DAY 1: CUSCO TO PILCOPATA or ATALAYA : We take an 10 hours bus trip from the city of Cusco ascending to the high mountain area at 4000 m (13,000 feet). After a short stop in Ninamarca, to see the pre-Inca cemetery, and Paucartambo village, we descend the eastern slopes of the Andes through cloud forest with lush vegetation (ferns, orchids, epiphytes etc.) to the lowland rainforest on the Madre de Dios and Manu Rivers. You will enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and may see wildlife such as our national bird, the Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola peruviana) inside a hiding place next to the lek, brilliantly colored Tanagers and Hummingbirds and with some luck the first monkeys, as e.g. the Wooly Monkey. We spend the night in a lodge in Pilcopata ( 600m) or a little bit further down at Rio de Oro Lodge, close to Atalaya.

DAY 2: ATALAYA TO SERJALI : Early in the morning we drive ½ hour to Atalaya where we prepare our raft and descend the upper Madre de Dios River for around 6 hours. Today we have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Skimmers, Purplish Jays, King Vultures, caimans and some of the 13 species of monkeys that live in Manu. In the afternoon we arrive to the area of Serjali and camp on the beach.

DAY 3: SERJALI TO BOCA MANU TO MAQUISAPAYOJ : After an early breakfast we continue by boat to Boca Manu village, where we have a stop and can have a look around the village or get a cold drink. Afterwards we continue by boat for 2 ½ hours to Maquisapayoj (place of the Black Spider Monkey). Here we walk to the Mammal Salt Lick in the afternoon and spend the night on the specially made platform ( with mats and mosquito nets ) to observe tapirs or other mammals.

DAY 4: MAQUISAPAYOJ TO BLANQUILLO : After exploring the trails around Maquisapayoj we travel downriver for half an hour to get to Blanquillo, our base camp for the next days. We visit Cocha (lake) Blanco to observe the family of Giant River Otters, monkeys (e.g. Red Howler Monkey), caimans and different varieties of birds.

Our camp is at Blanquillo. Optional nightwalk ( to see frogs, insects, snakes etc.) before dinner and a shower!

DAY 5: MACAW CLAY LICK AND COCHA CAMUNGO : Early in the morning we drive to the Macaw Clay Lick. From a blind we can observe flocks of Macaws (Ara chloroptera, - macao), Parrots and Parakeets arriving to eat the clay of the lick. Breakfast at the blind. After the spectacle we continue exploring the trails around Blanquillo and visit the 42 m tower at
Cocha ( lake) Camungo. We spend the night in Blanquillo. Optional nightwalk.

DAY 6: BLANQUILLO TO CUSCO:
Early in the morning we drive upriver for 3 hours to Boca Manu airstrip and fly back to Cusco (45 min.) From the plane we have a nice view of the rainforest. Transfer to your hotel.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Professional naturalist guide with telescope, birding guide on request
• Private bus and boat transport and the raft
• Entrance fees to Macaw clay lick, Tapir lick and Blanco and Camungo lakes
• Cook
• All food (vegetarian on request) equipment and Lodge stays
• First Aid Kit, extractor (for poison)
• Radio communication
• 6 day tour: return flight to Cusco

NOT INCLUDED:

• Sleeping bag
• Binocular
• when returning by plane: airstrip tax Boca Manu
• Alcoholic drinks etc.