MANU national park CULTURAL ZONe

5 days / 4 nights

CLOUD FOREST & MOUNTIAN RANGE

Cloud Forest, Lowland Forest, Rafting, Cocha Machuhuasi, Lodge, Hot Springs, Cock of the Rock - In And Out By Bus

FIRST DAY: CUSCO-CLOUD FOREST
Leaving Cusco early in the morning at 5:00 am , we begin an 8-hour journey over the Andes by bus, stopping for a coffee at the beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo. Continuing, we climb to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere at about 3,530 m 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).

SECOND DAY: LOWLAND FOREST, RAFTING, COCHA MACHUHUASI, LODGE
We continue the bus ride to the tropical lowland rainforest. In the small village of Pilcopata we get on river rafts to travel down the Pilcopata River to Salvación. This is a beautiful way to get to know the forest: without motor sounds between you and the Amazon! In Salvación we visit one of the few lakes of the Alto Madre de Dios River, Cocha Machuhuasi. It has caiman, the pre-historic looking Hoatzin and many other birds. The lake has little balsa rafts to take you around. From Salvación, we continue down the Alto Madre de Dios River to rustic and comfortable Lodge. The forest of our Lodge is a very special rainforest: this is where the Andes and the lowland tropical rainforest meet and provides the visitor with a chance to see a good selection 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 Lodge.

THIRD DAY: 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 Mountains: it's 'Oil' stream with small hot springs, oil wells and natural swimming pools. At night we visit Ranacocha, Frog Lake. Overnight in our Lodge.

FOURTH DAY: HOT SPRINGS, CLOUD FOREST
After a last early morning hike in our lodge, the boat takes us to the hot springs of Shintuya for a relaxing mineral and mud bath, before continuing further up to Atalaya. From here we turn back up the Andes by car, visiting an orchid 'sanctuary' along the way. We spend the last night in Posada San Pedro.

FIFTH DAY: COCK OF THE ROCK, HUATOCTO, CUSCO
Early morning we take a hike to the lek of the incredible cock-of-the-rock, to see the males perform their ritual dance right under our eyes. Afterwards we hike through the cloud forest till our car picks us up to take us to Huatocto, near Paucartambo. This is a traditional Andean Community where there used to be a big hacienda in colonial times. Of course the hacienda was built on top of Inka ruins! From here we travel by car to Cusco, where we arrive in the late afternoon.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Bearing in mind the uncontrollable forces of nature, the programme could be subject to changes at any time

PRICES
Due to global cost fluctuations that affect Per? as it does many other countries, we are adjusting our prices on a regular basis. Please, ask for our current prices by e mail.

INCLUDED
► Naturalist guide in English and Spanish
► Private car from Cusco to Atalaya and back
► Private boat from Atalaya to Pantiacolla Lodge and back
► Excursions mentioned in the programm
► Two nights in Posada San Pedro
► Two nights in Pantiacolla Lodge
► Meals

NOT INCLUDED
► Alcoholic and soft drinks (water and warm drinks with meals are included)
► Sleeping bag for the first night of the tour