Peru

Madre de Dios

Ninamarca

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport

Travel by bus through the high Andes mountains on the way to the rainforest. The high mountains are truly quite high at 3900 m (13,000 ft). You will take a short rest a Ninamarca which is a pre-Inca cemetery with a surrounding colonial village of Paucartambo. There will be some locals that frequent this are with knick-knacks to show you (and try to convince you to buy).<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-1855314.png"></figure>&nbsp;

Carretera Manu

<figure class="image image_resized image-style-align-center" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-3090709.png"></figure>From Ninamarca you will continue the drive down the Andes steep eastern slopes and descend into the cloud forest with more lush<img class="image_resized image-style-align-right" style="width:25%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-2189031.png"> vegetation. There will be a lot of wildlife and aviary to see such as the Cock of the Rocks, Tanagers, Trogons, Hummingbirds, and Quetzals. You can make occasional pit stops on the way to see and hear the bird calls. If you are lucky, you can witness some very unique bird mating dances.You will end the day at the Bamboo Lodge (sitting at 900m).

Your journey begins to the great Amazon rainforest. Land in Cusco and begin the trek to the rain forest. It is a two day journey in total. On the first day expect a lot of sitting on a bus with some spectacular views of the Andes mountains, pre-Incan ruins, &nbsp;and the initial gateway to the Manu cloud forest.

Start your journey at Lima

Atalaya Port

The bus drive will continue forth to get to one of the rivers feeding into the Amazon. Along the way you will pass the village of Pilcopata which could make for a nice rest stop. There are some opportunity to see local orchid gardens along the way as well. Keep your eye out for monkeys and birds.

Boca Manu

<img class="image_resized image-style-align-right" style="width:50%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-2828038.png">From the port of Atalaya, you will navigate down the Amazon for about 7 hours by motorized boat on the Alt Madre de Dios River. You will go to the core of the Amazon near Boca Manu which is the lowland rainforest. There are numerous established camp sites around Boca Manu for visitors to stay safely (different companies own the properties established here).<img class="image_resized image-style-align-left" style="width:50%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-2842014.png">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Along the way you will see the changing landscape of the Amazon from rocky banks of the river, flooded landscape, and continuing regrowth of the forest from the leisure of the boat. Pay close attention and you will see many species of Monkey, Avians (from Kingfishers, Skimmers, Vultures, Herons, and more). You will also spot Caiman along the way (large Alligators).

Fitzcarrald

In the evening, be sure to catch a night walk around the camp to observe the marching ants, large spiders, snakes, and frogs that tend to be more active at night. Most of the camp sites have established hiking trails around them with plenty to see along the way.

The second day of the trek to the Amazon begins. Today will consist of the final leg of the bus ride to one of the rivers feeding into the Amazon, where you will make your way to the core of the Amazon where they have established company own encampments for visitors. At the end of the day and after all the sitting, be sure to take the opportunity to hike around the established trails and night time and see all the nocturnal wonders of the Amazon.&nbsp;Take special care, many of the insects are highly venomous so ensure you stay to the established paths and have a knowledgeable guide nearby.

Travel by mini-bus to the Amazon and up the great river

<img class="image_resized image-style-align-right" style="width:25%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-1999972.png">Early morning you will take a short boat trip to a clay lick around the river Blanquillo. A clay lick is a naturally occurring clay rock that many types of birds come to eat (it helps with digestion) and form a social culture around. Several species of Macaws, parrots, and parakeets congregate daily around the clay licks and can be observed naturally at established platforms with spotting scopes and binoculars.

<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-1874844.png"></figure>There are trails nearby the clay lick that will be worth hiking to see monkeys, many species of birds, sloth, and if you are lucky giant river otters at the nearby lakes.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-3671910.png"></figure>

<img class="image_resized image-style-align-left" style="width:25%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-2310400.png">Towards sunset, it is definitely worthwhile to visit the 42 m observation tower in the area which will have you climb to the top of the canopy and see the rainforest from above. You will see the clouds rolling off the Andes, fire flies, toucans, and monkeys. You'll hear the Howler monkeys in their prime howling through the whole rain forest.<img class="image_resized image-style-align-right" style="width:50%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-4347172.png">

Approaching night time, there are specific places to spot the rare to observe Tapirs. They are nocturnal and will come to lick the local salt licks at night time. There are observation platforms established to go to potentially see the Tapirs. There will be a hike to get there and it is likely you will stay the night at the platform. At any point in the evening the Tapir may come and you will be lucky to observe it. Be sure to be quiet.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-1047884.png"></figure>

You will get a full day of action by the third day, but this is what your here for! Make the best of the experience and come prepared and full of energy. There will be a lot of mosquitos so be prepared for that. The day starts off with seeing the clay licks which is an amazing opportunity (whether you enjoy watching birds or not) to see the social hierarchy of birds, especially Macaws in the wild and how they form social rules around eating clay, a highly needed nutrient in their diets.From there you will visit some of the nearby lakes with a chance to see the rare (going extinct) giant river otters and many other critters along the way. You will also visit a tower that takes you to the top of the rainforest canopy. This is a cannot miss and left some very memorable impressions on me as I witnessed a thunderstorm rolling over the Andres and descending into the cloud forest from afar with 100s of glowing night flies and monkeys passing through. Truly spectacular.After sunset, you will get a chance to hike out to a small lookout over a mammal salt lake where if your lucky, Tapirs will come at some point in the night.

Macaw Clay Lick, Giant Otter search by lake, and the great tree platform

At first sunlight, you can return to camp and prepare for another fantastic day in the jungle. Afterward in the morning is the best time to make your way over to one of the many lakes in the area and try to spot the rare giant river otter. You have a super are chance to also spot Jaguars. The lake will have a large wooden catamaran to more fully explore the lake by boat and you will have an excellent chance to see many howler monkeys and a huge variety of birds.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-2016655.png"></figure>

<img class="image_resized image-style-align-left" style="width:25%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-1652702.png">Afterward, make your way back to camp for lunch. When finished there are still plenty of hikes to do around the area. Pick one and keep your eyes and ears open for the different monkeys (black spider and red, white, and brown howler monkeys). There are many rare birds in the area where having a well attuned guide, will be able to identify the rare bird calls and hopefully find some of the more rare sights of the jungle. Be sure to learn and see the large variety of plenty species and see the ecosystem of the jungle canopy in action.

At the end of the day, you will have another chance to go visit the Tapir salt lick (with the night hike out to it). If you have yet to see the Tapirs you have a second chance, or if you are lucky enough to see them two nights in a row! The night hike is worth it regardless. Many of the insects hunt and are active at night and being able to see it is truly special.

The fourth and final day in the core of the jungle will be spent with more hiking and exploration of the core. More chances to see that rare giant river otter with some amazing lake catamaran boating. Hikes through the jungle to have a chance to see many remarkable sights. and ending with another chance to catch the Tapirs at night time.

Continued search for the Giant Otter and visit the Tapir Clay lick

Boca Colorado

<img class="image_resized image-style-align-left" style="width:50%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-2071769.png">Travel by boat from your camp to a small gold mining town of Boca Colorado where there are then established road ways to begin making your way back to more established roadways.

Santa Rosa

<img class="image_resized image-style-align-right" style="width:50%;" src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-1854466.png">You'll travel bar car over some rough road for about a hour until you make it to the river crossing over the Rio Inambari. On the other side is the small town of Santa Rosa. There you can catch your bus that will begin the longer journey back to Cusco.

Cusco

The drive to Cusco is long, but you will arrive by night fall. You will ride along the Transoceanica highway through the cloud forest, up to the Andres and experience fantastic views of the mountains. Once at Cusco, your journey is over. Hopefully it was unforgettable.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://itravel-wise-cdn.azureedge.net/itinerary-images/images/3/lh3-googleusercontent-com-image-1998775.png"></figure>

The last day is here and sadly you will be departing the greater Amazon and making your way back to Cusco through the entire day. There are still some amazing sights to see along the trip though. The Amazon, Andes, and Peru in general are beautiful filled with amazing landscapes, animals, culture, and history.

The journey back to Cusco

The Amazon rainforest is the largest rain forest in the world spanning from Brazil, Peru, and Columbia with smaller portions in several other countries. While Brazil contains the most significant portion of the Amazon with 60%, Peru is second in line with 13%. Peru is special because the Manu Cloud Forest is at the base of the Andes mountain range which is quite an amazing sight. You can see the clouds full of friction rolling off the Andes and descending to the cloud rainforest where naturally lots of thunder storms occur.The biodiversity in the Amazon jungle is vast, filled with many species that have evolved and optimized to adapt to a harsh environment and adapted to the world of the small. In the Amazon, much of what there is to see tends to be smaller bugs and birds that have adapted to become much larger than you would image. There are a few larger animals to be found from the Capybara, Sloths, Jaguars, and Caimans. Most of what you will see are a vast variety of birds and insects. If you are lucky you will also get to see the rare (and going extinct) Giant River Otter.The Amazon is truly an amazing place to visit and explore, in the core zones it is generally free of the black market activities that plague the exterior parts of the rain forest. You will have action packed days ahead of you filled with boats trips, hikes, climbing to the top of a tree on a lookout station (to see the top of the rain forest canopy), bird watching (make sure you get to see the Macaw clay lick rocks). The Macaws have developed an intriguing social culture around coming and eating claw every morning and it is truly amazing getting to bear witness to it.Getting to the Amazon takes quite a bit of time, two days in and one day out.&nbsp;<h4>&nbsp;</h4><h4>What to bring</h4><ul><li>Hiking shoes, you will be walking on even and rooted surfaces.</li><li>To protect yourself from the mosquitos, bring mosquito repellant. It won't repel all mosquitos though so I do recommend also bringing a breathable rain jacket in which mosquito needles will be unable to pierce. It will be hot so choose to have a rain jacket on which is going to make it feel warmer but protect from bugs or accept the bugs with less clothes.</li><li>(optional) Bring light breathable gloves that will protect the hands from mosquito needle noses.</li><li>(optional) Bring something to cover your face some from bugs.</li><li>Recommend going with an established guide company for their expertise. The Jungle is filled with many dangerous things, and it is this expertise that will allow you to visit safely and find more rare to see animals.</li></ul>

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Owner:

Areas of Travel:

Seasons:

Updated:

Budget Range:

Start your journey at Lima

Travel by mini-bus to the Amazon and up the great river

Macaw Clay Lick, Giant Otter search by lake, and the great tree platform

Continued search for the Giant Otter and visit the Tapir Clay lick

The journey back to Cusco

Explore the Manu Biosphere Preserve in the Amazon Rainforest

5

Title:

Owner:

Areas of Travel:

Seasons:

Updated:

Budget Range:

Start your journey at Lima

Travel by mini-bus to the Amazon and up the great river

Macaw Clay Lick, Giant Otter search by lake, and the great tree platform

Continued search for the Giant Otter and visit the Tapir Clay lick

The journey back to Cusco