MANU NATIONAL PARK 5 DAYS – AMAZON TOUR

Depart Cusco after an early breakfast and begin the fabulous journey that will take you from the high Andes, with spectacular views of the sacred valley, right down into the cloud forest. Arrive at Paucartambo, the center of ancient trading routes of the Incas, and stop for a light refreshment. Here you will have the chance to experience some local culture, traditional dances, and celebrations as well as learn about the Andean communities’ use of biodiversity within the forest.

Continue your journey towards one of the highest points of the day at Acjanaco (3,500 m), a park rangers’ station, and the entrance to Manu National Park. If weather conditions permit, you may have the chance of seeing the spectacular views of Peru’s largest National Park. Amidst the clouds, travel on towards San Pedro, where you will have lunch. Take in the dramatic changes of the landscape as you go until you reach the lodge in the afternoon, about 3 pm, for your overnight stay.

Lodging: Cock of the Rock Lodge, Paradise Lodge, or Wayquecha Biological Station.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner.

In the early morning, the start takes you out into the cloud forest to see one of its main attractions, the Cock of The Rock bird, the national bird of Peru. Watch their dance spectacle right in front of you, an incredible sight! After a hearty breakfast at the lodge begin the journey down by road further into the cloud forest. The journey will be full of the sights and sounds of the forest, monkeys, and some of the richest varieties of birds on earth as well as the spectacled bear. You will visit a coca plantation where you will learn about the uses of the coca leaves and their medicinal properties. After a short stop at Pillcopata, you will head on to the port town of Atalaya and board a motorized canoe.

A one-hour ride to the Manu Learning Centre gives you your first impression of the meandering Amazonian river, the Alto Madre de Dios, one of the most southern tributaries of the legendary Amazonas River. On arrival, you will be shown around the lodge before lunch. In the afternoon, explore the local trail system with your naturalist guides, before relaxing at the lodge to the sounds of the forest. During your stay at this beautiful lodge, guests can learn about the human history of Manu and the challenges of conserving this beautiful and fragile environment by talking to guides and researchers on-site. In the evening you will learn how to make one of the region’s typical cocktails the Cocona Sour a variation of the traditional Peruvian Pisco Sour. The Cocona fruit is very well known for being an excellent source of iron and vitamin C and is often given to those suffering from diabetes or those with high cholesterol. Having given your hand at making this typical Amazon drink sit back and relax watching the sunset on the river below reflecting on the day’s activities. Lodging: Manu Learning Centre.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

One of the most interesting activities at the Manu Learning Centre is the monitoring of the clay lick or Collpa where, among others, the endangered Blue-headed Macaw is observed and studied. Join the scientists and researchers on an early morning boat trip to the hide, five minutes upriver, to observe the activity of macaws, parrots, and parakeets.

As day breaks and the sun rises you will be able to see the magical colors of the birds as they flock together on the walls of the clay lick. On your way back for breakfast, head into the forest and visit a bio-garden; part of the center’s sustainable project which also supplies the food to the lodge’s kitchen.

From here head through multiple forest types, running into squirrel monkeys hummingbirds, and razor-billed curassows, an incredible experience. After a morning of activities in the forest come back to the lodge to start the preparation of one of the classic Amazonian dishes “Juane”. This is a dish made from rice and chicken some of the staples in the local diet are cooked together with a mix of herbs and spices locally sourced, such as yuca, fresh coriander.

All of this is then served wrapped up and served in a banana leaf. After a wonderful lunch spends the afternoon at your own leisure or head out with one of the specialist guides to explore the 25km of rainforest trails.

After dinner, that evening talks to the scientists working on the reserve to help put into context the work we do at Crees on sustainability and conservation and learn more about the ongoing work the foundation does to help preserve the region. There is also always the possibility to head out on a night walk to spot all the nocturnal species.

Lodging: Manu Learning Centre.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today take a boat trip for two hours to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes, the land of the native community of Shintuya. The community is home to one of the region’s first missions and has a mixed population of indigenous Harakumbut and immigrants from the Andes.

Take a dip in the hot springs and enjoy their medicinal qualities as you relax in the warm water. Learn more about the local community and how people here live here. Have a picnic lunch before returning to the lodge for sunset and more wildlife spotting on the return boat journey.

After a wonderful day exploring more of Manu return to the lodge where you will help to prepare a barbecue of locally sourced fish – clean them and stuff them with vegetables and herbs before wrapping them in a banana leaf to cook them on the barbecue. While they are cooking perhaps take the chance to visit the medicinal plant garden to hear about its local
legends and see the beautiful orchid garden, home to some of the smallest orchids in the world.

Lodging: Manu Learning Centre.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After breakfast, prepare for departure. Take the boat back to the port town of Atalaya where you will board your
transport to take you back to Cusco. The landscape will change dramatically as you climb up into the cloud forest
towards the Andes and then down to Cusco. You will be dropped off at your hotel by your guide to bring your trip
to an end but you will take with you a wonderful experience of Manu. You will arrive back at your hotel in time for dinner
at about 7 pm.

Lodging: Not Included.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

End

How Many Days Do You Need in Order to Hike In Peru

The Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular combined routes. Each route varies in length from one to fourteen days, depending on the demand and availability of lodging along the way. All four journeys are one-way trips. You will generally travel back to Cusco using a combination of public and private transportation, depending on which tour company you use to make your trip reservations.

The One-Day Inca Trail Hike (1-day trek)

You can see Machu Picchu in one day if you’re short on time (but be prepared to wake up early!). You’ll take the train from Cusco to Kilometer 104, which is a location on the trail. Then, you’ll hike around 15 kilometers (9 miles) through the Sun Gate until you reach the Machu Picchu sanctuary. This option is great if you want to view Machu Picchu and experience a small section of the Inca Trail trek all at once.

The Lares Trek (3-day trek)

The Lares Trek, also known as the cultural alternative to the Inca Trail, is a three-day journey into the historical weaver communities on the eastern slopes of Machu Picchu. But don’t expect it to be a trip to the museum.

To glimpse into time-honored villages, you must earn access by obtaining passes that soar to over 15,000 feet and zigzag across Pumahuanca’s peak. On day four of your Lares trek, you may add another stop at Machu Picchu ruins.

Vilcabamba Traverse Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The trek to Machu Picchu is not for the faint of heart. At 65 kilometers long, this is regarded as one of the most difficult ways to see Machu Picchu. The route starts in Cachora and winds a mile-deep canyon to Choquequirao, or “Cradle of Gold.” The Vilcabamba Trail follows the same route that Hiram Bingham took when he rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911, albeit via more isolated towns.

The Salkantay Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The Salkantay Trek is the only Inca Trail option that lets you sleep in a comfy bed and take a hot shower at the end of every day’s hike! Though it still requires reasonably fit participants, The Lodge Trek runs along the Salkantay Trail through the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range but permits nightly rest at fully serviced lodges placed along the route. Machu Picchu is reached by following the trail to an elevation of 15,000 feet.

The Classic Inca Trail Route (3 – 5 day trek)

The Classic Inca Trail Hike is the most popular trek of the four alternatives described in this piece. It begins at kilometer 82 along the route, at the village of Piscacucho. The first day is a moderate hike through the Andean foothills, crossing the Urubamba River and arriving at your campsite in Huayllabamba. On the second day, you’ll ascend what’s known as “Dead Woman’s Pass,” which is the highest point of the Inca Trail Elevation at 4200 meters (13,776 feet). After that, it’s all downhill to the Pacaymayo River campsite.