Wildlife Expedition

From the Peruvian Andes to the Amazon

Immerse yourself in a complete overview of the habitats and wildlife of all elevations along the road-and-river route from Cusco to the Manu lowlands.

This is one of the most interesting nature trips in the world! You will travel from the highlands to the lowlands traversing different ecosystems, each with its particular flora and fauna like: Andes, Puna, Cloud Forest, Jungle highland and lowland.

Departing Cusco, we travel in our expedition vehicle down the orchid-festooned cloud forest road to Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, which offers the world's finest viewing of these blazing scarlet birds.

The following day, we drive and boat to Pantiacolla Lodge in the foothills of the Andes. On day three, we boat to Manu Wildlife Center and spend three nights there exploring the vast Manu lowlands. This trip includes one visit each to the Macaw Clay Lick, the Tapir Clay Lick, a canopy platform, and a mature oxbow lake. On the last day, you fly out to Cusco.

2007 prices:

• $1395 per person/based on double occupancy
• Includes round-trip charter flights from Cusco
• Plus $8 airport taxes to be collected locally
• Single Supplement $250

2007 Departures:

• Wednesday & Saturday.
• 6 day/5 night departures with a minimum of two people

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco/Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge.  We pick you up by bus from your hotel, after your breakfast, and set off for the cloud forest. We pass over two Andean chains of almost 13,100 feet elevation through a steppe-like landscape, or Puna. On the way we pass stone Chullpas, or burial chambers, of the Pre-Inca people and will hope to catch sight of some of the bird species of the high Andes, including the Giant Hummingbird and Mountain Caracara.

We plan on a delicious boxed lunch at the edge of the cloud forest, Ajanaco, which if clear affords views over the cloud forest and the vast sprawling expanse of the lowland rain forest. From here the road suddenly descends the eastern slope of the Andes. We plunge downwards, past remnant patches of elfin forest, through swirling mist and cloud, to emerge in a forest of stunted, evergreen trees, festooned with mosses, lichens, bromeliads and other epiphytes. Nestled in this forest within a 2-minute walk of the road, and within earshot of a rushing mountain stream, lies the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, If there is time available, we will have a chance to briefly began our exploration of the surrounding forest before dinner. ( Box Lunch, D)

Day 2: Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge/Pantiacolla Lodge.  We need to get up before sunrise to visit the lek of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Next, we spend some hours of the morning searching from the road looking for cloud forest birds, and with luck, Common Woolly Monkeys. Then continue by bus for Atalaya. After a 3-4 hour bus ride we reach the Alto Madre de Dios River, where we may have box lunch in Atalaya or choose to eat on the River. From here we switch over to a cargo canoe with a 55 hp or 65 HP outboard motor and continue for 1.5 - 2 hours on the Alto Madre de Dios River to the Pantiacolla Lodge. If there is time before dark you will be able to start you exploration of one of the 20 km of gridded forest trails which surround the lodge. ( B, Box Lunch, D)

Day 3: Pantiacolla Lodge – Manu Wildlife Center.  You can take a small hike on the Lodge trails before leaving early for Manu Wildlife Center. On the way we have wildlife viewing possibilities throughout the morning until you stop for a visit at an Indigenous Piro Indian Village. Later after passing the entrance to the Manu National Park, we take a break at Boca Manu. Now on the River Madre de Dios, after traveling today approximately 6 hours by boat, you arrive at Manu Wildlife Center. A Wildlife Center Reception and Orientation are planned before unpacking in your private bungalow and resting to escape the afternoon heat. Today, at one of the top ten wildlife lodges in the world, we begin your exploration through 48 kilometers, almost 30 miles, of diverse forest trails. ( B, Box Lunch, D).

Day 4: Manu Wildlife Center.  Rising before dawn, we 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 we are afforded 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.

Please note that :

• 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.

After lunch at the Center we continue to explore the forest trails surrounding the lodge, and plan to spend the late afternoon up a 34 meter canopy platform. Here, we watch the last frantic activity in the rainforest canopy, or rush hour, before night settles.

We can return for dinner back at the Center, or pack our meal for the leisurely hike about 60-75 minutes through the night forest to the Amazon’s largest known Tapir clay lick. Here we climb a 17 by 17 foot observation platform perched almost 20 feet above the lick itself where we wait for the lumbering Tapirs to arrive. Then, using powerful flashlights we hope to observe and photograph them in action. Our 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)

Day 5: 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, we offer an opportunity to search for caiman and other nocturnal life along the riverbank by boat. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Manu Wildlife Center-Cusco.  After early breakfast, we 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 fly to Cusco, where your jungle adventure ends. Arrival at Cusco Airport, reception and transfer to your hotel. (B)

Please note that the program may vary slightly so as to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.

B=Breakfast; L= Lunch; D=Dinner.

About the lodges:

Cock of the Rock Lodge/Manu Cloud Foresto offers the world’s best Andean Cock-of-the-Rock experience in a pristine cloud forest reserve. Manu, Peru . The Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge is located in the pristine Manu cloud forest on the verdant eastern slopes of the Andes and is part of the Tropical Nature conservation system.

Opened in 1997, it is named after the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Peru’s large, bright-red national bird that puts on a colorful, noisy mating display adjacent to the lodge every morning. Spectacled Bears, Woolly Monkeys, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, quetzals and a host of other colorful birds inhabit the surrounding forest, and a bubbling mountain stream tumbles past the lodge.

Situated at an elevation of 5000 feet (1600 meters) in the cool, mosquito-free Kosñipata Valley close to the wild Cusco–Shintuya road, the lodge protects and supports a 12,500-acre private cloud forest reserve. It consists of 12 double-occupancy bungalows with private bath facilities, and a separate complex with a large dining room. A local highland family staffs the lodge, and they also work as rangers, patrolling the private reserve.

Manu Wildlife Center is located in a private, 40,000-acre rain forest reserve adjacent to the 1 million acre protected area named the “Amarakaeri Reserved Zone”. The Center is the only lodge in the Manu lowlands with roomy, private bungalows, each of which has en suite private bathrooms complete with tiled, hot water showers. The Lodge contains 22 double-occupancy fully screened bungalows with private bath, a large fully screened dining room, and a bar with hammocks for relaxing. No other lodge in Manu offers all the major wildlife attractions in one spot:

• The world's largest tapir lick.
• The most photogenic large macaw lick.
• Miles of monkey-rich trails through mature rain forest.
• Two 120-foot-tall (35-m) canopy platforms.
• Two mature lakes complete with Hoatzins and Giant Otters

Trip notes:

• This itinerary is offered as a component for any complete Peru itinerary (usually requires a minimum of 7 nights of arrangements) General booking conditions & deposits apply as per your entire itinerary.

• Flights are included from Cusco. You will need to spend at least one night prior to your departure, and the night of your return in Cusco or the surrounding area. Due to the charter nature of the operations, it is not dependable to schedule connecting flights from Cusco.

• A baggage allowance of 10 Kilos (22 pounds) per person is imposed for the flights.

• Manu Wildlife Center has no electricity. Lighting in the communal areas is by kerosene lamp and candles, with the paths around the lodge complex lit by kerosene lamps. Lighting in the guests bedrooms is by candle. An 110V generator is available from which camcorder batteries can be recharged. Please note that guests may need to bring a special adaptor to plug into the generator.

• Shorter programs visiting Manu Wildlife Center only are available using charter flights round-trip from Cusco. 3 night program departs Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Cost is $1085 per person/ $150 single supplement. 4 nt program departs on Thursday & Saturday. Cost is $1185 per person/$200 single supplement

• Due to the proximity to the Bolivian border, a yellow-fever certificate (proof of vaccination) is required for this itinerary.

• IN CASE OF FLIGHT CANCELLATION
• If the plane is cancelled whilst the guests are waiting to return to Cusco, arrangements must be made with their guide for accommodation. Guests must pay for any additional costs incurred during this extra night. If the guests decide to return to the lodge for an additional night (SPACE PERMITTING), and return to Boca Manu the following day, the guests must pay an additional USD 60.00 for the extra night and boat transportation (USD 190 irrespective of the number of passengers).

Risk and Responsibility