indigenous people living in voluntary isolation. 

The cultural wealth of the area is found in numerous archaeological sites, as yet little studied.

At a glance

  • Bus & boat transfer from Cusco to your Lodge
  • Private bungalow with en-suite bahtroom
  • Shared bathroom in tented camps or lodges
  • All meals & snacks
  • Potable drinking water
  • Bilingual experienced rainforest wildlife guide
  • Entrance to Manu National Park on selected itineraries
  • Visit to the Blancquillo macaw lick
  • Visit to Tapir and Mammal Clay lick
  • Catamaran excursion on an oxbow lake
  • Access to canopy towers 
  • Wildlife trail excursions
  • Flight or private bus from Manu to Cusco

 

Day 1: Cusco - Mountains of Manu Cloud Forests

Depart Cusco after an early breakfast and travel through traditional Quechua communities and through the spectacular eastern ranges of the Andes.

Stop to see the village of Paucartambo, passing snow-capped peaks and small Andean farmsteads.

There is time to look around this picturesque village with its colonial stone bridge and handsome plaza.

Then ascend to the last pass overlooking the Amazon Basin and begin the breath-taking descent from 3500 to 1600 metres above sea-level to the comfortable lodge in the orchid laden Cloud Forest.

This is a spectacular journey passing cascading waterfalls and forest home to colourful and varied birdlife.

In the late afternoon, walk to the lodge to the sounds of Quetzals, Trogons and Gray-breasted Wood-Wrens.

Overnight at Cloud forest lodge. Lunch and dinner included.

Day 2: The Cloud Forest to Manu Wildlife Centre Lodge

Enjoy a pre-breakfast short drive to a nearby spot in the Cloud Forest, where the strange and beautiful Cock-of-the-Rock’s displays at dawn.

This is a wonderful sight, as up to 25 bright red-orange males dance and sing, attempting to attract the favours of the duller, burgundy coloured females.

After visiting this 'lek', return to the Lodge for a leisurely breakfast and continue by bus to the Madre de Dios River.

Board a motorised dugout for the journey down river, through the last folds of the Andes to the isolated Pantiacolla range.

Pass settlements and native communities on the way, including the community of Diamante, the largest settlement of Amerindians in the area.

Arrive at Manu Wildlife Centre in time for lunch and a shower (with hot water) and to meet the researchers.

The afternoon is set aside to relax, or if you prefer, to explore a trail through the untouched forest to a canopy platform and an observation tower.

There is an option to join a night walk with your guide in search of nocturnal animals and visit the Tapir Lick.

Tapirs, the largest South American land mammals are frequent visitors with up to 12 animals visiting in one night.

Watch them from the comfort of mosquito nets and mattresses from the specially constructed blind.

Other nocturnal creatures sometimes turn up and the adventurous, may have the option to spend the night here and walk back to the lodge at dawn for breakfast.

Overnight at Manu Wildlife Center. All meals and activities included.

Days 3 - 4: Manu Wildlife Centre

Enjoy two full days to explore the forest, lakes and trails around the lodge.

Explore trails where groups of Manakins, perhaps the most enigmatic of neo-tropical birds, perform their strange mating dances.

If you wish, explore a trail through the untouched forest to a lookout point on a cliff over the river to watch roosting flights of Parrots and Macaws as the sun sets.

Enjoy an excursion to the canopy tower or along quiet trails looking out for primates such as Emperor and Wedell's Saddleback Tamarin’s

Make an early start for the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick. This is truly one of the world's great wildlife spectacles as hundreds of Parrots and their larger relatives, the Macaws, congregate here to eat the mineral rich clay essential to their digestion.

You'll use a comfortable blind (hide) to get close to the birds and breakfast will be served here.

The noise alone is incredible and the sight of these brightly coloured birds at the lick is a sight not to be forgotten.

As the lick slows down by mid-morning, head back to the lodge for lunch and a siesta in the hammock area of the roomy cool lounge area of the lodge

You'll be on the lookout for Gray's Bald-faced Saki Monkeys, an uncommon and rarely seen monkey of the terra firma forest that is occasionally seen here.

Head for Cocha Blanco or Cocha Camungo, old ox-bow lakes, in search of families of Giant Otters that live there, and canoe around the lake on a floating platform looking for other wildlife, including Hoatzin.

You should be able to see groups of Black Spider and Capuchin Monkeys here as well.

Each day enjoy a leisurely lunch at the lodge with time to relax in one of the hammocks or watch the multicoloured Hummingbirds' coming to the Butterfly bushes and feeders in the garden.

Overnight at Manu Wildlife Center. All meals and activities included.

Day 5: Manu Wildlife Centre to Cusco or Lima

Today is an early morning start as flocks of birds pass over the boat, and you may see a Capybara, the world's largest rodent.

Transfer to Boca Colorado, a frontier gold rush town from where you'll take local transport for an hour to the Inambari River and then by paved road to Puerto Maldonado in order to catch the afternoon flight to Lima or depending on flight schedules a private bus or flight to Cusco.

Transfer to your hotel on arrival in Cusco or Lima.

Breakfast and luch included.

Day 1: Cusco - Mountains of Manu Cloud Forests

Depart Cusco after an early breakfast and travel through traditional Quechua communities and through the spectacular eastern ranges of the Andes.

Stop to see the village of Paucartambo, passing snow-capped peaks and small Andean farmsteads.

There is time to look around this picturesque village with its colonial stone bridge and handsome plaza.

Then ascend to the last pass overlooking the Amazon Basin and begin the breath-taking descent from 3500 to 1600 metres above sea-level to the comfortable lodge in the orchid laden Cloud Forest.

This is a spectacular journey passing cascading waterfalls and forest home to colourful and varied birdlife.

In the late afternoon, walk to the lodge to the sounds of Quetzals, Trogons and Gray-breasted Wood-Wrens.

Overnight at Cloud forest lodge. Lunch and dinner included.

Day 2: Cloud Forest to Pantiacolla Lodge

Enjoy a pre-breakfast short drive to a nearby spot in the Cloud Forest, where the strange and beautiful Cock-of-the-Rock’s displays at dawn.

This is a wonderful sight, as up to 25 bright red-orange males dance and sing, attempting to attract the favours of the duller, burgundy coloured females.

After visiting this 'lek', return to the Lodge for a leisurely breakfast and continue by bus to the Madre de Dios River.

Board a motorised dugout for the journey down river, through the last folds of the Andes to the isolated Pantiacolla range.

Arrive at Pantiacolla Lodge and after lunch explore one of the trails at this charming location.

There are over 26 km of trails surrounding the lodge. The trails lead through the different forest types.

Closer to the lodge, a leisurely 2 hour hike takes you the Petroleo Stream.

This feels like a scene of Jurassic Park, with palm trees, tree ferns, enormous rocks, waterfalls and rainforest pools.

The Monk Saki Trail, offers a chance of viewing this rare species of monkey.

Overnight at Pantiacolla Lodge. All meals and activities included.

Day 3: Pantiacolla Rainforest Lodge - Cocha Salvador

You may visit a clay lick where many parakeet and parrot species eat clay in the mornings.

Also the smaller macaws such as the Chestnut-fronted and the scarce Blue-headed Macaws can be found here.

Board a motorised dugout for the journey down river, through the last folds of the Andes to the isolated Pantiacolla range.

Pass settlements and native communities on the way, including the community of Diamante, the largest settlement of Amerindians in the area.

Arrive at Manu Wildlife Centre in time for lunch and a shower (with hot water) and to meet the researchers.

Turning up the Manu River leavies the relatively clean waters of the Madre de Dios behind, with the clay-laden waters of the Manu.

Check in at the park ranger station at Limonal to present the permits and visit an overgrown oxbow lake where many Parrots and Macaws come in to roost.

You are now deep in the pristine Manu National Park and Rainforest.

Head upriver – as deep into the park as visitors are allowed, to Cocha Salvador.

Beaches here, especially in the dry season, are loaded with nesting birds and feeding Herons, Egrets, Orinoco Geese, Terns and Skimmers to name but a few.

Some beaches will host sunning White and Black Caimans (South American relatives of the Alligators) and breeding Side-necked Turtles.

Hundreds of Sand-colored Nightjars roost during the day on logs and beaches and there is a chance of encountering a sunning Jaguar - the world’s third largest cat.

In recent years, one in three or four trips have seen Jaguar in Manu.

You will see some species of primate on this river trip, possibly Colombian Red Howler Monkeys or the smaller Black-headed Squirrel Monkeys. 

Overnight at a tented camp. All meals and activities included.

Day 4: Cocha Salvador

A full day is spent at Cocha Salvador. Some of the time will be spent canoeing the lake on floating catamarans observing ox-bow lake animal life from the water.

You may encounter an Agami Heron or a Sungrebe and Shock-headed & Large-headed Capuchin Monkeys are usually found feeding on fruits nearby.

Specially constructed piers that jut out into the lake enable you to look for a family of Giant Otters that live here.

The world’s largest freshwater carnivores remain common only in Manu and a few other places on earth, having been hunted to extinction throughout most of their former range.

Each animal consumes between 4 and 5 kilos of fish daily and often they can be seen eating large fish on logs at the lakeside.

This morning there is time to explore the trails in the area and a visit to the lake of Cocha Otorongo is planned, where observation piers and a 20-metre observation tower in the rainforest canopy overlooking the lake are available for observing wildlife.

Overnight at a tented camp. All meals and activities included.

Day 5: Cocha Salvador to Manu Wildlife Centre Lodge

You can explore the trail system at the lodge in the morning before heading downriver river to Manu Wildlife Centre Lodge.

Your leader will point out plants and trees used by indigenous communities for day-to-day living and more importantly for medicinal cures. 

Arrive at Manu Wildlife Centre in time for lunch and a shower (with hot water) and to meet the researchers.

The afternoon is set aside to relax, or if you prefer, to explore a trail through the untouched forest to a canopy platform and an observation tower.

There is an option to join a night walk with your guide in search of nocturnal animals and visit the Tapir Lick.

Tapirs, the largest South American land mammals are frequent visitors with up to 12 animals visiting in one night.

Watch them from the comfort of mosquito nets and mattresses from the specially constructed blind.

Other nocturnal creatures sometimes turn up and the adventurous, may have the option to spend the night here and walk back to the lodge at dawn for breakfast.

Overnight at Manu Wildlife Center. All meals and activities included.

Days 6 - 8: Manu Wildlife Centre

Enjoy three full days to explore the forest, lakes and trails around the lodge.

Explore trails where groups of Manakins, perhaps the most enigmatic of neo-tropical birds, perform their strange mating dances.

If you wish, explore a trail through the untouched forest to a lookout point on a cliff over the river to watch roosting flights of Parrots and Macaws as the sun sets.

Enjoy an excursion to the canopy tower or along quiet trails looking out for primates such as Emperor and Wedell's Saddleback Tamarin’s

Make an early start for the Blanquillo Macaw Clay Lick. This is truly one of the world's great wildlife spectacles as hundreds of Parrots and their larger relatives, the Macaws, congregate here to eat the mineral rich clay essential to their digestion.

You'll use a comfortable blind (hide) to get close to the birds and breakfast will be served here.

The noise alone is incredible and the sight of these brightly coloured birds at the lick is a sight not to be forgotten.

As the lick slows down by mid-morning, head back to the lodge for lunch and a siesta in the hammock area of the roomy cool lounge area of the lodge

You'll be on the lookout for Gray's Bald-faced Saki Monkeys, an uncommon and rarely seen monkey of the terra firma forest that is occasionally seen here.

Head for Cocha Blanco or Cocha Camungo, old ox-bow lakes, in search of families of Giant Otters that live there, and canoe around the lake on a floating platform looking for other wildlife, including Hoatzin.

You should be able to see groups of Black Spider and Capuchin Monkeys here as well.

Each day enjoy a leisurely lunch at the lodge with time to relax in one of the hammocks or watch the multicoloured Hummingbirds' coming to the Butterfly bushes and feeders in the garden.

Overnight at Manu Wildlife Center. All meals and activities included.

Day 9: Manu Wildlife Centre to Cusco or Lima

Today is an early morning start as flocks of birds pass over the boat, and you may see a Capybara, the world's largest rodent.

Transfer to Boca Colorado, a frontier gold rush town from where you'll take local transport for an hour to the Inambari River and then by paved road to Puerto Maldonado in order to catch the afternoon flight to Lima or depending on flight schedules a private bus or flight to Cusco.

Transfer to your hotel on arrival in Cusco or Lima.

Breakfast and luch included.

 

A short trip to Manu staying 3 nights at the Manu Wildlife Centre

This trip has several major wildlife attractions – the Macaw lick and the world's only know Tapir lick where in the comfort of mattresses and mosquito nets you may watch the largest of all South American Land Mammals visit a mineral lick.

Oxbow Lakes with floating Catamarans for observing Giant Otters and other lake-side wildlife and two walk-up canopy towers to get you into the rainforest canopy.

Includes

  • Bus & boat transfer from Cusco to your Lodge
  • Private bungalow with en suite bahtroom
  • All meals & snacks
  • Potable drinking water
  • Bilingual  experienced  rainforest  wildlife  guides
  • Visit to the Blancquillo macaw lick
  • Visit to Tapir and Mamal Clay lick
  • Catamaran excursion on an oxbow lake
  • Access to canopy towers 
  • Wildlife trail excursions
  • Flight or private bus from Manu to Cusco (or Lima at a surcharge) 

 Not includes

  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Insurance

5 Days Manu Wildlife Centre:

  • Price from £1,595 pp

This is a guide price only, based on travel in low season.

Prices will vary according to choice of hotel and seasonal airfare and hotel surcharges. Please ask us for any current special offers.

Contact Us:

All of our Peru Tours are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of Peru itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

Call us now to speak to a Peru expert about your tailor made Peru holiday.

Call us now on 0333 7000 747

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We're open from 9 until 9 daily and our 0333 number is a local rate number included in most call packages.