Manu Biosphere Reserve
Manu boasts among the highest bird, mammal, and plant diversity of any park on Earth, including over 1,000 of the world's 9,700 bird species, 200 species of mammals, and 15,000 species of flowering plants. The most photogenic spectacles are frolicking Giant Otters, 1,000 parrots and macaws at a riverbank clay lick, dancing Cocks-of-the-Rock, habituated monkeys, and huge Lowland Tapirs at a forest clay lick.
Sample itinerary
Day 1
This morning you will be met by Andean Discovery staff and transferred to the airport in time for your morning flight to Boca Manu. Here you will be met by staff from the Manu Wildlife Center and board a motorized canoe for the 90-minute journey to the lodge. The 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”. After lunch, you will explore some of the 30 miles of clean forest trails that surround the lodge. On these trails you have an excellent chance of encountering some of the 12 species of monkeys, which include the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin. After dinner you will have a short night excursion to explore nocturnal life in the rainforest.
All meals included. Overnight in Manu Wildlife Center.
Day 2
Rising before dawn, you 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, you are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of hundreds of medium-sized and large parrots, which arrive first at the lick, followed by the large Red-and-Green Macaws. After lunch at the Center, continue exploring the forest trails surrounding the lodge, and plan to spend the late afternoon on a 110-foot canopy platform. Here, you’ll watch the last frantic activity in the rainforest canopy, or rush hour, before night settles.
Return to the lodge for dinner or opt to pack your meal for the leisurely hike about 60-75 minutes through the night forest to the Amazon’s largest known Tapir clay lick. Here you will climb a 17 by 17 foot observation platform perched almost 20 feet above the lick itself and you’ll wait for the lumbering Tapirs to arrive. Then, using powerful flashlights make an attempt to photograph them in action. Manu naturalists report that tapirs usually visit the clay lick between 9:00 pm and midnight; however, their activity continues until dawn.
All meals included. Overnight in Manu Wildlife Center.
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 is home to a variety of aquatic life and marine birds, including the prehistoric-looking hoatzin. If you’re lucky, you may see the resident family of giant otters. After lunch at the Center, you may opt for a guided excursion to further explore the forest trails and wildlife. Alternatively, time is available to independently experience this expanse of rainforest habitats on your own. After dinner, search for caiman and other nocturnal life along the riverbank by boat.
All meals included. Overnight in Manu Wildlife Center.
Day 4
After early breakfast, you’ll leave near dawn by motor canoe for the two-hour return trip to the Manu landing strip (Boca Manu), taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you fly to Cusco or Lima. Arrival at Cusco or Lima Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Please contact us to check availability and prices, or to inquire about customizing an itinerary for you.
Sample Itineraries
- Tambopata National Reserve
- Manu Biosphere Reserve
- Mountain Biking from Cusco to Manu Biosphere Reserve
About the Amazon Rainforest
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