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Manu Wildlife Center 4 days/3nights.

Manu Wildlife Center located east of the Manu River on the north bank of the Madre de Dios River, and reached by a 35-minute light plane flight from Cusco, offers the Amazon’s finest short, in-depth wildlife safari. The Lodge contains 22 double-occupancy fully screened bungalows with private bath (with hot shower), a large fully screened dining room, and a bar with hammocks for relaxing.

Three fixed departure programs per week : Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Day 1
Early morning our representative will pick you up from your hotel to transfer to Cusco airport.

A thirty-five minute flight in a radar-equipped twin engine plane takes you to Boca Manu. Here you take a motorized canoe for the 90 minutes journey down the Madre de Dios River to Manu Wildlife Center to arrive for lunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring some of the 30 miles of clean forest trails that surround the lodge. On these trails you have an excellent chance to encounter some of the 12 species of monkeys, which include the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin, which inhabit the surrounding forest.

After dinner you will have a short night excursion to explore nocturnal life in the rainforest. (L/D).

Day 2
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 3
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 4
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.

Rates

Departures from Cusco : Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Prices per person in double accommodation with private bath.
Reduced rates available for bookings of 5 or more people.

What we include:

• Round trip transfers to and from the Cusco Airport
• Round trip airfare from Cusco to Boca Manu in new aircraft (READ MORE)
• Round trip canoe transportation to the lodge
• Private bungalows with private bathrooms
• All meals and snacks
• Purified drinking water and juices
• Bilingual naturalist guide
• Visits to macaw and tapir clay licks, oxbow lake, canopy platforms and trail hikes

More information:

Predeparture Information: what to know before travel     Manu Wildlife Center Trail System     Photo Gallery     Manu map