Programs

As part of a tailor made program rainforest extensions can be arranged from Cusco to Manu National Park (for 5 up to 9 days) or to Tambopata National Reserve (for 3 up to 5 days), both including visits to macaw clay licks.

Departure dates for the reserve of Tambopata from Cusco are every day. Minimal recommended program: 4 days / 3 nights at beautiful situated jungle lodge & with professional guides. Optional extension: 4 days / 3 nights, plus one extra night at tented camp in rainforest.

It is recommended to place the Tambopata rainforest extension program at the end of your roundtravel, as it is more economical to fly out directly in the morning from Puerto Maldonado to Lima to catch your international flight in the evening. Otherwise you will have two domestic flights instead of one.

For NP Manu are only fixed group departure dates, unless you prefer to book a special private guided program for a travel party. Operated by one of the best, responsible & leading rainforest companies of Cusco. Minimal program is 5 days, maximum program is 9 days. You have to plan one extra free day in Cusco afterwards, for security in case the return flight is not possible due to unforeseen weather conditions. The rainforest of NP Manu is regarded as belonging to the top 4 of rainforests of Latin America. Note that the rainforest programs in NP Manu are relatively more expensive then the programs in Tambopata reserve.

Feel free to Contact us for detailed itineraries of the different rainforest extensions and a digital map of the area.

Manu NP
Manu National Park was established in 1977 and in recognition of its uniqueness was designated a ''World Heritage Site” ten years later. Manu is internationally acclaimed as one of the most biodiverse areas on earth. Approximately half the area of Switzerland, the Manu Biosphere is a complete ecosystem with protected watershed embracing Andean montane cloud forest, tropical lowland forest and the Alto Madre de Dios and Manu river drainage systems. The biosphere itself is subdivided into national park and two adjacent zones, one for tourism and the other for cultural subsistence. It is home to over 1000 species of birds, 15,000 species of plants, over 200 species of mammals, and untold numbers of insects, and within its heart remain yet uncontacted peoples.

Manu retains healthy populations of jaguar, tapir, anteater, black caiman, giant otter, and among the 13 species of monkey we find the unique pigmy marmoset, the smallest monkey in the world, and the nocturnal night monkey. Because of Manu's low human population and their continued use of traditional hunting techniques, the animals in the park show little fear of man and are more readily approachable than in many other rainforest locations. Manu, therefore, offers unparalleled animal watching opportunities.

Wildlife aside, however, the journey into the park itself is amazingly spectacular and not to be missed. Access to Manu is normally by road. The two day trip from Cusco to the entrance of the Manu Reserved Zone carries you over the Andes mountains to an elevation of 4000 m, past pre-inca ruins and down through the cloud forest on the eastern side of the Andes, and finally into lush, lowland rainforest. Roads remain largely unpaved and wind their way precariously past cascading waterfalls, deep gorges, and precipices. Manu is truly a complete experience.

Tambopata Reserve
Peru's Tambopata-Candamo Reserve is located in the department of Madre de Dios, just half an hour's plane ride from Cusco. In this amazing biological reserve, three different ecosystems converge together: the Amazonian plain, the eastern slopes of the Andes and the Pampas ecosystem. This environmental diversity had allowed at least 11 different types of forests to co-exist leading to an incredible biodiversity. The Tambopata-Candamo Reserve can only be accessed by boat, usually from the town of Puerto Maldonado the capital of the Madre de Dios department. There are daily flights from Puerto Maldonado to and from Lima and Cusco usually arriving and departing early in the morning.

Although 2 day / 1 night packages are available, a minimum stay of 4 days / 3 nights is highly recommended. Even with a 4 day trip the first morning is taken up just getting from Cusco to the lodge. A guided tour into the jungle is arranged for the afternoon of the first day and the following days in the mornings, middays and some night safari in the evenings. You leave the lodge before sunrise on the fourth day to make the connection with the flight back to Lima or Cusco (about 9am). During your stay in the lodge you will encounter a large variety of trees and plants as well as seeing many different insects and birds. Your chances of seeing wild mammals is quite low apart from the occasional sighting of monkeys. Don't go with high expectations of seeing the jaguar or tapir in the Tambopata reserve, although they have been seen by some lucky visitors.