Manu Wildlife Center 4 Days / 3 Nights

Departures: Thursday and Saturday

Recommended Season: March to November

Day 01: Cusco / Manu Wildlife Center

Early morning pick you up from your hotel to transfer to Cusco airport. 35-minute flight to Boca Manu, from where you will take a motorised canoe for the 90 minutes journey down the Madre de Dios River to Manu Wildlife Center to arrive for lunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring some of the 30 miles of clean forest trails that surround the lodge. On these trails you have an excellent chance to encounter some of the 12 species of monkeys, including the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin, which inhabit the surrounding forest. After dinner, you will have a short night excursion to explore nocturnal life in the rainforest. (L-D).

Day 02: Manu Wildlife Center

Rising before dawn; you will take a 25-minute boat journey downstream to the only large parrot and macaw clay lick in the Manu area. From a floating catamaran blind you can appreciate excellent views and photo opportunities of hundreds of medium-sized and large parrots arriving first at the lick, followed by the large red and green macaws arriving to eat the clay.

After lunch, you will continue exploring the forest trails surrounding the lodge, and plan to spend the late afternoon up a 34 meter canopy platform. Activity in the rainforest canopy, or rush hour, before night settles.

Return for dinner back at the Center, or pack your meal for the leisurely hike about 60-75 minutes through the night forest to the Amazon’s largest known Tapir clay lick. Here you will climb a 17 by 17 foot observation platform perched almost 20 feet above the lick itself where you wait for the lumbering Tapirs to arrive. Then, using powerful flashlights you will be able to observe and photograph them in action. Scientific reports reveal that tapirs usually visit the clay lick between 9:00 pm and midnight; however, their activity continues until dawn. (B-L-D).

Please note:

• The clay lick activity reaches its best from August to October and decreases during the months of May and June.

During the dry season (June-September) the water level on the river does not always allow for a floating blind and it will then be sitting on the ground.

Day 03: Manu Wildlife Center

After another early morning departure by boat and short hike from the river, you have what promises to be an exciting visit to Blanco Oxbow Lake. This lake has populations of a variety of aquatic life and water birds, including the prehistoric-looking hoatzin and the possibility to see the resident family of giant otters.

After returning for lunch at the Center your guide is available to further explore the forest trails for more wildlife encounters.  Alternatively, time is available to independently practice your abilities and experience this expanse of rainforest habitats on your own.

This evening, from the late afternoon until after dinner, opportunity to search for caiman and other nocturnal life along the riverbank by boat. (B-L-D).

Day 04: Manu/Cusco

After early breakfast, you will leave near dawn by motor canoe for the two hour return trip to the Manu landing strip, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river.  From here you will take your flight to Cusco. Arrival at Cusco Airport, reception and transfer to your hotel. (B).

Important note: Please note that the programme may vary slightly so as to maximise your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of the researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.

INCLUDED

• Excursions as described, transportation, entrances, specialised tour guide.
• Accommodation with breakfast.
• Meals where stated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
• Transportation Cusco / Manu by private vehicle and Boca Manu / Cusco by plane.

NOT INCLUDED

• Services not specified in the programme, extras and tips.
• National flights Lima / Cusco / Lima.