Itinerary Manu Cloud Forest Lodge

Day One.: 06:00 departure from Cusco on our vehicle. Our destination is Manu 1,300 Ha. Private Reserve in the cloud forest near the southeastern boundary of Manu Park, nested between the grasslands and the lowlands of the Upper Madre de Dios River. We travel south-east through small Andean villages while we observe cameloid shepherds and native peasants in their colorful attires. We travel at leisure making several stops along the way, including many photo opportunities and the colonial town of Paucartambo, the gateway to the rainforest since pre-Inka times.

Optional Trekking: Upon arrival to an Andean pass, located at the southern-most tip of the Manu Park in the grasslands overlooking the Amazon Basin we will offer you the chance to get in touch with this very special kind of habitat by trekking down through a moss and lichen-carpeted kingdom. This four-hour trek will take us through the grasslands, elfin forests and cloud forests. A perfect occasion to learn about the natural history of the eastern slopes of the Andes. We might have the opportunity to spot many species of ferns, lichens, bromeliads and orchids, (i.e. Odontoglossum, Epidendrum, Pachyphyllum, Stelis, Scaphyglotis) We may also have a chance to spot several species of raptors (Black-and- Chestnut Eagle, Mountain Caracara, Black-chested Buzzard Eagle and Puna Hawk).

Llama Taxis: As we reach the southern-most point of Manu National Park, in the grasslands, you will have the chance to ride a Llama Taxi. Led by local peasants and pulled by a couple of these intelligent cameloids you will have a chance to get off the bus, and ride from the Andean grasslands to the elfin forests as you watch the Amazon basin in the far horizon, 11,000 ft. below. This is an opportunity to learn about the Andean culture, their way of life and the use of cameloids to participate in ecotourism, while preserving these wild ecosystems. The Llama Taxi initiative has been funded and started by Manu Nature Tours in an effort to include local Andean peasants in the benefits of ecotourism. Two, llama-assisted treks are now being planned to descend from the Andes into the rainforest.
You may ride a Llama Taxi for segments of 30´minutes. If you want to bird watch, these vehicles are ideal. At a 5 km/hour speed, there are slow, silent, and patient.

Mountain Biking: After this experience, for those with the energy and a sense of adventure we will offer the choice to use a sturdy mountain bike to descend effortlessly the most scenic and beautiful part of the single-lane dirt road into the heart of the cloud forests. For your security, and since this is not a competition but a chance to enjoy nature, you will have to ride behind our transport.

 We reach our Manu Cloud Forest Lodge to have a relaxing evening by the lodge's veranda. The sound of the Union Creek or a visit to the lodge´s sauna will put us into a pleasant sleep.

Day 02. The lush and misty cloud forest is perhaps the most fragile and threatened type of rainforest. This forest which starts from 11,000 feet, and continue down to about 5,000 feet of elevation, cover the eastern slopes of the Andes, before yielding to the vast lowland forest of the Amazon. This is a kingdom of moss, lichens, ferns, and orchids.

Early excursion to a nearby platform and blind strategically located to see a "lek" where the brightly red-colored Cocks-of-the Rock display daily for the females. Afterwards we return to our lodge for a hearty breakfast.

Later in the morning, we will have the opportunity to explore the Mirador Trail, and the beautiful scenery of the Cloud Forest. This is another good chance to try our luck and see Woolly Monkeys, Emerald Toucanet, Torrent Duck, Golden-headed Quetzal, Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan, Amazonian Umbrella Bird, Blue-banded Toucanet, Fruit-eating Tanagers, Red-crested Cotinga, Banded-tail Fruit-eater, tyrant flycatchers and the Blue-crowned Mot-Mot.

In the afternoon you can rent a mountain bike to explore the unpaved road nearby. This is an opportunity to see Dusky-green Oropendola, Crested Oropendola, Mountain Cacique, Yellow-billed Cacique, Grass-green Tanager, Yellow-throated Tanager, or simply enjoy the profusion of plants and flowers insects and butterflies.

Optional White-water rafting on the Qosnipata River: visitors of all ages can enjoy 3 hours of exciting class II and III rapids in the beautiful setting of the tropical rainforest. Lunch is served along the river course. Must be reserved in advance. We need a minimum of three-four participants to run it.

Clients not participating on the river rafting expediton may take a mountain bike to accompany the group to the put-in point, the local town, or simply to explore the unpaved road nearby. This is an opportunity to see Dusky-green Oropendola, Crested Oropendola, Mountain Cacique, yellow-billed Cacique, Grass-green Tanagers, Yellow-throated tanager, or simply enjoy the profusion of plants and flowers insects and butterflies.

Day 03. This morning we offer you a hiking excursion to the Waterfall trail, walking through dense and exuberant cloud forest and crossing rushing streams, which originate in the mountain peaks high above the forest. At noon a delicious barbecue awaits beside a natural pond. Surrounded by massive rocks, hanging vines and bromeliads, we may enjoy a refreshing dip in these crystal-clear waters

Day 04. Optional tours or activities upon request.

Early in the afternoon we start our journey back to Cusco. END

0PTIONAL White-water rafting on the Tono River: If you thought that the class III rapids of the Qosñipata River were fun, we challenge you to explore the class IV rapids of the Tono River. This beautiful, narrow and pristine cloud forest river is born in the Manu Park core area and their unpolluted waters offer you 3-4 hours of world-class white water rafting. We offer you a safe experience with well-experienced river guides, with experience in many rivers worldwide, and training in rescue techniques. For your security we always take, either to rafts, or a raft and a security kayak. We need a minimum of three-four participants.
Additional cost: $ 108.00 per person.

Included: Round trip ground transportation from Cusco, English-speaking guide services, meals according to type of accommodations chosen and excursions according to itinerary.