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MANU
THE CULTURAL ZONE TOUR INFORMATION:
MANU -
THE CULTURAL ZONE
(4 Days/ 3 Nights)
Manu Cultural zone is one of the three zones of Manu
National Park that covers high mountains, cloud
forest and low jungle. In this area there are small
villages with settlers and native communities
working at productibe activities such as agriculture
and lumber at a small scale.
Day 01: Cusco / San Pedro
We leave Cusco early in the morning in our
specialized overland vehicles. Approximately
mid-morning we visit the interesting Pre- Inca tombs
of Ninamarca, commonly known as “Chullpas”. We
continue to Paucartambo, a picturesque Spanish
colonial town, and then to the Acjanacu pass, which
marks the beginning of the
Cultural Zone of Manu
Biosphere Reserve. Here, a thick cloak of clouds
provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal
habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads.
This varied and fascinating world is home to the
Cock of the Rock, Spectacled Bear, Orchids, Tree
Ferns (one of the oldest living plants), mosses and
lichens. This cloud forest exists between 2000 and
3500 meters above sea level and at least 50% of the
plant species found here are endemic to this region.
Overnight in our Orquídeas de San Pedro lodge.
Day 02: San Pedro/ Erika Reserve
Today we wake up very early to observe the Cock of
the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s national bird,
from a platform. The male birds are a vibrant
reddish orange, and as many as several dozen come
together for an exhibition of a mating ritual dance
in a place called Lek. The males display their
crest, showing off and posturing for the females.
The females, fewer in number, watch to select the
most suitable males. After breakfast we continue in
our vehicle (*1) down the narrow road between
waterfalls and canyons toward the town of Pilcopata
(*2) and then to Atalaya Port. Here we board our
covered, outboard motor boat and head down the Alto
Madre de Dios River for approximately 15 minutes,
toward our private reserve of “Erika”, a comfortable
/ rustic lodge owned also by Manu Ecological
Adventures where we will hike through the
interesting trail system that this transitional area
between high and low jungle offers. Overnight at the
lodge.
*1 Optional: Descend with mountain bikes from
our San Pedro Lodge (1700 m.a.s.l.) Cloud Forest to
Pilcopata (700 m.a.s.l.) – only for very experienced
people – depends on availability and weather
conditions.
*2 Free Option: Here in Pilcopata town we
make the final settings for a 1 ½ river rafting
(class I and II) trip down the Koshñipata River
where we will have the opportunity for a dip and of
course enjoy the spectacular view of the Koñeq
Canyon. After we continue down the Alto Madre de
Dios River to Erika Lodge.
*3 New!!! Option:
We walk through the trail that leads us to the
observation platform located 15 feet above the
mammal lick itself where we wait for the lumbering
peccaries to arrive, we observe and photograph them
in action. Important: The observation depends on
luck on availability and weather conditions.
Day 03: Erika Reserve / Machuwasi Lake
Erika Lodge is located in a transition zone between
high and low jungle (600 m.a.s.l. to 1,150 m.a.s.l),
and encompasses different habitats. This altitude
range explains the high diversity of wildlife found
around this lodge, so immediately after breakfast,
we will start walking near the riverbanks. During
the hike our guide will talk about insects,
medicinal plants, trees, reptiles, mammals, etc.
This afternoon we board our boat, and after five
minutes, we will walk for another 30 minutes
approximately though a very nice trail to observe
and talk about the interesting flora fond such as
sensitive plants, heliconias, fruit plantations,
etc. until we arrive to Machuwasi Lake where with
the help of a telescope we can observe great egrets,
tucanets, carpenters, Keskadees, cardinals, etc.
Short night walk to observe American bullfrogs,
horned frogs, tree frogs
and an incredible variety of insects.
*4 Free Option: Canopy zip down: At Erika Lodge, our
guests traverse from tree to tree and platform to
platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables
zip lines), as they sail through the treetops of the
tropical rainforest canopy, and over the trails far
below. Expert guides assist you in this exciting
journey through the different layers of the rain
forests and explain what’s going on around you from
the time you leave the ground, until you rappel back
down to the forest floor.
Day 04: Machuwasi Lake / Cusco
This day we get up very early to board our boat
again for only five minutes down river to a Parrot
clay Lick called “Collpa” on the riverbanks, where
many species of parrots such as the blue headed
parrot, white-eyed parakeet, feed on mineral and
salt-supplements such as seeds and fruits.
Immediately after we continue to Atalaya Port where
the bus drives us to Cusco city, arriving late in
the night.
Included:
•
Bilingual guide
•
1 night
at Orquídeas de San Pedro Lodge
•
2
nights at Erika Lodge
•
First
aid kit including anti-ophidian shots
•
All
land and river transportation
•
Captain
and river rafting equipment
•
Mountain biking equipment
•
Special
guide for the Canopy Zip down; and required
equipment
•
Cusco
storage for extra luggage
Not Included:
•
Airport
taxes
•
Extra
drinks (Alcohol, soft drinks etc)
Programe Departures:
•
Cultural program: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
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