Manu Biosphere, Mazuco

We take a trip of 9 hours in a private bus (with stops) from Cusco, ascending the Perhuayani High Pass 4725 m (15583 feet). After a short stop on the high pass, to see the spectacular mountains, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, bromeliads etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Inambari River. In the afternoon we arrive to Mazuco, gold mining village (500m), we spend the night in a lodge (double rooms). Optional night walk.

After an early breakfast, we go by car half an hour to the port of the Inambari River, it takes us 10 minutes to cross the river and take another car for one hour from Puerto Carlos to Colorado village. Here the boat is waiting for us and will take us 5 hours up the Madre de Dios River to Maquisapayoj / Blanquillo Lodge. Today we enjoy the changing landscape and have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Cocoi Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers, Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. Early afternoon, we arrive to Manu Maquisapayoj Lodge (place of the Black Spider Monkey and Tapir). The night is spent in double rooms with private bath in Blanquillo. Optional night walk (to see insects, frogs, snakes etc.).

4:00 am. We go to the macaw clay Lick, the trip is 40 minutes by boat and 15 minutes walk to the special observation hideaway. We have our breakfast at the hideout. The activity begins around 5:30 am with the small parrots and later the big macaws. The Parrots eat the clay which has minerals that helps the stomach digestion that is the reason why hundreds of parrots parakeets and macaws come to this particular place. After lunch, we walk through primary rain forest for 1.40 hours to the Tapir lick; here there is an especial observation platform to see the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris). The tapirs are usually active at night for this reason we have mosquito nets with mattress and blankets to spend the night.

Very early, we visit Blanco lake, here we look for the family of the Giant river otters that uses very often this lake, also this is an interesting place to observe the prehistoric bird called hoatzin, snail kite, brown throated three toed sloth, red howler monkey, squirrel monkey, white fronted capuchin, brown capuchin and other species that inhabit this lake. After lunch, we will climb on the 42 meters tower, this is a very good place to observe the marvelous toucans. We go on the catamaran and have another chance for the Giant River Otters. Return to the lodge and have another option for the tapir in case we did not have luck the night before.

Early in the morning, we start with our return trip to Cusco, first by boat to Colorado village and then by car to Puerto Carlos, after crossing the Inambari River, we take our private bus to Cusco. We will be arriving to Cusco late in the afternoon. Dinner by your own.

TOUR INCLUDED:

 Professional naturalist guide with telescope, Birding guide on request, Private boat and bus transport, Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick, Tapir lick and Blanco lake, Cook & food (vegetarian on request) and mineral water for everyday, Accommodation in Lodge, First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison), Bite Away for mosquito bites, Antidote for snake bite, Radio, communication and Rubber boots.

NOT INCLUDED: Binocular and Alcoholic drinks etc.