Tour Manu – Cultural Zone 4D/3N

The Cultural Zone is one of the three zones from Manu National Park which covers high mountains, cloud forest and low jungle. In this area there are small villages, setlers and native comunities working in productive activieties such as agriculture and lumber at a low scale, since this activities are controled by the Ministery of Agriculture and Park Authorities.

Day 01: Manu Cultural Zone

We leave Cusco early in the morning, visit the interesting pre-Inca tombs of Ninamarca, the colonial town of Paucartambo, and then down to the Cloud Forest. Here, a thick cloak of clouds provides perpetual humidity and makes an ideal habitat for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads. This varied and fascinating world is home of the Cock of the Rock, the Spectacled Bear, Orchids, Tree Ferns (one of the oldest living plants), mosses and lichens. At least 50% of the plant species found here are endemic to this region. Overnight in our open air lodge “San Pedro”.

Day 02: Manu Cultural Zone

We observe the ritual mating dance of the Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana), Peru’s national bird, from the platform (“lek”). After breakfast we continue in our overland transport *1 down the narrow road between waterfalls and canyons toward Pilcopata town *2. After 30 minutes bus ride we will arrive to the Port of Atalaya, board our covered motorized boat and head down the Alto Madre de Dios River for approximately 30 minutes toward our private reserve “Erika Lodge” where we will spend the next two nights. Short walk around the lodge.

Day 03: Manu Cultural Zone

The great diversity of wildlife around the lodge is due to the wide altitude range of this beautiful site. Immediately after breakfast, we start walking and our guide will explain us about insects, medicinal plants, trees, reptiles, mammals, etc. Before returning for lunch we can have the chance to swim in the clear water of natural pools of a stream close to the lodge. Early in the afternoon we will have a short boat ride to visit a small lake near the Alto Madre de Dios River. Here we will have the chance to see the Hoatzin, a primitive bird, black caimans, many species of birds, insects, etc. This will be our last night in this wonderful Amazon jungle. Overnight in the lodge.

Day 04: Manu Cultural Zone

Early wake up to board our boat. After five minutes ride, we will arrive to a small “Collpa”, which is a wall of clay in the riverbanks where many species of parrots feed for mineral and salt supplements to their diet of seeds and fruits. After this colourful and noisy show we continue by boat to Atalaya Port and then the bus back to Cusco arriving late in the afternoon. End of services.