Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Price: 440 €
Highlights:

Scenic Andes Journey: Travel from Cusco through the Andes, stopping at Paucartambo and the
Acjanaco pass in the Manu Biosphere Reserve.
Cloud Forest Exploration: Discover vibrant wildlife, including the Cock-of-the-Rock and Woolly Monkey.
Waterfall Swimming: Enjoy swimming in natural waterfalls.
Cultural Experience in Atalaya: Visit Atalaya, dine, and stay with a local family.
River Journey: Boat trip on the Madre de Dios River to a parrot clay lick and ecological sites.
Jungle Walks: Guided walks in the Amazonian jungle.

Wildlife in Madre de Dios

Experience the breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity of the Madre de Dios region on a four-day journey that begins in Cusco and traverses the majestic Andes into the lush Amazon jungle. This adventure takes you through the Manu Biosphere Reserve, where you will explore cloud forests teeming with vibrant wildlife, including Peru’s national bird, the Cock-of-the-Rock. Immerse yourself in the diverse ecosystems of the Amazon, enjoy boat trips along the Madre de Dios River, and visit unique ecological sites such as parrot clay licks and the Dos Loritos Animal Rescue Center. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to hike, swim in waterfalls, and stay in charming lodges and with local families, offering a deep connection to the natural world and the local culture.

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Day 1: Cusco - Chontachaka Ecological Reserve

You wake up early to leave Cusco and begin a winding ascent into the Andes. The road eventually winds down to the Paucartambo Colonial Town, where you will stop briefly to stretch your legs. Leaving Paucartambo you begin your ascent through eucalyptus groves, cultivated fields, and remnant patches of native vegetation.

Forty minutes from Paucartambo you reach Acjanaco at 3,500 meter above the sea level, atop the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. At this point you have entered the Manu Biosphere Reserve. You are now above the clouds gazing below into the lush jungle of the Amazon. As you ascent down from Acjanaco, the baron Paramo starts to change to an elfin forest.Here you will stop for lunch to admire the view.

Then, you descend further into the cloud forest where the tree canopy covered by mist gives life to numerous epiphytes, moss, luscious green ferns and the Kur-Kur (high land bamboo). This area is a natural playground for a vast number of birds. You make your way to an observation post where, with a little luck, you will be able to watch the fascinating dance of Peru's National bird, the Cock-of-the-Rock and hopefully spot the Woolly Monkey.

You arrive at our lodge, in the Chontachaka Ecological Reserve, at 6 p.m. where you will spend the night. After a delicious meal you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings before turning in for the evening.

Day 2: Chontachaka - Atalaya

At dawn we shall walk aroun 30 min along Gallito Trail until Cock of The Rock watching point. The Cock of The Rock is the Peru national bird and, every morning, several specimens gather in the watching point. You can observe them and enjoy their movements on the top of the trees.

After that, we comeback to the lodge and have breakfast. Then we walk again, this time following Monkey Trail along which we will observe the rich biodiversity of the zone. Later, we walk until the Waterfall, where we will be able to swim. Comeback to lodge and lunch.

Then we will go by road until the small town of Atalaya. We will have the dinner in a local family’s house and we will sleep there.

Día 3: Atalaya - Río Madre de Dios

Before dawn, boat trip downstream from the river port of Atalaya, in order to visit a colourful parrot clay lick. Continuation of the boat trip.

Stops and walks to visit different points of ecological interest, such as the Chocha Machuwasi, where we will sail in a catamaran.

Lunch at the home of the local family where we spend the night.

Return to the Chontachaka Ecological Reserve with a stop at the Dos Loritos Animal Rescue Centre, where we will observe different specimens in recovery phase to be later released.

Overnight at the Chontachaka Ecological Reserve.

Day 4: Chontachaka – Cusco

After breakfast, time permitting, we shall have our last walk in the jungle and prepare ourselves for our trip back to Cusco. On the road we will make a short stop for lunch and will stop in interesting places, again in the Cloud Forest and our last stop in Paucartambo to have a coffee before the arrival to Cuzco. End of our service