Manu Cultural Zone

This tour is aimed for travelers without much time that desire to have an experience in the cultural area of Manu National Park.

The cultural zone is one of the three zones of the Manu National Park, which includes high mountains, cloud forests and the actual rain forest. In this zone you can still find a few small, original communities who sustain themselves with agriculture and small forestry. Farming and lumbering is closely controlled by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Authorities of the Manu National Park (SERNANP).

The cultural zone encompasses the cloud forest of the mountains, which offers a pristine natural environment for abundantly, wild growing plants. More than 8.000 species of flora, 400 species of birds and 10 different mammals have been registered in the cloud forests of Manu. The zone offers a trip to the lagoon of Machuwasi which can be crossed on rafts made of balsa wood from a local tree, which the ancient inhabitants already used to drive up the Madre de Dios river. You can also enjoy a stroll through the forest of giant Ceiba trees and appreciate parrots.

**Our Tour into the cultural zone of the Manu is designed to give you a first glimpse of the Amazon Rainforest, it is also suited for people who have not yet had any experience in travels to a rain forest so far.

FIXED DEPARTURES 2024: We are offering tours to the Manu from April to December in order to give our clients the best possible experience. Ask for our confirmed departure dates. In order to confirm a new departure we only need a minimum of 2 people.

BINOCULARS 8X42: Manu Tours Peru owns several strong, waterproof binoculars 8X42 which you can rent for 5 US $ per day at the main office in Cusco (please inform us of your request at the initial booking). Binoculars are essential for a visit at Manu in order to appreciate the animals fully. Please bear in mind that you are visiting a natural rain forest, animals can only be observed from a distance.

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Overview

When to Go !	From April to December
Trip Level:	Medium / Easy
Activities:	Culture, Nature, Fauna, Flora, Wildlife, Trekking & Hiking.
Places:	Cusco, Paucartambo, Manu Cloud Forest, Manu National Park.
Transportation:	Private bus, Private boat and Hiking
Accommodation:	Lodge ( Bambu Lodge and Soga de Oro Lodge)
Starting Point:	Cusco
Ending Point:	Cusco
Small Groups:	(no more than 6 travelers)
Pick-up:	From your Hotel in Cusco city
Discounts 2024:	"Ask for our special group rates when booking together with 3 or more people"

ITINERARY

Day 1: CUSCO - MANU CLOUDFOREST (Andean cock-of-the-rock) - BAMBU LODGE

We will leave Cusco at 5:30 am and start our 6-7 hour drive to the jungle. We will pass the highest point of our trip at an altitude of more than 4.000 msl. Along the way we will stop a few times, once to see the Chullpas of Ninamarca, a Pre-Inca cemetery. From here we will pass the pastures of the Andes until we reach the town of Paucartambo at an altitude of 2.900 msl. Paucartambo is a small town with a lot of history and tradition, it is also known as the folkloric capital of Peru. After a short visit to the pretty town center we continue to Acjanaco at 3.560 msl, which also marks the entrance to the National Park of Manu. From now we drop down towards the jungle. Along the way we'll get to see orchids and birds such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Toucan and Tangara. In San Pedro we'll come across a strategically perfect place to observe the national bird of Peru, the Andean cock-of-the-rock. Inside the LEK we will be able to observe these birds jumping and singing merrily while preforming their typical mating ritual. With a bit of luck we'll spot mammals like monkeys or the spectacled bear. We move on through tropical rain forest until we reach the "Ecological Bambu Lodge".

Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Dinner (Novo-Amazonian style).

Bambu Lodge, Double room with private bath and shower.
Natural mineral water (from noon).

For the LEK (A platform built to appreciate the Andean cock-of-the-rock).

DAY 2: BAMBU LODGE TO SOGA DE ORO LODGE.

After an early breakfast we continue with our minibus: we pass the village of Pilcopata and cross the river of the same name to get to the small port of Atalaya (600 m). On the way we stop for some walks to observe birds and to visit a local orchid garden. Before reaching Atalaya we enjoy a great view of the river basin from a lookout point. At the port we embark on a half hour journey in a 15-meter motorized canoe down the Alto Madre de Dios River. We have the opportunity to see wildlife along the rocky banks of the river, such as Fasciated Tiger Herons, Purplish Jays, Skimmers and some of the monkey species that live in Manu. In the afternoon we walk on the trails near the lodge and visit Machuwasi Lake, on the opposite side of the river. We use a wooden raft to explore the lake and observe the birdlife. In the evening we can go caiman spotting at the river or go on a night walk. We spend the night at Soga de Oro Lodge (double rooms & private bathroom).

Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Dinner (Novo-Amazonian style).

Soga de Oro Lodge, Double room with private bath and shower.
Natural mineral water.

For the Machuwasi lake.

DAY 3: SOGA DE ORO LODGE - PARROT CLAY LICK - ATALAYA - CUSCO.

At dawn we travel downriver by boat to the parrot clay lick. This is a special place where parrots, parakeets and small macaws, including the Chestnut fronted Macaw and the rare Blue headed Macaw, come to eat minerals which help them with digestion. After the natural show, we continue our trip to Cusco. The trip will be 5-6 hours aprox. First by boat and later by bus. We leave you in your hotels. Dinner by your own.

Breakfast, Snack, Lunch (Novo-Amazonian style).
Natural mineral water.

Manu Cultural Zone

3 days / 2 nights