MANU PARK AND AMARAKAERI RESERVE 8 DAYS EXPEDITION

1st Day 

Early morning we leave from Cusco by private bus (for groups larger than 04 persons) or 4WD car ( for small groups up to 04 persons) and drive through the Andean Mountains. We make a stop at Ninamarka to see the pre-Inca burial towers before we begin our descent in to the Cloud Forest. Here we make a hike and the flora reveals a variety of ferns, orchids and different parasitic plants. The fauna on the other hand might show us among others the famous Cock-of-the-Rock bird, monkeys and the almost extinct Spectacled Bear. We spend the night in a nearby lodge in the Cloud Forest.

2nd Day 

In the early morning we walk from the lodge to spend time on a hidden platform to observe the dance ritual and meeting place of the Cock of the Rocks birds. Return to the lodge. After breakfast we continue towards Amarakaeri Lodge. On the way we visit some local families and their small farms, pass through Pillcopata town and board the boat in Atalaya or Shintuya port. From here we continue in the motorized boat sailing down the Alto Madre de Díos River. Along the riverbanks we often see cormorants, herons and vultures. We stop in Aguas Calientes near Shintuya Native Community for lunch. Here it is possible to enjoy a natural hot bath. Early afternoon we continue down river to Amarakaeri Lodge. After arrival we get arranged in the Lodge and then we go for a late afternoon walk on an island just in front of the lodge. Especially the birdlife here is very busy and colourful and small mammals is seen from time to time as well. We return in the early evening and spend the night in rooms with comfortable beds with mosquito nets in the Lodge.

3th Day 

After an early breakfast we will start our ecological excursion through the jungle going to Aguas Negras River and the Amarakaeri Reserve. We arrive to our campsite around midday. In the afternoon we will visit different trails going into the virgin jungle, where we in our search have a nice chance to watch wildlife. Our system of trails offer different walks according to the wishes of our passengers. This evening we sleep in comfortable mattresses and tents in our Open Air Campsite. This late evening we make another night walk.

4th Day 

This early morning we walk to Blanco River inside the Amarakaeri Reserve. Crossing the river we arrive to our hiding place by the side of Lagarto Negro Lake (a mammals clay lick). From here we have a chance to watch birds like parrots and parakeets and some mammals feeding from the rich nutritious clay. Depending on the time we will continue hiking through primary jungle and then return for lunch at the Blanco Open Air Campsite near by the Blanco River. In the early afternoon we will continue our exploration of the jungle in another trail searching for wildlife. In the late afternoon we visit the Mammals clay lick again, where we have a good chance to watch bigger animals like for example the Tapir (Tapirs usually come to eat the clay at night). The time of return to the Camp is depending on the activity in our hiding place. This night we sleep in comfortable mattresses and tents in the Open Air Campsite.

5th Day 

We leave our camp early in the morning bringing a breakfast- and lunchbox for the whole day. We will spend about 8 hours in the jungle this day with a combination of walking and observation. It is optional to do some fishing in the Blanco River. Furthermore, in the afternoon, the guide will teach the group how to find the materials and to make the traditional bow and arrows. Around mid-afternoon we return to the camp and just relax and enjoy the rest of the day around the camp or swimming in the river. The tents in our Open Air Campsite all have comfortable mattresses.

6th Day 

This morning we will explore the area along the Blanco River going through secondary and tertiary jungle, - the preferred habitat for the largest rodent of the world, the Capybara, and a good area to look for bird nests. For the lovers of silence and fishing, this morning offers the opportunity to do piranha fishing in the quite waters along the Blanco River. Later we pack our personal things and start to walk back to Amarakaeri Eco-Lodge on a different trail. We arrive to the Lodge late afternoon. We spend the night in rooms with comfortable beds with mosquito nets in the Lodge. Toilets and showers are available.

7th Day 

Today we spend visiting the different communities in the area. In the morning we walk from the lodge to Nuevo Eden village. We follow the communal trail and visit some of the small farms and families along it. Our boat will be waiting further down river to bring us across the river to the Native Community of Shipiteari inhabited mainly by indigenous of the Matsiguenga tribe. We have our lunch here. Early afternoon we visit the community walking along the main trail visiting some of the families that we pass. Our guide will explain about some of the costumes and traditions of these people who have been living in the jungle for generations and generations. After the tour we again cross the river returning to Amarakaeri Eco-Lodge. We spend again the night in good beds with mosquitonets, having toilets and showers available.

8th Day 

After a nice breakfast in Amarakaeri Eco-Lodge we get ready to back up river to Atalaya port (we take lunch in the boat). The boat trip can take up to 6 hours. From Atalaya our private bus or 4WD car will take us back to Cusco arriving around midnight.

What we advice you to bring

• Good flashlight with extra batteries;
• Hiking sandals;
• binoculars;
• sleeping bag;
• Good water bottle;
• swiss army knife or adequate;
• Basic biodegradable for
  personal higiene;
• Insect repellent with minimum
  25% deet;
• Cotton T-shirts;
• light trousers;
• cotton underwear;
• cotton socks;
• swimming suit;
• sweater;
• sunhat.